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Movie Palace Mystery #1
Murder at the Palace
Welcome to the Palace movie theater! Now Showing: Philandering husbands, ghostly sidekicks, and a murder or two.
When Nora Paige's movie-star husband leaves her for his latest co-star, she flees Hollywood to take refuge in San Francisco at the Palace, a historic movie theater that shows the classic films she loves. There she finds a band of misfit film buffs who care about movies (almost) as much as she does.
She also finds some shady financial dealings and the body of a murdered stranger.
Oh, and then there's Trixie, the lively ghost of a 1930's usherette who appears only to Nora and has a lot to catch up on. With the help of her new ghostly friend, can Nora catch the killer before there's another murder at the Palace?
When Nora Paige's movie-star husband leaves her for his latest co-star, she flees Hollywood to take refuge in San Francisco at the Palace, a historic movie theater that shows the classic films she loves. There she finds a band of misfit film buffs who care about movies (almost) as much as she does.
She also finds some shady financial dealings and the body of a murdered stranger.
Oh, and then there's Trixie, the lively ghost of a 1930's usherette who appears only to Nora and has a lot to catch up on. With the help of her new ghostly friend, can Nora catch the killer before there's another murder at the Palace?
250 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2019
128 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
January 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was a well-written mystery that classic movie buffs will really appreciate. I didn't guess whodunnit right away, although I had my suspicions. I hope to continue reading this series.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
July 14, 2019
What a delightful time I had reading Margaret Dumas’ Murder at the Palace (Movie Palace Mystery #1)! The Palace Theater located in San Francisco is somewhat rundown ‘grand’ theater built in the 1930s with an extremely devoted staff, but the manager died rather suddenly, and Nora Paige needed to escape LA. Nora’s close friend is one of the owners of The Palace, and she suggests to Nora that she should become the new manager. Nora accepts as she is desperate to exit LA, and Robbie, friend and owner, offers Nora her guest house for a place to stay. Thus, Nora is off to SF and The Palace. One thing to understand about The Palace is it only shows ‘classic films’. Think Turner Classic Movies in a ‘grand’ theater! Personally, I think it is a superb idea! As Nora gets to know the staff: a ninety year old Albert Lockhart who first saw a movie at The Palace when he was a boy, a young projectionist- Marty Abrams who plays the curmudgeon role very well, Callie, a college-aged young woman whose hand appears to be attached to her phone, who ‘runs’ the ticket booth, and Brandon Dunbar who is handling the concession stand when suddenly following a ‘metallic screeching sound’ followed by a yell from Brandon that the ice machine is broken again. Luckily there is an old old ice machine in the basement. Nora offers to get some ice, but, oh, what she finds when she opens the ice machine! And Trixie , I do not want to forget Trixie. I believe that you will really like her!! The classic movies shown at The Palace are the best. It is October which leads to Halloween, and the pictures are chosen with this holiday in mind. First up: Blithe Spirit (1945) a play & then a movie by Noel Coward.
PS: Please do not miss the blog ‘Movies My Friends Should Watch’ by Sally Lee. Priceless! 5 stars.
PS: Please do not miss the blog ‘Movies My Friends Should Watch’ by Sally Lee. Priceless! 5 stars.
June 12, 2019
When Nora Paige’s movie star husband is caught having an affair with a co-star, she decides it is time to start over. Fortunately, Nora’s friend Robbie needs someone to manage the Palace Theater up in San Francisco. However, Nora’s first day doesn’t go as planned. She’s barely met the staff when she finds a dead body in the backup ice maker in the basement. Naturally, she doesn’t recognize the victim, but none of the staff know who he is either. Could his murder be tied to the death of the previous manager? And, if that shock weren’t enough, Nora starts to see a hallucination that just might be the ghost of an usherette named Trixie from the 1930’s. Is Nora going crazy? Can she figure out what is going on?
Since I rarely do paranormal cozies, I almost skipped this book, but I was so drawn to the classic movies theme that I had to give it a try. I’m very glad I did because it was fun. While we find the body early on, the set up, including introducing Trixie to the mix, does slow thing down at the beginning, but there is a strong mystery for Nora to solve. Nora, Trixie, and the rest of the cast are a hoot, and I can’t wait to hang out with all of them again. And there is plenty of talk about old movies. While I haven’t seen many of the movies mentioned yet, the discussion certainly made me want to fix that. I’m already buying my ticket for the next entry in this series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Since I rarely do paranormal cozies, I almost skipped this book, but I was so drawn to the classic movies theme that I had to give it a try. I’m very glad I did because it was fun. While we find the body early on, the set up, including introducing Trixie to the mix, does slow thing down at the beginning, but there is a strong mystery for Nora to solve. Nora, Trixie, and the rest of the cast are a hoot, and I can’t wait to hang out with all of them again. And there is plenty of talk about old movies. While I haven’t seen many of the movies mentioned yet, the discussion certainly made me want to fix that. I’m already buying my ticket for the next entry in this series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 26, 2018
I am very cool with mindless fluff. But it has to be GOOD mindless fluff. This isn't that.
