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Isobel Spice #4
Offed Stage Left
There’s one role you don’t want a callback for: Prime Suspect.
Aspiring actress Isobel Spice lands her first regional theater job, playing a supporting role and understudying the lead in "Sousacal: The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa." A series of minor backstage accidents culminates in the suspicious death of the leading lady on opening night. When Isobel takes over the role, her mastery of the material makes her more suspect than savior, and she realizes the only way to clear her name is to discover the identity of the murderer—before he or she strikes again.
Aspiring actress Isobel Spice lands her first regional theater job, playing a supporting role and understudying the lead in "Sousacal: The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa." A series of minor backstage accidents culminates in the suspicious death of the leading lady on opening night. When Isobel takes over the role, her mastery of the material makes her more suspect than savior, and she realizes the only way to clear her name is to discover the identity of the murderer—before he or she strikes again.
260 pages, Paperback, Ebook
Published November 1, 2016
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Sydney Lessner
6 books42 followersWriter, singer, and actor Joanne Sydney Lessner draws on her own experiences pursuing a performing career in New York City for her acclaimed Isobel Spice Mysteries: THE TEMPORARY DETECTIVE, BAD PUBLICITY, AND JUSTICE FOR SOME, and OFFED STAGE LEFT. With humor and a bit of romance, Isobel juggles auditions and temp jobs, solving murders along the way, while Joanne’s inside knowledge provides a window into the realities of breaking into show business (as well as a forum to share every humiliating audition experience she and her friends ever had.)
Joanne’s debut novel, PANDORA’S BOTTLE, was inspired by the true story of the world's most expensive bottle of wine and was named one of the top five books of 2010 by Paperback Dolls. With her husband, composer/conductor Joshua Rosenblum, she has co-authored several musicals, including the cult hit FERMAT'S LAST TANGO and EINSTEIN'S DREAMS, based on the celebrated novel by Alan Lightman. Her play, CRITICAL MASS, received its Off Broadway premiere in October 2010. Joanne is also a regular contributor to OPERA NEWS and a graduate of Yale University.
For a free Isobel Spice short story, visit http://joannesydneylessner.com.
Joanne’s debut novel, PANDORA’S BOTTLE, was inspired by the true story of the world's most expensive bottle of wine and was named one of the top five books of 2010 by Paperback Dolls. With her husband, composer/conductor Joshua Rosenblum, she has co-authored several musicals, including the cult hit FERMAT'S LAST TANGO and EINSTEIN'S DREAMS, based on the celebrated novel by Alan Lightman. Her play, CRITICAL MASS, received its Off Broadway premiere in October 2010. Joanne is also a regular contributor to OPERA NEWS and a graduate of Yale University.
For a free Isobel Spice short story, visit http://joannesydneylessner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 21, 2017
Offed Stage Left is the best of the Isobel Spice novels so far. It was great to have Isobel, Sunil, and Delphi together and performing in a musical rather than working at "survival jobs." Leaving James out of this one was a great decision on Lessner's part; he is my least favorite character in this ensemble. I don't want to include any spoilers as far as the whodunnit goes, but I'll go on the record with my hope that #5 in this series provides Isobel with a chance to use her newly acquired Equity card and that she thinks twice (or three or four times) before giving up on Hugh (who, I agree with Delphi, is a great catch).
April 14, 2021
This is probably the best and worst book i read out of all 4. The best because it was more interesting than the other and the worst because James wasn't in this one and I missed him.😭 but great book. I love it. I totally 100% recommend the series.
March 16, 2023
Quick paced, entertaining "Who dunnit?"
Enjoyed the mix if personalities and from descriptions I believe I could recognize each of them.
I like that there were mistakes made as they moved thru clues. And topped off with a mild dangerous final act.
Enjoyed the mix if personalities and from descriptions I believe I could recognize each of them.
I like that there were mistakes made as they moved thru clues. And topped off with a mild dangerous final act.
