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The Silver Screen #1

Lights. Camera. Murder.

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Private investigator Rory Byrne has gained a reputation as someone the elite of New York City can trust to solve their problems quickly and quietly. So when a hotshot television producer hires him to recover a stolen script, Rory will have to go undercover on the set of a historical drama to complete the job. He has his hands full trying to investigate a skeptical crew while they work around the clock on The Bowery, a new show that promises to shake up the television industry. To make a delicate situation more complicated, the production is led by out-and-proud actor Marion Roosevelt, and Rory is downright smitten.But every member of the cast and crew is a suspect in the theft. And the deeper Rory delves into their on-set personalities, the more suspicious Marion’s behavior becomes. If Rory is to uncover the theft without sacrificing the fate of The Bowery, he will have to trust his identity and his heart to Marion.Previously featured in the Footsteps in the Dark anthology.

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2020

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176 people want to read

About the author

C.S. Poe

41 books1,325 followers
C.S. Poe is an author of gay mystery, romance, and speculative fiction. She’s a winner of the Next Generation and e-Lit book awards, as well as a finalist of the Lambda Literary award.

She resides in New York City and is a Gilded Age New York historian and board director for the Victorian Society of New York. She loves Romanticism artwork, the films of Buster Keaton, coffee in the morning and whiskey in the evening, true crime, and cats. She’s rescued two cats—Milo and Kasper do their best to distract her from work on a daily basis.

C.S. is an alumna of the School of Visual Arts.

Her debut novel, The Mystery of Nevermore, was published 2016.

cspoe.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Caz.
3,279 reviews1,184 followers
January 19, 2022
Lights. Camera. Murder. originally appeared in the Footsteps in the Dark anthology from 2019 (along with stories from Josh Lanyon, Dal Maclean, S.C. Wynne, Z.A. Maxfield and others) – and as I’ve had good experiences with C.S. Poe’s work lately, I thought I’d give this novella a go for the January “quickie” prompt. I enjoyed the story, and was pleased to learn that the author is writing a sequel/series set in the same world with the same lead characters.

PI Rory Byrne has gained a reputation as the go-to guy for people who need their problems solved quickly and quietly. He’s very good at what he does and is something of a workaholic – which accounts for his string of ex-boyfriends, most of whom left when they got fed up with playing second fiddle to his job.

The story opens with Rory being hired by a ‘hot shot’ (in Rory-speak, that’s “Royal Pain in the Ass”) television producer to investigate the theft of a script. John Anderson is the producer of a new TV show being filmed in Queens called The Bowery – an historical drama set in turn-of-the-century New York centred around an Irish gang leader who is in a committed same-sex relationship. Anderson is planning on branching out and has written a pilot for what he says is a bigger, edgier and better show than The Bowery – but it’s gone missing and he’s sure it’s been stolen. The job is a bit out of Rory’s usual line – it’s on a live film set, likely an inside job, there are literally hundreds of suspects (basically the entire cast and crew) – and he only has a few days to solve the case.

So Rory goes undercover as a PA (production assistant) and immediately, all the tensions – both on and off set – hierarchies and petty politics that come with working in such a high-pressure, high-profile environment become apparent. The key PA is an arsehole, the Production Manager clearly doesn’t like the on-set production crew, there’s obvious hostility between the director and lead actor Marion Roosevelt… nobody’s talking, everybody’s nervous – and then in the midst of it all, one of the crew is murdered.

Lights. Camera. Murder is a well-crafted and engaging read, despite its small page-count. The mystery is intriguing, with enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep it interesting without going over the top, and although the secondary characters are drawn with broad strokes they have depth and individuality. Rory is the PoV character, so he’s the one we get to know the best, and he’s hard-bitten in a very noir-ish kind of way (I admit that when I first saw the cover, I though the story was set in the 1950s); he’s in his forties and has been there, done that several times, and the one constant in his life is his cat Gary (a total scene-stealer). He isn’t too worried about his poor track record with relationships, although meeting Marion makes him start to wonder if maybe it’s time he made some changes and stopped getting in his own way.

Marion is almost twenty years younger than Rory, he’s gorgeous, charming, super-talented, sweet and savvy; he’s landed the role of a lifetime in The Bowery and feels passionately about the opportunity it’s given him to deliver a positive portrayal of a strong queer character in love. Sparks fly between him and Rory from the moment they meet and their romance gets off to a promising start. I confess though, that had this been a standalone and not the start of a series, I might have found it a bit rushed.

The writing flows smoothly and Ms. Poe does a great job when it comes to describing the day-to-day working of a bustling movie set. I always enjoy her wry humour – and she gets extra brownie points for Gary the cat, whose utter “cat-ness” clearly signals someone Who Knows Cats.

