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".
- ISBN10 0140072950
- ISBN13 9780140072952
- Publish Date 28 February 1985 (first published 19 September 1983)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 6 December 1991
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback (A-Format (178x111 mm))
- Pages 336
- Language English