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csnurr's review against another edition
3.0
This book was probably one of the worst cozy mysteries I’ve read but it was bad in an inoffensive way so I can’t complain
aspygirlsmom_1995's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lyrareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable mystery fans of M.C. Beaton will appreciate. The audiobook narrator was a delight.
erynn215's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
colleend's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth J. Duncan's new cozy mystery series, Shakespeare in the Catskills, is off to a strong beginning with the first installment, Untimely Death. Starring British born costume designer turned amateur sleuth Charlotte Fairfax, this charming novel is an intriguing whodunit with an eclectic cast of interesting characters.
Charlotte's career as a costume designer is near and dear to her heart and she is eager to teach her craft to young intern Aaron Jacobs. With rehearsals already underway for the upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet, she and Aaron are tasked with fitting the cast members wardrobe. The production is off to a bit of a rocky start for Charlotte since one of the actors is someone with whom she shares a complicated and rather unhappy history. Further complicating the beginning of rehearsals is the lead actor's drinking problem but things take a sinister turn when someone tries to poison Lauren Richmond, the lead actress in the show. When that attempt fails, Lauren is fatally stabbed a few days later during rehearsal. Although the state police and Charlotte's boyfriend (and Chief of Police) Ray Nicholson are investigating the case, she decides to do a little snooping on her own when she learns that Aaron is their chief suspect.
Despite living in the US for ten years, Charlotte is still a fairly prim and proper Englishwoman but she is very easy to like. She has a forthright manner of speaking and she sometimes gets a little carried away with lectures about the ins and outs of costume design (a charming, but sometimes annoying, character trait). While she avoids her ex as much as possible, she does not let this discomfort get in the way of doing her job and she is rather surprised by how she feels after they finally come face to face. Charlotte is in a comfortable relationship with Ray but her probe into Lauren's death eventually causes a bit of friction between them.
Since the small police force is not equipped for murder investigations, Ray has no choice but to call in the state police. Although he tries not discuss the specifics of the case with Charlotte, he reveals just enough to pique her curiosity. Fearing the police are getting tunnel vision after they zero in on Aaron, she decides to be proactive and begins trying to put the various pieces of puzzle together on her own. Charlotte's impulsive decision eventually yields results but is the damage to her relationship with Ray worth the risk?
Untimely Death is an enjoyable cozy mystery that fans of the genre will enjoy. Charlotte is quite clever and like many amateur sleuths, she sometimes makes questionable choices as she investigates the murder. The romantic aspect of the novel is low-key but it adds depth to the overall storyline. While Elizabeth J. Duncan employs a number of red herrings and misdirects, the perpetrator's identity is somewhat easy to guess but the motive behind the murder is a complete surprise. All in all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable first installment in the Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery series that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book starring the very intrepid and personable Charlotte Fairfax.
Charlotte's career as a costume designer is near and dear to her heart and she is eager to teach her craft to young intern Aaron Jacobs. With rehearsals already underway for the upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet, she and Aaron are tasked with fitting the cast members wardrobe. The production is off to a bit of a rocky start for Charlotte since one of the actors is someone with whom she shares a complicated and rather unhappy history. Further complicating the beginning of rehearsals is the lead actor's drinking problem but things take a sinister turn when someone tries to poison Lauren Richmond, the lead actress in the show. When that attempt fails, Lauren is fatally stabbed a few days later during rehearsal. Although the state police and Charlotte's boyfriend (and Chief of Police) Ray Nicholson are investigating the case, she decides to do a little snooping on her own when she learns that Aaron is their chief suspect.
Despite living in the US for ten years, Charlotte is still a fairly prim and proper Englishwoman but she is very easy to like. She has a forthright manner of speaking and she sometimes gets a little carried away with lectures about the ins and outs of costume design (a charming, but sometimes annoying, character trait). While she avoids her ex as much as possible, she does not let this discomfort get in the way of doing her job and she is rather surprised by how she feels after they finally come face to face. Charlotte is in a comfortable relationship with Ray but her probe into Lauren's death eventually causes a bit of friction between them.
