THE SCOLD'S BRIDLE.** [Uncorrected Proof copy.]

UK,8vo original wraps,uncorrected proof copy. [Proof version DIFFERENT in that its ending differs from the eventual published version.Often of limited availability,the text of a forthcoming book,is printed and bound in softcovers for use by the author,editors, proofreaders and some favoured reviewers.For undecorated printed wraps,with minimal publication data imprinted - the produced/released number of copies would almost certainly be less than 500,and most probably would tend to be around 200 copies. For glossy pictorial illustrated wrappers,produced numbers are often higher than 200,but either have a scarcity to them. Often errors or earlier versions of text appear in these proofs.Versions where the text has changed considerably are obviously considered more desirable by their nature. **N.B. This Proof version DIFFERENT in that its ending differs from the eventual published version,thereby making it more collecatble.] FINE. No owner inscrptn.Bright,crisp, clean and generally sharp-cornered with exception of rear,lower corner with a small diagonal crease; glossy, b/w background with a superimposed black outline illustration of a Scold's Bridle to front cover,with author's capitalised,white-lettered name and white-lettered title,a black spine/backstrip with similarly coloured+lettered author name+title as the front's and publisher's capitalised initial of name to foot of same,spine has some reading creases,rear cover includes white-lettered synopsis,publisher's promotion information,some critics' reviews and an adhesive white label with a typewritten ISBN. Negligible shelf-wear to edges and corners - no nicks, tears or splits present.Top+fore-edges exceptionaly bright and clean without any blemish,ageing/toning or any foxing/spotting; contents bright,tight,and clean - virtually pristine - with no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners.UK,8vo wraps,uncorrected proof copy,1-323pp [paginated] includes 20 chapters,each preceded by an [unpaginated] diary entry page - the first chapter's entry has a b/w map of Fontwell Village to its reverse - all the others have a blank verso; plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages, a dedication with Dictionary definitions of Scold and Branks - (Scot.) the Bridle - to its reverse,epigrams (2) - [Shakepeare,King Lear and Douglas Adams,The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy]'.
Visually the exterior appearance is more than acceptable and particularly internally,is in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation for a book of its 30-year-old age and nature, i.e an ephemeral paperback proof copy.It is only the minor faults described that prevents a slightly higher grading overall.Despite that,it really is still an exceptional,exemplary example for its cleanliness,brightness and lack of other detracting faults normally associated with a decades old paperback.
Mathilda Gillespie,an eccentric recluse known for her incredible meanness of nature,is found dead in her bathtub,her wrists slashed and her head locked inside a so-called "scold's bridle", a rusted cage built with tongue clamps which was used as a torture device throughout the Middle Ages.The dead woman's only friend,Dr. Sarah Blakeney,becomes the prime suspect in her murder after police discover that she's been left a great deal of money in the will.
To clear her name,Sarah delves deep into Mathilda's mysterious past,and subsequently unravels an intricate web of greed,abuse and depravity. Until it is discovered that Mathilda's diaries are missing. . .
Walters was the first crime/thriller writer to win three major awards with her first three novels.Her first,'The Ice House' won the CWA John Creasey award for best first novel,the second,'The Sculptress' won the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.This novel, her third,won a CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year,giving her a unique treble.
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