Smoke and Mirrors focuses on a local theatre where an adaptation of one of Aunt Jane’s books is being mounted. Hopes are high, particularly as celebrated thespian Sir Lawrence Shaw has persuaded his twice ex-wife Dame Blanche Chastain out of retirement to take a small role. But when a large sandbag falls, crushing one of the cast, Matilda’s investigations lead her to conclude this was no accident. As Matilda works her way through her suspects – the larger than life cast and crew of the play – Cat and Beth do some investigating of their own, and uncover bribes and secret obsessions behind the scenes. The plot thickens when a second body is found, and one of the remaining cast absconds. There will be more bodies on the stage floor unless Matilda acts fast.