In a better writer's hands (I think of Jennifer Crusie, one of the best chick lit authors out there) the characters would have had snap and wit. The premise--the put upon wife of a superstar actor tries to start over at a lovely old theater that shows old movies, and gets entangled in a real life mystery--has lots of potential. But Dumas isn't a very good writer, and things just don't gel.
Then there's the movie element. She gigglingly warns about "spoilers" at the beginning of the book, but tons of people who will read this are not Turner Classic devotees, and giving away plots isn't going to help that, and the way every reference to a film has to have the film date and its stars noted in parentheses is both condescending and annoying. Oh, and the book connects to a blog that is supposedly written by one "Sallie Lee."
SPOILER
"Sallie Lee" is really the nom de guerre of the lead character in this book, so, in other words, it's the author's own blog.
Go and read "Sallie Lee"'s blogposts, and you'll get an idea of the writing in this book.
If it floats your boat, good on you. But I'd rather watch Cary Grant than read Dumas going on about him. Then again, watching Cary Grant is pretty high on my list of great things to do.
This book isn't.
In a better writer's hands (I think of Jennifer Crusie, one of the best chick lit authors out there) the characters would have had snap and wit. The premise--the put upon wife of a superstar actor tries to start over at a lovely old theater that shows old movies, and gets entangled in a real life mystery--has lots of potential. But Dumas isn't a very good writer, and things just don't gel.
Then there's the movie element. She gigglingly warns about "spoilers" at the beginning of the book, but tons of people who will read this are not Turner Classic devotees, and giving away plots isn't going to help that, and the way every reference to a film has to have the film date and its stars noted in parentheses is both condescending and annoying. Oh, and the book connects to a blog that is supposedly written by one "Sallie Lee."
SPOILER
"Sallie Lee" is really the nom de guerre of the lead character in this book, so, in other words, it's the author's own blog.
Go and read "Sallie Lee"'s blogposts, and you'll get an idea of the writing in this book.
If it floats your boat, good on you. But I'd rather watch Cary Grant than read Dumas going on about him. Then again, watching Cary Grant is pretty high on my list of great things to do.
This book isn't.
January 9, 2019
Murder at the Palace by Margaret Dumas was an intriguing mystery by a "new to me" author.
Nora Paige comes to San Francisco from Hollywood to hide out from the paparazzi after her movie-star husband leaves her for his current co-star. She takes over the management of the Palace movie theater for her best friend, Ronni. I liked Nora and found her to be smart, curious and intuitive. The staff at the Palace are quirky individuals who all seem to fit in this historic movie theater.
A smoothly paced plot, possibly more than one murder, Columbian money men, a legal marijuana shop nearby and the big question - where do you hide $7 million dollars led me down a twisted path until the reveal. I enjoyed reading the story; but I do have one small thing that bothered me while reading. Whenever Ms. Dumas named a classic film, the title of the film was always followed, in parenthesis, by the year the film was made and the principal cast members. I found this to be distracting. I would rather see this type of information in a list at the beginning of the book rather than it breaking up the story. All in all, a complex mystery with some great characters.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Henery Press via Edelweiss. All of the above opinions are my own.
Nora Paige comes to San Francisco from Hollywood to hide out from the paparazzi after her movie-star husband leaves her for his current co-star. She takes over the management of the Palace movie theater for her best friend, Ronni. I liked Nora and found her to be smart, curious and intuitive. The staff at the Palace are quirky individuals who all seem to fit in this historic movie theater.
A smoothly paced plot, possibly more than one murder, Columbian money men, a legal marijuana shop nearby and the big question - where do you hide $7 million dollars led me down a twisted path until the reveal. I enjoyed reading the story; but I do have one small thing that bothered me while reading. Whenever Ms. Dumas named a classic film, the title of the film was always followed, in parenthesis, by the year the film was made and the principal cast members. I found this to be distracting. I would rather see this type of information in a list at the beginning of the book rather than it breaking up the story. All in all, a complex mystery with some great characters.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Henery Press via Edelweiss. All of the above opinions are my own.
