Ella Shane is the owner of a theatre company and one of its lead actresses (though most of her roles are those of men). More specifically, she is a coloratura mezzo. On the opening night of her Broadway production of The Princes in the Tower in October 1899, one of her lead actors was found with a bloody knife standing over a corpse in his dressing room following the show. While it may have appeared as an open and shut case, things are not always as they first appear. Still, there is some comfort in thinking the murderer has been apprehended when such a ghastly crime occurs at one’s place of work. As the show continues its run, it begins to become clear that the real murderer may still be at large.
A FATAL FIRST NIGHT by Kathleen Marple Kalb is an eloquently written cozy mystery that will grab your attention from the first line and keep the reader spellbound until the end. It is obvious from the first few paragraphs of this book that the author has a great grasp of the English language and has the gift of being an accomplished storyteller. It was a true delight to read this story. The language is so captivating and eloquent that the reader may well feel as if they are reading classic prose.
One of the other elements of this story that I found different from other cozy mysteries I’ve read is that the lead character does not try to be an amateur detective. Oftentimes I find the storyline in mysteries in which the lead character is not a detective or private investigator hard to believe because of the incongruencies and seemingly forced nature of the plot. This was definitely not the case with this book. The story seems to unfold around the main character, rather than through her, and it is very believable.
I highly recommend A FATAL FIRST NIGHT by Kathleen Marple Kalb to readers who like a great mystery.
It’s easy to be overlooked in Gilded Age Manhattan, but the Ella Shane Opera Company’s latest premier manages to attract adoring crowds, rave reviews, and a killer who’s a real showstopper! New York City, Fall 1899. Ahead-of-her-time coloratura mezzo Ella Shane has always known opening night to be a mess of missed cues and jittery nerves, especially when unveiling a new opera. Her production of The Princes in the Tower, based on the mysterious disappearance of Edward IV’s two sons during the Wars of the Roses in England, concludes its first performance to thunderous applause. It’s not until players take their bows that the worst kind of disaster strikes . . .
Flawless basso Albert Reuter is found lurched over a bloody body in his dressing room, seemingly taking inspiration from his role as the murderous Richard III. With a disturbing homicide case stealing the spotlight, Ella can’t be so certain Albert is the one who belongs behind bars . . .
Now, Ella must think on her feet while sorting out a wild series of puzzling mishaps and interlocking mysteries. Yet even when sided with her aristocratic beau, does this scrappy diva have the chops to upstage the true criminal, or will this be the last time she headlines a Broadway marquee?
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