Quick Curtain
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- $22.99
Publisher Description
Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder
"Melville's jaunty, chatty tone gives us an insider's look at everyone connected to the theater world, including critics who recycle their reviews." —Booklist
'Don't talk bunk!' said Mr Douglas. 'You can't carry on with the show with a man dying on stage. Drop the curtain!'
When Douglas B. Douglas—leading light of the London theatre—premieres his new musical extravaganza, Blue Music, he is sure the packed house will be dazzled by the performance. What he couldn't predict is the death of his star, Brandon Baker, on stage in the middle of Act 2. Soon another member of the cast is found dead, and it seems to be a straightforward case of murder followed by suicide.
Inspector Wilson of Scotland Yard—who happens to be among the audience—soon discovers otherwise. Together with Derek, his journalist son, Wilson takes charge of proceedings in his own inimitable way.
This is a witty, satirical novel from the golden age of British crime fiction between the world wars. It is long overdue for rediscovery and this new edition includes an informative introduction by Martin Edwards, author of The Golden Age of Murder.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Originally published in 1934, this satisfying entry in the British Library Crime Classics series from Melville (1910 1983) presents a vivid picture of London's theater world. On the opening night of a musical comedy operetta called Blue Music, the show's producer, Douglas B. Douglas, pulls out all the stops to ensure its success, but the leading man, Brandon Baker, is shot dead, and it looks as if the show will fail. Scotland Yard Inspector Wilson who happens to be in the audience takes up the case with his journalist son, Derek. Melville (the pseudonym of scriptwriter and radio producer William Caverhill) uses his inside knowledge of the theater to skewer just about everyone in the business, from the actors to the critics, and satirizes popular detective fiction. The interplay between Wilson and Derek is reminiscent of that between Holmes and Watson, and a journey into a country village finds the place filled with gossips and inept policemen. The ending is a bit of a letdown, but overall the comedy holds up.
