Made Up to Kill

Jeff and Haila Troy Mystery #1

by Kelley Roos

This is a three act play, which is a sparkling comedy of manners. First published in 1940, it was introduced to the world by Jeff and Haila Troy.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Joint pseudonym. Audrey Kelley Roos [1912-1982] & William Roos [1911-1987] were a married couple who wrote about a a married couple; their series detectives were Jeff and Haila Troy, aided by NY Lieutenant George Hankins. Roos also wrote some non-series mysteries.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young actress Haila Rogers and her roommate Carol Blanton have roles in a new play that's ready to open--but Carol says she has laryngitis. She makes a miraculous recovery and is able to go on, but collapses after the play and is diagnosed with poisoning, which obviously took place in a scene on stage. Nobody knows who would want to kill Carol, but Jeff Troy, who has just proposed to Haila but who doesn't have enough money to get married on, is hired by the play's producer/director to find out who poisoned Carol. The next night Carol has another near-miss when another actress is stabbed wearing Carol's costume. This is the first appearance by Jeff and Haila.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery set in the world of Broadway theater. Haila and Jeff are a great team.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made Up to Kill is the first in what would become the Jeff and Haila Troy series by Kelley Roos (husband and wife team, Audrey Kelley & William Roos). This debut novel takes place before Jeff and Haila are married--though Haila is working hard on getting Jeff to commit. Haila Rogers has landed a part in a Broadway production of the British drawing room comedy "Green Apples." She has also acquired a roommate in the person of the young co-star, Carol Blanton. Carol's performances in rehearsal promise a hit on opening night--but then disaster strikes the company.

Carol has an attack of laryngitis and her star-struck understudy is thrilled to think that she's finally going to get her big chance. She's the only one who is thrilled because the understudy is nowhere near the actress that Carol is. A last-minute recovery allows Carol to perform after all...in what is nearly her last performance of all time. Someone added a near-lethal dose of morphine to Carol's drink in the last the act and only a quick trip to the hospital saves the actress for future roles.

The very next night the leading lady is stabbed to death while wearing Carol's cloak in the dark and shadowy area backstage. It definitely look like someone is determined to get rid of the young actress. The police are doing all they can--following up mysterious notes from someone named Lee Gray; guarding Carol night and day; following the members of the cast; interviewing everyone--but the play's producer thinks that more can be done. He promises Jeff Troy a big check if he can discover who has decided to eliminate his actresses.

This is a fun romp through the theatrical world of the late 1930s/1940. Lots of eccentric characters with idiosyncrasies to help muddy the waters and keep the reader guessing. Jeff and Haila traipse all over New York City following up clues and questioning the cast. And there are plenty of clues to follow--Kelley Roos plays fair with the reader and mystery buffs should be able to untangle most if not all of the plot. I have a couple more of these waiting on the TBR pile and I am looking forward to them with great anticipation! Four stars.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book. The killer is unexpected,the ingenue isn't quite as innocent as she seems, and the "detective" is actually an advertising salesman on vacation.
It's the opening night of a play that Haila Troy is in. Her co-star/roommate has suddenly come down with laryngitis and won't be able to go on. Her understudy, a girl with the passion and family lineage for theater, if not the talent, mysteriously leaves the theater company forcing Haila and the stage manager to hurry over to Haila's where her roommate is now mysteriously feeling better.
Well, until she's poisoned that is.
But who would want to poison a girl who is just about to break out onto Broadway? And what happens when the murderer finally kills, but it's the veteran actress who was wearing the young ingenue's wrap? With a deft hand, Roos creates a story with many twists and turns, but one that is, I think, fair to the discerning reader.

[Pam]

rec via bookmooch

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy these mysteries with a 'cast' of suspects. In this case . I didn't believe the evidence before my eyes so I was bamboozled.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Jeff and Haila haven't yet tied the knot in this lively mystery set against the backdrop of a Broadway opening.