The Chiswick Book Festival opens today and one of the highlights of the three-day celebration of all things literary will be an appearance from author Rebecca Frayn, writes Will Gore.

Her latest novel, Deceptions, is up for discussion as Frayn takes part in an ‘in conversation’ event with fellow writer Sadie Jones at St Michael and All Angel’s Parish Hall on Sunday morning.

The theme for the talk is ‘thinking the unthinkable’, a sentiment that is perfectly apt when considering the prem- ise of Frayn’s psychological thriller.

In Deceptions, which is set in and around west London, Julian and Annie have just decided to get married when they receive the shattering news that Annie’s young son, Dan, has disappeared.

Frayn says the fact she is a mother of three meant she did not have to try hard to imagine the horror of the situation.

She says: “As a mother, the story of a boy who disappears is very close to home – Dan is 12-years-old and when I was writing it my twin sons were also 12. It was like delving into your worst fears and forcing yourself to face up to the thing you would least wish to happen in the world.”

Deceptions is told from the point of view of Julian and as the plot unfolds it becomes clear his relationship with his fiancee’s son was not a smooth one.

“As Julian is Annie’s boyfriend but not Dan’s father, he is a few steps removed from the story,” says Frayn.

“He is an unreliable narrator and I want the reader to be peering over his shoulder anxiously.”

Frayn, the daughter of playwright Michael Frayn and a Chiswick resident of 16 years, admits creating a tightly-plotted thriller required a little help from her friends.

She adds: “I’m a terrible friend because I use my friends and family as sounding boards.

“When I have a draft ready I’ll send it out to them and I do that many times. I think my friends come to dread the fact a draft is coming their way.”

Rebecca Frayn will be speaking about Deceptions at the Chiswick Book Festival with Sadie Jones on September 19, at 11.45am at St Michael’s and All Angel’s Church. Tickets can be booked at chiswick bookfestival.org or by calling Waterstone’s Chiswick on 020 8995 3559.