The Queen Is Dead
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2.0 • 1 Rating
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
In the fifth book of the Jocelyn O’Roarke series, when the lead actress in a collegiate production of A Winter’s Tale dies, Jocelyn takes on a lot more than just a role
Tessa Grant was one of Jocelyn “Josh” O’Roarke’s greatest heroes. She was Josh’s mentor in school and a continued inspiration throughout her career. When Tessa’s death from an apparent heart attack leaves her production of A Winter’s Tale at Josh’s alma mater without a Queen Hermione, Josh jumps at the opportunity to help out, taking over the role. But when she arrives at the school, Josh finds a journal among Tessa’s possessions with something major to say: Her death was no mere heart attack. Now determined to solve the case, Josh runs into Frankie Mauro, her old roommate, and Phillip Gerrard, her old flame. With their help, she must navigate the labyrinthine world of backstage politics, not only to find the killer, but also to convince the world that her mentor’s death was actually murder. The Queen Is Dead is the fifth book in the Jocelyn O’Roarke mystery series, which begins with Murder on Cue and First Hit of the Season.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Jocelyn ``Josh'' O'Roarke again proves she is a real trooper as professional actress and amateur sleuth when the sudden death by heart attack of renowned actress Tessa Grant leaves Corinth College's production of A Winter's Tale without a female lead. Josh, a Corinth alum, agrees to take over the role even though the death of Tessa, who'd been her mentor at the school, hits her hard. Heartened to be reunited with her old roommate, Frankie, now a less-than-sedate faculty wife, Josh is not so pleased with the arrival of NYPD Lt. Phillip Gerrard, an ex-lover hoping to regain favor. She's glad for his assistance, however, when Sheriff Calvin Kowaleski (who, alas, remembers Josh and Frankie's youthful pranks) seems disinclined to investigate suspicious events surrounding the death of Tessa, who was known as ``a man-eater of the first rank.'' As Josh thoughtfully picks her way through on- and offstage dramatics, she realizes that some of the best amateur acting around her has nothing to do with the Bard. Although readers will note a major secret long before Josh and Phil cotton to it, Dentinger ( Dead Pan ) puts on a show that is terrific fun and will hold special appeal for theater fans.
