Dead Reckoning

by Claire Lorrimer

Overview

Althea, Cressida and Phoebe have been friends since their schooldays. Talented artistic Cressida lives for her work. Phoebe has a career as an actress, but she has always given priority with her time to her married lover. Only Althea ever married, but she worries that she no longer loves her second husband, the arrogant Geoffrey Lewis.

As is there custom every summer, the Lewises are preparing for their annual charity garden fete, and Althea is delighted when Phoebe suggests she engage the services of a fortune-teller called Madame Tokoly. But what seems an excellent addition to the fete turns out to be unnerving and unwelcome when the fortune-teller's dire predictions for Geoffrey's future prove uncannily accurate...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781444751000
Publisher:	Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd.
Publication date:	05/15/2014
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
File size:	374 KB

About the Author

Claire Lorrimer wrote her first book at the age of twelve, encouraged by her mother, the bestselling author Denise Robins. After the Second World War, during which Claire served on secret duties, she started her career as a romantic novelist under her maiden name, Patricia Robins. In 1970 she began writing her magnificent family sagas and thrillers under the name Claire Lorrimer. She is currently at work on her seventy-first book. Claire lives in Kent.

Editorial Reviews

Three old school friends reunite with surprising consequences. Althea Lewis, not quite 40, has been married twice. Her son Daryl lives with her, visits with his father, a nearby farmer, and despises his stepfather. Althea is beginning to doubt her love for Geoff Lewis. The younger man who ignited her sexual passion has become a wealthy, carping workaholic often away for long stretches. Her friend Cressida is a never-married artist who lives nearby. Their friend Phoebe's career as a second-string actress has kept her from being as close as Althea and Cressida. So they're delighted to catch up with her, though concerned that she appears prematurely old and tired. Phoebe suggests that they use the services of the mysterious fortuneteller Madame Tokoly for their garden-party fundraiser. Madame is a smashing success with everyone but Geoff, who's disturbed by her suggestion that he's in danger. Two near-miss accidents have him worried and willing to see her for a more complete reading. When Geoff is found shot to death in his office, it's up to Inspector Govern and DS Beck to discover who killed this deeply unpopular man. Few fans will be surprised by the climactic revelation, but Lorrimer's trademark combination of romantic mystery and police procedural (Over My Dead Body, 2003, etc.) may well hold their interest along the way.

Kirkus Reviews