"entertaining mystery"
Former renowned actress Caroline Fawley enjoys her life as
a kept woman living in Marsham Village with two of her
three children. Caroline enjoys the weekend visits of her
married lover Marius Fleetwood, who pays her bills
including those she incurs while residing at the luxurious
Alderley Mansion. Accompanied by Marius, Caroline attends her oldest daughter
Olivia's opera performance. Marius sneaks away as he
usually does when he comes to an opera, but plans to return
just prior to curtain call. Olivia is a success, but
Marius fails to return. The next day, the police ask
Caroline to look at the murdered corpse of an elegantly
dressed man, who she identifies as Marius. As she worries
about the future, the truths she believed about her lover
begin to prove false, making her wonder about her beloved
and why anyone wanted him dead. Though the story line takes its time to introduce the
players, readers will relish the wait, for once the plot
shifts into gear it never slows down until the end. The
characters are fully developed, even those who are off stage
like Marius' wife, so that the audience has a feel for what
motivates the cast though much of what is learned about the
victim proves untrue. Robert Barnard provides the audience
with an entertaining mystery that emphasizes the main and
support cast. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 3, 2003
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