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Crescendo
A lost Hitchcock film. A deadly secret. It's murder in Hollywood. Hollywood, 1959. When struggling mystery writer Bobby Burgoyne is hired by Alfred Hitchcock to work on the script for his new film Crescendo, he thinks his future success is assured at last. Instead he is swept into a swirling maelstrom of madness and murder. Someone, it seems, is willing to kill to keep the film from being made and Hitch needs Bobby to find who or what is behind the sabotage.
With a ruthless killer in pursuit, Bobby discovers that behind the obscure novel Hitch has based his movie on lies a true tale of abduction, amnesia and death. To save his own life as well as Hitch's career, Bobby must penetrate to the heart of the mystery and confront a final, shocking revelation.
With a ruthless killer in pursuit, Bobby discovers that behind the obscure novel Hitch has based his movie on lies a true tale of abduction, amnesia and death. To save his own life as well as Hitch's career, Bobby must penetrate to the heart of the mystery and confront a final, shocking revelation.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Robert J. Harris
40 books39 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert J. Harris (Bob) is a Scottish academic and author of children's fantasies and historical novels, best known for his collaborations with Jane Yolen. He also designed the fantasy board game Talisman. Recently Bob released his sequel to Talisman, Mythgardia. He lives in Scotland and is married to American author Deborah Turner Harris.
Robert J. Harris (Bob) is a Scottish academic and author of children's fantasies and historical novels, best known for his collaborations with Jane Yolen. He also designed the fantasy board game Talisman. Recently Bob released his sequel to Talisman, Mythgardia. He lives in Scotland and is married to American author Deborah Turner Harris.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 15, 2026
One for those who enjoy classic films of the 1940s and 1950s. Such a fun rollercoaster ride. I couldn’t put it down.
Set in Hollywood during 1959, struggling writer Bobby Burgoyne gets hired by Alfred Hitchcock to work on the screenplay for his new film, Crescendo. Hitchcock is still riding high on the success of North by Northwest, so Bobby feels he has finally hit the big time. But then accidents start happening, and Hitch is convinced someone is trying to kill his movie. He asks Bobby to investigate.
“It dawned on me that I had an obsession of my own now, as compelling as any that drove the director.”
There’s a wonderful blend of fact and fiction here. It has that strong 1950s noir vibe with its language, femme fatales, and car chases. I enjoyed the first-person point-of-view and clever twists and turns which kept things moving.
The author clearly had fun researching and writing this story – it comes through in the prose which made it enjoyable to read. Hitchcock was brought to life in a believable and authentic way. It felt like I was sitting in the office with him and Bobby while discussing the script. I enjoyed those scenes between them.
As Hitchcock started getting less page time, the book took on the feel of his films even more – so when he wasn’t in scenes, his presence still loomed, as if he was off to the side directing the whole story I was reading.
“If Hitchcock could see me now, he would recognise what I had become - the archetypal man on the run without the means to prove his innocence.”
Villains, like the rest of the plot, had me enthralled – especially the ominous Grey Man. The novel being adapted into Crescendo (and the truth behind it) was expertly woven into the plot as well. While Bobby and his ‘dames’ had chemistry and wise-crack dialogue reminisce of Bogart and Bacall. The old time Hollywood feel was captured perfectly.
Everything hurtled towards a gripping climax, the kind that would make Hitchcock proud. I didn’t see those plot twists coming! Make sure you stick around for the fascinating afterword which details the author’s real-life inspiration behind this book.
An entertaining read in the best sense, it makes me want to explore more by Robert J Harris. Crescendo is among my favourite reads this year.
“It’s the truth that’s dangerous.”
Many thanks to NewSouth and Polygon for a copy of this book.
Set in Hollywood during 1959, struggling writer Bobby Burgoyne gets hired by Alfred Hitchcock to work on the screenplay for his new film, Crescendo. Hitchcock is still riding high on the success of North by Northwest, so Bobby feels he has finally hit the big time. But then accidents start happening, and Hitch is convinced someone is trying to kill his movie. He asks Bobby to investigate.
“It dawned on me that I had an obsession of my own now, as compelling as any that drove the director.”
