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A Ballroom Dance Mystery #2
Dead Man Waltzing
Bad form…
When Corinne Blakely, a grande dame of international ballroom dancing, is poisoned, the dance community—including champion dancer Stacy Graysin—is left in an uproar. Corinne was penning a tell-all memoir, but now her secrets might well remain hidden, just as the killer perhaps intended.
The victim’s dance card was full of people who might have wanted her silenced, if not dead. But when Maurice, a ballroom instructor at Stacy’s dance studio Graysin Motion, becomes the prime suspect, she has no choice but to waltz in and take the lead in another murder investigation.
Clearing Maurice’s name by finding the real killer is going to be harder than a running spin turn. But there’s one thing Stacy knows for sure—she’s not about to let the murderer dance away scot-free.
When Corinne Blakely, a grande dame of international ballroom dancing, is poisoned, the dance community—including champion dancer Stacy Graysin—is left in an uproar. Corinne was penning a tell-all memoir, but now her secrets might well remain hidden, just as the killer perhaps intended.
The victim’s dance card was full of people who might have wanted her silenced, if not dead. But when Maurice, a ballroom instructor at Stacy’s dance studio Graysin Motion, becomes the prime suspect, she has no choice but to waltz in and take the lead in another murder investigation.
Clearing Maurice’s name by finding the real killer is going to be harder than a running spin turn. But there’s one thing Stacy knows for sure—she’s not about to let the murderer dance away scot-free.
287 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 5, 2012
6 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Ella Barrick
3 books52 followersElla Barrick grew up in the South, but has since migrated West. She spent some time working for Uncle Sam and taught English at the college level before turning her hand to writing mysteries.
Ella and her husband took exactly two ballroom dancing lessons on the quickstep before Ella’s bruised ankles and crushed feet forced them to retire. (Her husband is a wonderful guy, but he doesn’t have a single ballroom dance gene in his whole body.) Thus, Ella relies on the kindness of competitive ballroom dancers and friends who foxtrot fabulously for the dance details in her Ballroom Dance Mysteries. And, of course, she watches Dancing with the Stars for costume and choreography ideas!
Besides writing, Ella enjoys reading, gardening, home decorating, traveling, and long walks or hikes.
Ella and her husband took exactly two ballroom dancing lessons on the quickstep before Ella’s bruised ankles and crushed feet forced them to retire. (Her husband is a wonderful guy, but he doesn’t have a single ballroom dance gene in his whole body.) Thus, Ella relies on the kindness of competitive ballroom dancers and friends who foxtrot fabulously for the dance details in her Ballroom Dance Mysteries. And, of course, she watches Dancing with the Stars for costume and choreography ideas!
Besides writing, Ella enjoys reading, gardening, home decorating, traveling, and long walks or hikes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 14, 2020
Stacey Graysin owns Graysin Motion, a ballroom dance studio, teaching social and competitive lessons. Corinne Blakely, a legendary ballroom dancer and ex-wife of one of Stacey's instructors, Maurice, dies while having lunch with him, making him the prime suspect in her murder. Stacey jumps right in trying to find the real killer and save her friend. Interesting info on dancing competitions made this fun but the MC was really a bit silly and reckless in pursuing clues. OK.
April 18, 2021
2.5 The main character lacked the personality to keep my attention, though the characters around her are a little better established in this entry. Stacy does a lot more legwork in this entry which is why I’m rounding up to a 3. The victim and her potential killer are interesting and most of them sympathetic. Maurice and Vitaly get more personality and Hoover and his vivacious owner put in appearances.
July 7, 2019
This is part of a cozy mystery series. It's the second book in the series. Stacy gets in trouble several times while trying to help a friend avoid murder charges. You will learn a lot about ballroom competition and some about horse riding competition as well. Stacy is dealing with family issues and her feelings about Tav.
June 27, 2019
Stacy, main character, is not exactly interesting. She seems to be infatuated with the brother of her ex boyfriend who was murdered in the first book of series. Dancing doesnt exactly play as much a part of tyr novel as I had hoped.
October 22, 2021
An enjoyable series and I love ballroom dancing. I'm sorry there wasn't more dancing in this one, but the mystery was nice and twisty. Apparently there is only one more book, which is too bad, but I will look forward to it.
