Witty and subtle character portrayals, against a substantial background of opera and theater, lift the latest suspense novel from prolific British author Barnard (The Bones in the Attic; Unholy Dying; etc.). Actress Caroline Fawley has seemingly found her final and perfect role: that of mother and mistress. She and her two teenage children, Alex and Stella, are happily ensconced in a splendid house in the village of Alderley, where they are joined weekends by self-made business tycoon Marius Fleetwood. Marius spends the week with his wife, Sheila, who's pregnant by another man. Caroline's oldest child, Olivia, is a rising opera singer about to make a much-anticipated debut in La Forza del Destino
in nearby Leeds. Caroline's idyllic, if somewhat unconventional, life is not so much shattered as it is dismantled when Marius disappears on the opera's opening night and the veils of deception that shrouded their lives begin to be stripped away. Having spent much of her life creating illusions on film, Caroline must now come to terms with those created by others. Ingenious twists to a satisfying plot make for fine entertainment. (Apr. 14)
FYI:An eight-time Edgar nominee, Barnard has won the Nero Wolfe, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity awards.
