Shadow play

This is a marvelously told, clever little mystery, revolving around a wealthy film buff, Max Devereaux, whose life is totally immersed in films of the past. Even his impressive home calls to mind the fact that it is a replica of Manderley, the gothic mansion in the film "Rebecca". The rooms within the mansion are themselves re-creations of rooms from favorite films. Max and his wife are totally living some celluloid, cinematic fantasy and engage in amateur theatrical productions within the confines of their home, theatricals that serve to mask a sinister secret. When lovely Christine Grenville, a woman with a somewhat disquieting past, arrives to begin her position as assistant to Max, she finds herself drawn into a bizarre world of make-believe, as well as living in a household where none are whom they appear to be. At first, she is drawn in by the novelty of her surroundings, until she realizes that they are all pawns in a play for which she has no script.This is well-constructed, intriguing mystery, amusing and interesting, with a number of unique twists. I found myself compulsively turning the pages of this book. It is a mystery that will especially appeal to film buffs, as it draws some of its material from many well-known films.