Alex Brunkhorst

I picked this up on the bargain table at a local bookstore and when I started reading it, realized I'd read it before. It is a curious little book, full of oddities (the main character, Zorka, has a house full of "pets" like Ladybug and Grasshopper and Termite). There is a real story, behind the fantasy, of how a person moves away from the familiar and the controlled to a more authentic life, not ruled by fear or loss.

Milwaukee-born Thomas Cleary has come to LA to rebuild his reporting career. A chance encounter at an antiques store leads to an invitation into the world of Hollywood's most elite and onto the estate of its most powerful player, where he meets the ethereal Matilda Duplaine, who is cloistered there, a secret daughter. Drawn to the multitalented yet naive Matilda, Cleary yearns to secret her off to a new life. Reminiscent of Hollywood Noir and Norma Desmond's Sunset Boulevard, the novel is a show more journey into a world of luxurious secrets and extreme power. Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. (117) show less

A young reporter on his second chance, Thomas Cleary becomes involved with the rich and famous. David Duplaine, holds much power in the movie business and his estate is the stuff of dreams. He has secrets though, secrets the Thomas will discover and will change his life in many ways.

I think one of things I most noticed about this novel was how easy it was to read, how smoothly the prose and the plot flowed. Thomas Cleary isms very likable character and one can't help feeling sorry for show more Lily.The rich and secrets, a young reporter, a very unusual romance, and all together these things made for an entertaining and quick read.

ARC from NetGalley. show less

I received this ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Thomas Cleary, reporter, had just been fired from his job at The Wall Street Journal. After a time of job seeking he called in a favor from a Harvard friend, which landed him a job with The Los Angeles Times. Relegated to small, insignificant columns he hit the big time in journalism when Lily Goldman, wealthy socialite, took a liking to him. After being invited to report on several prestigious Bel-Air parties, mingling with show more the city’s wealthiest and most well known characters, Thomas’ star was soon on the rise.

During this time of euphoria he met Matilda Duplaine, a beautiful recluse on her father’s estate. Besotted, Thomas began to take great risks for opportunities to see her. His reporter mind couldn’t figure out why she had been hidden on the estate for 20 years, so he decided to investigate. As they began spending more time together, and Matilda’s mysterious background began to surface, their blossoming romance started to tarnish and unravel. With more at stake than previously imagined, Thomas will have to tread carefully or risk losing the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Through Thomas’ eyes, Brunkhorst takes readers through the gilded life of the rich and famous, showing its beauty as well as its pain. “The gilded life of Matilda Duplaine” is a poignant look at how quickly green grass on the other side of the fence becomes brown.

Recommended for Adults. show less