The Queen Is Dead

Jocelyn O'Roarke #5

by Jane Dentinger

It's a trip down memory lane when Jocelyn O'Roarke returns to college--and a course in Murder 101 when the campus play turns deadly. No amateur on the stage or on the trail of a murderer, Josh remains her cool, witty self until the curtain falls on this hilarious and engaging mystery.

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Jane 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.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the earlier books in the series. I figured things out very early on, which wouldn't have bothered me if the journey was more satisfying and the characters better developed. The author is astute about personalities and motivations, but it all just made me shrug, as I didn’t care that much about anyone, and the campus setting was a bit hackneyed. The theatrical insights were, as usual, the best parts.

Side note: I do appreciate the feminist politics in this series, which always are intelligently expressed. Sadly, the issues are still topical.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actress Jocelyn O'Rourke is asked to come back to her alma mater to take over as Hermoine, in "A Winter's Tale," when her old mentor Tessa Grant, who had the role, is found dead. Jocelyn is joined by her ex-love, New York police lieutenant Philip Gerrard, who hopes to win her back. But Jocelyn gets more involved with the people Tessa had provoked, and soon becomes convinced that her death was really murder.

[Bunny Merrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I figured out "Tessa's secret" almost immediately and who done it by the middle of the book (although I thought I was wrong). But still enjoyed the book. What I didn't like was everyone's attitude toward the murderer at the end.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

. . . Enjoyable ( particularly for theater lovers) but not particularly distinguished in any way. Good summer or airport read.

[Cece · Rating 2 out of 5]

Figured out the motive, narrowed down the suspects to 2. Side story of the old roommate and husband and mixed messages ended up a little lame-a case of "have to wrap this storyline up-ok, that will work." At least we are back in NY.