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Smoke and Mirrors

The Brighton Mysteries 2

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Smoke and Mirrors

By: Elly Griffiths
Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
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About this listen

 Brighton, 1951.

Pantomime season is in full swing on the snowy pier with Max Mephisto starring in Aladdin. But Max's headlines have been stolen by the disappearance ­­of two local children. With fairy tales in the air, it's not long before the press have found a nickname for the case: 'Hansel and Gretel'.

DI Edgar Stephens has plenty of leads to investigate. The missing girl, Annie, used to write plays and perform them with her friends. Does the clue lie in Annie's unfinished - and rather disturbing - last script? Or might it lie with the eccentric theatricals who have assembled for the pantomime?

For Stan (aka the Great Diablo), who's also appearing in Aladdin, the case raises more personal memories. Back before the Great War, he witnessed the murder of a young girl while he was starring in another show, an event which has eerie parallels to the current case.

Once again Edgar enlists Max's help in penetrating the shadowy theatrical world that seems to hold the key. But with both distracted by their own personal problems, neither can afford to miss a trick. For Annie and her friend, time is running out . . .
(P)2015 Quercus Editions Ltd©2015 Elly Griffiths Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction
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What made the experience of listening to Smoke and Mirrors the most enjoyable?

The quality of Elly Griffiths' writing is excellent. The characters are believable and really come to life as the story progresses. The setting of the story in the musical theatre in 1951 works very well. The cast of characters is largely the same as in the previous novel, The Zig Zag Girl, including the detective Edgar Stevens and his magician friend Max Mephisto. Even though the context for the drama is on the face of it rather implausible (the Christmas Pantomime version of Aladin) as the narrative develops the characters become more fully realised and, as such, one feels for them and shares their concerns and anxieties. So it becomes a fully engaging story. As in her Ruth Galloway novels set in Norfolk, Elly Griffiths brings wit and erudition to her writing so as well as being an interesting mystery it also draws on the darker side of children's' fairy stories which to a large extent modern versions have been sanitised and bear little relationship to the more bloodthirsty originals which provide the underlying themes of this novel. I wondered where the author had read Bruno Bettleheim's 'The Uses of Enchantment' which describes vividly the real darkness of such stories as Hansel & Gretel.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Smoke and Mirrors?

It is not particular moments which give the novel it quality but the overall excellence of the story and the characterisations of the protagonists, especially the children.

Have you listened to any of Daniel Philpott’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes. The first novel in this series. It is just as well done.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

See the answer about memorable moments

Any additional comments?

Another really excellent read from Elly Griffiths. She must now rate, along with Mick Herron as amongst the best of the newer British crime novelists.

Another first rate crime novel from Elly Griffiths

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Characters now settled into their roles. Good ending. Complicated, but not predicable as Zigzag Girl.

Better than The Zigzag Girl

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Even better than The ZigZag Girl. A grim subject involving the murder of children, but handled expertly so the story becomes heartwarming. I love the development of the other police characters as they become more interesting, and it was great to see Max and Diablo again. Brighton in the snow and the atmosphere of life in post war early 1950s is brilliantly described. Can't wait for the next one.

Enthralling and atmospheric

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Thrilling series. Good read. A story in the story, Really loved it. I want more.

Great listening

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A horrifying start to this story paves the way for a thrilling, sometimes very dark, but enthralling tale of terrible murders. The main character, Detective Inspector Edgar Stevens is a lovely man who wants to triumph over evil so desperately, and is determined to solve this seemingly unsolvable crime. He does do expertly and with such compassion that I cried with joy at the end of the book. Brilliantly performed, amazing characters, the descriptions of Brighton made me feel like I was there. All together a terrific listening experience. I just couldn't stop listening to it!!! Loved it!!!

An excellent murder mystery!!!

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