Knotted Loette Harding, (Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99)

MOTHERS - most-times a wonder, oft times a curse - who'd have 'em. Suzy Winslow's mother is playing up, or should I re-phrase that to read playing around. At 60-something she has decided that she doesn't want to be married to Suzy's dad anymore.

Suzy, caught in the middle of her parent's trauma has problems of her own. Two demanding teenagers and a husband who could best be described as 'self-centred', don't make life easy. It's a constant juggle to keep them all happy. And talking of happy, what about herself?

A photographer by profession, she feels her work is not appreciated by her family, and that life is passing her by. (sounds familiar eh?) It's a cue for trouble.

It is easy to empathise with both Suzy and her mother, Paddy, and yet it is her father I truly feel for. He is totally unaware of his wife's needs, and is still a kind, caring man. Paul, Suzy's husband loves her, but lives a fantasy life of 'affairs.' It isn't until his marriage is threatened that he becomes aware of what he has.

For all of us - married, been married or contemplating marriage this story rings a warning bell.

Knotted is a witty, sassy novel written in a comic yet, oddly sad style.

Annie Dendy