Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Kearsley (The Firebird, 2013) seems to be channeling Mary Stewart or Victoria Holt in this mesmerizing modern gothic, originally published as a mass market paperback in 2001. Celia Sands, a 22-year-old struggling actress-waitress gets the break of a lifetime when she is offered the lead in a play by a famous Italian playwright written for the original Celia Sands, a famous actress who disappeared in 1921. It gives Celia the opportunity to work under the direction of Rupert, who practically raised her, and with Madeleine, the actress whose stellar performances inspired Celia to take up acting. The play is to be performed at Il Piacere, a palatial villa near a remote Italian lake at the behest of the playwright's grandson, Alex. As the company rehearses in the opulent but somewhat neglected and possibly haunted villa and grounds, mysterious, menacing men appear and disappear; a ghostly presence haunts Celia's dreams, in which she is always fleeing from danger; and threats are made by Alex's lover, who works for the trust that will soon be assuming ownership of Il Piacere. Adding to the charm of this suspenseful story are Alex's two greyhounds and Madeleine's 12-year-old daughter.--Tixier Herald, Diana Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
First published in 2001, this lush novel of romantic suspense from Kearsley (The Splendour Falls) intertwines contemporary and historical narratives in northern Italy. In 1921, actress Celia Sands disappears for good just before opening night of the play written for her by her famous lover, Galeazzo D'Ascanio. Some 50 years later, the writer's wealthy grandson, Alessandro D'Ascanio, decides to produce the play in the same setting: the theater his grandfather built on the family estate, Il Piacere. He invites a struggling young British actress also named Celia Sands, in homage to the earlier performer, to play the lead. Celia arrives at Il Piacere to find that two of its servants have gone missing, her predecessor's ghost walks, and many of those around the estate-including D'Ascanio, to whom she's strongly attracted-conceal dark secrets. The rich historical mystery and brooding atmosphere more than compensate for the improbable, overly elaborate premise. Agent: Shawna McCarthy, Shawna McCarthy Agency. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
