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The Buck Baxter Detective Agency #2
Buck Baxter and the Disappearing Divas
Hard-boiled 1920s private detective Buck Baxter has a new romance to kindle with playboy Holden Hart while at the same time trying to solve a new murder mystery at a seemingly cursed theater on Broadville. But if he doesn't solve this case in time, Buck and Holden might be taking their final bows.
Something sinister is occurring at the Maharaja Majestic Theatre on Broadville Boulevard. The domineering actress, Dominique Duprey, has vanished without a trace, the opening night of the theatre’s new production of The Snake Charmer’s Slave is now in jeopardy, and six suspects are about to have the pleasure of meeting Buck Baxter, Private Detective, as he investigates whether there’s a killer on the loose… or a phantom at the opera?
Could it be the handsome leading man, Errol Hemingway, who’s responsible for the disappearance of his leading lady… or perhaps it’s that sweet, doe-eyed understudy Olivia Overton? Is it the theatre owner himself, the tall and mysterious Raja Khan who has committed the crime… or the show’s investor, the autocratic aristocrat Serafina Somerset? Or is it possible that the meek and mild stage manager Stanley Small, or the flamboyant and frustrated director Barnabas Blake, is guilty? And what of Buck’s romance with playboy millionaire Holden Hart? Will Buck get a backstage pass to access all areas of his one true love… or will this be the final curtain for Buck and Holden? Follow the clues, and you might just solve… the mystery of the disappearing divas!
Buck Baxter and the Disappearing Divas is the second adventure in the Buck Baxter Mysteries. It is a campy, noir, 28k-word detective mystery featuring a tough and troubled leading man, a heartthrob love interest with secrets of his own and a hilarious cast of supporting characters. Enter a world of prohibition, gangsters, speakeasies, jazz clubs, star-crossed romance, brooding heroes and a mystery with a twist.
Something sinister is occurring at the Maharaja Majestic Theatre on Broadville Boulevard. The domineering actress, Dominique Duprey, has vanished without a trace, the opening night of the theatre’s new production of The Snake Charmer’s Slave is now in jeopardy, and six suspects are about to have the pleasure of meeting Buck Baxter, Private Detective, as he investigates whether there’s a killer on the loose… or a phantom at the opera?
Could it be the handsome leading man, Errol Hemingway, who’s responsible for the disappearance of his leading lady… or perhaps it’s that sweet, doe-eyed understudy Olivia Overton? Is it the theatre owner himself, the tall and mysterious Raja Khan who has committed the crime… or the show’s investor, the autocratic aristocrat Serafina Somerset? Or is it possible that the meek and mild stage manager Stanley Small, or the flamboyant and frustrated director Barnabas Blake, is guilty? And what of Buck’s romance with playboy millionaire Holden Hart? Will Buck get a backstage pass to access all areas of his one true love… or will this be the final curtain for Buck and Holden? Follow the clues, and you might just solve… the mystery of the disappearing divas!
Buck Baxter and the Disappearing Divas is the second adventure in the Buck Baxter Mysteries. It is a campy, noir, 28k-word detective mystery featuring a tough and troubled leading man, a heartthrob love interest with secrets of his own and a hilarious cast of supporting characters. Enter a world of prohibition, gangsters, speakeasies, jazz clubs, star-crossed romance, brooding heroes and a mystery with a twist.
116 pages, Paperback
Published May 18, 2024
11 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Robin Knight
70 books84 followersaka Geoffrey Knight
Robin Knight is the author of gay fiction novels, novellas and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense and gay comedies.
The heroes of Robin's books love to spend their time jumping off the page, stumbling through misadventures and falling in love.
Robin has worked in advertising, politics, journalism and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories.
Robin Knight is the author of gay fiction novels, novellas and short stories, ranging in genre from gay adventure, gay romance, gay suspense and gay comedies.
The heroes of Robin's books love to spend their time jumping off the page, stumbling through misadventures and falling in love.
