Much ado about murder: a Shakespeare in the Catskills mystery

Charlotte Fairfax, costume designer and general factotum for a small Shakespeare company based at a classic Catskill Mountains hotel, teams up with the company's board president, Paula Van Dusen, to ensure that the fall production of Much Ado about Nothing is a success. But first they must endure the arrival of the star, aging British diva Audrey Ashley, and her dour manager and sister; the abrupt departure of the director, who had insisted on Ashley's casting; and the arrival and subsequent death of the replacement director, Edmund Albright, whom Ashley had requested. In his few short days as director, Albright had alienated almost everyone by setting the play in upstate New York in the post-Civil War era. Charlotte and Paula first need to convince the local police that Albright's death was not a suicide, and then they need to winnow down the list of suspects and protect themselves. In this third in the series, Duncan brings her delightful characterizations, intelligent plotting, and always-interesting theatrical frame to the Catskills. It all adds up to another opening-night success.--Muller, Karen Copyright 2018 Booklist

In Duncan's sprightly third cozy featuring costume designer Charlotte Fairfax (after 2016's Ill Met by Murder), Charlotte has happily settled in as the costume director for the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company. Everyone is pleased that well-known English actress Audrey Ashley has agreed to appear as Beatrice in the company's upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing. When the director quits at the last minute, Audrey recommends Royal Shakespeare Company director Edmund Albright as his replacement. Edmund eagerly accepts the position, and his unconventional ideas for mounting the play energize the company. When Edmund is found shot to death in his bungalow before rehearsals even begin, the police rule his death a suicide. Certain that foul play is involved, Charlotte determines to dig up the truth. The mystery unfolds slowly, but the workings of a small regional theater in a charming locale provide interest, and Duncan offers some diverting twists on the way to Charlotte's climactic confrontation with the killer. Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary Agency. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

When costume designer Charlotte Fairfax left Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company, she settled in what she thought would be a quiet job in upstate New York with the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company. Now, their star for the season has returned home with health problems, and their director quits over the phone. British actress Audrey Ashley is eager to step into the starring role in Much Ado About Nothing, but she vetoes the first director, proposing her own choice. When the theater board approves his suggestion to stage the play with a Civil War setting, many people are appalled. But who was angry enough at the director to kill him? VERDICT Duncan's third thespian cozy, following Ill Met by Murder, vividly captures the cutthroat world of the theater. Her likable sleuth is a mature, self-confident woman who will appeal to readers of the author's "Penny Brannigan" books.-LH © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A Shakespearean theater group is rocked by a series of directorial changes.The Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company brings sorely needed visitors, guests, and money to both the struggling upstate area and the Jacobs Grand Hotel, which provides the venue. English costume designer Charlotte Fairfax, who lives in a cottage on the hotel grounds with her beloved corgi and her fiance, the local police chief, is joined by her close friend Paula Van Dusen, the wealthy chair of the board of directors, to welcome Audrey Ashley, the popular British actress who stars in their latest production, and Maxine Kaminski, her sister and manager. But disaster strikes when the director leaves for a funeral and never returns. Paula suggests that local Wade Radcliffe might be willing to step in, but Audrey, who has director approval in her contract, insists on bringing in English director Edmund Albright, who shocks everyone by insisting on staging Much Ado About Nothing in the post-Civil War period. Eventually, however, most people, including Charlotte, who would have to redo all the costumes, come to think it a good idea. When Edmund is found dead in his cottage, an apparent suicide, Radcliffe, who's been hired to take his place, retains the period staging. The entire cast and crew must work doubly hard in order to get everything ready by opening night. Although the police still seem to think Edmund killed himself, both Paula and Charlotte, who's had considerable sleuthing experience (Ill Met By Murder, 2016, etc.), doubt that he had any reason to commit suicide. As Charlotte investigates, she finds any number of people who may have wanted Edmund dead. An enticing setting and diverse characters make this latest return to the Catskills a pleasure. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Charlotte Fairfax, costume designer and general factotum for a small Shakespeare company based at a classic Catskill Mountains hotel, teams up with the company's board president, Paula Van Dusen, to ensure that the fall production of Much Ado about Nothing is a success. But first they must endure the arrival of the star, aging British diva Audrey Ashley, and her dour manager and sister; the abrupt departure of the director, who had insisted on Ashley's casting; and the arrival—and subsequent death—of the replacement director, Edmund Albright, whom Ashley had requested. In his few short days as director, Albright had alienated almost everyone by setting the play in upstate New York in the post–Civil War era. Charlotte and Paula first need to convince the local police that Albright's death was not a suicide, and then they need to winnow down the list of suspects—and protect themselves. In this third in the series, Duncan brings her delightful characterizations, intelligent plotting, and always-interesting theatrical frame to the Catskills. It all adds up to another opening-night success. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

When costume designer Charlotte Fairfax left Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company, she settled in what she thought would be a quiet job in upstate New York with the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company. Now, their star for the season has returned home with health problems, and their director quits over the phone. British actress Audrey Ashley is eager to step into the starring role in Much Ado About Nothing, but she vetoes the first director, proposing her own choice. When the theater board approves his suggestion to stage the play with a Civil War setting, many people are appalled. But who was angry enough at the director to kill him? VERDICT Duncan's third thespian cozy, following Ill Met by Murder, vividly captures the cutthroat world of the theater. Her likable sleuth is a mature, self-confident woman who will appeal to readers of the author's "Penny Brannigan" books.—LH

In Duncan's sprightly third cozy featuring costume designer Charlotte Fairfax (after 2016's Ill Met by Murder), Charlotte has happily settled in as the costume director for the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company. Everyone is pleased that well-known English actress Audrey Ashley has agreed to appear as Beatrice in the company's upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing. When the director quits at the last minute, Audrey recommends Royal Shakespeare Company director Edmund Albright as his replacement. Edmund eagerly accepts the position, and his unconventional ideas for mounting the play energize the company. When Edmund is found shot to death in his bungalow before rehearsals even begin, the police rule his death a suicide. Certain that foul play is involved, Charlotte determines to dig up the truth. The mystery unfolds slowly, but the workings of a small regional theater in a charming locale provide interest, and Duncan offers some diverting twists on the way to Charlotte's climactic confrontation with the killer. Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary Agency. (Nov.)