Fear in the Sunlight

In 1936, Josephine Tey celebrates her fortieth birthday at Portmeirion with friends, including Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville. During the party, a Hollywood actress is brutally slashed to death, and Chief Inspector Archie Penrose is called in to investigate. Years later, another murder is linked to a Hitchcock movie, and Penrose returns to the scene to uncover the shocking truth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 04 February 2021
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Summer, 1936. Josephine Tey, the acclaimed author, joins her friends in the picturesque holiday village of Portmeirion to celebrate her fortieth birthday. Among the guests are none other than Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma Reville. The occasion is significant as Hitchcock and his production company are finalizing a deal to adapt Josephine's novel, A Shilling for Candles, into a feature film. However, Hitchcock has a few tricks up his sleeve to keep the holiday party entertained and to expose the deepest fears of his guests. Little do they know that things are about to take a sinister turn.

Unbeknownst to everyone, a Hollywood actress named Lila Loomis has been brutally slashed to death in a cemetery near the village. The news sends shockwaves through the community, and Chief Inspector Archie Penrose is called in to investigate the murder. As Penrose delves deeper into the case, he becomes increasingly unsatisfied with the way the investigation is being handled. The villagers, who are already on edge due to the presence of Hitchcock and his crew, are quick to point fingers and make accusations.

Several years later, another horrific murder is linked to a Hitchcock movie. This time, it's a young actress named Marion Crane who has been found dead in a hotel room, seemingly murdered by someone who knew her intimately. Penrose, who has never forgotten the case of Lila Loomis, is once again drawn back to the scene of the original crime. He is determined to uncover the shocking truth that has been hidden for decades.

As Penrose investigates the latest murder, he uncovers a web of lies and deceit that extends far beyond the boundaries of the holiday village. He discovers that Hitchcock, who was present at the original murder, had a hand in orchestrating the subsequent killings to protect his reputation and his films. The villagers, who had once been fascinated by Hitchcock and his movies, are now shocked and disgusted by his actions.

In the end, Penrose is able to bring the killer to justice, and the truth about Hitchcock's involvement in the murders is finally revealed. The community is left to grapple with the consequences of Hitchcock's actions, and the legacy of his films is forever tainted.

Summer, 1936. Josephine Tey, the acclaimed author, joins her friends in the picturesque holiday village of Portmeirion to celebrate her fortieth birthday. Among the guests are none other than Alfred Hitchcock and his wife, Alma Reville. The occasion is significant as Hitchcock and his production company are finalizing a deal to adapt Josephine's novel, A Shilling for Candles, into a feature film. However, Hitchcock has a few tricks up his sleeve to keep the holiday party entertained and to expose the deepest fears of his guests. Little do they know that things are about to take a sinister turn.

Unbeknownst to everyone, a Hollywood actress named Lila Loomis has been brutally slashed to death in a cemetery near the village. The news sends shockwaves through the community, and Chief Inspector Archie Penrose is called in to investigate the murder. As Penrose delves deeper into the case, he becomes increasingly unsatisfied with the way the investigation is being handled. The villagers, who are already on edge due to the presence of Hitchcock and his crew, are quick to point fingers and make accusations.

Several years later, another horrific murder is linked to a Hitchcock movie. This time, it's a young actress named Marion Crane who has been found dead in a hotel room, seemingly murdered by someone who knew her intimately. Penrose, who has never forgotten the case of Lila Loomis, is once again drawn back to the scene of the original crime. He is determined to uncover the shocking truth that has been hidden for decades.

As Penrose investigates the latest murder, he uncovers a web of lies and deceit that extends far beyond the boundaries of the holiday village. He discovers that Hitchcock, who was present at the original murder, had a hand in orchestrating the subsequent killings to protect his reputation and his films. The villagers, who had once been fascinated by Hitchcock and his movies, are now shocked and disgusted by his actions.

In the end, Penrose is able to bring the killer to justice, and the truth about Hitchcock's involvement in the murders is finally revealed. The community is left to grapple with the consequences of Hitchcock's actions, and the legacy of his films is forever tainted.

The story of Josephine Tey, Alfred Hitchcock, and the Portmeirion murders is a chilling reminder of the power of cinema and the dark corners of human nature. It is a cautionary tale that highlights the dangers of fame, obsession, and the lengths that people will go to protect their reputations. The murders also serve as a reminder of the importance of truth and justice, and the lengths that investigators will go to uncover the truth, even when it is hidden in plain sight.

As a result of the Portmeirion murders, Hitchcock's reputation was forever tarnished. He was never able to fully recover from the scandal, and his films were never quite the same again. The murders also had a lasting impact on the village of Portmeirion, which became a symbol of fear and intrigue. The village has since become a popular tourist destination, but it is still haunted by the memories of the murders and the legacy of Hitchcock.

In conclusion, the story of Josephine Tey, Alfred Hitchcock, and the Portmeirion murders is a fascinating and chilling tale that highlights the power of cinema and the dark corners of human nature. It is a cautionary tale that reminds us of the dangers of fame, obsession, and the lengths that people will go to protect their reputations. The murders also serve as a reminder of the importance of truth and justice, and the lengths that investigators will go to uncover the truth, even when it is hidden in plain sight.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571366408
Edition number: Main