'He wants to see you, personally. He's Detective Meek, he's from Homicide, and chances are he's come to report a killing.'

Tessa Crichton, actress and unwitting private detective, joins the cast of Host of Pleasures-a hit West End play opening its American run in Washington D.C.

All is not well backstage. Artistic temperament, old hates and new jealousies combine to create an explosive atmosphere among the cast. When one of the actors is found dead, he is initially thought the victim of street violence-then the possibility that he was murdered by someone closer to home starts to seem horribly likely.

Tessa, mixing intuition, charm and unassailable curiosity, is convinced this is no ordinary killing. Risking her own safety, and with help from Washington cop Inspector Meek, she slowly discovers the truth amongst a maze of suspects and motives.

Tautly written, witty, and firmly plotted, with a stunning surprise ending, this is among the best mysteries Anne Morice has written.

Murder in Mimicry was originally published in 1977. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

'Anne Morice has a gift for creating intelligent, affection-generating characters, set in light and entertaining atmospheres.' Spectator

'A nice lively book saturated with show business.' New York Times