A Cat in the Wings

Alice Nestleton Mystery #4

by Lydia Adamson

When a former ballet star is found murdered backstage at a production of The Nutcracker in Lincoln Center, Alice Nestleton takes a kean interest in the case, especially when her best friend is charged with the murder. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Cats, Animals, Fiction

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

About the author

Lydia Adamson is the pen name for Franklin B. King who is an author, free-lance writer and copywriter. In addition to the Alice Nestleton series, he is the author of the Deirdre Quinn Nightingale and Lucy Wayles series. He lives in New York City and also wrote under the name 'Frank King'.

Reviews

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 had 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.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like the main characters. This seems like it was supposed to be a cozy but not cozy enough a little gritty. The main character pet sits cats and has a ballet friend who had a cat...there is a twist ending that I guessed at but didn't see how it could have been this person who was really the killer.

In the end she spots the cat but isn't sure and doesn't go back to check there is no happy ending. I am miffed. And honestly, I don't care about the murder victim. She should have killed him before he had done what he had done.

All in all I don't like the writing, I don't like the characters, it just wasn't my kind of cozy. It might not even have been meant as one I do not know. It was printed in the 1990's so I guess that was the style then I don't know but I have others in this series but I am not interested in reading them unless the author states something in the next book about the cat and the strays in this one.

I won't be reading the rest of this series.

Bought this book because it had cats, was supposed to be a cozy mystery, and was about Ballet and at the time I bought it for Nutcracker season but a few years went by before I read it for this season. I am not a Nutcracker fan but I do like ballet.

[L.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave the first few books in this series a lot of grace in my ratings because these books were written a long time ago and things have changed a lot, both in the world in general and in cozies in particular. But I just couldn't with this book. Lydia Adamson was the pen name of a man and never has that been more clear than in this book where the man (who was clearly a raging misogynist) painted Alice as beautiful (always on how beautiful she is) yet completely hysterical and illogical, and also kind of a slut (though she didn't sleep around in this book as much as she did in some of the previous ones). Alice's mood goes from giddy to depressed with the turn of a page. I really couldn't even get into the story because I was so irritated with the author for the way he chose to portray Alice. Also, it was obvious from the beginning who the killer was, but that I can forgive. I bought this whole series and the books are quite short but I'm not sure I can power through the rest.

[Kissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable quick read for any mystery lover. The plot moves along at a reasonable pace, constantly making you wonder who in the end did the crime. I felt there was too many specific ballet terms or famous dancer names thrown into the context; it may delight those with ballet background to come across these but leaves everyone else completely clueless on what the character (and author) are referring to. Although I'm a cat lover and love reading about cats, I felt the cat aspects for this tale were unneeded and just tacked on for the sake of having cats mentioned. Overall, it was still entertaining. It's a good choice for anyone looking for a book to pass a short period of time with.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alice Nestleton is apparently irresistible to men with a trail of ex-lovers behind her. In this tale Tony is the poor enraptured stooge who does everything for Alice as she is hired by her friend's lawyer to absolve her of murder charges. Tony does most of the leg work, like going to Canada to investigate some old clues, spending hours in the library doing research for her (the internet was not available), and going undercover to entrap the killer with no direction or instruction from Alice other than "things will work out." In the end the storyline goes full circle with an ambiguous ending.

[Nancy H · Rating 2 out of 5]

This mystery has a somewhat 'noir' feel to it, similar to the mysteries of the '30's or '40's. The world top male dancer has become a derelict, and has been murdered at Lincoln Center during a performance, although outside on a balcony, where he is positioned to look like a homeless person. Alice and her friend Tony are called in to help her friend Lucia escape a murder conviction when the gun who killed him is found taped under Lucia's desk. With many twists and turns and red-herrings, the duo eventually accomplishes that, but with a great surprise at the end.

[Carolyn Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing Anna Pavlova Smith

Alice Nestleton is hired to clear a friend from a murder charge. The longer the investigation lasts the more confusing it gets. Can she find the real murderer? The plot twists keep the reader guessing.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broadway actress Alice Nestleton is watching a performance of the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center when a former ballet star is murdered offstage. It takes the theatre cat to lead her to the murderer.

[Kathei]

If you like cats and you like mysteries then this series is for you.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever, and very funny.

In this book, Lydia Adamson delivers some truly wonderful characters--and by "characters" I mean unusual, one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-duplicated weirdos. The protagonist, Alice Nestleton, is a cynical yet oddly fanciful forty-something with a love of cats and a disregard for how a murder investigation "should" run. Tony Basilio, Alice's ex-lover, defies all explanations with his antics. Alice's cats, Bushy and Pancho, aren't really main players, but they deserve mention anyway. I was honestly reminded of my own cat as I read about them.

The big case is certainly a big one, all right. Former ballet star, Peter Dobrynin, was found shot to death at Lincoln Center on Christmas Eve, and everyone's a suspect. When Alice's friend Lucia is arrested, Alice is called in to clear her name. And I can tell you right now, the resolution is not what you'd expect.

The more I think about it, the more I really loved this book. It was a good mystery with great characters, priceless one-liners, a curve ball of an ending...I just might have to read the other books in the series!

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series, all revolving in some way or another around cats. The "sleuth" is an actress who is semi successful, but who needs a day job to stay afloat financially, so she "cat sits" for various cat loving owners who much leave their pampered kitties. It's her "day job" that brings the murders to her attention. Her love life sometimes intrudes (a bit PG 13, but not explicit) with its casual attitude towards extra marital sex, but the stories are charmingly told with eccentric and real feeling characters and cares.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Famous ballet dancer Peter Dobrynin has dropped out of the public eye amid disgraceful rumors. Now--apparently homeless--he's reappeared, dead. Actress Alice Nestleton becomes involved in the mystery surrounding his murder when her old friend Lucia becomes a suspect. Through their lawyer, Lucia's wealthy family hires Alice to find out about Dobrynin's life since his disappearance.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

great, suspenseful, twist at end, ignore language, etc.

[Phillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took Alice a bit longer then usual and a bit more involvement but she caught the muderer of a former ballet great, Peter Dobrynin.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the book for the most part, but probably won't read any more of this series. I read it because it took place at Christmas.

[Sandy Weir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light read and quirky!