Deceit

by Clare Francis

Book Overview

With a combination of emotional power, evocative prose, and provocative plot, Clare Francis presents the story of a woman coping with unsettling questions and secrets from the past after her husband... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569472394
• ISBN13: 9781569472392
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Soho Press
• Length: 425 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A subtle, interesting book that simply will not go away...

I got this book on a friend's recommendation and it wasn't until I began to read that I realized I had seen this story done as a made-for-British-TV-movie on BBCAmerica. I thought it was an especially good thriller on TV but I wasn't sure I wanted to read the book after the fact, especially since I knew "whodunit", but I gave it a try and armed with the image of Francesca Annis ("Reckless") as Ellen, I waded in. It was a good idea. There are so many story nuances and side plots that simply can't make it into a TV movie, either from time constraints or the known attention span of viewers, and it was like reading a richer version of the movie. The ending was still the same, but delivered in a much more compelling (and less screen-worthy) manner. I hadn't read Clare Francis before, but I certainly will read her again.

Suspense novel that will keep you guessing until the end.

"Deceit," by the British author Clare Frances, is a beautifully written novel that builds in intensity until its surprising conclusion. Ellen Richmond's husband, Harry, has mysteriously disappeared while on his yacht. Months later, neither Harry's body nor his yacht has been recovered and he is presumed dead. Ellen's top priority is protecting her children, Katie and Josh, from anything or anyone who may hurt them.Protecting the children and herself will be quite a challenge for Ellen. It seems that Harry had quite a few secrets, both of a personal and professional nature, and he has left the family emotionally devastated and almost penniless. Harry had hurt Ellen in many ways and her marriage was in deep trouble at the time of her husband's disappearance. She is hoping that after Harry's memorial service, she will be able to forget the past and get on with her life.Unfortunately, as further revelations come out about Harry and his death, Ellen's peace of mind is shattered and her family's security is threatened. Clare Frances does a masterful job of creating memorable and fully developed characters. Ellen is a complex woman who has been guilty of being too trusting and passive, but who now must call on all of her inner strength to survive emotionally from day to day. Other memorable characters include Richard Moreland, a kind and honorable man who befriends Ellen and her son, and Jack, Harry's sleazy business partner, whose attentions to Ellen are unwelcome and unwanted.As more terrible truths emerge, Ellen's world starts to fall apart. The last quarter of the book will have you on the edge of your seat until you finally reach the surprising conclusion. Lovers of British suspense novels will adore "Deceit," a first-rate thriller.

Superb suspense

After writing a number of adventure novel Clare Francis successfully turned to Psychological Thrillers. Deceit, her fourth, is probably the best.Set in rural England it describes how Ellen comes to grip with the death of her husband, an MP. There seems to be more to it than thought at first sight and we follow Ellen, and her two children as the story slowly unfolds. Francis' strenght is the development of her characters. We really get to know Ellen to an extent that is sometimes embarrassing, in particular when you start to question the role she played herself.The setting is a dark English countryside and that adds a moody element to the story. Francis excels in using outside elements to create a dark environment in which the story unfolds. She is very strong in the use of understatement ( a trait shared with other British female authors like P.D.James and Val McDermid)which underscores the sometimes frightening developments of events. In particular the dialogues are gems full of hidden meaning.The plot is quite realistic; you really can imagine something like these events to happen.Add to this enough subtle twist to put you on the wrong footing time and again and you have an excellent thriller.

suspense till the end

This is one of the best thrillers I have read. I thought I knewwho did it at least 3 times and in the end none of them did. Thewhole story was only revealed on the last 5 pages. It was brilliant.

A great read. Keeps you guessing until the end.

Frances distinguishes herself because she not only tells you what the character is saying, but what they are thinking, and how they look, as they say it. She is a very good storyteller. As in her book Dark Devotion, while you may think you know "who did it," you really do not know the whole story until the last page.