The Cathy Bailey we see in 2007, a frightened obsessive-compulsive, has difficulty leaving her London flat for work or talking to neighboring tenants.

The Catherine Bailey we meet in 2003 was fun loving and liked going out with her friends in Lancaster. Utterly convincing in its portrayal of obsession, Into the Darkest corner is an ingeniously structured and plotted tour de force of suspense that marks the arrival of a major new talent.īritish author Haynes's first novel, a harrowing psychological thriller, charts one woman's life on two different time paths as they gradually converge into a frightening whole. Convinced she is back in her former lover’s sights, Cathy prepares to wrestle with the demons of her past for the last time. Soon after, Cathy thinks she catches a glimpse of the former best friend who testified against her in the trial she begins to return home to find objects subtly rearranged in her apartment, one of Lee’s old tricks. until she receives a phone call informing her of Lee’s impending release. But when an attractive upstairs neighbour, Stuart, comes into her life, Cathy dares to hope that happiness and love may still be possible. Increasingly isolated and driven into the darkest corner of her world, a desperate Catherine plans a meticulous escape.įour years later, Lee is behind bars and Catherine-now Cathy-compulsively checks the locks and doors in her apartment, trusting no one. His increasingly erratic, controlling behaviour becomes frightening, but no one believes her when she shares her fears. And her friends clearly agree, as each in turn falls under his spell.īut what begins as flattering attentiveness and passionate sex turns into raging jealousy, and Catherine soon learns there is a darker side to Lee. Gorgeous, charismatic and spontaneous, Lee seems almost too perfect to be true.

Catherine Bailey has been enjoying the single life long enough to know a catch when she sees one.

Into the darkest corner