The Great Deceiver

The next gripping volume in The Brighton Mysteries series by bestselling author Elly Griffiths.

Magician Max Mephisto, now divorced and living in London, is on his way to visit daughter Ruby and her new-born baby when he is hailed by a voice from the past, fellow performer Ted English, aka the Great Deceiver. Ted's assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house and he's convinced that he'll be accused of her murder.

Max agrees to talk to his friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case. What Max doesn't know is that the girl's family have hired private detective duo Emma Holmes (aka Mrs Stephens) and Sam Collins to do some digging of their own.

The inhabitants of the boarding house, most of whom are performing in an Old Time Music Hall show on Brighton pier, are a motley crew. The house is also connected to a sinister radio personality called Pal. When a second magician's assistant is killed, Edgar suspects a serial killer. He persuades Max to come out of semi-retirement and take part in a summer show. But who can pose as his assistant? Edgar shocks the team by recommending someone close ...

'Original, lively and gripping' Independent

'Full of period detail, smart plotting and likeable characters' Mail on Sunday

'Full of fun and expertly plotted' Sunday Express

Griffiths' affection for Brighton - with its grotty digs ruled by no-nonsense landladies - and her gentle wit ensure that the reader very much likes to be beside the seaside The Times
Strong on period detail Sunday Times
Once again Griffiths has created a lively crew of characters and woven a twisty plot around them Mystery People
An engaging cosy mystery - with added bite Crime Monthly Review
Riveting offering in Griffiths' Brighton Mysteries Sunday Post
Intriguing, multi-layered and full of rich period detail with each character honed to perfection Lancashire Evening Press
Elly has shot into the top ranks of British crime writers after building an impressive catalogue of bestsellers Peterborough Telegraph
Gripping . . . magical . . . we loved it Woman's Weekly
Full of period charm and fiendish plotting Mail on Sunday

Elly Griffiths is the bestselling author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and the Brighton Mysteries. She has won the CWA Dagger in the Library and been shortlisted six times for the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Her trilogy featuring Detective Harbinder Kaur includes The Stranger Diaries which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in the USA; The Postscript Murders, shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and Bleeding Heart Yard. Elly has two grown-up children and lives near Brighton with her archaeologist husband.

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