Robin has worked in advertising, politics, journalism and event management, but nothing is as fun as telling stories.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 27, 2025
4.25 stars. Audiobook. Probably better to read. Series of 3 smallish books of 120-150 pages each following the same couple on different 1920s era private investigations. Great world building and side kick, nicely written, simple who-done-it plots, quite fun. Pretty steamy with some shockingly crass language, lol. I thought it would be all proper and respectful based on the era and noir-esq vibes, but it was refreshingly un-gentlemanly.
So, the audio. This audio was a flop for me, the voice was perfect for a gritty noir story of dames and gents, if the MC was in their 50s. Since these guys are supposed to be in their super sexy late 20s or very early 30s, it just wasn’t working for me and I kept picturing an old, sweat stained, tobacco breath, balding man. Not so super sexy.
So, the audio. This audio was a flop for me, the voice was perfect for a gritty noir story of dames and gents, if the MC was in their 50s. Since these guys are supposed to be in their super sexy late 20s or very early 30s, it just wasn’t working for me and I kept picturing an old, sweat stained, tobacco breath, balding man. Not so super sexy.
July 9, 2024
Our boy Buck is back, and the mysteries continue to unfold around him.
This noir-style detective interacts with the marvelous cast from his first outing to solve a classic murder-in-the-theater crime. This gives author Robin Knight a whole new set of kooky characters to detail as Baxter and his super-short assistant Stella Darling try to close the case before even more mayhem occurs.
As for the love element, the spice is high but so is the friction between Buck and his only love, once a fellow orphan named Harry and now rich man's son Holden Hart. There is trouble over how open their relationship can and should be. There's a resolution, but a dollop of uncertainty is left hanging at the end.
Speaking of hanging, this brief episode in the Baxter books concludes a real barn burner. Knight builds the tension as the lovers cling to each other in the face of what could be disaster for them both. And then a chance (or is it?) meeting presents Buck with a whole new set of questions.
Eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the Baxter adventures.
This noir-style detective interacts with the marvelous cast from his first outing to solve a classic murder-in-the-theater crime. This gives author Robin Knight a whole new set of kooky characters to detail as Baxter and his super-short assistant Stella Darling try to close the case before even more mayhem occurs.
As for the love element, the spice is high but so is the friction between Buck and his only love, once a fellow orphan named Harry and now rich man's son Holden Hart. There is trouble over how open their relationship can and should be. There's a resolution, but a dollop of uncertainty is left hanging at the end.
Speaking of hanging, this brief episode in the Baxter books concludes a real barn burner. Knight builds the tension as the lovers cling to each other in the face of what could be disaster for them both. And then a chance (or is it?) meeting presents Buck with a whole new set of questions.
Eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the Baxter adventures.
March 2, 2025
1920s PI Buck Baxter and his foul-mouthed sidekick Stella Darling tackle a case where the leading lady in a musical theatre production is kidnapped. Buck and Stella don’t exactly warm to the cast, all of whom seem to have motives, and when further things go wrong for the production, Buck and Stella are also caught in the firing line. Meanwhile, Buck and his beau, the playboy Holden Hart, continue to break up and get back together—can Holden stand up to his father for Buck’s sake?
This was a classic theatre murder-mystery where the eccentric, extroverted cast are all suspects. I enjoyed Buck and Stella’s no-nonsense handling of the flamboyant cast although some of the jibes and jokes traded step on a few politically correct toes. There’s an over-the-top zaniness to these stories with every clichéd peril and stereotype being trotted out for laughs and gasps—it’s light entertainment and I found it amusing. 🎧 I like Art Brown’s audio narrations and I enjoyed this one!
This was a classic theatre murder-mystery where the eccentric, extroverted cast are all suspects. I enjoyed Buck and Stella’s no-nonsense handling of the flamboyant cast although some of the jibes and jokes traded step on a few politically correct toes. There’s an over-the-top zaniness to these stories with every clichéd peril and stereotype being trotted out for laughs and gasps—it’s light entertainment and I found it amusing. 🎧 I like Art Brown’s audio narrations and I enjoyed this one!
