Backstage Murder

Lindy Haggerty #1

by Shelley Freydont

Helping a friend out with a favor, Lindy Haggerty agrees to put her dance shoes back on to rescue a troubled show. But Lindy has no idea just how doomed the production is until the backstage tantrums, demands, and threats turn a simple pas de deux into a rather scandalous pas de mort…

When the past-her-prime diva, Carlotta Devine is found dead from an apparent blow to her head in her dressing room, no one is surprised. Less proficient at grands plies than grand entrances, Carlotta was every dancer, director, and stage manager´s worst nightmare. While Carlotta´s last dramatic gesture may be getting raves from her troupe, Lindy´s not so taken with cold-blooded murder. But sorting out a theater full of suspects, each with their own just cause, will be harder than getting Martha Graham back on the boards. And as Lindy dances closer to the truth, she makes a startling discovery: Carlotta´s murder was a mere dress rehearsal for something deadlier to come. A shadowy killer has scheduled a final curtain call—and Lindy is taking center stage.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

aka Gemma Bruce

Shelley Freyont is the author of the Lindy Haggerty Sudoku mysteries. She attended the University of Utah majoring in philosophy and dance. Shelley Freydont has also toured as a professonal dance with Twyla Tharp Dance and Americal Ballroom theater. She has appeared and choreographed in television, film, and Brodway.

Series:
* Lindy Haggerty Mystery
* Kate McDonald Mystery

Reviews

[Barbara Blindauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book in the Lindy Haggerty series. All about the world of dance. Lindy helps a friend from her days in a dance company and soon finds herself not only immersed in the work, but a murder, and changes in her life.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lindy goes to help her friend Biddy as a rehearsal director with the Jeremy Ash dance company. Coming out of retirement is exciting for her until the show's Diva is murdered in her dressing room and she tries to find out what is going on.

I realized soon into it that this was a re-read and I knew who did it, but I continued anyway enjoying the characters and the dance setting.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this mystery because I’m fascinated by books about theatre, movies, and dance. This cozy mystery’s hook is that it’s based in the dance world as Lindy Haggerty, a retired dancer, joins a dance troupe as a rehearsal director just when she has an empty nest and a husband who is constantly away on business. The novel shows the workings of the dance world from the viewpoint of backstage with a popular dance troupe, and as such contains intriguing details, which I ate up with a spoon. The Jeremy Ash dance troupe is plagued by a principal dancer who is a horror. No shocker that she is the murder victim. Characters like Rebo delight. The mystery itself is par for the course for a cozy; it’s the setting and characters that make this book.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cozy mystery though it had a slow start.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - Good

[Bella Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those cozy mysteries that mix humor with suspense and a touch of theatrical flair. It's very entertaining and it makes you want to read more and more, with each twist and turn keeping you hooked. I really love Shelley Freydont’s style!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just another murder mystery with the usual 'unusual heroine' who stumbles into the answers.

Lindy is a slightly overweight ex-dancer, extremely unattractive but unusual enough to make things interesting because she's not the usual hot female detective who meets a frustratingly handsome arch-rival. None of the men are particularly interesting - they're all troubled and brooding with dark pasts. Lindy herself is married to a 2D guy called Glen, whom we meet about twice. Her friend Biddy is a bit of an airhead, despite descriptions that she's smart, and all the dancers/stage crew are either hateful or spineless.

The plot itself is not particularly unique, either; the only interesting parts are where we get an insight into the backstage workings of a Broadway show. The rest is typical - unlikely female heroine stumbles into a group of people who are all suspicious and nervy around each other, someone gets killed, and a totally unnoticed character is found to be the murderer at the end. This is one of my pet peeves; a character who's only been mentioned in passing a few times and never fleshed out is conveniently the killer, and the reason for the murder is completely stupid.

All in all, Backstage Murder was rather flat and not particularly interesting. There are much better light crime/detective flicks out there, ones that will provide more satisfaction. It was alright as a quick read to kill some time, but if you're looking for something that'll stimulate your mind and allow you to get into the story and characters, then this is not your book.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Backstage Cozy (3.5 out 5)

Shelley Freydont, a former dancer, wrote this humorous and rather delicious cozy debut about retired dancer now turned suburban housewife Lindy Haggerty. Now with an empty nest and a husband who is constantly on business trips, Lindy has grown quite bored with life. Lucky for Lindy, her best friend from her dancing days Biddy calls her up for some help with rehearsals for the Jeremy Ash Dance Company. Unlucky for Lindy she finds herself in the middle of more drama backstage than on stage. The dance company’s no-so-very-nice and very jealous diva causes everyone to climb the walls, until she’s found murdered in her dressing room. With the diva gone, rehearsals run smoothly but everyone is a suspect

While Backstage Murder can be quite predictable, especially toward the end, Freydont creates endearing and memorable characters (wait until Rebo shows up) who keep the reader interested and often laughing while trying to figure out “who did it.” Freydont definitely captures the feel of what happens behind the scenes in any theatre (sans murder!) and leaves the reader looking for the next book.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Lindy Haggerty series. Lindy has been home raising her kids when her friend Biddy calls and offers her a job because Biddy has a broken leg and needs help. Lindy gets right back into the career she left years before and is enjoying it except for having to deal with the diva Carlotta. She is too old and making a mess of things but no one seems to want to fire her although they all agree she is terrible. When Carlotta is found dead in her room, there are a lot of suspects to check out.

[Olean Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good murder mystery. The only problem was the murder didn’t happen until halfway through. After the murder, I couldn’t put the book down

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun! Having backstage experience, this was scarily accurate as to situations and characters and temperament. The more Freydon't books I read the more I like.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this quirky little mystery. I did figure it out, but I was stumped for awhile. Great byplay between characters, and a fun read.

[Sarah Bauman]

Great book! Had a hard time putting it down. A must read in my book!

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent series debut. It didn't always totally hang together in terms of plot, and I am wary of future romantic angst, but I will read another to see where it goes.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Former dancer turned suburban mom gets back into the dance world as a rehearsal organizer.
A dancer is killed.
Not bad.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Backstage Murder" - written by Shelley Freydont and published in 1999 by Kensington. A plain vanilla murder mystery at a dance company.