June 28, 2019
Un bon 4,5!
J’ai beaucoup beaucoup aimé ! Un cosy très sympathique (mais pas dénué de défaut, on passe vite sur certains aspects) qui se déguste !
Une belle brochette de personnages aussi 😊 Et la découverte des vieux films 😍
Je lirai la suite sans soucis.
J’ai beaucoup beaucoup aimé ! Un cosy très sympathique (mais pas dénué de défaut, on passe vite sur certains aspects) qui se déguste !
Une belle brochette de personnages aussi 😊 Et la découverte des vieux films 😍
Je lirai la suite sans soucis.
October 3, 2019
Really enjoyed this one! I thought it was a great mystery, and I liked the characters - main, supporting, and ghostly, too. I've always enjoyed classic movies so I enjoyed the movie references, both the references that reminded me of films I've seen as well as those for ones I haven't but now want to. Looking forward to the second in the series that released recently.
October 16, 2019
What a fun and yet convoluted start to a new series :D, the only thing that grated a bit for me was the sudden inclusion of bits of classic film information that broke up the action a bit too much.
Nora has taken her best friends advice and headed away from Hollywood and the paparazzi following her due to her husband's well publicized affair, she has taken the vacant job of manager at the Palace movie theatre, a place that doesn't show the latest blockbusters but rather the classic films that stand the test of time. There is a mixed bag of staff who all seem to work there not only for the money but also because they, like Nora, enjoy these classic films. The Palace though is somewhat rundown and it is due to the breaking of a piece of equipment that means Nora finds a man on ice, literally! in the secondary ice maker there is a very dead body, and if that wasn't enough of a shock a couple of days later she gets hit on the head by a light fitting .... and now she can see the ghost of an usherette who was killed back in the 1930's.
The do say that trouble comes in threes - Nora is beginning to think that is an underestimate when she finds oddities in the accounting, a local shop owner is attacked and she herself seems to be being stalked by a couple of men. Now Nora, with some help from the ghostly Trixie and the rest of the (very small number of) staff need to figure out what is happening, who killed the man on ice and try to save the theatre at the same time!
Nora has taken her best friends advice and headed away from Hollywood and the paparazzi following her due to her husband's well publicized affair, she has taken the vacant job of manager at the Palace movie theatre, a place that doesn't show the latest blockbusters but rather the classic films that stand the test of time. There is a mixed bag of staff who all seem to work there not only for the money but also because they, like Nora, enjoy these classic films. The Palace though is somewhat rundown and it is due to the breaking of a piece of equipment that means Nora finds a man on ice, literally! in the secondary ice maker there is a very dead body, and if that wasn't enough of a shock a couple of days later she gets hit on the head by a light fitting .... and now she can see the ghost of an usherette who was killed back in the 1930's.
The do say that trouble comes in threes - Nora is beginning to think that is an underestimate when she finds oddities in the accounting, a local shop owner is attacked and she herself seems to be being stalked by a couple of men. Now Nora, with some help from the ghostly Trixie and the rest of the (very small number of) staff need to figure out what is happening, who killed the man on ice and try to save the theatre at the same time!
November 11, 2019
This book was recommended to me by one of the members of my local library's Mystery Book club.
Nora Paige has moved to San Francisco after her movie-star husband's affair with a co-star goes public. Left to lick her wounds in the celebrity-obsessed media's wake, a friend's offer of her guest house is the perfect respite from the storm.
The house comes with a job offer as well. The friend co-owns a movie theater that specializes in showing classic films. The place needs a new manager after the death of the previous message.
The Palace Theater seems like a great temporary way point as Nora figures out her next life move. But things don't quite go as she'd like on her first day. Her staff is still shocked from the death of the previous manager. Their response to Nora ranges from saddened acceptance to outright hostility. None of the matters though once Nora stumbles onto a dead body in the basement.
And did I mention that the theater has a ghost, one that Nora is shocked to realize she can see.
In Murder At The Palace, Margaret Dumas does quite a wonderful job at introducing Nora Paige and the rest of the supporting cast. I couldn't help immediately being drawn in to each of the characters, with all their foibles intact.
Being a fan of classic movies will definitely help with the film references, but a lack of specific knowledge won't hamper the enjoyment of the book. The plot spins through suspects and potential reasons for the dead man in the basement. But as Nora pokes around she uncovers a whole heck of a lot more and the story takes on even more of an import.