June 20, 2024
This series just keeps getting better, another brilliant written mystery book for the series. This had me glued from start to finish with Buck and his wonderful assistant, Stella solving another case. Oh good ol Stella she's a laugh for her little pint sized frame *shush but don't tell her she'd clobber me..lol
Oh if the author calls himself a hack in this book he can just keeping coming cause I'm addicted to Buck and his friends. Buck and Holden aka Harry have their rough patch that they work though. Oh God the ending of this is one of dramatics as the identity of the killer is known, I had a hunch of who it was.. not telling :P.
I'm coming to know the author's writings for this series, why cause yah the end just blew me away just like the first book.. can’t wait to read the 3rd next book.
Oh if the author calls himself a hack in this book he can just keeping coming cause I'm addicted to Buck and his friends. Buck and Holden aka Harry have their rough patch that they work though. Oh God the ending of this is one of dramatics as the identity of the killer is known, I had a hunch of who it was.. not telling :P.
I'm coming to know the author's writings for this series, why cause yah the end just blew me away just like the first book.. can’t wait to read the 3rd next book.
July 22, 2024
Another awesome Buck Baxter story by R. Knight which takes place in a performance theater! This one continues with Buck Baxter and the awesome supporting characters which makes it witty along with some suspense and a thrilling ending which may leave you gobsmacked and it’ll be worth it!
The story focuses on Buck Baxter and his continued relationship with the dashing Holden while investigating the disappearance of this diva of the new play that was to be opening in couple of weeks. Witnesses claimed to see her being kidnapped and fingers were pointed at people who works at the theater with different reasons why. That’s for you to read to find out!
The story focuses on Buck Baxter and his continued relationship with the dashing Holden while investigating the disappearance of this diva of the new play that was to be opening in couple of weeks. Witnesses claimed to see her being kidnapped and fingers were pointed at people who works at the theater with different reasons why. That’s for you to read to find out!
June 3, 2024
We return to Buck Baxter world with him finding his person and counting to investigate crimes.
This one is of the Divas that keep turning up missing or unalive.
Again these characters are so much fun and give us such great banter and laughs. Buck is trying to navigate his relationship with Holden but will they be able to make it?
I really enjoyed the whole done it and Buck and Holden trying to make things work. What I LOVE is the twist Robin keeps ending these books with that I never see coming. I can’t wait for the third
This one is of the Divas that keep turning up missing or unalive.
Again these characters are so much fun and give us such great banter and laughs. Buck is trying to navigate his relationship with Holden but will they be able to make it?
I really enjoyed the whole done it and Buck and Holden trying to make things work. What I LOVE is the twist Robin keeps ending these books with that I never see coming. I can’t wait for the third
June 9, 2024
4.5 rounded to 5
Buck Baxter is back in another case! More secrets are being held by all residents of Wilde City, including Bucks one and only Harry. These two men need to learn how to balance their work and love life's or both worlds will crumble. This one was still entertaining as all heck, just something was missing. Have a feeling that will be solved soon enough, so it's still worth a read. I just want the next tale now.
Buck Baxter is back in another case! More secrets are being held by all residents of Wilde City, including Bucks one and only Harry. These two men need to learn how to balance their work and love life's or both worlds will crumble. This one was still entertaining as all heck, just something was missing. Have a feeling that will be solved soon enough, so it's still worth a read. I just want the next tale now.
June 25, 2024
Buck is back this time investigating abduction and murder whilst trying to get his head in order over Harry.
I like these stories as they are very quick reads but have to be honest not sure what I think of Stella.
I like these stories as they are very quick reads but have to be honest not sure what I think of Stella.
January 23, 2025
Another wild ride!
Buck has a new personal assistant. And she is a force to be reckoned with, that is for sure. A murder mystery wrapped around other mysteries and of course, questions of the heart.
Buck has a new personal assistant. And she is a force to be reckoned with, that is for sure. A murder mystery wrapped around other mysteries and of course, questions of the heart.
September 22, 2024
suspense full
Yes, the story and suspense held my attention all the way to the end. It was fun and relaxing to read.
Yes, the story and suspense held my attention all the way to the end. It was fun and relaxing to read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews