
The Book:
A Fatal Affair by A. R. Torre
Published June 20, 2023 by Thomas & Mercer
Date read: June 28, 2023
The Characters:
Nora and her fiance Hugh
Hugh’s twin Trent
The detectives
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The Plot (from Goodreads):
Stars. Lovers. Liars. Killers. This is Hollywood, and everyone has a part to play in a shocking novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author A. R. Torre.
Actress Nora Kemp loves two men. One is Hugh Iverson, a philanthropic movie star who gives Nora security and respectability. The other is Hugh’s twin brother, Trent, a Hollywood bad boy who brings out Nora’s wild side. When Trent and an unidentified woman are found dead on the Iversons’ Beverly Hills property, more than Nora’s and Hugh’s reputations are at stake.
An investigation suggests murder-suicide. But there’s more to the crime than first meets the eye: suspicions of a serial killer with a bizarre motive, Hugh’s unnerved and cautious staff, and a missing mother and son. As two LA detectives sift through the deceptions of the innocent and the guilty—some living and some dead—solving the case becomes a cunning cat-and-mouse game.
Because in a city of illusions, the truth—no matter how dangerous—is so easy to hide.
How did A Fatal Affair end?
The Review:
I love AR Torre’s books, but the pacing of A Fatal Affair just felt off. It’s a short book, but I was surprised to find myself at 90% when nothing had really happened yet other than setup. I liked the Munchausen by Proxy theme, but wish that was explored more–both in Kerry’s storyline and in the past flashbacks. I REALLY wanted to know more about the twins’ childhood–there were some flashbacks to their childhood TV show, but not the ones I wanted!
The reveal didn’t surprise me (and reminded me of the “rules for writing a murder mystery” from Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone). The ending also felt very unfinished to me. I found myself thinking I still had to finish the book, only to remember it was over! Unfortunately, this isn’t one I recommend. Torre’s other books are incredible, though, so choose something else off her backlist!


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