Since the small police force is not equipped for murder investigations, Ray has no choice but to call in the state police. Although he tries not discuss the specifics of the case with Charlotte, he reveals just enough to pique her curiosity. Fearing the police are getting tunnel vision after they zero in on Aaron, she decides to be proactive and begins trying to put the various pieces of puzzle together on her own. Charlotte's impulsive decision eventually yields results but is the damage to her relationship with Ray worth the risk?
Untimely Death is an enjoyable cozy mystery that fans of the genre will enjoy. Charlotte is quite clever and like many amateur sleuths, she sometimes makes questionable choices as she investigates the murder. The romantic aspect of the novel is low-key but it adds depth to the overall storyline. While Elizabeth J. Duncan employs a number of red herrings and misdirects, the perpetrator's identity is somewhat easy to guess but the motive behind the murder is a complete surprise. All in all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable first installment in the Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery series that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book starring the very intrepid and personable Charlotte Fairfax.
addy1991's review against another edition
4.0
The Catskills are scenic and offer a nice retreat away from the hustle & bustle that is NYC. However, all is not quiet in this sleepy little nook. The Jacobs Grand Hotel is home to thespians as they rehearse and prepare for a season of Shakespeare. Actors are dramatic on the stage and off of it. When the actress playing Juliet is murdered, people look at one another and wonder who is the villain waiting in the wings. Charlotte, head of the costume department, is dating the Chief of Police and lends a helping hand ... whether he asks for or not. Will her meddling help the case or hinder their romance? Time will tell in this series.
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
3.0
Untimely Death started out a little rough for me. Foreshadowing’s all well and good, but phrases like “but this year was going to be different; changes were coming. She could feel it.” and, on the very next page, “And although she’d never been part of a real-life murder, that was about to change,” are a bit heavy-handed, especially for what is quite clearly a cozy murder mystery. Happily it improved.
There are certain settings I tend to enjoy, and behind the scene at a play is one of them. Charlotte, a talented costume, is our amateur sleuth who just so happens to be dating one of the local policemen. I liked her a lot. She just seemed like a good, nice person, who knows her job and the theater well. the other characters are well-developed, especially her assistant Aaron, and a few of the actors. There wasn’t really much gossip or petty jealousies in the cast though. Most of the actors are relatively fresh out of school and the one’s who know what they’re doing seem more helpful than not. There’s one affair, but no one is really betrayed by the infidelity. The hotel’s guests were not a part of this story; the focus was on the theater.
As a mystery is was okay. There was one big clue, and a couple of others that we were shown. It was kind of impossible to pick up on a couple of things though, as an American, but, thankfully, Charlotte is British, so could piece it together.
I felt the characters were a bit stronger than the plot. I’m looking forward to the next in the series. It’ll be interesting to see where the idea Charlotte puts together at the end of the book goes.
There are certain settings I tend to enjoy, and behind the scene at a play is one of them. Charlotte, a talented costume, is our amateur sleuth who just so happens to be dating one of the local policemen. I liked her a lot. She just seemed like a good, nice person, who knows her job and the theater well. the other characters are well-developed, especially her assistant Aaron, and a few of the actors. There wasn’t really much gossip or petty jealousies in the cast though. Most of the actors are relatively fresh out of school and the one’s who know what they’re doing seem more helpful than not. There’s one affair, but no one is really betrayed by the infidelity. The hotel’s guests were not a part of this story; the focus was on the theater.
As a mystery is was okay. There was one big clue, and a couple of others that we were shown. It was kind of impossible to pick up on a couple of things though, as an American, but, thankfully, Charlotte is British, so could piece it together.
I felt the characters were a bit stronger than the plot. I’m looking forward to the next in the series. It’ll be interesting to see where the idea Charlotte puts together at the end of the book goes.
applescc's review against another edition
1.0
This author does that typical racist thing white authors do: the only time she acknowledges a character’s race/ethnicity, it’s to play into stereotypes. There’s the thuggish “black man” with shiny gold teeth trying to peddle fake jewelry on the street. And then there’s the “shifty” jeweler wearing a yarmulke and sporting the traditional Orthodox curls. I can’t stand racist nonsense like this.