Lights, Camera, Murder is an entertaining whodunit with a touch of romance, and although short, it reaches a satisfying conclusion and feels ‘complete’. I’m looking forward to reading what the author has in store for Rory and Marion next.
Profile Image for Daniel.
1,037 reviews92 followers
November 3, 2024
First: How is this not a historical? That cover? That setup? Bit jarring to realize it's a contemporary.

Second: (And I am a big fan of the novella, but...) It really needed more room to breathe.

Rory's kind of a shit, and Poe sets up a sort of thing with his "no lies" rule for lovers set against his own lying for his job and lack of a self when he's not, and gives him a token flash of realization, but it ended up feeling more like a gesture towards character development than the real thing.

Likewise the plot. The who and the what of the crime was fine* but it needed a bit more misdirection and obfuscation. It was like he just puttered around for 80% till he got his cue and then walked directly to the solution.

* There are two minor plot points, one of which is a real wtf, that would have made much more sense if the book was in fact a historical.

So, yeah. I'd read the sequel if she puts it out, because I think there's potential. But at this point I'm assuming she's abandoned these guys because it wasn't as successful as some of her other books.
Profile Image for Terri.
2,886 reviews58 followers
February 8, 2024
I really wanted to love this, but ultimately I can only like it. The mystery is good, but the best relationship in the story is between the MC and his cat. Hoping #2 is better.
488 reviews7 followers
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January 1, 2026
I have no idea how CS Poe makes me go "daww" in the midst of murder and mayhem, but she does. She is a master at blending a compelling romance with a compelling mystery. despite the rather despicable deeds, I finished the story with a feeling of hope and rightness. there is a British TV show that can be described as a "happy little murder mystery" and this book has that same feel.
Profile Image for Genevieve.
1,365 reviews13 followers
March 16, 2021
This story has a great main character who is work obsessed and has a stream of ex boyfriends. He has one rule don't lie even though his job is to lie as an undercover private investigator. The story line was good and kept me glued to the book turning pages. I liked all the side characters and really hope that this turns into a series.
Profile Image for PaperMoon.
1,838 reviews85 followers
July 11, 2020
I didn't like how MC Rory came across at the start ... the slightly hostile arrogance rubbed me the wrong way immediately, and thus it is entirely the author's skill that she manages to subtly win me over to caring about our sleuthing PI. The mystery/murder plot is not overly complicated, and given the length of the novella - we don't have a plethora of suspects (despite hundreds of suspects! was mentioned when Rory started his undercover stint at the studio). And because this is not a 'cozy', the M-M romance was nicely built up to the inevitable bedroom scene (which thank God did not happen anywhere near the start). 3.5 stars for a very promising start of a new series from an auto-buy author (for me).
Profile Image for CrabbyPatty.
1,712 reviews198 followers
July 7, 2021
For a brief novella, this really feels whole and complete ... and a great start to a new series by C.S. Poe. Our main characters are a charismatic actor in the role of a lifetime, and a world-weary PI on set to find who stole a missing script. There's an instant sizzle between the two, and a well-plotted murder mystery and it all works in just a handful of pages. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series!

Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Profile Image for K..
584 reviews
October 13, 2023
It was really short. and for some reason, I thought it would be somewhat historical. I think it was the cover that gave me that idea. Anyway, I think it was fine. Nothing too memorable... fairly sweet. The cat was cute. But then the story was a bit too short to get a sense of the characters.
Profile Image for L Monster.
350 reviews6 followers
April 5, 2025
3.5 stars

This was enjoyable enough. Rory is an interesting character. Forty-two years old, unable to hold a steady relationship, cat lover, likes soldering stuff to release stress, doesn't like people lying even though he's basically a professional liar a.k.a. private investigator. Although I'm not sure he's a great PI, even if he's been on the job for 20 years. Hell, especially since he's been on the job for twenty years.

He's supposed to be investigating the theft of a script, but he spends a suspiciously long time doing other stuff instead. I mean, he spends an entire day going on a date with Marion. Beers and pretzels, Empire State Building, shopping at Macy's?!? And that's like, the same day a murder has taken place AND he was the one who found the body. Jesus, Rory.

He's pretty clueless to be honest. His list of "suspects" is narrowed down to a handful of people he "doesn't like" or who he considers "bullies" and that's just not how this is supposed to be done now, is it? After the body is discovered in a part of the office that was under construction, he spots a highly suspicious character around set with white powder on his pants... *squints* almost as if he'd been kneeling behind someone while he choked him with a telephone cable. Hmm. Nah, it's probably nothing. And he just proceeds to forget all about it and go on a date with Marion.

