Reviews

Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn

livhamlin's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

book_concierge's review against another edition

3.0

From the book jacket: The Honourable Daisy Dalrymple attends a performance of Verdi’s Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall with Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard. What should be a pleasant afternoon is disrupted when Bettina Westlea, the mezzo-soprano, falls dead onstage. But it was no accident – she was poisoned.

My reactions
Book number three in this delightful cozy mystery series set in 1920s England. Daisy may be “to the manor born,” but she is fiercely independent. She’s also observant, intelligent and an astute judge of character. DCI Fletcher seems to rely on her more in this episode, as she was present when the death occurred, and the mezzo was her next-door neighbor. There are plenty of suspects including other performers, jealous lovers, a long-suffering sister, and a possible anarchist. I wish I had been listening to the audiobook, only because of the many “foreign” characters; I think the narrator might have had a great time with all those accents!

It's a fast read with a satisfying resolution. I’ll keep on with this series.

melissa_who_reads's review against another edition

3.0

Listened to the audio book. Guessed the culprit. Entertaining, not deep.

jane_kelsey's review against another edition

3.0

Not my fave but loving the series still.

pagesandcc's review

3.5

3.5/5 - Woah, that twist was out of the blue.

iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition

With dashing Scotland Yard detective Alec Fletcher at her side, Daisy Dalrymple is enjoying a splendid performance of Verdi's Requiem featuring her neighbour Muriel Westlea's celebrated sister, Bettina. But the show comes to an abrupt end when what emerges from the star's gifted vocal chords is literally a dying gasp.

Daisy soon learns that the doomed diva was notoriously difficult and had more than her share of enemies. There's a philandering tenor, a burly Russian bass and even her own vocal coach husband, with whom she had a turbulent relationship.

Did one of them poison the singer? Or was it someone determined to see that Daisy's investigation ends on as bitter a note as Bettina's last performance . . .

Praise for the Daisy Dalrymple series:

'Dunn describes 1920s London and the characters in detail and highlights the interplay between Alec and Daisy.' Library Journal

'Engaging . . . Dunn's style gives an entertaining spark.' Publishers Weekly

From Library Journal

Dunn's formula is strikingly similar to Fuller's. The Honorable Daisy Dalrymple and Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher (Death at Wentwater Court, St. Martin's, 1994) witness the on-stage poisoning of Daisy's next-door neighbor, a soloist. Alec heads the investigation but depends on foil Daisy for additional information. Most of the suspects bend her ear about the deceased, an ambitious, manipulative woman. Dunn describes 1920s London and the characters in detail and highlights the interplay between Daisy and Alec. A simple, snug read.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Born and raised in England, Carola Dunn now lives in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

mksw's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoy this series. I think Daisy is a fun character. It is a little strange to me how many people feel comfortable just spilling their guts to her. She really doesn't have to do much and all of a sudden people start sharing information with her. But I do enjoy watching her interact with the other characters. Alec is fun too. I like that we get to see the investigation through both of their perspectives.

melissasbookshelf's review against another edition

4.0

3 1/2 stars Another fun cozy mystery by Carola Dunn. I enjoy listening to these audiobooks. The narrator is particularly good. I love the 1920's time setting in England. This mystery involves a Mezzo-Soprano who dies during a concert Daisy and her romantic interest Alec just happen to be attending. I like the decent mystery and the light romance. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

icewolf10996's review

lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

zeozombz's review against another edition

4.0

A very enjoyable mystery series. This particular series sports an evolving relationship between the strong-elite protagonist and a Scottish detective. I enjoy the relationship is slowly budding, as I hope a developed relationship will not ruin them working together.

Getting down to the mystery part of the story. The protagonist usually gets drawn into assisting the other solving the mystery because she is usually in the vicinity when the murder occurs. The murders are not dark, so the story remains fairly light.

So far, I do not find that it is easy to solve the mysteries as the reader.