One Last Secret

After London sex worker Dora, the sardonic, clear-eyed narrator of this gripping tale of murder and intrigue from British author Parks (Woman Last Seen), is severely beaten by a new client, she’s cared for by her only true friend, Evan. Evan confesses his love for Dora and asks her to give up her escort work to become his wife. After some soul-searching, she finally agrees. Then she gets a call from Daniel, a regular client, begging her to go with him to a weeklong party at a château in the south of France, and she can’t say no. After all, she only has to pretend to be Daniel’s girlfriend to impress his friends; no sex is required. Soon after arriving at the remote location, though, her nightmare begins. The horrible experiences she suffers at the château are repetitive and go on too long, but vibrant, intelligent Dora, who reveals with Scheherazade-like skill telling details about her past, proves more than equal to the life-threatening struggle she’s forced to face. This multilayered confection keeps readers reshuffling their suppositions with each new revelation. Parks knows how to keep the pages turning. (Dec.)