A perfect execution Book

It took a little while for me to get into this, but once I was about 50 pages in, I was gripped. The author does a wonderful job of evoking time and place in post-war Britain in the countryside and creates rounded, flawed characters that you want to know what happens to. The story tells the tale of Solomon Straw/Jeremiah Bembo, a man who lives a double life as a respectable farmer and an executioner, responsible for effectively carrying out the hangings of Britain's criminals. At first, Jeremiah seems to have the perfect life, a devoted wife, but then something changes to make him want to seek more from his life and become an exectioner, a choice none of his family can understand. However, his two lives collide with one high profile local crime, with consequences for all those around him. This is a great thriller, but also a moving story about humanity.