Only murder, a young throat slit in peculiarly horrific circumstances, could have detonated the atmosphere of languor and profound sexual unease in the Thompson household. Francis King's glittering novel opens in India during the 1930s, at the lush summer house of the Thompson family. The whole household is under suspicion. Then a 'confession' is made. But in Francis King's hands the spiciest of evil motives are merely decoys, the truth continuing to remain slippery and elusive. Act of Darkness received huge critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic when first published. 'On one level it is simply a terrific mystery story with a slippery, enticing plot ... a darkly luminous parable about innocence and evil, guilt and redemption ... ' New York Times 'Recalls A Passage to India in setting and form ... whether read as a detective story or as a powerful exploration of character and motive, Act of Darkness will not fail to impress.' Graham Swift, Sunday Times 'So beautifully written that one is reluctant to reveal who is murdered, let alone who dunnit ... brilliantly successful' Auberon Waugh, Daily Mail 'Dark, lurid and shattering ... he is a master novelist' Melvyn Bragg 'Unputdownable' Paul Bailey, Evening Standard
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Born in Switzerland, Francis King spent his childhood in India. Whilst at Oxford he wrote three novels and then joined the British Council. He was the drama critic of the Sunday Telegraph and reviewed fiction extensively. He wrote over twenty novels and his non-fiction includes E. M. Forster and his World.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Act of Darkness by Francis King (Large Print Hardcover),
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This review is from: Act of Darkness (Hardcover)
Description from the book back cover:Act of Darkness tells the true story of a Victorian murder mystery, here reset to colonial India of the 1930's. The calm facade of a wealthy English family is shattered by the brutal murder of their young son, apparently the act of native terrorists. But further investigation implicates the family itself. Did the young boy discover his father, Toby, in a liason with the beautiful Eurasian governess? Or was the boy's half-sister, Helen, unable to control her brooding jealousies? A confession is made, but it takes many years and travels to other continents to reveal the shocking truth. Please note: This novel contains explicit language and scenes of violence and passion which may not be acceptable to all readers.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ACT OF DARKNESS,
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This review is from: Act of Darkness (Paperback)
JUST STARTED READING AND ITS AN INTERESTING BOOK......SETTING IS INDIA AND IT IS GREAT LEARNING ABOUT ANOTHER CULTURE.......BOOK ARRIVED IN A TIMELY FASHION.......IT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1985 SO IT HAS A BIT OF AGE BUT IN GOOD CONDITION......WOULD USE THIS SELLER AGAIN....THANKYOU
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