From the complex family dynamics of a small English village to the lasting scars of childhood, Edna Watson is both cantankerous and compassionate—the woman that you love to hate.

When her cousin calls to report her father’s passing, Edna sees a chance for closure of a shocking incident that happened when she was five years old. But attending her Uncle’s funeral means confronting the memory that has dogged her life with shame and insecurity.

A stranger wants to buy her house and despite her protestations, he seems intent on bullying her into submission. Why is her house so important to him?

Opening a previously unopened box belonging to her late mother, Edna revisits painful memories she’s tried to forget whilst uncovering life changing and distressing secrets.

Can she face her demons and heal decades-old wounds, or will the terrible circumstances of her childhood destroy her last chance for peace?

That Terrible Woman is a powerful and bittersweet novel of love and hate, loss and resentment, the corrosive effects of long-held grudges, and the redemption found in forgiveness.

Author Bio:

Jacki Racke was born in London. She has had a varied and interesting career, including the release of three pop records in the 60s, before working as a model agent in the early 70s.

This is her debut novel, which she started during Covid, following an initial creative writing course and subsequent Alumni mentoring programme with Curtis Brown Creative.

She lives in London with her husband Laurance, where they love spending time with their four children and eight grandchildren.