Liz Jones Infuriates the Locals

Posted on September 4, 2009

Infamous British columnist Liz Jones, who gained a large following describing her disastrous love life and failed marriage, eventually left London to move to a farmhouse near Dulverton on the edge of Exmoor in the country. Liz writes in a very biting style and she soon turned her wit on her new neighbors in a book detailing her move to the country. Liz complained that none of the men in the area have teeth, that the shopgirls are half-witted and have never heard of Illy coffee and suggested that the old Exmoor families are inbred. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Her neighbors were so incensed that someone picked up a rifle and shot her mailbox full of holes. The villagers say they don't like being used as fodder for her mean-spirited book, which is full of lies and distortions.

Neighbours condemned the attack, but many said they were not surprised as feelings against Jones following the release of her book, the Exmoor Files, have reached fever pitch in recent weeks.
"I'm not saying it's right. In fact, it's downright wrong," said one of her neighbours. "But something like this has been coming. She has turned up here without understanding the people and culture and she has started attacking our way of life. Nobody is surprised it's turned nasty."
It could be a tricky investigation. When police ask Jones if anyone has a grudge against her, there could be quite a few candidates.

Liz's writing style is mean, but funny, and tends to offend many people. She's like a nonpolitical, British Maureen Dowd. You either love her or hate her. Liz writes for The Daily Mail on Sundays and is said to be scared of the violent reaction to her latest book.

We have the feeling that her next book will be about her move away from Exmore. The book that's causing such a ruckus is The Exmoor Files: How I Lost a Husband and Found Rural Bliss.