There’s a wonderful blend of fact and fiction here. It has that strong 1950s noir vibe with its language, femme fatales, and car chases. I enjoyed the first-person point-of-view and clever twists and turns which kept things moving.
The author clearly had fun researching and writing this story – it comes through in the prose which made it enjoyable to read. Hitchcock was brought to life in a believable and authentic way. It felt like I was sitting in the office with him and Bobby while discussing the script. I enjoyed those scenes between them.
As Hitchcock started getting less page time, the book took on the feel of his films even more – so when he wasn’t in scenes, his presence still loomed, as if he was off to the side directing the whole story I was reading.
“If Hitchcock could see me now, he would recognise what I had become - the archetypal man on the run without the means to prove his innocence.”
Villains, like the rest of the plot, had me enthralled – especially the ominous Grey Man. The novel being adapted into Crescendo (and the truth behind it) was expertly woven into the plot as well. While Bobby and his ‘dames’ had chemistry and wise-crack dialogue reminisce of Bogart and Bacall. The old time Hollywood feel was captured perfectly.
Everything hurtled towards a gripping climax, the kind that would make Hitchcock proud. I didn’t see those plot twists coming! Make sure you stick around for the fascinating afterword which details the author’s real-life inspiration behind this book.
An entertaining read in the best sense, it makes me want to explore more by Robert J Harris. Crescendo is among my favourite reads this year.
“It’s the truth that’s dangerous.”
Many thanks to NewSouth and Polygon for a copy of this book.
August 30, 2026
3.5⭐️….maybe 4? Harris totally nailed the 1950’s Hollywood vibe in this clever mystery.
June 9, 2026
As soon as I saw that this story involved Alfred Hitchcock, Hollywood, and a murder mystery, I knew I had to pick it up.
What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. The book does a fantastic job of capturing the glamour, intrigue, and underlying tension of late-1950s Hollywood. It felt like stepping into a classic mystery where every conversation might be hiding something important and every clue leads to even more questions.
Bobby Burgoyne is an engaging protagonist, and I found myself completely invested in his search for answers. The mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace, revealing just enough to keep the pages turning without giving too much away.
I also appreciated how naturally the film industry setting was woven into the story. It added a unique layer to the mystery and made the whole premise feel fresh and entertaining.
If you're a fan of classic crime fiction, old Hollywood, or mysteries filled with twists and intrigue, this is well worth your time. It has all the ingredients of a great page-turner and kept me hooked from beginning to end.
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery and one I would happily recommend.
September 16, 2026
2 stars feels rough but although this book was entertaining, and I was hooked, I wouldn’t necessarily say I enjoyed this book. I had a couple of issues with it, primarily, the one-dimensionality of the main character. He’s just a dude that just spews out one-liners for the entire book, and it makes for a bit of an unbearable read. Secondly, he mentions he went to Michigan U for school. As a proud Wolverine, this is an affront to the University of Michigan. Third, although I applaud the portrayal of Hitchcock and the research that went into his character, the absurdity of the plot took me out of this book. I understand this was meant as a fantastical tale, but it was presented so seriously that I just couldn’t get over how implausible this story was. Despite all of this, this book was an easy read and it kept me guessing. The twists and turns were unpredictable, but I feel like the ultimate reveal at the end was cheap and felt like it was just thrown in for shock value. However, I did enjoy the cheeky little nod at Psycho.
June 10, 2026
Crescendo is a stylish and thoroughly entertaining mystery thriller that captures the glamour, paranoia, and suspense of classic Hollywood with impressive confidence. Robert J. Harris crafts a story that feels unmistakably Hitchcockian while still delivering an original and highly engaging mystery of its own.
The 1959 Hollywood setting is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. From studio politics to creative sabotage and hidden agendas, the atmosphere is rich with old school cinematic intrigue. Alfred Hitchcock’s presence adds enormous charm and energy to the story, but Harris wisely ensures that Bobby Burgoyne remains the emotional and investigative center of the novel.
Bobby is an especially effective protagonist because he feels both ambitious and vulnerable. His excitement at being pulled into Hitchcock’s world quickly transforms into fear and obsession as the sabotage surrounding Crescendo intensifies. The deeper he digs into the mystery behind the lost story, the more dangerous the situation becomes, creating a narrative that steadily escalates in tension.
