Author: Elizabeth J. Duncan
Series: A Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (December 13, 2016)
Description: It’s the most important night of the year for costume designer Charlotte Fairfax and the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company--the annual fund raising performance at the country estate of the wealthy widow Paula Van Dusen. This year, the company will give a moonlight performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the wedding celebrations for Paula's daughter, Belinda, and her fiance Adrian. But then Hugh Hedley, family friend of the Van Dusens and Adrian's rival in the cutthroat world of high-end Manhattan real estate, is found murdered with a stolen prop from the play.
Paula, desperate to keep her daughter’s name of out of the paper, enlists Charlotte's help, despite the fact that Charlotte's already got her hands full amidst her costume design responsibilities and finding a home for the company's new theater school. But Charlotte nevertheless throws herself into an investigation of shady business deals, a missing dog, and long buried family secrets because "though she be but little, she is fierce!" Ill Met by Murder, the second in Elizabeth J. Duncan's compelling mystery series, will satisfy every Shakespeare and mystery lover alike.
My Thoughts: It is time for Paula Van Dusen's annual fundraiser for the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company and this year it is being combined with her daughter's wedding. Charlotte Fairfax and her assistant Aaron and helping with the bridesmaids' dresses. Charlotte is also busy working with another member of the company to set up their own theater school.
All sorts of plans are disrupted when a body is found wearing the donkey head that Bottom couldn't find when doing the play. Charlotte's boyfriend Roy is involved in the case because he is the police chief. Suspects quickly line up as it is determined that the victim was a high-end realtor from New York with local ties. In fact, Mrs. Van Dusen would have preferred him as a fiance for her daughter over the man her daughter Belinda did pick.
While Charlotte is scouting property for her new theater school and looking for potential investors, she uncovers some clues and questions about the case. She becomes even more involved when the local realtor's dog is dognapped. Charlotte can't imagine how she would feel if her own corgi Rupert was taken and so ramps up her determination to solve the case.
This was a nice cozy mystery for fans of Shakespeare, dogs, and romance.
Favorite Quote:
He tilted his head toward her and asked, "You okay? What's wrong?"I got this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.
She shook her head. "Nothing. It's just...you know when you overhear a snippet of conversation and wish you'd heard more or knew what they were talking about? How tantalizing that is?" He nodded. "Well, it's like that."
This sounds like fun. Dogs are always a plus for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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