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Book Synopsis'A joyride with a potent dose of wry social commentary' New York Times 'I never miss one of Elinor Lipman's funny, delightful novels' Judy Blume Jane Morgan is a valued member of her law firm - or was, until a prudish neighbour, binoculars poised, observes her having sex on the roof of her Manhattan apartment building. Police are summoned, and a judge sentences her to six months of home confinement. With Jane now jobless and rootless, trapped at home, life looks bleak. Yes, her twin sister provides support and advice, but mostly of the unwelcome kind. So when a doorman lets slip that Jane isn't the only resident of her building wearing an ankle monitor, she strikes up a friendship with fellow white-collar felon Perry Salisbury. As she tries to adapt to her new circumstances, she discovers she hasn't heard the end of that nosy neighbour - whose past isn't as decorous as her snitching would suggest. Why are police knocking on Jane's door again? Might her house arrest have a silver lining? Can two wrongs make a right?
Trade Review'Charm and clever high jinks with a potent dose of wry social commentary. It's not every day that a reader gets to root for an unrepentant middle-aged woman. Lipman makes this envelope-pushing feel like a joyride - but don't be fooled by all the fun. Barriers are being broken. That a scandalous woman's happy ending feels so inevitable turns out to be its own triumph - as much a clap back to sexism as a celebration of guiltless pleasure' New York Times; 'I never miss one of Elinor Lipman's funny, delightful novels' Judy Blume author of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Deenie, and Blubber; 'I love the wit, lightness of touch, dry, wry humour and optimism of Elinor Lipman's writing' Marian Keyes author of Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married, This Charming Man (2008); 'Ms. Demeanor is a complete and utter delight. Of course it is. What Elinor Lipman novel isn't?' Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls and Chances Are...; 'Who knew house arrest could be sexy and fun? Not me, at least not until I read Ms. Demeanor. Written with Elinor Lipman's signature wit and charm, this breezy, engrossing novel tells the story of two people who make the most of their shared confinement' Tom Perrotta author of Election and Little Children; 'Best Lipman work yet! When a neighbour's complaint about consensual al fresco sex turns into house arrest and a suspended legal licence, Jane's recipe for survival involves cooking for another home-arrested tenant (could this be a match made in confinement?) while trying to figure out the whys and hows of her mysterious accuser. Filled with food, family, romance and intrigue, Lipman's novel cooks up a bounty of delights as sparkling as prosecco and as deeply satisfying and delicious as a five-star meal' Caroline Leavitt author of Cruel Beautiful World and With or Without You; 'Lipman, a master chef of literary romantic comedy, cooks up a deliciously entertaining story whose ingredients include wit, sass, sex, and social satire. Ms. Demeanor is Lipman's fourteenth novel and one of her best' Wally Lamb author of She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True
