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LeGarde Mystery #2
Upstaged
When Gus LeGarde agrees to play piano for the high school drama club’s production of “Spirit Me Away,” a sixties-style musical he wrote in college, he doesn’t expect to face a series of menacing pranks played on his fiancée Camille and the drama club. Who’s sabotaging the show? And what do they have against Camille?
Is it sex-crazed Armand, the Latino teen infatuated with her? Something happened last year that Camille won’t talk about, and it has to do with Armand. Gus wants to know what happened, but she’s not talking.
Could it be Superintendent Marshall, whose past holds horrific secrets related to one of the worst crimes of the 20th century? And why did someone break into Camille’s home to steal her intimate undergarments and her beloved mini-dachshund, Boris?
Gus must unravel the mystery before the backstage saboteur stakes his final, deadly claim.
LEGARDE MYSTERIES – in order of chronology
TREMOLO: CRY OF THE LOON
DON’T LET THE WIND CATCH YOU
VOODOO SUMMER
SPIRIT ME AWAY
DOUBLE FORTÉ
UPSTAGED
MAZURKA
FIRESONG
THE LIAR’S GALLERY
UNDER THE ICE
LADY BLUES
LEGARDE MYSTERIES in order of date written:
1. DOUBLE FORTÉ
2. UPSTAGED
3. MAZURKA
4. FIRESONG
5. TREMOLO: CRY OF THE LOON
6. DON’T LET THE WIND CATCH YOU
7. THE LIAR’S GALLERY
8. SPIRIT ME AWAY
9. UNDER THE ICE
10. LADY BLUES
11. VOODOO SUMMER
THE LEGARDE MYSTERIES OMNIBUS
GREEN MARBLE MYSTERIES
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE (formerly Healey’s Cave)
TERROR COMES KNOCKING
FOR KEEPS
TALL PINES MYSTERIES
FOR THE BIRDS
ESSENTIALLY YOURS
SANCTUARY
BETRAYAL
TALL PINES BOOK SET
PAINES CREEK BEACH, love stories
THE SEACREST
THE SEACROFT
THE SEADOG
BITTERSWEET HOLLOW, romantic suspense
DEVIL’S LAKE
DEVIL’S CREEK
DEVIL’S SPRING
WRITING GUIDES
WRITE LIKE THE WIND, volume 1
WRITE LIKE THE WIND, volume 2
WRITE LIKE THE WIND, volume 3
Enjoy free excerpts at www.lazarbooks.com
All books are available in eBook, print, and audiobook.
306 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2005
About the author
Aaron Paul Lazar
42 books188 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. Author of 28 books, including three addictive mystery series, writing books, a romantic suspense series, and a new love story series, Aaron enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his website at http://www.lazarbooks.com. Aaron has won 21 book awards for his novels and finds writing to be his form of "cheap therapy." Feel free to network with him on Facebook or his website; he loves to connect with readers!
Visit his website at www.lazarbooks.com.
more about the author:
Aaron Paul Lazar wasn’t always a mystery writer. It wasn’t until eight members of his family and friends died within five years that the urge to write became overwhelming. “When my father died, I lost it. I needed an outlet, and writing provided the kind of solace I couldn’t find elsewhere.”
Lazar created the Gus LeGarde mystery series, with the founding novel, DOUBLE FORTÉ (2004), a chilling winter mystery set in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. Like Lazar’s father, protagonist Gus LeGarde is a classical music professor. Gus, a grandfather, gardener, chef, and nature lover, plays Chopin etudes to feed his soul and thinks of himself as a “Renaissance man caught in the 21st century.”
The creation of the series lent Lazar the comfort he sought, yet in the process, a new passion was unleashed. Obsessed with his parallel universe, he now lives, breathes, and dreams about his characters, and has written eleven LeGarde mysteries.
One day while rototilling his gardens, Lazar unearthed a green cat’s eye marble, which prompted the new paranormal mystery series featuring Sam Moore, retired country doctor and zealous gardener. The green marble, a powerful talisman, connects all three of the books in the series, whisking Sam back in time to uncover his brother’s dreadful fate fifty years earlier. (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE; TERROR COMES KNOCKING, and FOR KEEPS) Lazar intends to continue both series, in addition to three contemporary new series including Tall Pines Mysteries, set in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Paines Creek love stories series, set on Cape Cod, and Bittersweet Hollow romantic suspense series, set in Vermont.
Lazar’s books feature breathless chase scenes, nasty villains, and taut suspense, but are also intensely human stories, replete with kids, dogs, horses, food, romance, and humor. The author calls them, “country mysteries,” although reviewers have dubbed them “literary mysteries.”
“It seems as though every image ever impressed upon my brain finds its way into my work. Whether it’s the light dancing through stained-glass windows in a Parisian chapel, curly slate-green lichen covering a boulder at the edge of a pond in Maine, or hoarfrost dangling from a cherry tree branch in mid-winter, these images burrow into my memory cells. In time they bubble back, persistently itching, until they are poured out on the page.”
