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"Kathleen Marple Kalb debuts with the first book in a new historical mystery series set in Gilded Age New York and following the adventures of swashbuckling opera singer Ella Shane, an Irish-Jewish Lower East Side orphan who finds fame and fortune singing male trouser roles. On the cusp of the twentieth century, Manhattan is a lively metropolis buzzing with talent. But after a young soprano meets an untimely end on stage, can one go-getting leading lady hit the right notes in a case of show more murder? New York City, 1899. When it comes to show business, Gilded Age opera singer Ella Shane wears the pants. The unconventional diva breaks the mold by assuming trouser roles --male characters played by women--and captivating audiences far and wide with her travelling theatre company. But Ella's flair for the dramatic takes a terrifying turn when an overacting Juliet to her Romeo drinks real poison during the final act of Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi. Weeks after the woman's death is ruled a tragic accident, a mysterious English duke arrives in Greenwich Village on a mission. He's certain someone is getting away with murder, and the refined aristocrat won't travel back across the Atlantic until Ella helps him expose the truth. As Ella finds herself caught between her craft and a growing infatuation with her dashing new acquaintance, she's determined to decode the dark secrets surrounding her co-star's fatale finale--before the lights go dark and the culprit appears for an encore . . ."--Provided by publisher. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
1890s, historical-research, historical-setting, mystery, acting
What a wonderful story! It really has it all: a mystery, historical insights into class and religious distinctions and discriminations, misogyny, and a bit of romance. And don't forget the velocipedes! The characters are real (the good, the bad, and the disgusting), the research and motivation that brought out things about bullemia in the late nineteenth century, and the plight of stage people that lingered long into the twentieth century. Very enjoyable and well written. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
What a wonderful story! It really has it all: a mystery, historical insights into class and religious distinctions and discriminations, misogyny, and a bit of romance. And don't forget the velocipedes! The characters are real (the good, the bad, and the disgusting), the research and motivation that brought out things about bullemia in the late nineteenth century, and the plight of stage people that lingered long into the twentieth century. Very enjoyable and well written. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Re-reading after having read the third book in the series. Truly understanding why I like this world - it's filled with people wanting to make the world a kinder place, no matter what their station. It's about family, both blood and found. The mysteries are secondary and I don't mind.
1899 Ella Shane, opera singer is performing as Romeo when her Juliet, Violette Saint Claire, actually dies on her death scene. The death is deemed an accident to save her reputation for her family from the taint of suicide.
In the following April, Gilbert Saint Aubyn, Duke of Leith approaches Ella for information on the death of his cousin, Lady Frances Saint Aubyn aka Violette.
This is an enjoyable historical cozy mystery though for me not enough of a mystery and not really enough suspects to make a complex storyline.
A NetGalley Book
In the following April, Gilbert Saint Aubyn, Duke of Leith approaches Ella for information on the death of his cousin, Lady Frances Saint Aubyn aka Violette.
This is an enjoyable historical cozy mystery though for me not enough of a mystery and not really enough suspects to make a complex storyline.
A NetGalley Book
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Book I read in 2023
146 works; 1 member
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8 Works 73 Members
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A Fatal Finale
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- Members
- 34
- Popularity
- 835,353
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
