The Woman Before Me by Ruth Dugdall #Blogathon

This month - and beyond for a bit - is all about prioritising personal care, rest and recovery where possible (as instructed by a professional), and lots of things have been put to one side in an effort to do just that. I am, however, endeavouring to keep up with my commitments on the blog. 

Today I am helping to celebrate the re-publication of The Woman Before Me, by Ruth Dugdall, the first novel featuring probation officer Cate Austin and the author's debut psychological thriller. My thanks to Tracy Fenton for asking me to take part in the blogathon and to the publisher for my review copy. 

The Blurb

Love can destroy. Obsession can kill.

Emma Hatcher has all that Rose Wilks lacks. Effortless beauty. A loving husband. A healthy son. Until tragedy strikes, leaving Rose the only suspect.

After nearly five years in prison, Rose is just weeks away from freedom. If she is granted parole.

Probation officer Cate Austin must decide whether Rose is remorseful for the shocking crime that put her behind bars, or whether she remains a threat to society. As Cate is drawn in, she begins to doubt her own judgement.

Where is the line between love and obsession? Can justice be served and, if so … by what means?

The Woman Before Me is out today from HQ Digital.

My Review

Rose Wills has always maintained her innocence but still spent years behind bars. Whilst having been a probation officer for a number of years, this is Cate Austin's first time placement in a prison. A women's prison where the majority of staff are men, and seem to be quite misogynistic, and also speak about the women in their care in a very demeaning way. Cate's first big case is to determine whether Rose is fit for parole. 

Rose is such a sad character, one who has known so much tragedy and loss already in her life. She was in a relationship when she went into prison and he still visits  regularly, but their relationship is clearly under strain. The majority of the book is from her point of view, sometimes in  the present day, but often in the form of her black book entries - a volume she is writing to give to her partner - which give us details of events in the past. The problem for the reader is that we don't know how much of a reliable narrator Rose is. Contrasting against her is Cate, brand new to the case, having to make difficult decisions. We see her sometimes unpleasant exchanges with her colleagues and difficult conversations with Rose, her partner and those affected by the crime in question. 

I enjoyed the dual points of view, especially as the women are so different. Cate hasn't experienced the losses that Rose has, but she has her own difficulties nevertheless. But the juxtaposition between the two women is interesting. I was disturbed by attitude of some of the prison staff but the author has experience of the probation service so I guess it might be accurate. 

I enjoyed the story but it is a hard read in places, so be aware going into it. There are so many elements within it that are very sad, and the denouement is heartbreaking. But a good book.

The Author

Ruth studied English at university and then took an MA is Social Work. Following this she worked in the Criminal Justice System as a social worker then as a probation officer. Part of this time was spent seconded to a prison housing serious offenders. She continues to work within the Criminal Justice System, most recently in Luxembourg.

Ruth's novels are informed by her experience and are "authentic and credible".

Ruth's first novel, The James Version, is a historical fiction based on the actual murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Suffolk. The story is re-told with a fresh light on who really killed Maria.

Her second novel, The Woman Before Me, won the Debut Dagger when it was originally published in 2005. It is the story of Rose Wilks, a female stalker imprisoned for killing a child, who claims to be innocent, and is the first in a series featuring probation officer Cate Austin.

"Probation officers have more face-to-face contact with criminals than any other profession," says Ruth, "they are the unsung heroes of the Criminal Justice System."

Book Blanket 2026

And, finally, here is my 'The Woman Before Me' granny crochet square, ready to take its place in my book blanket at the end of the year!