An Intriguing Exploration of Power and Obsession
Bestselling author Ellery Lloyd, a pseudonym for married British authors Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos, has crafted a gripping narrative with their third thriller, The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby. This novel dives deep into themes of power and obsession, secrecy and surrealism, and the fine line between artifice and art. Redolent of privilege and glamour, yet tainted by darkness and deceit, this story is bound to captivate readers.
A Journey Back to 1930s Paris
The novel takes readers to 1930s Paris, where Juliette Willoughby, an up-and-coming British surrealist painter, finds herself embroiled in a world of artistic brilliance and personal peril. Having fled her troubled and affluent family, Juliette resides with her lover, the fellow surrealist Oskar Erlich. Tragedy strikes when a fire engulfs them shortly after their involvement in the 1938 International Surrealist Exhibition. Believed lost in the flames is Juliette’s enchanting painting, Self-Portrait as Sphinx.
Mysteries Within the Art World
Fast forward to 1991 in Cambridge, where art history students Caroline Cooper and Patrick Lambert, guided by their advisor, embark on a journey to include Juliette’s potentially lost masterpiece in their dissertation. Compelled by Juliette’s enigmatic past and her family’s rumored curse, they uncover startling truths, including her private journal that hints the fire was no accident.
Present-Day Revelations and Intrigue
In present-day Dubai, Caroline, now a foremost expert on Juliette Willoughby, faces new challenges. As she authenticates a resurfaced Self-Portrait as Sphinx scheduled for auction, her ex-husband Patrick, a gallery owner, is suddenly entangled in a murder investigation. The novel’s plot weaves suspense and historical detail, pulling readers into the art world’s atmosphere filled with intrigue and the pursuit of truth.
The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby is a testament to Ellery Lloyd’s talent for drawing readers into complex and enthralling stories. Delve into this labyrinth of power, obsession, and artistic mystery, and explore the tantalizing question: is there more to Juliette’s story?