Speaking of Marion. I'm ok with insta-lust, but I'm not a fan of "I've known this guy for two days and now, at forty-two years of age, I realize I've been keeping myself from experiencing real love" kind of epiphanies. It felt like Poe thought Rory really needed that moment of revelation just to validate his attraction to Marion, and truly, he didn't. So he was attracted to the guy. Big deal. He's hot. Enough said.

The whole mystery around the theft of the script was kinda boring. I didn't understand the urgency. Stealing John's script for the "idea" so they could somehow rewrite it with their own words so that it's not plagiarism... is still plagiarism isn't it? Whoever stole the script would still be liable to a lawsuit if the original script was protected, right? Unless they changed it enough so as to no longer resemble the original, in which case, why steal it in the first place?

I didn't get why wanted the script so bad, but hey, whatever.

Also, I'm not a huge fan of characters like Ethan: the evil villain/former love interest. I like my antagonists to have depth and nuances. I want to read a complicated character who does the shit he does because of actual reasonable reasons, not just because. Ethan is *so eevil* that he bullies other people, takes intimate pictures for blackmailing purposes, pushes people around, has a horrible temper, sucks up to his superiors, is controlling and manipulative, has an evil-looking beard. I mean, I get it, C.S. Poe, Ethan is BAD. I was missing the part where he also likes to kick puppies, and where he brags about going to the north pole to club baby seals.

On the other hand, Marion is a saint. Ahh, Marion, Marion. I mean, don't get me wrong, the dude was a little bit morally ambiguous by the end (that's a good thing!) but honest to God, can't we just do that the whole time? Must I read about how he's such a darling *all the frigging time*?

Thing about Marion is, he isn't that perfect. C.S. Poe didn't have time to craft out the character she had in mind. We're just told Marion is kind and nice and perfect: a conclusion that Rory comes to by watching him interact with people for all of two days on set. And also the fact that he apparently knows the names of all 100 people on set. Ugh.

Marion is good the way Ethan is bad if you know what I mean. One can do no wrong, the other walks into set wearing a coat made out of Dalmatian fur. Excuse me, but I rather read about characters who land somewhere in the middle of the good/evil spectrum. Personal preference, I guess.

On the other hand, this was a well-written book. I enjoyed the style and the pacing, even if the relationship between these two developed at a quicker pace than strictly necessary. Word limit, I guess. The sex scene was fire though, which is always a huge plus. And the audiobook was narrated by Kale Williams, I swear the man can do no wrong.

I read this book as part of the Footsteps in the Dark anthology, and it is one of the better stories of the bunch.

I've avoided reading other C.S. Poe novels (mainly the Snow and Winter series) because I've read that she tends to write very one-dimensional characters who are either extremely good or extremely bad, and I can see that now, in the way she wrote Marion and Ethan. I'm not sure this book has convinced me to give her other books a try.
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,986 reviews39 followers
June 25, 2020
As soon as I began to read the story, I knew I have already read it (talk about memorable first lines!) but it took me a bit to remember that this was part of Footsteps in the Dark.

I loved, of course. The characters are simply fantastic. And Marion! Oh, Marion is just... perfect! The mystery is really well done and keeps you wondering until the end; brilliant and masterly executed! And I love that is Marion, at the end, who saves the day (and Rory's life).

Another fantastic read, and I really, really hope will be seeing more of these two really soon :D
Profile Image for Ellie Thomas.
Author 62 books76 followers
July 17, 2022
Another excellent story from C. S Poe. I loved the cool modern version of Phillip Marlowe meets the movie industry in PI Rory Byrne, with plenty of film/tv set in-jokes as he goes undercover to solve the theft of a vital script.

The research was flawless and I became wholly involved with the tv production process as Rory, ever the professional learns the ropes as he starts his investigation. But his stoicism and dedication, the dearth of his many short-lived relationships is tested when he meets and is attracted to the star of the show, actor Marion Roosevelt.

I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of mystery and romance and was trying to guess whodunnit while cheering on Rory and Marion's tentative relationship. Looking forward to Book 2!
Profile Image for Suze.
3,897 reviews
June 19, 2020
Another engaging read - but one that felt very familiar - missing script; undercover job as PA - did some digging, realised this was in Footsteps in the Dark anthology! But a CS Poe reread is always a good thing.
Not perhaps my favourite of hers but a good closed set mystery, that turns murderous.
Marion perhaps a little needy for my full liking but looking forward to the next one
3.5/4*
Profile Image for Maryann Kafka.
868 reviews29 followers
June 19, 2020
“Lights, Camera, Murder” is a novella by CS Poe that starts a new mystery series “The Silver Screen”. She brings us two new delightful characters: Rory Byrne, PI and talented actor Marion Roosevelt.