The novel also excels in the way it layers its mysteries. What begins as a behind the scenes Hollywood thriller gradually opens into a darker story involving abduction, memory, deception, and murder. The unfolding revelations are handled with precision, maintaining suspense while rewarding the reader with satisfying twists and atmosphere.
Elegant, cinematic, and deeply readable, Crescendo is a love letter to classic suspense storytelling while still feeling fresh and compelling for modern thriller readers.
The 1959 Hollywood setting is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. From studio politics to creative sabotage and hidden agendas, the atmosphere is rich with old school cinematic intrigue. Alfred Hitchcock’s presence adds enormous charm and energy to the story, but Harris wisely ensures that Bobby Burgoyne remains the emotional and investigative center of the novel.
Bobby is an especially effective protagonist because he feels both ambitious and vulnerable. His excitement at being pulled into Hitchcock’s world quickly transforms into fear and obsession as the sabotage surrounding Crescendo intensifies. The deeper he digs into the mystery behind the lost story, the more dangerous the situation becomes, creating a narrative that steadily escalates in tension.
The novel also excels in the way it layers its mysteries. What begins as a behind the scenes Hollywood thriller gradually opens into a darker story involving abduction, memory, deception, and murder. The unfolding revelations are handled with precision, maintaining suspense while rewarding the reader with satisfying twists and atmosphere.
Elegant, cinematic, and deeply readable, Crescendo is a love letter to classic suspense storytelling while still feeling fresh and compelling for modern thriller readers.
September 6, 2026
A very good detective/thriller,set in 1959 Hollywood.
Alfred Hitchcock is filming his latest picture and hires a struggling mystery writer,Bobby, Burgoyne to help write the screenplay.
Bobby soon learns there have been accidents on the set. Someone seems determined to stop production for good.
Then Bobby starts looking into the original novel, on which the film will be based. And the danger rises up to another notch.
This was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see Alfred Hitchcock as a character in a mystery novel.
Alfred Hitchcock is filming his latest picture and hires a struggling mystery writer,Bobby, Burgoyne to help write the screenplay.
Bobby soon learns there have been accidents on the set. Someone seems determined to stop production for good.
Then Bobby starts looking into the original novel, on which the film will be based. And the danger rises up to another notch.
This was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see Alfred Hitchcock as a character in a mystery novel.
June 25, 2026
Fun read
September 22, 2026
I read this in 1 evening and I really enjoyed it.
July 29, 2026
If the author's intention was to write what one character in the book calls "cheap pulp nonsense", he has succeeded. Predictable yet implausible plot, incredibly lame "wise cracks" and the one redeeming feature, Hitch, disappears for 75% of the story.
September 11, 2026
While this was an interesting concept for a book, I felt like it fell short in execution. It just felt a bit too disconnected from the characters to really do it for me.
October 4, 2026
3.5 rounded up. Really enjoyed this, but the end has the one-twist-too-many issue.
October 13, 2026
It was great at dialogue but confused at plot points.
October 25, 2026
This is the second book I have read this year where Alfred Hitchcock is a character. Either I like books about the Golden Age of Hollywood (which I do) or writers are just quite fascinated with the Master of Suspense and the incredible legacy he left. Harris is obviously a huge Hitchcock fan and has created a suspenseful and twisty Hitchcockian type tale about the making of a Hitchcock movie! It does all get a bit meta as main character writer Bobby Burgoyne (a William Holden lookalike) gets more than he bargained for when he is hired as a screen writer by the great man himself. Alongside his screen writing he gets a real-life mystery to solve as someone appears to be hijacking the movie set. We have the obligatory Hitchcock blondes, actors with huge egos, missing heiresses and some impressive action to top it all off. I really enjoyed the character of feisty reporter Tess Donavan (a Rita Hayworth lookalike) she was a great counter point to Bobby and also his on again/off again love interest. The chapter titles which riffed off Hitchcock movie titles were also a nice touch. My only minor quibble is I felt this book took a little while to get going, but once it did it was very entertaining and is much recommended.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews