Smoke and Mirrors is the second book in the Stephens and Mephisto Mystery series by British author, Elly Griffiths. Brighton, late November, 1951, and it’s snowing. On the West Pier, the pantomime, Aladdin is in rehearsal, with Max Mephisto starring. But his army friend, DI Edgar Stephens hasn’t time to see the show, or even to socialise: a girl and boy are missing, and the families are understandably frantic. Worst fears are realised when their bodies are discovered in the snow, surrounded, bizarrely, by sweets.

Despite their best efforts, Stephens and his team, which now includes the lovely (and smart) DS Emma Holmes, as well as Sulky Sergeant Bob Willis, are making no headway at all with the case when another victim is found. The heavy involvement of all victims in theatrical pasttimes lead Stephens to discuss the case with Max; possible suspects multiply as various aspects of the case bring to mind a similar case from forty years before.
This time Griffiths uses three narrators: Edgar and Max carry most of the story, but Emma also gives her perspective on events. The immediate post-war era ensures the absence of mobile phones, internet, DNA and even many personal vehicles; thus the detective work relies on heavily on legwork, personal visits and intelligent deduction.

Griffiths gives the reader characters that are real and flawed; some are vain and selfish; others are prejudiced; some lack self-confidence; many have their own agenda. Her plot is clever and original and has a few twists and red herrings that even the most astute reader may fail to detect. The atmosphere of post-war Britain is skilfully evoked with description, dialogue and the attitudes common at the time. This is an excellent sequel to The Zig Zag Girl, and fans will be hoping for more of this series.