Indiscretion, by Charles Dubow

You're going to thank me. If you haven't bought your holiday reading yet, look no further, because I've found it for you.

This is the closest you'll get to The Great Gatsby crossed with Secret History: a tale of deception and love set in the starriest of settings. And it doesn't get much starrier than a rich man's mansion in The Hamptons.

Harry and Madeleine Winslow are blessed with talent, money, and charm. Harry is an award'“winning author on the cusp of greatness; Madeleine is a woman of sublime beauty and grace whose elemental goodness belies a privileged upbringing. Bonded by deep devotion, their marriage is both envied and admired by friends who spend summers at their East Hampton idyll.

Then (wouldn't you know it?) along comes Claire.

She's young, intelligent, and loves being in the company of such worldly and literate people. They, in turn, are in enchanted by her youth and her charm. Not to mention feeling secure in their love for one another. What could possibly go wrong?

But it's the telling of the age-old tale that makes this book so perfect. Dripping with wit and wisdom, this is a page-turning wonder of a book that had me hooked from the first page.

Clever enough to keep you guessing, starry enough to make you swoon, and worldly enough to make you feel oh-so-sophisticated for reading it in the first place.

What? Oh, it's my pleasure. No, really, it is. Enjoy.