Rory meets Marion on the set of a new tv show, while investigating the theft of a script. Rory finds he has way too many suspects and of course Marion is one.

Along with the fantastic cover the story has that old classic detective mystery feel to it. This is a great start and lot’s of potential for a new mystery series.
Can’t wait to see what CS Poe has planned for Rory and Marion next!
Profile Image for lune.
163 reviews8 followers
December 23, 2021
Foi muito rápido. E desenvolveu pouco demais, quase nada mesmo.
A atração de Rory por Marion foi até boa sendo descrita mas não foi bem mostrada, nem o primeiro encontro deles mostrou e usou de uma cena de sexo bêbado pra trazer uma proximidade entre os dois que não funcionou pra mim.
Fica muito esse vazio sobre ambos os personagens.

Ficou mecânico também algumas vezes, como uma situação levava o Rory a pensar sobre a vida amorosa/afetiva dele, não me passou naturalidade.

O mistério também não foi nada demais mesmo, muito simples sem nenhuma reviravolta.
Profile Image for Tj.
2,225 reviews68 followers
July 7, 2022
Nice, short book for the beginning of a series. We are introduced to the MC of the story and get a little bit of a feel for him. He is a bit of a loner and a definite workaholic. He seems fine with his life but realizes after his latest breakup that he may need to "get a life." In the course of his latest investigation he meets an up and coming actor. We really don't get much about Marion, just mostly surface level. I hope this will be rectified in the next book. Overall just a sweet little read.
Profile Image for Lio.
207 reviews3 followers
June 8, 2020
So, apart from c.s.poe's skills to make every scene flow into the next, this book had a lot of good points:

A cat that is just so cat. Can't not love a cat who is also well loved by their keeper.

A dickjoke as a tactic to steer off an awkward answer.

And the romance was just all around sweet.

Oh, and you can definitely tell c.s.poe had worked on a film set before when you read this.

Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
959 reviews
October 28, 2024
Rory has been tasked with finding a valuable missing script. Rory has gone undercover as a PA for the show so he can discretely questions folks and look for clues. He absolutely should not talk to the stars – but what is he supposed to do when the star, Marion, flirts with him! Slowly Rory is narrowing the suspect list down with the help of Marion. The set is filled with folks with secrets. A great story.
Profile Image for Ashley Yungbluth.
679 reviews7 followers
January 14, 2026
"Lights. Camera. Murder." by C.S. Poe was a wonderful short and quick read. I enjoyed the mystery behind it and PI Rory trying to figure out who took the script. I thought I knew who was behind the things happening, but I was wrong. C.S. did a great job writing this story and possibly setting it up for more to come.
I'm not sure if this will be made into a series, but I would definitely read the next book.
24 reviews
June 25, 2020
Lights. Camera. Murder. by C.S. Poe is another engaging read. The novella is the start of the Silver Screen series. Marion and Rory were great characters and I look forward to seeing more of them. Looks like this series will be another home run for Poe. If you're looking for a good, quick read, grab this one.

*I received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.*
Profile Image for Jonnie.
819 reviews
January 26, 2024
Probably 2.5 stars but I rounded down because I thought the premise was flawed. Since it was a novella, there wasn't much time to develop the characters but still I found it hard to relate to any of them. The ending was somewhat haphazard to me. I didn't really buy into Marion and Rory's relationship. I'm not sure whether I would read a sequel, if there is one.
1,421 reviews
April 22, 2024
Enjoyable story. Rory is a dedicated and smart PI. Marion is a sweet guy. Their romance is kind of quick and just kicked off when the book ended. It is 2024 and no hint of the supposed next book so went ahead and read.
329 reviews
August 1, 2025
4,5 stars
I loved this novella. Sarcastic PI Rory goes undercover on a film set and falls for the sweet main actor, who is also a suspect. This was shorter than I would have hoped, because this was just perfectly what I needed. I do hope there will be a sequel at some point.
Profile Image for Eolia.
119 reviews
June 29, 2020
I didn't care about either character. 2 stars for Gary the cat.
Profile Image for JPerceval.
437 reviews20 followers
April 6, 2022
Whoops. I accidentally stayed up way too late and finished this story because I couldn't put it down!
4 reviews
May 12, 2022
L'histoire est super, seul point négatif: la scène de sexe, qui est juste ridicule et cliché au point d'être absurde. Heureusement, on l'oublie vite.
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