Ms Demeanor

FINALIST FOR THE THURBER PRIZE

'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 authorAre You There God?

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?