June 18, 2019
3.5 stars
September 29, 2020
Enjoying the characters in this series
September 22, 2023
Nekem tetszett 😊
September 8, 2012
“Dead Man Waltzing” (A Ballroom Dance Mystery) by Ella Barrick
Dance company Graysin Motion is a busy place run by dancing champion Stacy Graysin. Teaching Old Town Alexandria, Virginians how to cha-cha, tango, waltz and meringue among other dances. Maurice Goldberg, co-teacher and former champion himself is late for class. Turns out he was lunching with Corinne Blakley when she collapsed. He had to bring her to the ER.
Enter Detective Lissy—Stacy’s less than favorite person—who asks her if she knows where Maurice might be. Why? Because Corinne is dead and he was the last person to see her alive other than the ER personnel.
Stacy’s former dance partner and ex-fiancé, Rafe Acosta was shot two months prior. Lissy wanted to arrest her for the shooting. She cleared her name, caught the culprit, got shot and set her studio on fire too during her investigation, but sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Corinne Blakely was the Grande Dame of the Ballroom, a former champion, teacher, judge and competition organizer. She is poisoned, and the dance community—including champion dancer Stacy Graysin—is left in an utter chaos. Corinne was penning a tell-all memoir and pushing to have Ballroom Dancing entered as an Olympic event. But now her secrets might well remain hidden, perhaps just as the killer intended.
The victim’s dance card is chock full of suspects who might have wanted her book to go away. Perhaps even have her silenced for good. But when Maurice becomes the prime suspect, Stacy has no choice but to dance as fast as she can to find out who the real culprit is.
Clearing Maurice’s name proves to be a lot more difficult than she thought it would be. But the one thing Stacy is certain of above all else, is that she’s not about to allow a murderer get away with killing Corinne and let her friend Maurice take the rap.
I loved this book. It was fun and I honestly wished I had been a character in it. Barrick’s writing was superb and since it’s the pseudo of Laura DiSilverio, I expected nothing less. She is fantastic!
Reviewed by Terri Ann Armstrong, author of “How to Plant a Body”
Dance company Graysin Motion is a busy place run by dancing champion Stacy Graysin. Teaching Old Town Alexandria, Virginians how to cha-cha, tango, waltz and meringue among other dances. Maurice Goldberg, co-teacher and former champion himself is late for class. Turns out he was lunching with Corinne Blakley when she collapsed. He had to bring her to the ER.
Enter Detective Lissy—Stacy’s less than favorite person—who asks her if she knows where Maurice might be. Why? Because Corinne is dead and he was the last person to see her alive other than the ER personnel.
Stacy’s former dance partner and ex-fiancé, Rafe Acosta was shot two months prior. Lissy wanted to arrest her for the shooting. She cleared her name, caught the culprit, got shot and set her studio on fire too during her investigation, but sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Corinne Blakely was the Grande Dame of the Ballroom, a former champion, teacher, judge and competition organizer. She is poisoned, and the dance community—including champion dancer Stacy Graysin—is left in an utter chaos. Corinne was penning a tell-all memoir and pushing to have Ballroom Dancing entered as an Olympic event. But now her secrets might well remain hidden, perhaps just as the killer intended.
The victim’s dance card is chock full of suspects who might have wanted her book to go away. Perhaps even have her silenced for good. But when Maurice becomes the prime suspect, Stacy has no choice but to dance as fast as she can to find out who the real culprit is.
Clearing Maurice’s name proves to be a lot more difficult than she thought it would be. But the one thing Stacy is certain of above all else, is that she’s not about to allow a murderer get away with killing Corinne and let her friend Maurice take the rap.
I loved this book. It was fun and I honestly wished I had been a character in it. Barrick’s writing was superb and since it’s the pseudo of Laura DiSilverio, I expected nothing less. She is fantastic!
Reviewed by Terri Ann Armstrong, author of “How to Plant a Body”
August 13, 2016
Corinne Blakely who is considered the queen of ballroom dancing is found murdered and all fingers point to Maurice. Stacy will do anything to help clear Maurice's name, including launching her own investigation. Between trying to make ends meet at her dancing studio, finding the killer, and trying to heal old wounds with her family--Stacy's dance card is full.
