Murder on Cue (The Jocelyn O'Roarke Mysteries) - Jane Dentinger

Murder on Cue is the first in a series of mysteries about Jocelyn O’Roarke, a New York actress.  From the beginning it reminded me of the Charles Paris mysteries by Simon Brett and that is always a good thing.  You are plunged into the atmosphere of the New York theater scene.  It is a setting that the author obviously knows well. 

 

Jocelyn is given the understudy role in a new dramatic courtroom play.  The actress playing the lead is not universally loved by the rest of the cast.  Tensions are high and result in murder which Jocelyn is forced to help investigate to protect herself.

 

I really enjoyed this book which is a bit edgier than a cozy but definitely close to that genre. There were a couple of mentions of casual drug use and more talk about sex than will happen in a cozy so you can decide if that is for you or not.

 

The characters were realistic and fun.  The mystery wasn’t the most difficult to figure out but it didn’t jump off the page either.  I found myself playing “Name that Play” throughout as the characters love to quote famous theatrical works. Likeable characters, great setting, decent mystery.  I’ll be back for more of Jocelyn O’Roarke . 

I received this copy through Netgalley and appreciate the opportunity to read it.