Someone from the Past. Illustrated

Originally published in 1958, Someone from the Past is a compelling and sophisticated mystery novel by Margot Bennet, one of the most distinctive voices in British crime fiction. Combining sharp psychological insight with an elegant, suspenseful narrative, the story explores how memory, love, and guilt can become deadly when the past refuses to stay buried.The novel follows Nancy, an independent and intelligent young woman, who unexpectedly runs into an old flame, Johnny, in London. Their brief reunion stirs up unresolved emotions—until Johnny is found murdered shortly afterward. Drawn into the investigation as both a witness and a potential suspect, Nancy must retrace her past relationships and confront uncomfortable truths about herself and the people she once loved.Bennet masterfully blends character-driven storytelling with a classic mystery structure, gradually peeling back layers of personality and motive. The plot is taut and subtle, focusing less on sensational action and more on moral tension and emotional complexity.Through Nancy’s eyes, the reader is invited to navigate a world of quiet menace and romantic disillusionment, where seemingly ordinary lives conceal dangerous undercurrents. The novel raises timeless questions about trust, responsibility, and how well we ever truly know those we love.This beautifully illustrated edition adds depth and atmosphere to the story, capturing its postwar setting and introspective tone. Someone from the Past is a thoughtful, gripping mystery that reaffirms Margot Bennet’s place among the genre’s finest and most underrated talents.