Murder Out of Tune

Philip Fletcher #1

by Simon Shaw

Superintendent Turnbull investigates the baffling murders of an actor, an agent, and a producer

Genres: Mystery

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Simon Shaw studied at Cambridge University and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He worked as an actor until the publication of his first novel, Murder Out of Tune, in 1988, since when he has concentrated mostly on writing and journalism. Killing Grace is his eigth novel. He is an assistant editor of The Week and is a regular book reviewer for The Mail on Sunday.

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book at a used book sale because it won a humour award. I liked it, but it's not all that humorous, unless we're supposed to be laughing at the protagonist, who's quite pompous and able to blame others for his misfortunes. These character faults enable him to kill several people. I have marked this fact as a spoiler, but I discovered he's described as a murderer in the blurb on the back cover, so maybe it isn't. Philip Fleming is a classical British actor, who has never really made a name for himself. The book gives a good feel for the British theatre scene, although it's a kind of negative, back-biting view. It is the first in a series, so I don't know if Philip continues to kill people or not!

[Nadine Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely funny novel, if you dont take it too seriously. It is about a middle aged actor who has so far just made a living, and how he manages to "make it big". But his fist step into becoming more successful is - commtting murder.