Untimely Death, Elizabeth J. Duncan
Untimely Death, Elizabeth J. Duncan
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

Untimely Death
A Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery

Author: Elizabeth J. Duncan

Narrator: Sarah Nichols

Unabridged: 6 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/10/2015

Synopsis

This witty and wise work is the first in Elizabeth J. Duncan’s charming new mystery series.A Catskills resort’s production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet takes a wickedly ironic turn when the leading lady, Lauren Richmond, is first poisoned and then stabbed. Who would extinguish the life of such a beautiful young thespian? It seems like just about everyone had a motive to pull the ropes on her final curtain call. At the center of this Shakespearean tragedy is Charlotte Fairfax, formerly the costume mistress of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Upstate New York is a long way from the royal stage, but Charlotte is always the queen of her domain. As this small production’s costume designer, she has stitched her way into everyone’s lives, learning more than anyone could possibly imagine about the rise and fall of Lauren Richmond.

About Elizabeth J. Duncan

Elizabeth J. Duncan is the author of two mystery series, the Penny Brannigan mysteries and the Shakespeare in the Catskills series. Her works have won the Minotaur Books / Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition and have been short-listed for the Agatha Award, Arthur Ellis Award, and the Bony Blithe Award.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Anastasia on June 19, 2022

Untimely Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan is the first book in the Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery series. When the leading lady in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is first poisoned then stabbed, costume mistress Charlotte Fairfax investigates. This was just an okay mystery for me. I thought it stra......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on November 11, 2017

For complete review check out my blog at [URL not allowed]......more

Goodreads review by Katie on May 14, 2022

3.5 stars rounded up. The storytelling style in this cozy mystery is unique among those I have read. There were not a ton of Shakespeare-specific details, but there were a lot of theater-oriented scenes. I also appreciated the references to Hudson Valley area locations that were familiar to me becau......more

Goodreads review by QNPoohBear on June 16, 2018

Charlotte Fairfax was once the costume mistress for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, until a production and a man brought her to New York. When the relationship ended badly Charlotte chose to stay- not in the City but in the Catskills at a rundown old hotel that happens to have......more

Goodreads review by Janelle on February 20, 2021

I liked the setting. A theatre company at a hotel in the Catskills is awesome. I loved all the Shakespeare references. What I didn't like was the amateur sleuthing. She did everything I dislike most in an amateur sleuth - inveigled herself into the investigation because she was convinced the police......more

Quotes

“An impressively crafted mystery that is a fully absorbing and inherently fascinating read from beginning to end…Very highly recommended.” Midwest Book Review

“Readers of the cozy mystery genre should definitely check out Untimely Death.” Noir Journal

“Amid the bucolic backdrop of springtime in upstate New York, Duncan drops just enough clues and red herrings to keep the reader guessing whodunit to the end.” Publishers Weekly

“Sympathetic, well-drawn characters and fascinating details on Shakespeare’s plays and costume design add to what is a satisfying mystery.” Booklist

“Duncan introduces a charming new sleuth and plenty of quirky characters sure to appeal to her base and to cozy fans in general.” Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • Bony Blithe Award
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