Objects of Desire: A dark, moving and wickedly funny tale of art and betrayal

By Neil Blackmore.

Hugo Hunter is a literary legend, a celebrated gay novelist who once moved among the greats—Truman Capote, James Baldwin, and Gore Vidal.

His masterpieces secured him a place in history, and for decades he basked in fame, excess and the company of New York’s cultural elite. But as the 1980s dawn and AIDS casts its long shadow, Hugo is out of money and out of time.

Then comes an offer too good to refuse: two million dollars for a memoir and a brand-new book.

There’s just one problem. Hugo Hunter is a fraud.

His two acclaimed novels? Stolen.

Now, faced with his greatest deception yet, he must find a way to produce a third. As he navigates the treacherous world of publishing, clinging to his legacy with a mix of desperation and audacity, the question looms—how far will he go to maintain the lie?

A wickedly sharp book exploring:

📜The price of success – Fame, fraud and self-destruction in the literary world

📜A dazzling yet dangerous scene – The 20th-century cultural elite at its peak

📜Dark humour and gripping drama – A tale of ambition, betrayal and reinvention

Brilliantly vicious and utterly compelling, this is a razor-sharp satire on art, ego and the cost of genius. With a story that spans decades and a cast of unforgettable characters, it’s a must-read for fans of dark, intelligent fiction.

Thank you to Lucas and the team at Cornerstone for sending me an ARC in time for the publication date! The book is out now and available to purchase.

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