UK Publishing Date:22 Sept 2015
The books description says that it is a modern day Gatsby take. At this point I slap my forehead and wish I’d read this before I go to write the review because it was bugging me the whole way through. I couldn’t put my finger on what it reminded me of but it is very Gatsby. And that’s not a criticism either!
Thomas Cleary is a reporter. Working at the Los Angeles Times because it was the only quality paper to give him a chance after an unfortunate plagiarism incident at the Wall Street Journal. As part of a piece on her late father Thomas goes to see Lily Goldman. She is the eccentric daughter of legendary Hollywood producer Joel Goldman.
Lily takes Thomas under her wing and becomes a kind of social mentor to him, inviting him to all the good parties and introducing him to the Hollywood glitterati. Before he realises he is getting the inside scoop on all the best gossip and stories.
Thomas is on his way to one of these parties at David Duplaine’s house in Bel Air when he turns up at the wrong address and finds it empty. Instead he encounters a golden haired nymph playing tennis in the grounds. Thomas has just met Matilda Duplaine.
It is a fascinating story of deception and intrigue set in the Hollywood Hills. Thomas finds himself falling head over heels for Matilda but as the reporter in him starts to kick in he realises that he needs to know who she really is.
It is a beautiful novel with some quirky characters and beautifully described landscapes. Thomas himself is a well crafted character and you find yourself relishing the denouement as he finally realised who Matilda’s parents were. It is an engaging story with enough of a twist to keep you interested right to the end.
Supplied by Net Galley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
You can get the book here: The Gilded Life Of Matilda Duplaine
Categories: 4 Stars Book Review
angelnet69
Prolific reader, enthusiastic theatre and movie-goer and ex-Olivier Awards judge who spent twenty years working in the music industry in London. Sharing my house with a gorgeous cockapoo called Harry who has taken over completely.
I love sharing my favourite books with friends - nearly always spoiler-free as I hate reading a synopsis of the whole book in other reviews.
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