Death of a Showman - (Jane Prescott Novel) by Mariah Fredericks (Paperback)

About the Book

"In Mariah Fredericks's Death of a Showman, the fourth in this absorbing series set in Gilded Age New York, lady's maid Jane Prescott is thrust into the world of show business, where a killer is stalking Broadway. It's the summer of 1914 and Jane Prescott--lady's maid to Louise Tyler, daughter of a wealthy New York society family--has just arrived home from Independence Day celebrations to find musician Leo Hirschfeld playing the Tylers' piano. Jane's brief courtship with Leo had ended before the Tylers' vacation to Europe earlier in the summer, so she isn't entirely surprised to see him. She is, however, shocked to learn that he's been engaged to write a new Broadway show--and that he's married a chorus girl in his musical. Jane and Louise Tyler are pulled into the sparkling and dramatic world of Broadway, with Louise becoming an investor in the show, and Jane accompanying her to rehearsals as her chaperone. But behind the glittering facade of costumes and love songs, the cast is restless and prone to deception, culminating in the death of the show's producer: Sidney Warburton. The accusation that Leo was involved jolts Jane, and her old friend and tabloid reporter Michael Behan, into action. Determined to close the curtain on these murders, Jane must strip back the masks of these consummate actors until she knows the truth"--

Book Synopsis

In Mariah Fredericks's Death of a Showman, the fourth in this absorbing series set in Gilded Age New York, lady's maid Jane Prescott is thrust into the world of show business, where a killer is stalking Broadway.

"A lively upstairs/downstairs mystery."--New York Times Book Review on A Death of No Importance

It is the summer of 1914 and lady's maid Jane Prescott is back in New York with the Tylers after a glittering society wedding in Europe. On their return, Jane learns another wedding has taken place. Her old dancing partner, Leo Hirschfeld, has married a chorus girl in his new Broadway musical.

Jane and Louise Tyler are pulled into the sparkling and scandalous world of Broadway, as a star struck Louise invests in Leo's show, and Jane chaperones her at rehearsals. But behind the glittering facade of the theater, there are rivalries, secret romances, and some very dodgy business practices. When the show's abusive producer, Sidney Warburton, is murdered, the list of suspects is long. Was it the comedic star or her gambler boyfriend? The disgruntled costume designer? The beautiful, blond dancer, her jealous husband? Or was it Leo himself, who had more reason than anyone to hate Sidney Warburton?

As the First World war looms in the distance, Jane and tabloid reporter Michael Behan must strip back the masks of these consummate performers before one of them kills again.

Review Quotes

One of Broadway Direct's "Top Theatre Books to Read This Summer 2021"

"With a spirited, intelligent heroine; pitch-perfect descriptions of pre-World War I New York; and believable characters, Fredericks's latest historical mystery is a delight."--Library Journal (Starred)

"Fredericks offers up a cast of original, fully human characters, even the most villainous of whom have backstories that evoke at least a little understanding. Those who think they know where the story is going will be pleasantly surprised. This witty, empathetic foray into the world of Broadway will leave readers eager for Jane's next adventure."--Publishers Weekly (Starred)

"Fans [will] be satisfied by the upstairs-downstairs world the protagonist inhabits and her understated canniness at crime solving. For fans of the series and of any fiction set in the Gilded Age."--Booklist

"Author Mariah Fredericks has clearly done her research on Gilded Age New York and its colossal theaters, because she creates a real sense of being behind the scenes and behind the curtain. [It's] all told with understated elegance."--BookPage

"As the book's amiable narrator, Jane is clever, thoughtful and surprisingly streetwise. Lively and arresting."--Shelf Awareness

About the Author

MARIAH FREDERICKS was born and raised in New York City, where she still lives with her family. She is the author of several YA novels. A Death of No Importance was her first adult novel.