Docketful of Poesy

Poetic Death Mystery #4

by Diana Killian

Mad, bad, and dangerous to know. Theater of the Absurd takes on a whole new meaning when former teacher and Byron scholar Grace Hollister is hired as a script doctor for a cable film production. Hollywood wants to film the book Grace wrote about her her past academic (and extracurricular) exploits on location in the Lake District. At first Grace revels in reflected Hollywood glamor and her reunion with boyfriend Peter Fox, antiques dealer and former jewel thief. However, although the film's budget seems boundless, almost no one in the cast or crew seems to have much experience making movies. It's almost comical...until history begins to repeat itself for real, and then it's curtains for more than one of the cast.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, British Literature, Romance

244 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Author of the Poetic Death series and the Mantra for Murder series.

Reviews

[Lisa C · Rating 3 out of 5]

My initial thought on this book was "pity about the cover." I was going to add that it was very nice that there was enough fan support of the series to warrant going on to another publisher, but maybe she shouldn't have. I came around eventually, though. A cozy mystery is a cozy mystery, and you can't expect much more.

While this fourth installment rounded out the series nicely, there was very little of the literary bent that was so prevalent in the first two books. There was also one semi-spoilery glaring plot hole. An almost total lack of cell phones. The plot centers around a group of Hollywood actors, yet in the many scenes in which one might expect to solve something through use of a cell phone--never happens.

So, I enjoyed the book and am glad it exists, but I'm equally glad that this is probably it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Hollister is visiting her family in California, and events seem to keep her from returning to England and her relationship with Peter Fox. Now a movie company wants to make a documentary of her last book, about how she and Peter discovered secrets of Lord Byron's life. She learns of an attempt on Peter's life, and is astonished when he comes to Los Angeles to see her. When they return to England, the film company decides to go on location. But even Grace, inexperienced in the making of movies, thinks the film company is strange. Literate, sexy fun.

[HatGirl8]

3/1/2009 Reread 10/22/2018 ; 2/14/19

Also find this in the box set Metaphors and Murder (The Poetic Death)

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 stars

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a fair amount of questionable fiction, so it can be argued that my demands as regards plot and believability of relationships is not high. Even granting that, this book contained possibly the least believable romance I have ever read. If you're finding out in five minutes' conversation with a third party more about your boyfriend than you have in three years' conversation with your actual boyfriend, I have to conclude you have some pretty lousy research skills.

On top of the maundering on about "do I trust him or not?", we also have a tired quasi-love-triangle and a plot straight out of one of Edgar Wallace's more fervid adventures. Setting was problematic, too: I had just decided that we were somehow pre-Internet and before the ubiquity of cell phones--based on various happenings--when all of a sudden we're surfing the 'net and a main character has a cell phone. So why on earth are we calling from the pay phone in the hotel?

I'm all for charming and light, but this is just blah. Not especially recommended unless you're trapped in an elevator with nothing else to do.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is back in California wrapping up things to move to England when she gets involved in a movie based on her life. But the production seems strange, even to an outsider. Meanwhile, someone is trying to kill Peter back in England. It was great to get a new chapter in the life of these characters after several years off. Doesn't quite live up to the earlier books, but I hardly cared.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[WhatShouldIRead]

This book, I presume, is the final book in a series which came out years after the first 3. To this end, I found that I did not remember some of the referenced people and cases in this story.

Also, the author introduced a bunch of characters that were present on a film set at once and I found I couldn't keep track of them. Aside from this, the story did not hold my interest. I have too many books to read through the first 3 to refresh my memory of the people/events so I am going to give this one a pass.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the last in a series of four books. It has been quite some time since I read the first three, but I still enjoyed this one. The two main characters are interesting, and the references to the Lake District and Lord Byron and other authors of his time make you want to read more about them, as well as some of their works. I wish she would continue the series, but I think she has started another one. She is a good writer - I will continue to watch for her books.

[a. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slllloooow. Plot was far fetched. It's the end of the series, and i had to finish reading the entire thing, because usually when I start a series I want to finish it.
That said, the plot was basically see through. I did not like the "Hollywood" people, nor that part of the book didn't take place in England.
The "love triangle" was ridiculous, and stupid. I loved the first one in this series, but after that it was just further and further down hill.

[Nancy]

Grace is in LA when asked to work on a film of her book she's been gone from England for 6 months. Peter comes to LA to get Grace. The film company goes back to England where the movie is to be shot. Two men shoot up Peter's gallery. Peter tells Grace to go back to US. Film is a fake. Man from Peter's past set it up. Peter proposes to Grace.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book in a series of four cozy mysteries featuring poetry scholar Grace Hollister and reformed jewel thief Peter Fox. This wasn't the best book in the series, but it was a nice wrap-up for the characters.

[Janeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for nicely wrapping up an enjoyable series. ::)

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Satisfactory ending.

[Amy Paget · Rating 2 out of 5]

What could be better...a mystery featuring poetry. It's a slight and light tale of romantic suspense, romantic poets, and movies! Second in a series. I may try the first....

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not guess who done it. Good read!

['stina]

Given to me by mama on 7/07/09

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

light read