This is the 2nd book of the series and while I didn't enjoy it as much as the first, Quickstep to Murder it was still a cute, fast read.
I have met few cozy mysteries where I couldn't name the killer halfway through the book and this one isn't an exception. I guessed the whodunit early on. I still enjoyed it even though I knew who it was and I'd say the mystery was done well. Though, once the big reveal happens it does seem to happen quickly. Almost too quickly and the ending is a bit jumbled.
The characters aren't extremely fleshed out in this series but we learn more about Stacy's sister and their childhood. I personally didn't feel a connection with any of the characters and I grew tired of of Stacy continuing to say she couldn't eat much of anything because she's a ballroom dancer. Okay Stacy, you need to be slender. We get it.
There isn't much progression with Stacy and Tav in the romance department but a few sparks did fly. I can't decide what I think of him because he isn't in the book often at all. This book focused heavily on the ballroom crowd and Stacy's family. I wish the characters were explored more but hopefully future books will have more growth in that area.
2.5/3
This is the 2nd book of the series and while I didn't enjoy it as much as the first, Quickstep to Murder it was still a cute, fast read.
I have met few cozy mysteries where I couldn't name the killer halfway through the book and this one isn't an exception. I guessed the whodunit early on. I still enjoyed it even though I knew who it was and I'd say the mystery was done well. Though, once the big reveal happens it does seem to happen quickly. Almost too quickly and the ending is a bit jumbled.
The characters aren't extremely fleshed out in this series but we learn more about Stacy's sister and their childhood. I personally didn't feel a connection with any of the characters and I grew tired of of Stacy continuing to say she couldn't eat much of anything because she's a ballroom dancer. Okay Stacy, you need to be slender. We get it.
There isn't much progression with Stacy and Tav in the romance department but a few sparks did fly. I can't decide what I think of him because he isn't in the book often at all. This book focused heavily on the ballroom crowd and Stacy's family. I wish the characters were explored more but hopefully future books will have more growth in that area.
2.5/3
June 22, 2012
The Grande Dame of the ballroom, Corrinne Blakely, has had a career in dancing for close to fifty years. She's seen, heard and experienced it all. Now she wants to tell all . . . .but, someone out there will do what it takes to keep that from happening. Unfortunately, when she keeled over at lunch, her dining companion was Maurice Goldberg, one of the instructors at Graysin Motion Dance Studio.
The studio owner, Stacy Graysin, is sad to hear of Corrine's passing but when she hears it was murder and that Maurice is the prime suspect, she knows she needs to start asking questions. Detective Lissy reminds Stacy what happened the last time. How could Stacy forget? She got shot and her studio was set on fire. Eh, minor details!
Things have been getting back to normal but she just can't let Maurice take the rap for something he didn't do. Besides, she needs Maurice at the studio. Corrine had quite the notorious life during her career including finding time for seven ex-husbands and one of them was Maurice. One of them must have had an axe to grind . . . . or not. Corrine didn't win so many competitions during her career without stepping on some toes.
Can Stacy dance her way around the numerous suspects and motives to find the right one before Maurice takes his last step on the dance floor?
What a fun series this one is becoming! I read the first book and really enjoyed it hoping the sequel would be just as good. It is! For cozy fans and for those who like to read a little behind the scenes in the dance world, this will be the perfect fit.
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 16, 2016
The professional ballroom dance community misses several steps when they learn that Corinne Blakely has been poisoned. She was publishing a tell-all memoir that included several secrets of her former dance partners. Was she killed to stop publication of the book that told several people moves both on and off the dance floor?
Stacy gets involved when Maurice, one of her dance instructors and one of several of Corrine's ex-husbands, becomes the prime suspect. Hopefully Stacy knows all the right steps to clear Maurice's name and waltz away before the real killer can punch her dance card.
Dollycas's Thoughts
With the craze of Dancing With The Stars which Green Bay Packer Donald Driver won last season this a entertaining series. It looks more at the professional dancers but when we read Viennese Waltz and Paso Doble we can see the dances clearly in our minds.
