Instructions for a Heatwave

I quite liked Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell which was set in 1976 England when the country was enduring a heatwave.  A middle-aged couple, originally from Ireland, are living in London with their three children grown up and left home.One morning Robert leaves the house as he routinely does to buy his newspaper but this time doesn't return.  His wife Gretta cannot understand what has happened and calls her three children, Michael Francis, Monica and Aoife home to help her deal with the situation.  Michael Francis is having marital problems with his wife Claire and they have two young children.  Monica is on her second marriage which is also looking rocky, with two step-children.  Aoife has "escaped" to New York and is working as a photographer's assistant.  This is one big dysfunctional family and this new crisis eventually resolves some of the issues plaguing the family.  Set against the backdrop of a major heatwave leaves all the characters a bit tense. 31/2/5