Lazar lives on a ridge overlooking the Genesee Valley in upstate New York with his wife, mother-in-law, beloved Cavi-poo, Balto, Cavi-bichon, Amber, and four cats. He and his wife, Dale, now have seven grandchildren to spoil and they enjoy every second of it!
Visit his website at www.lazarbooks.com.
more about the author:
Aaron Paul Lazar wasn’t always a mystery writer. It wasn’t until eight members of his family and friends died within five years that the urge to write became overwhelming. “When my father died, I lost it. I needed an outlet, and writing provided the kind of solace I couldn’t find elsewhere.”
Lazar created the Gus LeGarde mystery series, with the founding novel, DOUBLE FORTÉ (2004), a chilling winter mystery set in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. Like Lazar’s father, protagonist Gus LeGarde is a classical music professor. Gus, a grandfather, gardener, chef, and nature lover, plays Chopin etudes to feed his soul and thinks of himself as a “Renaissance man caught in the 21st century.”
The creation of the series lent Lazar the comfort he sought, yet in the process, a new passion was unleashed. Obsessed with his parallel universe, he now lives, breathes, and dreams about his characters, and has written eleven LeGarde mysteries.
One day while rototilling his gardens, Lazar unearthed a green cat’s eye marble, which prompted the new paranormal mystery series featuring Sam Moore, retired country doctor and zealous gardener. The green marble, a powerful talisman, connects all three of the books in the series, whisking Sam back in time to uncover his brother’s dreadful fate fifty years earlier. (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLY MOORE; TERROR COMES KNOCKING, and FOR KEEPS) Lazar intends to continue both series, in addition to three contemporary new series including Tall Pines Mysteries, set in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Paines Creek love stories series, set on Cape Cod, and Bittersweet Hollow romantic suspense series, set in Vermont.
Lazar’s books feature breathless chase scenes, nasty villains, and taut suspense, but are also intensely human stories, replete with kids, dogs, horses, food, romance, and humor. The author calls them, “country mysteries,” although reviewers have dubbed them “literary mysteries.”
“It seems as though every image ever impressed upon my brain finds its way into my work. Whether it’s the light dancing through stained-glass windows in a Parisian chapel, curly slate-green lichen covering a boulder at the edge of a pond in Maine, or hoarfrost dangling from a cherry tree branch in mid-winter, these images burrow into my memory cells. In time they bubble back, persistently itching, until they are poured out on the page.”
Lazar lives on a ridge overlooking the Genesee Valley in upstate New York with his wife, mother-in-law, beloved Cavi-poo, Balto, Cavi-bichon, Amber, and four cats. He and his wife, Dale, now have seven grandchildren to spoil and they enjoy every second of it!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 25, 2015
I’m so glad these first two books of Aaron Paul Lazar’s Gus LeGarde mysteries have been republished. I somehow missed reading them first time around and picked up the series later on. Now I’m learning the pasts of much-beloved characters, seeing events of other books through different eyes, and thoroughly enjoying myself. It’s a wonderful series, filled with the sort of people you’d love to meet, meals you’d love to eat, and scenery you’d love to wander in – plus the occasional touch of murder and mystery.
In Upstaged, musician LeGarde and his fiancée are staging a high school production of LeGarde’s own musical (based on events told in Spirit Me Away). High school dialog and atmosphere feel spot on; a blinding eagerness to get the part; magical joy of dance; rising excitement as the date of the show approaches. But behind the scenes there are evil deeds afoot and no-one knows if the attacker is aiming for the people, the school, or both. Will the show go on, or will it be upstaged by danger and deceit?
The author has a wonderful touch with natural everyday people and things. Food, yardwork, cooking and family celebrations all take their place, with a warmly believable Thanksgiving scene where I can almost smell the turkey and drool over dressing. Kindness is nicely juxtaposed with evil, generous risk-taking with threatening behavior, and hope with despair. The musical lyrics sing as they’re presented on the page. Meals scent the air. Danger quickens the heartbeat...
Okay; I love the series, and therefore I’m bound to love this book. But there’s an extra at the end which any writer or lover of writers will enjoy, where the author describes the changes made in this second edition, and gives his reasoning why. It makes a great bonus to a thoroughly enjoyable, family-oriented, nature-scented, cozy mystery.
Disclosure: I think it was a gift but I can’t remember.
In Upstaged, musician LeGarde and his fiancée are staging a high school production of LeGarde’s own musical (based on events told in Spirit Me Away). High school dialog and atmosphere feel spot on; a blinding eagerness to get the part; magical joy of dance; rising excitement as the date of the show approaches. But behind the scenes there are evil deeds afoot and no-one knows if the attacker is aiming for the people, the school, or both. Will the show go on, or will it be upstaged by danger and deceit?
