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Jocelyn O'Roarke #2
First Hit of the Season
From the author of Murder on Cue and Dead Pan comes another great murder mystery starring Jocelyn O'Roarke, actress/singer/sleuth. This time a caustic critic has been murdered and O'Roarke must discern whom among his many detractors was angry enough to deliver the final cut.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
Paperback
First published May 1, 1984
About the author
Jane Dentinger
15 books9 followersJane Dentinger was born and raised in Rochester, New York. She graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College with a BFA in theatre, then moved to Manhattan, where she still resides. After making her stage debut in Joe Papp’s production of Pericles at the Delacorte Theatre, she acted off Broadway in All My Sons at the Roundabout Theatre and in Jack Heifner’s Vanities for ages.
By the time Vanities finally closed, there were a lot of people she wanted to kill, and hence, she wrote her debut mystery, Murder on Cue, on a grant of sorts from the New York State Department of Labor. It was the first of six novels featuring actress Jocelyn O’Roarke, whom the New Yorker dubbed “an artsy Philip Marlowe.”
While writing her novels, Dentinger managed Murder Ink, a preeminent mystery bookstore in New York City, for eight years. In October of 1999, Dentinger became senior editor of the Mystery Guild Book Club. In 2005, she was made editor in chief, a position she held until December, 2013.
By the time Vanities finally closed, there were a lot of people she wanted to kill, and hence, she wrote her debut mystery, Murder on Cue, on a grant of sorts from the New York State Department of Labor. It was the first of six novels featuring actress Jocelyn O’Roarke, whom the New Yorker dubbed “an artsy Philip Marlowe.”
While writing her novels, Dentinger managed Murder Ink, a preeminent mystery bookstore in New York City, for eight years. In October of 1999, Dentinger became senior editor of the Mystery Guild Book Club. In 2005, she was made editor in chief, a position she held until December, 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 10, 2022
I rarely read two books in a series back-to-back, but after enjoying Murder on Cue so much (4 stars), I wasn’t ready to let go of main character, theater actress Jocelyn O’Rourke, quite so quickly. It’s always a pleasure to meet an intelligent, assertive female protagonist—instead of the often ditzy ones one meets in many of today’s cozies. But then this was written in the ‘80s.
The mystery here was as good as the first, but for me, the problem was too many characters and referring to them sometimes by first names and sometimes surnames. It didn’t help that I had to read this in spurts due to my own circumstances and couldn’t devote a big enough chunk of time.
I do enjoy the New York theater setting and the eccentric personalities with diverse backgrounds that provide wit and intrigue. I have all the books in this series and will return to it soon.
The mystery here was as good as the first, but for me, the problem was too many characters and referring to them sometimes by first names and sometimes surnames. It didn’t help that I had to read this in spurts due to my own circumstances and couldn’t devote a big enough chunk of time.
I do enjoy the New York theater setting and the eccentric personalities with diverse backgrounds that provide wit and intrigue. I have all the books in this series and will return to it soon.
June 21, 2012
A bit meatier than the first in the series, keeping in mind that these are cozy mysteries, not Great Literature.
November 9, 2024
I really enjoy seeing Jocelyn, an actress, and her detective beau work together to investigate a murder; their different backgrounds give them unique insights into human nature. Actors study human nature deeply, and Jocelyn's observations are pretty penetrating. I also love her off-the-cuff dissection of plays and performances.
Sometimes, the dialogue is a bit too arch, but mostly, it's fun. There are a lot of cultural references, many specific to the 1970s and 1980s (the book was written in the 80s) that seem obscure now...but I'm the right age to understand and appreciate them!
I prefer this plot to that of the first book in the series, although I still sometimes found the overabundance of characters (and the ultimate explanation) confusing. But still, it's a quick and enjoyable read.
Sometimes, the dialogue is a bit too arch, but mostly, it's fun. There are a lot of cultural references, many specific to the 1970s and 1980s (the book was written in the 80s) that seem obscure now...but I'm the right age to understand and appreciate them!
I prefer this plot to that of the first book in the series, although I still sometimes found the overabundance of characters (and the ultimate explanation) confusing. But still, it's a quick and enjoyable read.
January 29, 2019
Sometimes you just want something witty and daft and fun with someone being murdered in the midst of the Broadway actors,critics and hangers on.
Jane Dentinger does not tax you,there are complications,twists,entanglements and lots of theatrical dilly dallying but it was a lovely way to spend a few hours,somehow familiar but then the twist.
Not for everyone but I will read another Dentinger mystery.I am also delighted by the number of closet fans she has."Oh Jane Dentinger I love her" There is a very gentle cult following .
Jane Dentinger does not tax you,there are complications,twists,entanglements and lots of theatrical dilly dallying but it was a lovely way to spend a few hours,somehow familiar but then the twist.
Not for everyone but I will read another Dentinger mystery.I am also delighted by the number of closet fans she has."Oh Jane Dentinger I love her" There is a very gentle cult following .
March 19, 2018
Heading to New York for vacation it made sense to bring along this fun mystery book set in the New York theater world. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and this follow up was just as much fun. I love the main character Jocelyn (Josh) - she's smart, talented, pragmatic, and funny. This time she winds up helping her policeman boyfriend investigate the murder of a notorious theater critic. Things get tricky when clues point towards one of her friends.
July 31, 2022
I really like the main characters more than I have in a long time with other series I started, and I thought the actual mystery was quite good, also. I definitely bet my money on the wrong person there.
The love story isn't too smoochy, lots of witty lines about. Will definitely continue reading this series.
The love story isn't too smoochy, lots of witty lines about. Will definitely continue reading this series.
November 22, 2017
OMG!!! Way too many characters. I couldn't keep track. I finally gave up and deleted it.
March 16, 2022
Very corny, but very too!
June 26, 2023
Very average
December 31, 2017
A nice gentle read that not too taxing on the brain.
December 8, 2016
4 Stars
A delightful little book. This is my first Jane Dentinger novel and I found it to be interesting and well written.
I liked the theater aspect of the novel. Very interesting characters. Irene, one of the actresses in a new play, is thoroughly trashed by a critic. This sets us up to expect something bad to happen, especially when we get to know Irene’s temper.
Phillip and Josh go to a party where both Irene and the critic are in attendance. When the critic is killed at the party, the fur starts to fly. The suspects are numerous, and Irene is among them.
As Phillip investigates, we learn more about not only his and Josh’s relationship, but about the intricate investigation.
This book is a delightful read. I really enjoyed the interplay between characters and well written dialogue.
I will read more of Ms. Dentinger's books.
Thanking Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for their permission to read this book.
A delightful little book. This is my first Jane Dentinger novel and I found it to be interesting and well written.
I liked the theater aspect of the novel. Very interesting characters. Irene, one of the actresses in a new play, is thoroughly trashed by a critic. This sets us up to expect something bad to happen, especially when we get to know Irene’s temper.
Phillip and Josh go to a party where both Irene and the critic are in attendance. When the critic is killed at the party, the fur starts to fly. The suspects are numerous, and Irene is among them.
As Phillip investigates, we learn more about not only his and Josh’s relationship, but about the intricate investigation.
This book is a delightful read. I really enjoyed the interplay between characters and well written dialogue.
I will read more of Ms. Dentinger's books.
Thanking Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for their permission to read this book.
November 19, 2013
Writer seems to have a detailed knowledge of theater life which added interest, but mediocre as a mystery
October 4, 2014
Another agreeable read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews