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Augusta McKee #1
The Case of the Slain Soprano
Cincinnati, 1963: One-time opera singer Augusta McKee, professor of music on two college campuses, is successfully navigating her busy life in stiletto-shod feet—until she comes up against a shocking road block. Halfway through rehearsals for a production of "The Pirates of Penzance," Augusta receives the awful news that her leading lady has been murdered. But “the show must go on,” and while forging ahead to make that happen, Augusta stumbles upon pertinent information which could lead to the identity of the perpetrator. First, though, Augusta must convince Homicide Detective Malcolm Mitchell that what she has uncovered can help him solve the case. While the strong-willed diva and the dashing detective clash at their first meeting, their dissonant chord becomes harmonious when Augusta and Malcolm continue to cross paths and discover a shared passion for opera … and a strong desire to catch the killer.
A murder mystery, "The Case of the Slain Soprano" is a departure for Susan Moore Jordan, whose previous historical novels follow characters as they deal with physical, mental, and emotional life challenges with the help of music. Jordan, a singer, teacher, and former musical theater director, has written about her adventures in “More Fog, Please”: 31 Years Directing Community and High School Musicals. She resides in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
A murder mystery, "The Case of the Slain Soprano" is a departure for Susan Moore Jordan, whose previous historical novels follow characters as they deal with physical, mental, and emotional life challenges with the help of music. Jordan, a singer, teacher, and former musical theater director, has written about her adventures in “More Fog, Please”: 31 Years Directing Community and High School Musicals. She resides in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
- GenresHistorical Mystery
262 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2018
About the author
Susan Moore Jordan
21 books46 followersAfter a lifetime as a musician--performer, teacher, musical theater director--Susan Moore Jordan wrote and published her first novel in 2013 at the age of seventy-five, and she hasn't stopped since.
Her first novel, How I Grew Up, was released in 2013. Two additional novels followed: Eli's Heart in 2014 and You Are My Song in 2015, completing "The Carousel Trilogy." A fourth novel, Jamie's Children, was released in July, 2016.
Memories of Jake, the first book in "The Cameron Saga," was followed by Man with No Yesterdays. Set in the Vietnam War era, the books follow the impact of military service and its aftermath on two brothers. In April, 2020, Man with No Yesterdays was named a Finalist in the 2019 Wishing Shelf Book Awards; and in September, 2020, the book was named a Semi-Finalist in The Kindle Book Awards.
In May, 2018, Susan Jordan added the genre "cozy mystery" to her novels when she released The Case of the Slain Soprano. In November of 2018 the second book in the "Augusta McKee Mysteries" was released: The Case of the Disappearing Director. More books followed: The Case of the Toxic Tenor, The Case of the Purloined Professor. The Case of the Chrysanthemum Murders, The Case of The Unearthed Evidence, The Case of the 'Carousel' Killer, The Case of the Bogus Beatle, amd in 2023, The Case of the Casanova Cantor. Both The Case of the Slain Soprano and The Case of the Disappearing Director were named Finalists in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards in 2018 and 2019. The Case of the Slain Soprano was also a Semi-Finalist in the 2019 Kindle Book Awards.
Jordan attended the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and moved to the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania in 1971 with her husband and three children.
Beginning in 1984, Jordan directed some eighty local community and high school musical theater productions. She retired from directing in 2015 after over thirty years and wrote about her adventures in "More Fog, Please": Thirty-One Years Directing Community and High School Musicals, released in November, 2015.
All of her books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. Paperback copies of Jordan's books can be purchased locally at the Pocono Cinema and Community Center in East Stroudsburg whenever the theater is open.
All of Jordan's books are "music-centric" (in the words of one reviewer), and readers comment on the strength of the element of music included in her work. Jordan sees writing as another way to share the music she loves, which she considers "the most powerful force in the universe."
Articles by Susan Moore Jordan have appeared in Musical America and The Guardian, and on August 2, 2019, she appeared on Hour Three of "The Today Show" as a Super Senior.
For more information, please visit her website at www.susanmoorejordan.com and her Amazon author page at http://ow.ly/XCjYX
Her first novel, How I Grew Up, was released in 2013. Two additional novels followed: Eli's Heart in 2014 and You Are My Song in 2015, completing "The Carousel Trilogy." A fourth novel, Jamie's Children, was released in July, 2016.
Memories of Jake, the first book in "The Cameron Saga," was followed by Man with No Yesterdays. Set in the Vietnam War era, the books follow the impact of military service and its aftermath on two brothers. In April, 2020, Man with No Yesterdays was named a Finalist in the 2019 Wishing Shelf Book Awards; and in September, 2020, the book was named a Semi-Finalist in The Kindle Book Awards.
In May, 2018, Susan Jordan added the genre "cozy mystery" to her novels when she released The Case of the Slain Soprano. In November of 2018 the second book in the "Augusta McKee Mysteries" was released: The Case of the Disappearing Director. More books followed: The Case of the Toxic Tenor, The Case of the Purloined Professor. The Case of the Chrysanthemum Murders, The Case of The Unearthed Evidence, The Case of the 'Carousel' Killer, The Case of the Bogus Beatle, amd in 2023, The Case of the Casanova Cantor. Both The Case of the Slain Soprano and The Case of the Disappearing Director were named Finalists in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards in 2018 and 2019. The Case of the Slain Soprano was also a Semi-Finalist in the 2019 Kindle Book Awards.
Jordan attended the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and moved to the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania in 1971 with her husband and three children.
Beginning in 1984, Jordan directed some eighty local community and high school musical theater productions. She retired from directing in 2015 after over thirty years and wrote about her adventures in "More Fog, Please": Thirty-One Years Directing Community and High School Musicals, released in November, 2015.
All of her books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. Paperback copies of Jordan's books can be purchased locally at the Pocono Cinema and Community Center in East Stroudsburg whenever the theater is open.
All of Jordan's books are "music-centric" (in the words of one reviewer), and readers comment on the strength of the element of music included in her work. Jordan sees writing as another way to share the music she loves, which she considers "the most powerful force in the universe."
Articles by Susan Moore Jordan have appeared in Musical America and The Guardian, and on August 2, 2019, she appeared on Hour Three of "The Today Show" as a Super Senior.
For more information, please visit her website at www.susanmoorejordan.com and her Amazon author page at http://ow.ly/XCjYX
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 12, 2019
Not only did I like this well-written mystery, but I very much enjoyed the author’s knowledge of music and her love for the city of Cincinnati. Miss Jordan’s descriptions of what it takes to put on a musical production, all the while taking us closer to the murderer, kept me immersed in the story from beginning to end. I came away from the book with an education in musical theater. Also, there’s the budding romance between Professor McKee and Detective Mitchell. Who doesn’t like a mystery wrapped in a romance? Can’t wait to dive into The Case of the Disappearing Director.
July 4, 2018
A great start to a new series
I greatly enjoyed Susan Moore Jordan's newest story as she ventures out into cozy mysteries. Great characters, an interesting story, and an inside look behind the scenes at putting together a stage production.
I greatly enjoyed Susan Moore Jordan's newest story as she ventures out into cozy mysteries. Great characters, an interesting story, and an inside look behind the scenes at putting together a stage production.
June 10, 2018
I've been a fan of Ms. Jordan's work for years now. When I heard her next novel would be a murder mystery, my interest was surely piqued! And I was not disappointed. This adventure is a rollicking good time full of twists and turns, the occasional red herring, and lots of intriguing characters, but also a good dose of Ms. Jordan's trademark musical flare. Two thumbs up!
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April 2, 2019
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: THE CASE OF THE SLAIN SOPRANO
Author: Susan Moore Jordan
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
16 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
16 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
11 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
16 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A superbly plotted drama. I loved the central premise and also the chemistry between the two central characters.’ Female reader, aged 39
‘There are a lots of twists in this tale of mystery and murder. McKee is a strong character; I hope to see her in more books.’ Female reader, aged 58
‘I love a cleverly plotted book. This IS a cleverly plotted book.’ Male reader, aged 29
‘Excellent! The suspense is there from the first page. And a lovely, sweet romance. Chemistry galore!’ Female reader, aged 54
‘A very enjoyable read.’ Feale reader, aged 44
To Sum It Up:
‘A fascinating mystery populated by memorable characters. A finalist and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: THE CASE OF THE SLAIN SOPRANO
Author: Susan Moore Jordan
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
16 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
16 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
11 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
16 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A superbly plotted drama. I loved the central premise and also the chemistry between the two central characters.’ Female reader, aged 39
‘There are a lots of twists in this tale of mystery and murder. McKee is a strong character; I hope to see her in more books.’ Female reader, aged 58
‘I love a cleverly plotted book. This IS a cleverly plotted book.’ Male reader, aged 29
‘Excellent! The suspense is there from the first page. And a lovely, sweet romance. Chemistry galore!’ Female reader, aged 54
‘A very enjoyable read.’ Feale reader, aged 44
To Sum It Up:
‘A fascinating mystery populated by memorable characters. A finalist and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
November 27, 2018
It’s 1963. Former opera singer and now a professor of music, Augusta McGee finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Not only has one of her students been murdered, but now she’s short one leading lady for the school’s annual musical. However, Augusta, a strong force to be reckoned with, isn’t the type to take bad news lying down. Instead, she decides to do a bit of snooping on her own, especially when her red stilettos and sassy wit cross paths with the hunky, smart homicide detective, Malcolm Mitchell. Sparks sure do fly!
Straight to the point, this cozy murder mystery has all the right stuff. Intrigue, plot, mystery, and tension. Moore has once again created a host of fascinating characters while concurrently giving the reader an inside peek into the multifaceted world of music and theater. There’s just enough levity, fast-paced action and sweet romance to keep one fastened to their seat turning pages, eager for more. Standing ovation. Brava! Brava!
Straight to the point, this cozy murder mystery has all the right stuff. Intrigue, plot, mystery, and tension. Moore has once again created a host of fascinating characters while concurrently giving the reader an inside peek into the multifaceted world of music and theater. There’s just enough levity, fast-paced action and sweet romance to keep one fastened to their seat turning pages, eager for more. Standing ovation. Brava! Brava!
October 28, 2023
Different from what I usually lean towards with the play production, but had the mystery element to it who was behind a murder. Glad I got to meet Susan Moore Jordan in person and dived into her world. The way to get to learn about an individual is to read the stories they craft as there are always seeds of themselves in their character, in this case Augusta. I can tell it's thoroughly researched and captured an era I was not fortunate enough to experience.
July 15, 2020
Fun quick mystery read. Perfect for music lovers!
April 18, 2022
Different but so enjoyable
Found this first in the series quite enjoyable. Look forward to book 2 to see where Augusta gord from here.
Found this first in the series quite enjoyable. Look forward to book 2 to see where Augusta gord from here.
December 30, 2022
Easy to read mystery mixed with local charm and musical background. The characters are interesting and multifaceted. The plot was engaging.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews