Loitering with Intent

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Loitering With Intent is a novel written in 1981 by Scottish author Muriel Spark and published by Bodley Head. It contains many autobiographical references to Spark's early career and was shortlisted for the 1981 Booker Prize. It was reprinted in 2001 by New Directions in the US, and in 2007 by Virago Press in the UK (with a forward by Mark Lawson).

[edit] Plot introduction

Fleur Talbot, is struggling to complete her first novel, Warrender Chase, in early 1950s London. She manages to secure a job working for Sir Quentin Oliver as secretary for the 'Autobiographical Association', whose eccentric members are seeking to write their memoirs. Fleur assists in this and gains valuable source material for her novel whilst growing increasingly suspicious that Sir Quentin may be blackmailing the association's members. Sir Quentin meanwhile discovers Fleur's novel-in-progress and seeks to suppress it as it reveals his evil plans. Here fact and fiction imitate each other as Fleur and Sir Quentin compete for the truth...