We get to follow the clues to the mystery with Stacy plus we get a behind the scenes look of running a ballroom dance studio and the dedication it takes to compete in ballroom dances competitions. In this installment the pros were campaigning to make ballroom dancing an Olympic sport.
Another light, fun and entertaining cozy from Ella Barrick. A new trip across the dance floor will be out in September. Maybe Stacy will be tripping the light fantastic with someone special.
Stacy gets involved when Maurice, one of her dance instructors and one of several of Corrine's ex-husbands, becomes the prime suspect. Hopefully Stacy knows all the right steps to clear Maurice's name and waltz away before the real killer can punch her dance card.
Dollycas's Thoughts
With the craze of Dancing With The Stars which Green Bay Packer Donald Driver won last season this a entertaining series. It looks more at the professional dancers but when we read Viennese Waltz and Paso Doble we can see the dances clearly in our minds.
We get to follow the clues to the mystery with Stacy plus we get a behind the scenes look of running a ballroom dance studio and the dedication it takes to compete in ballroom dances competitions. In this installment the pros were campaigning to make ballroom dancing an Olympic sport.
Another light, fun and entertaining cozy from Ella Barrick. A new trip across the dance floor will be out in September. Maybe Stacy will be tripping the light fantastic with someone special.
July 4, 2012
I didn't think this book was as good as the sries first. I will still recommend it to cozy readers, but don't expect it to be be as tidy and intriguing as the first.
The characters are all acoounted for, and their developement is limited. I guess the disappointment is that for a series supposedly about ballroom dance, very little was about the world of ballroom dancing. The main character, Stacy, was off everywre, all over the place. No wonder she is having monetary problems and worries about keeping her studio afloat - she's never there dancing!!!! Or teaching dance!!
There is a side story dealing with family issues and relationships of the past which was nothing but tedious.
The characters are getting too preachy and philosophical.
If this series can find it's way back to dance roots and tone down the righteouness of Stacy, it will be improved and enjoyable.
The characters are all acoounted for, and their developement is limited. I guess the disappointment is that for a series supposedly about ballroom dance, very little was about the world of ballroom dancing. The main character, Stacy, was off everywre, all over the place. No wonder she is having monetary problems and worries about keeping her studio afloat - she's never there dancing!!!! Or teaching dance!!
There is a side story dealing with family issues and relationships of the past which was nothing but tedious.
The characters are getting too preachy and philosophical.
If this series can find it's way back to dance roots and tone down the righteouness of Stacy, it will be improved and enjoyable.
June 22, 2012
The danger of theme cozies is if you aren't that interested in the theme, the book suffers a bit in the reading. I'm not a fan of dancing - I don't dislike dancing, but I don't love it, so the theme of this book keeps me from getting lost in the story. It's a good book and I'd recommend it to any cozy mystery lover who would find ballroom dancing an interesting theme. The mystery is good; lots and lots of suspects with opportunity. I felt the ending was a nice departure from the cliche endings in so many cozies. Very likeable characters with just a soupçon of romantic tension. Great setting in Old Town Alexandria. If the theme had been something I found more interesting, I would have given this 4 stars. Still, I might read the third book when it comes out.
July 16, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
July 25, 2012
I like that in this series it's not so easy to figure out the murder, it's more of a process of elimination thing, but I felt once the murderer was revealed it was very anticlimactic because they didn't fully confess, and then it was a cop out at the end. Stacy is not a very sympathetic or likeable character for the average cozy reader, it is very annoying to hear her refer to herself as being a hot blonde and how she is always dieting and watching her weight. I guess that's the nature of the dancer, but please! It's hard to really get in to a series when the main character is so devoid of personality themselves.
April 12, 2015
Unlike the previous book, Stacy's involvement in investigating felt tenuous at best.
On top of that, the characters haven't grown from the first book. Lissy is still flatly adversarial (where's the depth?), Tav remains a mystery, and Vitaly comes across more and more as a caricature. Even worse, Stacy seems more judgmental and stiff. I know main characters are rarely perfect, but the number of times she wrote someone off or thought "just get over it" was not endearing.
The culprit's identity wasn't much of mystery either and the family subplot seemed really random, not to mention forced. 2.5 stars.
