YvonneThe latest addition to my shelf this week, should definitely be an interesting read. ‘Playing Mrs. Kingston’, is author Tony Lee Moral’s debut fiction book, although by no means his first published work. The titles of his three previously published non-fiction books, offer a big clue as to the influence which has been fundamental in shaping and inspiring his fiction writing.
Hitchcock for me is the consummate filmmaker and the one to be studied. He has inspired more directors, screenwriters and producers than any other film-maker in history, which is why he has had more books written about him than any other director. He understood how to use the camera and tell a story visually better than anybody, and had an innate understanding of camera logic.
As a Hitchcock fan myself, I shall be looking forward to having Tony visit very soon, with a guest post about the great man.
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‘PLAYING MRS. KINGSTON’
It’s the ‘50s in New York City, and Catriona Benedict has big dreams, but when her first promising gig as an actress is a flop, she has to figure out some other way to make a living in the big city.
Enter Miles Kingston, a rich and influential playboy who, for reasons of his own, asks Catriona to take on the biggest role of her life…as his wife. Despite her boyfriend’s misgivings about the arrangement, Catriona knows that this could easily be the most lucrative acting job she’s ever had. All she has to do is keep up the act for a few weeks, and she’ll walk away with thousands.
When tragedy strikes, the whole arrangement threatens to strangle Catriona. She quickly realizes that living with the Kingston family is a much more delicate and dangerous affair than she ever could have guessed.
And if she isn’t convincing in the role of Mrs. Kingston, much more than just her acting career will be at stake.
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TONY LEE MORAL
Tony was born in the historical town of Hastings, Sussex, England. From an early age he looked to the horizon, with a keen quest for knowledge and an avid interest in writing.
Following an early publishing success, with the formation of his own software company for the booming home computer market, Tony moved on to the internationally renowned BBC Natural History Unit, where he spent many formative years filming in remote places around the world, everywhere from the Himalayas to the Amazonian rainforest.
In 1999, Tony moved to California to work on the award winning ‘The Shape of Life’ series, to write his books on Alfred Hitchcock, and to continue making his diverse and eclectic documentaries, ranging from biographies to current affairs, in the course of which he has interviewed a veritable A-Z of celebrities from the arts and sciences.
As well as making films around the world, Tony has launched his own production company Sabana Films, dedicated to making bespoke documentaries.
Check out all Tony’s latest news on his website.
Follow Tony on Twitter.
Like Tony’s fan page on Facebook.
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…Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week. Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home, where links may be added each week. So why not stop by, leave a link to your own Mailbox Monday post, oh! and don’t forget to leave a comment for our three new joint administrators, after all, we all like to receive them … ‘Mailbox Monday’
Leslie of ‘Under My Apple Tree’
Serena of ‘Savvy Verse & Wit’
Vicki of ‘I’d Rather Be At The Beach’
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!
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Looking forward to your thoughts on this book, Yvonne. Have a good week!
Hi Mary,
It is probably going to be some time before ‘Playing Mrs Kingston’ gets to the top of my pile, however having read the draft of Tony’s great guest post, I am tempted to boost it up a few places!
Have a great reading week and thanks for stopping by.
I agree that Hitchcock was a master! Playing Mrs. Kingston sounds intriguing. Happy Reading!
Hi Marthae,
Hitchcock was indeed the master of suspense and fear, wasn’t he? I can’t remember a single one of his films when I wasn’t sat on the edge of my seat and watching with one eye closed!
‘Saving Mrs Kingston’ already sounds intriguing, after all, can you imagine being asked to play the part of someone’s wife, as if your very life depended on it? Add in the Hitchcockian twist and I am certain this is going to be the best piece of acting Catriona is ever going to have to pull off!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, you are always welcome 🙂
Playing Mrs. Kingston sounds very good…and I think the nonfiction ones look appealing, too, especially the one on HItchcock.
Enjoy…and thanks for visiting my blog.
Hi Lorraine,
I am not typically a non fiction reader myself, however I did take a look at all three books when I was checking out Tony Lee Moral.
I have to say, that for a true fan of Hitchcock, they would make a great gift, although having seen a 3D version of ‘The Birds’, that one might be off the agenda even for me, as that version of the film was one of the scariest things ever!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is always appreciated and I wish you a Happy Reading Week 🙂
I’ve enjoyed (been scared to death) Alfred Hitchcock films. This looks like a wonderful set. Enjoy all of your new books.
