Love, jealousy and ambition and despair; the underlying themes in 'The Unacceptable Face' - Brian Jackson's major new novel in a story that addresses the unacceptable face of abuse. And not just domestic violence but the insidious abuse hidden in the workplace. The story tells of two friends, Helen and Rita whose lives continually criss-cross and overlap. Helen, fulfilled and happy in her marriage to Eric, an ambitious dreamer who is restless in pursuit of career and success; and Rita lurching from one unhappy relationship to another. But Helen is helpless to intervene as she watches Rita's relationships, beginning with Rob, a good looking and romantic charmer but in reality a weak, feckless womaniser beginning to fail. For it isn't long before Rob's gambling begins to ruin their life with debt, culminating in Rob facing charges of theft and imprisonment. And then, on the re-bound Rita meets Gerry and falls for him. They set up home together and at first all appears well and Helen together with their other friends rejoice to see Rita happy at last.

But beneath the charm and courtesies Gerry is eventually revealed as a manipulative, violent brute. And meanwhile, after an uncertain start Eric's career has begun to prosper; with growing confidence he begins to rise above his origins and all Helen's dreams begin to be fulfilled with an enviable home and holidays in romantic locations. But a dark shadow enters their lives and when Helen's baby is stillborn their happiness is threatened and the trauma is heightened when Rita, under the malign influence of Gerry abandons her own children. Helen severs her friendship with Rita until the death of Helen's beloved father leads to the reconciliation of the two friends. But their renewed friendship is brief for Eric has taken on additional responsibilities in Scotland. And then, on the eve of their departure the extent of Gerry's abuse of Rita is eventually revealed. Before long however events begin take an unexpected turn in Helen's life. At the peak of his success Eric's career stalls and he finds himself isolated amongst his colleagues.

As his professional world begins to collapse relentlessly in on him Eric tries to hide the emotional turmoil he is struggling with and Helen, loyal in her support remains unaware of the hidden tragedy looming in Eric's life. For her concern is for her friend Rita, still living in a relationship that has spiralled into violence and the neglect of her children. Until Helen begins to recognise the changes in Eric as he tries to confront the insidious power of the abuse he is being subjected to. His thoughts turn to murder and Helen is faced with the unthinkable as she desperately searches for the reasons to explain the final tragedy in their relationship. A 400 page saga spanning twenty years in the lives of two young women and their friends, 'The Unacceptable Face' exposes the secret misery so often endured behind the facade of success in modern life.