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  • Paint Me A Picture

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Patsy Collins
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Paint Me A Picture Kindle Edition

by Patsy Collins (Author), Gary Davies (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars (28)
Mavis Forthright carefully rehearses her jump from Portsmouth's Round Tower. She's existed for over five decades. Lived hardly at all. Will end her misery with a few second's fall into the cold sea. Except she's not quite ready to die. A half day's delay to try a bacon sandwich from the cafe won't matter. Mother's no longer there to disapprove.

She delays another day to lend Janice a book. Then a week to use her new paints. A month. Until the end of term. Mavis makes new plans; to create paintings full of emotion, to live, perhaps even make friends.

As if to balance her survival a number of people connected to Mavis die. At first that doesn't matter. They're people she dislikes. Mavis continues painting, tending her garden, feeding the birds and keeping her home properly clean, without additional concern. Then people who've been kind to Mavis are killed or injured. That shouldn't happen.

Why are people dying? Is it because of charming Norman who's back from her past, or is that strange boy Jake her mistaken guardian angel? Perhaps Mavis herself is to blame. She must learn the truth, stop the deaths and protect those she's learned to care about before she can enjoy the new life she's making for herself.
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  1. Print length
    383 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2012
  5. File size
    3.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patsy Collins lives near Portsmouth, just a short walk from the sea. She shares her home with her husband, and her head with her characters.

Patsy began writing in 2001. Her stories have been published in a range of United Kingdom, Irish and Australian magazines including Woman's Weekly, Take a Break's Fiction Feast, The Weekly News, Woman's Day, That's Life! and My Weekly.


Patsy maintains a blog where she gives details of free to enter writing competitions, rambles on about about writing, gardening, cakes, ships and other random stuff that interests her. She'd love you to visit - patsy-collins.blogspot.co.uk/ and perhaps share your thoughts on these important matters.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0094WFGHW
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 383 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: #4,260,487 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars (28)

About the author

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Patsy Collins

Patsy Collins

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Patsy Collins spends her time making things up and writing them down from her home in Lee-on-the-Solent or whilst traveling in a campervan. She shares both with her photographer husband, and sometimes acts as his assistant. When away she also enjoys scrambling round ruined castles, visiting friends and eating cake. At home she gardens, bakes (and then eats) cakes. She's the author of over 30 books, including the Little Mallow cosy mystery series.

To find out more, visit her website - patsycollins.co. uk

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
28 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Samuel Robinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars You'll enjoy getting to know Mavis Forthright
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2012
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Mavis Forthright is a middle-aged obsessive-compulsive spinster whose life has been completely focused on attending to the whims and needs of her bullying mother. Now that her mother has died, Mavis discovers that life has more or less passed her by and makes plans to end it all.

    Don't get the impression, however, that this is a bleak psychological novel. The other characters in the book like Mavis, and I feel you will too. Patsy Collins achieves this through a deft touch with words and the ability to fully engage her readers as they share the ride when Mavis and life start to connect again.

    Whether Patsy is describing the smallest acts of kindness (say, making an office colleague a cup of coffee) or an encounter with death (complete with electric drill, blood and a cat), her prose bubbles along bringing fresh insights to her characters and developing a lively interest in their daily rounds. Mavis's life involves people at the office, a neighbour or two, a mixture of serious and flamboyant aspirant artists at a night class, and others. Each of the principal characters in the cast is well-rounded - liable, for example, to have an off-day just to stop you getting too comfortable with their assigned role in the plot. Just like real people. The plot itself develops over a period of time and Patsy handles the passing of the days excellently.

    Aside from these considerations, I've given this book 5 stars because I feel that Mavis is an interesting and memorable character, and because after reading this book I felt I could better appreciate the small blessings that life and other people bring to each of us.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Stur Crazy
    4.0 out of 5 stars A book of charm
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2012
    Format: Kindle
    Life's what we make it, isn't it? But what happens when you reach that middle-age and decide you've had enough of making do?

    Mavis reaches that point and opts to jump ship. Her life has been disappointing and she's frustrated by the legacy of a domineering mother.

    But don't despair, life has more in store for Mavis and Patsy Collins's latest book is a lesson in the value of life.

    A kind gesture, a smile - such little things we all take for granted. But for Mavis they mean the world.

    There's an under-current of mystery to the tale - Mavis is an avid reader of Agatha Christie and Ms Collins subtly weaves a few `what ifs' through the book. There are a few red herrings, a few wrong paths.

    Mavis's character is at odds with her colleagues - their life experiences differ so much from her own. But when they take those first steps to find some common ground, it's clear all have things to learn.

    Despite the book's apparent dark theme, this is a brightly written story. Mavis isn't a depressing character. Her development is inspiring and I can't help feeling we all know a Mavis.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Anna Harris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Death with manners!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2012
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Firstly, I have to say that even though there is a higher than average number of deaths in this book, it's not one of those crash-em, bash-em, car-chase action adventures. It is, however, a page-turner in the very gentlest of ways, almost reminiscent of Alexander McCall Smith's writing style.

    We're introduced to Mavis Forthright who is ambling through a lonely existence following the death of her domineering mother.
    The author, Patsy Collins, leads us on a rather ordinary, but utterly captivating journey as Mavis plots her own end, seeking relief from the ordered monotony of her empty days and nights.
    Mavis has lived her entire life under her mother's forceful influence. She's typically 'proper' and old-fashioned but also endearingly logical and almost child-like, too. When people that Mavis doesn't particularly like start dropping off around her, we form the opinion that all is not quite as it should be. Is Mavis Forthright a murderer, a victim, a woman on the edge of sanity, or a combination of all three?
    Uncovering the truth is an enjoyable and intruiging meander through the mind of a very delightful three dimensional character.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Janice Clark
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's never to late to grow up.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    In a way, this is a "coming of age" story, although the adolescent in question is a few decades beyond that point chronologically.