The author has a wonderful touch with natural everyday people and things. Food, yardwork, cooking and family celebrations all take their place, with a warmly believable Thanksgiving scene where I can almost smell the turkey and drool over dressing. Kindness is nicely juxtaposed with evil, generous risk-taking with threatening behavior, and hope with despair. The musical lyrics sing as they’re presented on the page. Meals scent the air. Danger quickens the heartbeat...
Okay; I love the series, and therefore I’m bound to love this book. But there’s an extra at the end which any writer or lover of writers will enjoy, where the author describes the changes made in this second edition, and gives his reasoning why. It makes a great bonus to a thoroughly enjoyable, family-oriented, nature-scented, cozy mystery.
Disclosure: I think it was a gift but I can’t remember.
January 22, 2014
Upstaged by Aaron Paul Lazar is destined to be a classic. This is book 2 in the Gus Legarde Mystery series and it is even better than book 1. These books are written about real people living real lives with amazing, shocking, and of course, mysterious twists and turns. Gus is a music professor, not a detective, police officer, or other profession that you would expect in a mystery series. These characters eat, sleep, garden, ride horses, even do dishes and laundry. The writing style is so picturesque an real that I can even imagine how the foods taste and smell. These are strong characters that have faced danger and tragedy together. The invisible bonds are strong and distinguished. This particular book is frightening and superbly emotional. Huge tissue alert!
June 18, 2014
UPSTAGED AARON PAUL LAZAR
Gus has agreed to assist his new love Camille with the fall production at her school. Right at the outset mysterious things start happening on the project. Did someone utter MACBETH or forget to say BREAK A LEG. Meanwhile Camille reveals a secret from her past to Gus and Freddy, Gus’ daughter delivers a surprise or two.
Once again Prof LeGarde and his loved ones are up against a heinous villain. Will the crime be solved before the curtain goes up. Read on to find out in another thrilling suspense story. Stay tuned for a great plot and the same likeable characters.
This is definitely another 5 star read.
February 16, 2014
This, the second of the Gus LeGarde books, shows us more of his personality as he learns of his new love's family secret. We also see him as a community-minded musician, involved in a local drama production. Lazar continues to enchant us with family living set in upstate New York. I like how the characters are developing and changing through the series. These books are light reading, but once you fall in love with Gus and Camille, you will want to keep reading.
December 16, 2011
OMG! I finished the book....Now I have to stop crying so I can go to bed...Believe me when I say I have read a thousand books if not more , and I know I am not expert in reviews or even being a critic, but you are as good as any author out there. You are Gus...your soul is in that character. I really don't know what else to say.
August 5, 2014
Upstaged was my 3rd Aaron Paul Lazar book. Really enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot which kept you guessing who the villain would be. The characters were likable and the graphic descriptions of the area easily painted the pictures in my mind.
January 4, 2016
OK, got a bit more of the back story . Onward.
June 7, 2017
referred to this author by a Good Reads friend.
September 12, 2023
This was an entertaining listen, I came into this series late so it has been good to get an understanding of the character development from the beginning.
The narration suited.
A special note to the ending where the author described the changes he made to the original and why. Very heartfelt
The narration suited.
A special note to the ending where the author described the changes he made to the original and why. Very heartfelt
October 28, 2020
Okay, only two books into the series and I am totally hooked! The content is wonderful, though I could do without some of the language. The characters are fascinating and likeable; the humor is just like I prefer it; the mystery intriguing; the narration is superb! On to the next book!
February 8, 2025
Wonderful story
Keeps you guessing. What a great writer! So much character development. Periods of anger, sadness,and tears of joy capture you while reading this amazing story. Heading off to find the next one in the series.
Keeps you guessing. What a great writer! So much character development. Periods of anger, sadness,and tears of joy capture you while reading this amazing story. Heading off to find the next one in the series.
January 15, 2026
Barely two stars. I enjoyed the first book in the series and thought the characters had promise. Unfortunately, I found this installment completely unbelievable and the main character became irritating to me. I will not be continuing the series.
February 19, 2021
3.5 began slowly but moved along about halfway through
October 13, 2018
Still good, but I'm getting less keen on the Julia Child parts, the song lyrics and the church services. The characters, the crimes and looking for foreshadowing is all there. It's not quite a "cozy mystery," as I understand the term but it is certainly not as hardcore as some so if you are looking for less blood, gore or heavy violence (It does have some but not too graphic) then this is a good choice.
March 31, 2016
Aaron Paul is one of those authors that it matters matters not which of his books you pick up, you know you are going to enjoy it. Upstaged is an adventure/mystery/romance. The book is well written and the character development is excellent. When I had to crawl out of this book because duty called, I couldn't wait to fall back into it again.
November 5, 2016
Can't put down story
Excellent mystery story. I enjoy every book by Aaron Lazar. I lived in New York for most of my life so I know the area well that he writes about. Very enjoyable book.
Excellent mystery story. I enjoy every book by Aaron Lazar. I lived in New York for most of my life so I know the area well that he writes about. Very enjoyable book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews