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Hubbert & Lil #4
A Motive for Murder
MURDER AT THE DANCE OF THE DANGLING CORPSE
Where to begin when a murder takes center stage during a much-beloved holiday ballet? After all, the entire corps seems murderous (although maybe they’re just hungry?). Half the company chain-smokes to keep their weight down while the other half lives on a daily calorie count that a toddler could blow through at breakfast. As suspicions mount that a killer lurks among the dancers, tempers flare — giving new meaning to the traditional “Break a leg!” good luck greeting.
Fortunately, discreet help is available close to home from the inimitable Auntie Lil — the newest member of the Metropolitan Ballet’s board of directors — and her recently-retired nephew, T.S. Hubbert. This time around, however, T.S. is less than thrilled.
For weeks Auntie Lil has dragged him to every dance performance in the city, no matter how avant-garde or tedious, and now the holiday season is about to peak with The Nutcracker when the promising ballerina whose scholarship Auntie Lil has been sponsoring has her plum role snatched away. The board is swayed by the box office appeal of a sixteen-year-old Hollywood heart-throb who wants to dance the lead role and the boy’s overbearing stage manager father demands Lil’s protégé be replaced lest all the publicity go to her instead of his son. Although Auntie Lil is the only dissenting vote, apparently, she’s not the only one displeased with the board’s soon, daddy dearest is discovered swinging from the rope of the first act curtain at The Nutcracker’s much-vaunted Gala Opening. Auntie Lil’s recent detective successes make her a natural to run damage control for the ballet's board by investigating the murder, so she not-so-modestly agrees to undertake the taskIn order to check out a couple of suspects, Lil takes her first ballet class in all her sprightly eighty-four years, along with her gentleman friend, Herbert Wong. Less suited to flying leaps than to flying leaps of imagination, it’s unlikely Auntie Lil will keep up her lessons, but Herbert is totally hooked. Although more ninja than Nijinsky, he nonetheless persists in inadvertently showing Auntie Lil up in class, much to her annoyance. Meanwhile, T.S. is making good use of his retirement by studying ballroom dancing to impress his lovely lady friend Lilah Cheswick, leaving Auntie Lil to do the heavy lifting on this one, while her usually trusty sidekicks, T.S. and Herbert, keep sneaking off for dance lessons...and martinis. Yes, the entire crew of geriatric super sleuths has dance fever! Can they concentrate on catching a killer long enough to save more lives — as well as the future of the Metropolitan Ballet?This witty and urbane amateur detective team recalls the cozy charm of Golden Age mysteries like those showcasing Miss Marple and her distinguished silver-haired colleague--Miss Silver, Miss Seeton, Mrs. Pollifax, and Jessica Fletcher. Fans of these memorable women sleuths, as well as of modern-day cozy writers like Dorothy Cannell, Carolyn Hart, M.C. Beaton, Joanne Fluke, Jana DeLeon, and Alexander McCall Smith will be captivated! If you just read The Thursday Murder Club, read this next!
Where to begin when a murder takes center stage during a much-beloved holiday ballet? After all, the entire corps seems murderous (although maybe they’re just hungry?). Half the company chain-smokes to keep their weight down while the other half lives on a daily calorie count that a toddler could blow through at breakfast. As suspicions mount that a killer lurks among the dancers, tempers flare — giving new meaning to the traditional “Break a leg!” good luck greeting.
Fortunately, discreet help is available close to home from the inimitable Auntie Lil — the newest member of the Metropolitan Ballet’s board of directors — and her recently-retired nephew, T.S. Hubbert. This time around, however, T.S. is less than thrilled.
For weeks Auntie Lil has dragged him to every dance performance in the city, no matter how avant-garde or tedious, and now the holiday season is about to peak with The Nutcracker when the promising ballerina whose scholarship Auntie Lil has been sponsoring has her plum role snatched away. The board is swayed by the box office appeal of a sixteen-year-old Hollywood heart-throb who wants to dance the lead role and the boy’s overbearing stage manager father demands Lil’s protégé be replaced lest all the publicity go to her instead of his son. Although Auntie Lil is the only dissenting vote, apparently, she’s not the only one displeased with the board’s soon, daddy dearest is discovered swinging from the rope of the first act curtain at The Nutcracker’s much-vaunted Gala Opening. Auntie Lil’s recent detective successes make her a natural to run damage control for the ballet's board by investigating the murder, so she not-so-modestly agrees to undertake the taskIn order to check out a couple of suspects, Lil takes her first ballet class in all her sprightly eighty-four years, along with her gentleman friend, Herbert Wong. Less suited to flying leaps than to flying leaps of imagination, it’s unlikely Auntie Lil will keep up her lessons, but Herbert is totally hooked. Although more ninja than Nijinsky, he nonetheless persists in inadvertently showing Auntie Lil up in class, much to her annoyance. Meanwhile, T.S. is making good use of his retirement by studying ballroom dancing to impress his lovely lady friend Lilah Cheswick, leaving Auntie Lil to do the heavy lifting on this one, while her usually trusty sidekicks, T.S. and Herbert, keep sneaking off for dance lessons...and martinis. Yes, the entire crew of geriatric super sleuths has dance fever! Can they concentrate on catching a killer long enough to save more lives — as well as the future of the Metropolitan Ballet?This witty and urbane amateur detective team recalls the cozy charm of Golden Age mysteries like those showcasing Miss Marple and her distinguished silver-haired colleague--Miss Silver, Miss Seeton, Mrs. Pollifax, and Jessica Fletcher. Fans of these memorable women sleuths, as well as of modern-day cozy writers like Dorothy Cannell, Carolyn Hart, M.C. Beaton, Joanne Fluke, Jana DeLeon, and Alexander McCall Smith will be captivated! If you just read The Thursday Murder Club, read this next!
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 1996
366 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Katy Munger
41 books52 followersKaty Munger, a North Carolina-based mystery author, has published 17 novels, co-authored multiple books, and contributed short stories to numerous anthologies. She's most known for the humorous Casey Jones mystery series, the somber and thoughtful Dead Detective series (as Katy Munger and Chaz McGee), and the cozy Hubbert & Lil series (as Katy Munger and Gallagher Gray). Originally published by major houses like Bantam and HarperCollins, her books are now available on Amazon under her real name. Katy has also contributed as a book reviewer for the Washington Post and served as North Carolina’s 2016 Piedmont Laureate. Visit katymunger.com to learn more.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 22, 2018
Stunningly captivating!
I loved the entire Hubbert & Lil series and could not put any of the books down to want to go to sleep. Eighty four year old Auntie Lil is o n e of the most unique characters ever and her nephew, T.S. Hubbert is her exact opposite. Together they raise havoc with NYPD officers and in their own madcap and unorthodox ways solve murders that baffle detectives. I fervently hope for continuing books in this series as it raises the idea that elderly people can be energetic and useful if they choose to be.
I loved the entire Hubbert & Lil series and could not put any of the books down to want to go to sleep. Eighty four year old Auntie Lil is o n e of the most unique characters ever and her nephew, T.S. Hubbert is her exact opposite. Together they raise havoc with NYPD officers and in their own madcap and unorthodox ways solve murders that baffle detectives. I fervently hope for continuing books in this series as it raises the idea that elderly people can be energetic and useful if they choose to be.
August 13, 2018
So many suspects, er, dancers
This was my first time reading a book by this author. Initially I found the writing to be a little simple. As the book continued, we are introduced to more and more characters. It was an interesting look at the inner workings of a ballet company in NYC, even if fictional. I felt as if I needed a score card to keep track of the many characters at times. I really enjoyed the character of Aunt Lil. Her appetite (for food), and her curiosity lead her to uncover all sorts of secrets. All in all, an enjoyable read.
This was my first time reading a book by this author. Initially I found the writing to be a little simple. As the book continued, we are introduced to more and more characters. It was an interesting look at the inner workings of a ballet company in NYC, even if fictional. I felt as if I needed a score card to keep track of the many characters at times. I really enjoyed the character of Aunt Lil. Her appetite (for food), and her curiosity lead her to uncover all sorts of secrets. All in all, an enjoyable read.
October 19, 2018
This cozy mystery was anything but. I had to work at completing the book and it felt more like work than fun. This was partly due to the pace of the story which didn't start to interest me until halfway through the story and partly due to the many typos in the Kindle edition. I often found myself rereading passages to verify what I just read. In once instance, a woman was referred to as a "closet" friend rather than a "closest" friend … big difference!
Not sure if I will read the rest of the series … I just didn't find it that interesting.
Not sure if I will read the rest of the series … I just didn't find it that interesting.
July 18, 2018
Lovely old time story
A death at the ballet, Auntie Lil, as a board member of the Metropolitan Ballet has been asked to help solve the murder alongside the police. A body was swung across the stage during a production of the Nutcracker. The dead man was the father and manager of the male lead, causing the Metro to have all sorts of staging problems. This story was reminiscent of the wonderful old Miss Marpol stories. Let's see if you can figure out who did it.
A death at the ballet, Auntie Lil, as a board member of the Metropolitan Ballet has been asked to help solve the murder alongside the police. A body was swung across the stage during a production of the Nutcracker. The dead man was the father and manager of the male lead, causing the Metro to have all sorts of staging problems. This story was reminiscent of the wonderful old Miss Marpol stories. Let's see if you can figure out who did it.
August 16, 2018
Enjoyable series
I have enjoyed all 4 books in this series. The plots are well thought out and keeps you guessing until the end. I like the main characters especially the eccentric Aunt Lil and her fastidious nephew Hubbert. Looking forward to more stories in this series.
I have enjoyed all 4 books in this series. The plots are well thought out and keeps you guessing until the end. I like the main characters especially the eccentric Aunt Lil and her fastidious nephew Hubbert. Looking forward to more stories in this series.
January 12, 2019
A feisty senior solves the case
If you like "senior sleuths" you will enjoy this adventure. The plot is cleverly handled and the cast of characters, headed by 80-something Auntie Lil, is interesting and well developed.
If you like "senior sleuths" you will enjoy this adventure. The plot is cleverly handled and the cast of characters, headed by 80-something Auntie Lil, is interesting and well developed.
June 26, 2020
Unique characters
This book made me laugh but also it managed to keep me guessing. A not so little old lady is an unusual main character but she is so lively and quirky you just wish she was your Auntie Lil.
This book made me laugh but also it managed to keep me guessing. A not so little old lady is an unusual main character but she is so lively and quirky you just wish she was your Auntie Lil.
March 21, 2021
A Motive for Murder Review
I found this book very entertaining. The characters were fun. I hated for it to end. I love cozy mysteries & I am looking forward to reading more books by Gallagher Gray
I found this book very entertaining. The characters were fun. I hated for it to end. I love cozy mysteries & I am looking forward to reading more books by Gallagher Gray
July 13, 2018
It was a good book, but so many characters...who killed Bobby Morgan?
August 6, 2018
Liked the book
Good read, surprising ending. Quite a cast of colorful characters. I would read more books by this author. Good read
Good read, surprising ending. Quite a cast of colorful characters. I would read more books by this author. Good read
September 18, 2018
Cozy little mystery
I did enjoy this cozy little mystery. Such resemblance to Macaulay culkin, and reverent Al sharpton,, an interesting plot, an interesting fictional story line.
I did enjoy this cozy little mystery. Such resemblance to Macaulay culkin, and reverent Al sharpton,, an interesting plot, an interesting fictional story line.
January 9, 2019
I enjoy this series. It’s a light, funny mystery series with quirky characters. Each book is stand alone.
January 16, 2019
Backstage at the ballet
Fun and funny, but with a real mystery and several possible suspects ... oh, wait, and lots of things going on backstage at the ballet!
Fun and funny, but with a real mystery and several possible suspects ... oh, wait, and lots of things going on backstage at the ballet!
January 18, 2019
Aunt lill
This book has just about every thing you would want in a good book everyone would like to have an aunt like lill.
This book has just about every thing you would want in a good book everyone would like to have an aunt like lill.
April 11, 2019
Cosy crime - bit slow in parts but it kept me interested in both the mystery and the characters particularly in the latter half of the story.
June 21, 2019
Cute nosy but adorable after murder
July 12, 2020
Not a little old lady
Loved the characters and the setting of the story. Wide variety of characters and well crafted story. Great escapist cozy mystery
Loved the characters and the setting of the story. Wide variety of characters and well crafted story. Great escapist cozy mystery
November 30, 2021
A very worthy who done it!
January 19, 2023
just for fun
I enjoy this series. After reading something deep, these provide a good plot, fun characters and a view of New York.
I enjoy this series. After reading something deep, these provide a good plot, fun characters and a view of New York.
November 29, 2024
The plot is OK but the writing is sloppy. The main characters didn't meld together in this one like they have in past books.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews