The Great Deceiver
It’s 1966, and famous magician Max Mephisto is in Kensington, innocently engaged in the domestic pursuit of visiting his daughter and newborn granddaughter in hospital. But the stakes change almost immediately when, as Max is just about to hail a taxi, he is accosted by a man called Ted Baker, better known in years gone by as the Great Deceiver. Ted’s assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in Brighton, and he is terrified he’s going to be accused of her murder. Piquing Max’s interest, Ted enlists Max’s help, knowing the latter is friendly with the head of Brighton police. Max is initially very wary but is soon caught up in the mystery, joining forces with his old friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case.
This historical whodunnit, a must for fans of period atmosphere and cosy crime, takes numerous twists and turns as it follows the hunt for a suspected serial killer through various viewpoints, including the police on the murderer’s trail and female private detective duo Emma Holmes (who is married to the police chief) and Sam Collins. Throw in a diverse case of characters, the greasepaint and thrilling setting of an end-of-the pier show, and then the denouement in a deserted London theatre, you have the makings of a very compelling story.
The Great Deceiver is part of Griffiths’ The Brighton Mysteries series. She writes with great affection and authority about her hometown and about the world of light entertainment. This should not come as a surprise – the series was inspired by her grandfather, Dennis Lawes, who was a popular variety performer. She has acknowledged that the peripatetic nature of actors makes them ideal sleuths – or villains – especially when the action is set in the past.