November 5, 2016
This novel was my introduction to Isobel Spice, aspiring actress and accomplished sleuth. I like her character and the unusual setting of a regional theater.
Isobel had obtained a role in an upstate New York theater production of a musical based on the life of Sousa. Before the opening night, strange things happen. Are they pranks or is someone trying to stop the show? And then the action on stage turns deadly.
Lessner has crafted an engaging novel about the workings of theater. Not having read the previous novels in the series and not being familiar with theater, I was at a loss sometimes with the terminology. That did not detract much from my enjoyment of this mystery, however. I did learn quite a bit about the workings behind the scenes, including the personnel, the props and costumes, and the emotional condition of the participants.
Isobel is my kind of sleuth. She's able to keep her focus under pressure. She's the understudy for the leading lady and when that star collapses on stage, Isobel has to step up. She becomes the primary suspect when it is determined the star was murdered. Isobel is a strong character, managing to do a smashing job on stage while concentrating on finding the real killer.
This novel has lots of action with an emphasis on character interaction. I would have liked a little more description of scenes so I could better imagine the action going on. Nonetheless, I found this novel to be an engaging one. The characters are well crafted and the plot satisfying. Readers who enjoy mysteries, theater, musicals, or the opera will enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
Isobel had obtained a role in an upstate New York theater production of a musical based on the life of Sousa. Before the opening night, strange things happen. Are they pranks or is someone trying to stop the show? And then the action on stage turns deadly.
Lessner has crafted an engaging novel about the workings of theater. Not having read the previous novels in the series and not being familiar with theater, I was at a loss sometimes with the terminology. That did not detract much from my enjoyment of this mystery, however. I did learn quite a bit about the workings behind the scenes, including the personnel, the props and costumes, and the emotional condition of the participants.
Isobel is my kind of sleuth. She's able to keep her focus under pressure. She's the understudy for the leading lady and when that star collapses on stage, Isobel has to step up. She becomes the primary suspect when it is determined the star was murdered. Isobel is a strong character, managing to do a smashing job on stage while concentrating on finding the real killer.
This novel has lots of action with an emphasis on character interaction. I would have liked a little more description of scenes so I could better imagine the action going on. Nonetheless, I found this novel to be an engaging one. The characters are well crafted and the plot satisfying. Readers who enjoy mysteries, theater, musicals, or the opera will enjoy this one.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
October 31, 2016
I've been reading about Isobel from the beginning. In each successful novel she becomes more and more delightful. In this story Isobel's detective skills are honed that much more and she's picking up on clues faster (not that I was). She's also bolder in this novel, more sure of herself.
Isobel wrangles her friends to help when the lead actress of the play she's in (as the understudy) winds up dead. As the backstory trickles through the suspects mount and I was surprised to see how it played out in the end.
I can't wait to read the next Isobel Spice novel. I bet her new position in the Theatre World will cause some fun and intrigue. Plus, I'm sure there will be some new romantic entanglements mixing things up for Isobel and her friends ;)
I received an advanced copy of this novel to read.
Isobel wrangles her friends to help when the lead actress of the play she's in (as the understudy) winds up dead. As the backstory trickles through the suspects mount and I was surprised to see how it played out in the end.
I can't wait to read the next Isobel Spice novel. I bet her new position in the Theatre World will cause some fun and intrigue. Plus, I'm sure there will be some new romantic entanglements mixing things up for Isobel and her friends ;)
I received an advanced copy of this novel to read.
December 17, 2016
I loved the build up to the big murder. The oddities that were happening around the theater prior to show time, the no one was safe from being the victim of sabotage. I did feel that I needed the other books for a stronger background on Isobel, there was a bit but at times I felt a bit lost on her history. However, that being said it was a well versed book to stand alone, and intriguing beyond my wildest dreams, so much so that I am downloading to read the rest! So be on the look out here for more reviews of the books by Joanne!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews