Cassie McCullough

It's about a scientist who's trying to understand reward-seeking behaviour in mice.

But then her mother's arrival kindles all of these traumatic memories, including her brother's death from an overdose.

That's not a spoiler.

It's mentioned quite early on.

It's so complex and it doesn't try to draw any definitive answers.

I suppose it throws out ideas and it offers hope.

And for me, it's just an absolutely brilliant book.

It is, isn't it?

I'm always amazed by how much it differs from the Booker Prize shortlist, which I suppose just goes to show how subjective reading and competitions are.

No, it's been an absolute pleasure.

Thank you so much for having me.

There are pleasures and little intense moments that are really terrific about this book.

Pretty dark, engrossing, suspenseful, plot-driven.

Nothing wrong with difficult, Kate Evans.

I'm Cassie McCullough, and that writer is Patricia Highsmith, born 100 years ago in Texas and dying in Switzerland in 1995.

Spending some years in between in England and Europe and creating characters who have changed the literary landscape and also, Kate, the cinematic one too.

All except for her second novel, which was published under a pseudonym, Claire Morgan, in 1952.

Now, you'll know that one as Carol.

It was a gay love story and originally published under the name The Price of Salt.

And it wasn't until 1990 that Patricia Highsmith was comfortable with it appearing under her name.