Crescendo - by Robert J Harris (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

When a struggling mystery writer is hired by Alfred Hitchcock to work on the script for his new film, a swirling maelstrom of madness and murder is his reward.

Hollywood, 1959.

When struggling mystery writer Bobby Burgoyne is hired by Alfred Hitchcock to work on the script for his new film Crescendo, he thinks his future success is assured at last. Instead he is swept into a swirling mystery of madness and revenge. Someone, it seems, is willing to kill to keep the film from being made and Hitch needs Bobby to find who or what is behind the sabotage.

With a ruthless killer in pursuit, Bobby discovers that behind the obscure novel that Hitch has based his movie on lies a cruel tale of abduction, amnesia, and murder. To save his own life as well as Hitch's career, Bobby must penetrate the heart of the mystery and confront a final, shocking revelation.

Review Quotes

"A charming Hollywood mystery. Harris brings 1950s Tinseltown to life with sparkling dialogue and Easter eggs galore, and the core mystery is gloriously unpredictable. For film buffs, this is a sure thing." --Publishers Weekly

"The novel pays tribute to the films of Alfred Hitchcock. An entertaining romp through noir's most recognizable tropes from femme fatales to wise-cracking dames, as well as hard drinking, car chases, gangster goons, family secrets, and lucky escapes." --Scotland on Sunday

"With witty yet perceptive dialogue, Harris captures Hollywood's brassy soul and Hitchcock's magnetic mastery. This slam-dunk novel is sure to make Harris, alongside Hitchcock, a household name for mystery fans of all ages." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Unmitigated pleasure is Harris's stock-in-trade."--Anthony O'Neill, bestselling author of The Lamplighter

Praise for Robert J. Harris's A Study in Crimson:

"Harris's take on the iconic characters is outstanding."-- "BookPage"

"A Study in Crimson does right by its venerated source material while putting a new spin on Conan Doyle's characters by rejiggering their historical context. Harris's mystery is up to snuff."-- "Shelf Awareness"

"Besides providing the duo with a worthy challenge, Harris makes his Watson an intelligent and competent sidekick. Both the strong characterization and plot bode well for a sequel."-- "Publishers Weekly (starred)"

"Fans of Sherlock Holmes will welcome this latest addition to the great detective's myth."-- "Historical Novel Society"

"Harris successfully captures Holmes' brilliance, talent, and arrogance, as well as Watson's dogged devotion to Holmes and the atmosphere in London during the dark days of war. The case he has imagined for Holmes to solve is both thoroughly challenging and pleasingly multilayered. A satisfying read."-- "Booklist"

"Robert J. Harris's lively Sherlock Holmes pastiche transports readers to a blacked-out London during World War II. A Study in Crimson achieves a similar mix of action-adventure, detective savvy and Holmesian surprise."--Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Robert J. Harris is the author of the novels The Devil's Blaze and A Study in Crimson, featuring Sherlock Holmes. He is also the designer of the bestselling fantasy board game Talisman. Robert lives in St. Andrews, Scotland.