On top of that, the characters haven't grown from the first book. Lissy is still flatly adversarial (where's the depth?), Tav remains a mystery, and Vitaly comes across more and more as a caricature. Even worse, Stacy seems more judgmental and stiff. I know main characters are rarely perfect, but the number of times she wrote someone off or thought "just get over it" was not endearing.
The culprit's identity wasn't much of mystery either and the family subplot seemed really random, not to mention forced. 2.5 stars.
March 1, 2014
When ballroom dancing grande dame Corrine Blakely is murdered, the police zero in on her ex-husband Maurice. After all, he was having lunch with her at the time. But Stacy Graysin knows her friend couldn't have done it. Can she prove it? The plot could have used another twist or two, but it was still a fun twirl with one of the funniest scenes I've read in a while and a climax that really brought the emotion.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
June 12, 2012
This was a charming cozy murder mystery set in the Washington, D.C. area. A famous ballroom dancer suddenly dies leaving rumors of her pending memoirs to be published.
Our sleuth, Anastasia Graysin's employee/friend, Maurice not only was the dancer's one time husband, but Maurice was also eating with the lady as she was poisoned.
There is a flood of suspects. Stacy seeks to solve the crime before she loses Maurice to the system.
Our sleuth, Anastasia Graysin's employee/friend, Maurice not only was the dancer's one time husband, but Maurice was also eating with the lady as she was poisoned.
There is a flood of suspects. Stacy seeks to solve the crime before she loses Maurice to the system.
July 19, 2012
When Corinne Blakely, wealthy doyenne of the ballroom dancing world, dies suddenly, a friend of Stacy's is the main police suspect. Since Stacy is sure that he's innocent, she drags her lawyer sister and the handsome Latin American co-owner of her studio into an investigation of the case. While there's a large sum of money for Corinne's non-too-happy family to fight over, Stacy is convinced that the true motive lies in the tales that Corinne was prepared to tell in her proposed memoir.
June 21, 2013
This was a goofy little mystery. I enjoyed the ballroom-dancing setting. I'm a sucker for anything dancing-related. I didn't see the conclusion coming, though I was sure all of the obvious suspects were red herrings. All the gossipy stuff was a little over the top, though it has been my experience that dance communities make for some crazy gossip sometimes. Anyway, it was a fun cozy mystery, junk food for the brain, pretty much.
August 5, 2012
I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it so was looking forward to this one. The story was okay but moved really slow to me. Would read a bit and set down and repeat. Actually read 4 other books before I could get this one finished. I do like the characters in the book but they need more energy to them. Holding out hope for the next one that will be coming out.
December 14, 2014
A nice cozy mystery based on a ballroom dancing studio and teachers. Gentle but with kick! Some nice twists, some very believable characters. I would have preferred knowing the author did actually "do" ballroom dancing and teach it instead of just watching it although i didn't know enough to catch any errors.
Will look for more in the series from the library.
Will look for more in the series from the library.
June 30, 2012
Yet another good cozy this month! I really liked the first one in this series, and this one was every bit as good. I enjoy the ballroom dancing stuff and always wished I were a dancer myself. A good mystery and I'm really getting to like these characters. RECOMMEND!
September 23, 2012
Cute book but has several major flaws in my opinion. The guilty party was obvious from the character's first appearance in the book----and at the end the heroine marched right into the murderer's house for a confrontation. There was no major blow up but there could have been. Not wise.
February 9, 2013
I didn't enjoy this second book in the series quite as much as the first one. Perhaps because the murdered character never actually made an appearance in the book. The accused is the main character's beloved employee, but it just didn't seem as compelling of a story.
did-not-finish
January 7, 2015The book's not horrible, I've just gotten ruthless. I get that Stacey is gorgeous, but maybe she should tell us less often. But the book felt like work, rather than pleasure, so I stopped. Except, of course, I Iooked to see whodunit.
October 28, 2015
I enjoyed this book though not as much as the first one. Just like the first book, the authors kept you guessing towards the end, but unlike the first book, I kind of figured out the motive halfway through the book. Overall though, Its a good book!
June 10, 2012
Cute series.
July 9, 2012
Lots of characters to follow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews