Taking a Chance traces the relationship between Imogen and her mother, Ada, culminating in Ada’s death when Imogen is fifty years old. Imogen’s reminiscences start with her discovery of Ada’s death, revealing her quirky coping philosophy as she does so. Incredibly intelligent but maybe ‘too nice’, a shock discovery will have devastating consequences for her good nature...
Ada, with a head chock-full of romantic illusions, needs to lose a husband in order to facilitate her dreams. Claiming that his death was a tragic accident, she is convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. Only her son, Robin, is convinced that she is a murderer – Imogen vehemently disagrees, at least at the beginning. It is only much later, after fear on behalf of her sick mother has taken hold, that she realises her mistake. 
On the night before Ada’s death, Ada confesses devastating new information that destroys their relationship and has the power to tear the whole family apart. In a shocked rage, Imogen fails to return her mother’s medication to the locked medicine cabinet as usual...

Lesley M. Francis was born and grew up in Buckinghamshire. She lived abroad for several years in Cape Town, before moving back to Oxfordshire, where she currently lives. She is married with one son.