Death of a Showman
A Novel
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- 11,99 €
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- 11,99 €
Publisher Description
In Mariah Fredericks's Death of a Showman, the fourth in this absorbing series set in Gilded Age New York, lady’s maid Jane Prescott is thrust into the world of show business, where a killer is stalking Broadway.
“A lively upstairs/downstairs mystery.”—New York Times Book Review on A Death of No Importance
It is the summer of 1914 and lady’s maid Jane Prescott is back in New York with the Tylers after a glittering society wedding in Europe. On their return, Jane learns another wedding has taken place. Her old dancing partner, Leo Hirschfeld, has married a chorus girl in his new Broadway musical.
Jane and Louise Tyler are pulled into the sparkling and scandalous world of Broadway, as a star struck Louise invests in Leo's show, and Jane chaperones her at rehearsals. But behind the glittering facade of the theater, there are rivalries, secret romances, and some very dodgy business practices. When the show's abusive producer, Sidney Warburton, is murdered, the list of suspects is long. Was it the comedic star or her gambler boyfriend? The disgruntled costume designer? The beautiful, blond dancer, her jealous husband? Or was it Leo himself, who had more reason than anyone to hate Sidney Warburton?
As the First World war looms in the distance, Jane and tabloid reporter Michael Behan must strip back the masks of these consummate performers before one of them kills again.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in 1914, Frederick's lyrical fourth Jane Prescott mystery (after 2020's Death of an American Beauty) finds lady's maid Jane Prescott, after a year in Europe with young society matron Louise Tyler, back in New York, where she learns her former sweetheart, composer Leo Hirschfeld, has gotten married and is about to open his first musical revue on Broadway. After Louise becomes one of the show's patrons, Jane is assigned to assist the wardrobe mistress and is soon immersed in the theater's tumultuous backstage life. When the musical's despicable producer is murdered and Leo is pegged as the main suspect, astute, observant Jane goes on the hunt for the killer. Fredericks offers up a cast of original, fully human characters, even the most villainous of whom have backstories that evoke at least a little understanding. Those who think they know where the story is going will be pleasantly surprised. This witty, empathetic foray into the world of Broadway will leave readers eager for Jane's next adventure.