Hi Pat,
I am actually only reviewing Tony’s debut fiction novel ‘Playing Mrs Kingston’, but even as someone who doesn’t read non fiction, I have to admit that the other three titles in the portfolio do sound rather tempting.
Hitchcock was certainly the master of suspense, with a scare factor off the scale and even after all this time and the many advances in technology, his films just can’t be beaten in my opinion.
Thanks for taking the time to check out this week’s post and enjoy your reading.
What an intriguing premise – I’m curious as to whether she can pull it off or not. Enjoy!
Hi Kathy,
Given that Catriona has already flopped in her first attempt at forging an acting career, this is surely one of the most difficult performances she could have undertaken and by the sound of it, one on which her life may depend!
I’m not sure that I could pretend to be the wife of someone I had only just met, especially if I was being introduced to close friends and family, who would know him well and would spot any mistake I made instantly.
Also, what kind of boyfriend would condone such an arrangement? It all sounds a little fishy to me and probably more than a little scary if there are undertones of Hitchcock in the storyline.
Thanks for taking part in this week’s discussion, I always value your opinions and comments.
This sounds really good! I look forward to hearing more about it. I also look forward to the guest post by the author, as I am a fan of Hitchcock as well.
Hi Kelly,
There seems to be lots of us Hitchcock fans out there and I think that just about everyone could name at least one Hitchcock film. Although why I ever wanted to watch something that I knew was going to scare me witless, is beyond me!
Tony’s passion for all things Hitchcockian (I did a double take when this word came up, but it is there in all the usual places!) is there for all to see, so I have high hopes from ‘Saving Mrs Kingston’.
The guest post Tony has sent through looks great and I hope to be able to slot it in, in a week or so’s time, so not too long to wait 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that all is well with you.
Happy reading Yvonne, I hope you have a good week!
Thanks very much Lindsay, the same to you.
I hope that you received some great new books 🙂
Great cover on Playing Mrs. Kingston, hope you enjoy it.
Hi Mary Ann,
Views about the cover art for ‘Playing Mrs Kingston’, are quite mixed, but on the whole fairly positive.
One or two readers did suggest that the cover might have benefited from being presented as a black and white image, in line with the timeframe of the story.
I have to admit that I can’t really make my mind up about it just yet. Whilst not a cover that would jump off the shelves in the bookshop and shout “buy me”, the added Hitchcock influence would probably have swayed it for me, so I’ll reserve judgement until I have read the book and can assess how well the cover mirrors the storyline.
Thanks for the great comment, I always appreciate your visits.
Alfred Hitchcock is a favorite of mine.
Love the cover of Mrs. Kingston, but not sure it is something I would read. I hope it is enjoyable for you.
Have a wonderful reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
Hi Elizabeth,
I quite like the 50s era of the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot type of mystery. Life was lived at a much gentler sedate pace and even the crime and thrills had much more flair and aplomb.
Not a genre that I could necessarily read too often, but given the Hitchcock connection, definitely not one that I could pass on!
I do hope that you manage to stop by when Tony’s Hitchcock themed guest blog goes live. It really is an interesting study in crime writing.
Enjoy the rest of your week 🙂
I used to read a lot of mysteries. Especially Alfred Hitchcock. But now switch to YA. Playing Mrs Kingston sounds good. Maybe will give it a try if I happen to chance upon it
I have quite eclectic reading habits, however murder / mystery, or suspense / thriller, will always be my preferred genres, although I will read just about anything, including the occasional YA story. Fantasy is a genre I will only read if specifically asked for a review and science fiction I steer clear of at all costs!
It wouldn’t do for us all to be the same and enjoy the same things, would it? 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is always good to have you stop by.
Hmm, intrigued by this one if only because to me the cover seems so at odds with the synopsis.
Hi Tracy,
You are the only one of the commenters to date, to have that opinion about the cover art of ‘Playing Mrs Kingston’. I wonder if it is the image itself, or more the style in which it is reproduced on the book cover, which is quite intriguing I have to admit?
To my way of thinking, this is the beauty of being able to share comments, opinions and thoughts, through the blogging forums. It wouldn’t do if we were all the same, with identical opinions, so long may it continue 🙂
Great to have you visit and I hope that all is well with both yourself and Mr T
Happy reading.
Thanks Serena – You Too 🙂