A Fatal Finale
by Kathleen Marple Kalb
Description
On the cusp of the twentieth century, Manhattan is a lively metropolis buzzing with talent. But after a young soprano meets an untimely end on stage, can one go-getting leading lady hit the right notes in a case of murder?
New York City, 1899. When it comes to show business, Gilded Age opera singer Ella Shane wears the pants. The unconventional diva breaks the mold by assuming “trouser roles”—male characters played by women—and captivating audiences far and wide with her travelling theatre company. But Ella’s flair for the dramatic takes a terrifying turn when an overacting Juliet to her Romeo drinks real poison during the final act of Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi.
Weeks after the woman’s death is ruled a tragic accident, a mysterious English duke arrives in Greenwich Village on a mission. He’s certain someone is getting away with murder, and the refined aristocrat won’t travel back across the Atlantic until Ella helps him expose the truth.
As Ella finds herself caught between her craft and a growing infatuation with her dashing new acquaintance, she’s determined to decode the dark secrets surrounding her co-star’s fatale finale—before the lights go dark and the culprit appears for an encore . . .
Available Editions
EDITION Other Format
ISBN9781496727237
PRICE$26.00 (USD)
My Review
A Fatal Finale is the first book by Kathleen Marple Kalb and one that was truly enjoyable to read. The historical cozy mystery is set during the late 1800s in New York City.
The protagonist reminds me of Miss Phryne Fisher, an independent, glamorous amateur sleuth ahead of her time. Ella Shane along with her cousin Tommy run an opera company in the city.
During one of their performances, Violette their lead soprano singer dies. At first it is thought that the death is an accident. However, soon the victim's cousin an English Duke - Gilbert Saint Aubyn arrives at the opera company insisting the death is not an accident and asks Ella to help solve the mystery.
The characters are well-crafted and likable. I especially like Ella of course, but some of the other characters such as Father Michael and the Duke were very interesting. A Fatal Finale has all of the ingredients necessary to make this a great historical cozy mystery.
I was provided this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, and this is definitely a 5 star 🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊 historical cozy mystery!! A must read!
