Crescendo

LoveReading Says

This swaggering stylish historical thriller set in Hitchcock’s Hollywood merges fact and fiction as writer Bobby Burgoyne is hired by Alfred Hitchcock to solve some issues on the set of his new film. Author Robert J. Harris is adept at bringing history to vibrant life, as with his A Study In Crimson which moves Sherlock Holmes into the setting of the Second World War. Here, in Crescendo, the author has found the perfect location in history in which to insert this fictional tale, when in 1959 Hitchcock abandoned a film project. He has obviously thoroughly researched Hitchcock who appears throughout this story. I would describe the first half as a slow burn as the scene is set. It is though, the scriptwriter who sits as the main lead, and the story really takes off from about half way through as Bobby and his reporter girlfriend Tess investigate. This is an atmospheric tale with the mood created by the descriptions of the fascinating film sets and snappy dialogue. The intolerance and prejudice of the time also makes itself known. Tension mounts, and the storyline crackles with energy as it draws to its conclusion. Crescendo pays homage to 1950’s crime noir and Alfred Hitchcock, and should appeal to those who enjoy the heady mix of fact within a fictional setting. 

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If you love Crescendo, then we recommend joining another 1950’s detective, in Raymond Chandler’s Phillip Marlow series. In the afterword for Crescendo, the Robert J. Harris writes of Hitchcock’s difficult working relationship with Raymond Chandler during the making of the film Strangers on a Train from the novel by Patricia Highsmith.

Liz Robinson

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