The Tenth Interview (1986) by John Wainwright. First I have to say that Mr. Wainwright has managed to write some of the best crime novels of the late 20th century. If you haven’t read him, find anything he wrote, read it, and tell yourself just how good it was. Stylish with an insider’s point of view (he was a British copper before retiring to write) his prolific output is just one fascinating read after another.
This is a story about a series of interviews between Detective Chief Inspector Lyle and small town pharmacist Herbert Grantley. He says he poisoned his wife a year before and Lyle is trying to uncover the why of it all. Each interview reveals more of the story, but each contains deviations on the “truth”, especially when dealing with the couple’s estranged daughter. Grantley was never the affectionate husband his wife had wanted and over the years, especially after the successful return of their kidnapped 19-year old daughter.
This is a tale of a marriage under strain, but there is more and the ending, which I refuse to reveal, is well worth the wait. ( )

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