    Mavis, having made an attempt to "get a life" following the death of her controlling mother, concludes that it's all hopeless. She decides, quite logically from her point of view, to make an end to an existence that's tedious at best. Being a thoughtful, methodical person, she plans it all out carefully. But fate, or whatever agency you care to name, intervenes as the suicide is repeatedly postponed for one reason or another. As she gradually quells her "inner mother" her life becomes richer, more complicated, and finally veers into a bit of adventure of the sort she's only encountered in her beloved mystery books.

    It's delightful watching Mavis' personality unfold as she tries to make sense of the simplest human interactions. Not only her development, but that of a supporting cast of well-rounded characters, is enough to keep you reading, and wish there were more. A hearty thank you to the friend who recommended the book to me.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • G C
    5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD READ!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021
    Format: Audiobook
    I enjoyed it. This book was full of drama with plenty of twists and turns. The narration was good and kept me entertained. The author did a good job with the character builds and plot. This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last! I look forward to reading more books from this author! I was given a free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Aly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not my usual thing but very enjoyable and an interesting main character.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book which I purchased on kindle. It was very different from the normal stories I read but I’m glad I ordered it. I won’t fill my review with spoilers but just give an overview of the content. So the book revolves around Mavis. We meet her just as her domineering, often cruel ( verbally) mother has passed away. Mavis has been her carer for the latter years of her mother’s life to the exclusion of her own happiness. Mother dictated everything including what they ate, what they drank, what they wore, who they had any contact with leaving Mavis a broken individual. Whilst Mother was alive Mavis had purpose in caring for her but now she’s dead Mavis is lost and alone. Mavis decides to take her own life. She has everything planned ( she is very meticulous) but things don’t go as expected. The book is really a journey from the darkest of places back into hope and possibility. I really became invested in Mavis. I wanted her to find happiness and a new purpose. I was onboard with everything she learned and saw the world through her eyes. There’s quite a lot of descriptions around gardening ( one of my hobbies) and art which is my real love so I enjoyed that inclusion. Despite the initial subject matter this isn’t a ‘heavy’ book and I found it easy to read. There were sad bits and bits that made me laugh but overall I found it hopeful and positive. If you fancy walking alongside Mavis and seeing where life takes her I’d definitely recommend giving it a go.
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  • LindaK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, charming and entertaining!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2012
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The story of Mavis, learning to live a life of her own without Mother to obey or care for, is an intriguing page-turner. Mavis is someone I came to love, not despite but because of her 'difficult' side! The story is clever - there's always a reason why Mavis shouldn't throw herself into the sea today - with the added interest of the reappearance of an old flame, who doesn't seem quite trustworthy, and a string of what seem to be murders happening too close to home for Mavis' comfort. It would have been easy for Patsy Collins to have written the character of Mavis as a caricature, but she gives her depth and a quirky personality that Mavis herself seems completely unaware of.
    This book carries you along - Patsy Collins has proved herself to be a wonderful storyteller and this story will make you smile for a long time.
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  • Debbie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gentle, enjoyable story of a shy loner's transformation
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Whoever says Twitter doesn't sell books is wrong - I was intrigued by this one after admiring the cover image on Twitter, then reading the blurb on Amazon. It was a pleasing, gentle story of the transformation of a lonely middle-aged woman, freed at last by her demanding mother's death to build her own life, governed only by her own choices. We share her journey as she slowly learns to value herself and to make friends through her new job and hobbies. But it's not that sweet, simple or predictable - there are darker undercurrents, and even hints at madness, as she copes with her depression with obsessive-compulsive behaviour and with characteristic thoroughness plans her suicide. There are also other surprises - but I won't mention those for fear of spoiling the plot.

    The pace seemed quite slow and deliberate at times, but that seemed a good fit for Mavis's character. The story could have been told in fewer pages, but it would not have had the depth.

    There was also a strong sense of place throughout the book, from the striking cover to the closing page. I don't know the area described, but by the end of the book, I almost felt I'd know my way round there. The general settings - the spinster's house and garden, her office, the evening class - were also very effective.

    As well as providing a diverting read, this book also does a bit of a social service - I think anyone who reads it will never again be quick to dismiss a shy lonely spinster in their neighbourhood. A fine achievement.
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  • Bookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying and uplifting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What a pageturner.

    The transformation of Mavis is so beautifully written I became totally involved with her, cared about her, and desperately wanted her to make a success of her life.

    The way Mavis gradually transforms from the suicidal person she is at the beginning of this book makes fascinating reading. The gardening and painting hobbies that take up such a large part of Mavis's time are so beautifully described they were positively instructive.

    Along with Mavis there are a host of well drawn, interesting characters who all add to the interest.

    Once I'd started reading I didn't want to leave Mavis until I knew the outcome of her journey.

    A very satisfying, uplifting read.
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  • S. J. Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mavis and the Round Tower
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I began reading this when it was first published, then through a kindle crash, I lost Mavis. Worrying if this was an omen, and Mavis was going to end it all and jump from the tower, I worried until I got my kindle books back again.

    As I read the pages, it struck me that this book would not be amis among the self-help titles; with Mavis reading the slogan on her calender every day, she finds more and more reasons for keeping going as she becomes less selfish, and starts thinking of others, and how they feel.

    At one point I felt sure her old boyfriend was out to destroy Mavis, so this was a worrying part of the book. You have to read to enjoy the journey of Mavis, and keep the pages turning to see what happens, and how this psychological mystery turns out.

    I found this an enjoyable read.
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