I will say that I normally tend to avoid mysteries in the cozy genre that revolve around anything remotely supernatural but with the Palace Theater ghost, I have to say that I found the character a really engaging addition to the story. In a less skilled hand, it may have come off as too hokey to be enjoyable but I'm actually looking forward to more books in the series at least in part to see how Dumas develops the character.
I was a bit less enamored with a couple of things with the story construction though. Whenever a film was referenced, the name of the film and it's year of release tended to take me out of the story. I like to be drawn into a story and stay within that world and this particular device kept taking me out of the plot. And there are entries from a movie blog that did nothing for me. I know it's part of the story but they really didn't gel much at all until a late in the book reveal which made it slightly more interesting but still something I could do without.
In summation, my fellow club member's recommendation of this book is now being echoed by me. Murder at the Palace is a fine start to what I think is going to be a vastly entertaining series and any time that I can add a new author to my Must Read List, that is a good thing.
Nora Paige has moved to San Francisco after her movie-star husband's affair with a co-star goes public. Left to lick her wounds in the celebrity-obsessed media's wake, a friend's offer of her guest house is the perfect respite from the storm.
The house comes with a job offer as well. The friend co-owns a movie theater that specializes in showing classic films. The place needs a new manager after the death of the previous message.
The Palace Theater seems like a great temporary way point as Nora figures out her next life move. But things don't quite go as she'd like on her first day. Her staff is still shocked from the death of the previous manager. Their response to Nora ranges from saddened acceptance to outright hostility. None of the matters though once Nora stumbles onto a dead body in the basement.
And did I mention that the theater has a ghost, one that Nora is shocked to realize she can see.
In Murder At The Palace, Margaret Dumas does quite a wonderful job at introducing Nora Paige and the rest of the supporting cast. I couldn't help immediately being drawn in to each of the characters, with all their foibles intact.
Being a fan of classic movies will definitely help with the film references, but a lack of specific knowledge won't hamper the enjoyment of the book. The plot spins through suspects and potential reasons for the dead man in the basement. But as Nora pokes around she uncovers a whole heck of a lot more and the story takes on even more of an import.
I will say that I normally tend to avoid mysteries in the cozy genre that revolve around anything remotely supernatural but with the Palace Theater ghost, I have to say that I found the character a really engaging addition to the story. In a less skilled hand, it may have come off as too hokey to be enjoyable but I'm actually looking forward to more books in the series at least in part to see how Dumas develops the character.
I was a bit less enamored with a couple of things with the story construction though. Whenever a film was referenced, the name of the film and it's year of release tended to take me out of the story. I like to be drawn into a story and stay within that world and this particular device kept taking me out of the plot. And there are entries from a movie blog that did nothing for me. I know it's part of the story but they really didn't gel much at all until a late in the book reveal which made it slightly more interesting but still something I could do without.
In summation, my fellow club member's recommendation of this book is now being echoed by me. Murder at the Palace is a fine start to what I think is going to be a vastly entertaining series and any time that I can add a new author to my Must Read List, that is a good thing.
February 7, 2019
“Murder at the Palace” Earns 5/5 Classic Films…Clever and Totally Engaging!
Day 1—Nora is introduced to the vintage Palace Theater as its new manager, but notices it needs some TLC…there goes the ice machine! Down in the basement, set to haul up ice from the back-up machine, she finds a body…frozen…dead! Authorities suggest the body had been dead for about two weeks…right around the same time Kate Winslow, the previous manager, had her deadly “accident.” In the light of this dead body, the circumstances surrounding Kate’s death become curious, if not downright suspicious. And then there's the rumors of hauntings? The Palace was even the subject of one of those ghost-hunting reality shows, but other than some flickering lights and cold spots in the balcony, nothing was caught on film. Nora doesn't believe in ghosts, of course, but when she suffers a concussion after falling off a ladder, she sees…Trixie?
I always enjoy a little paranormal in my cozy, and this first-in-a-series is just what I wanted…it all works brilliantly! Margaret Dumas has penned an excellent cozy with more than one mystery to explore with secrets, surprises, classic film references, wonderful quirky characters, and a ghost! Everything…everything was fascinating from the movie references linked to the plot, highlights of San Francisco, pasts coming back to haunt, and each character having the strength to let another person in. It was a page-turner extraordinaire with a well-written first-person narrative sharing Nora’s inner thoughts, vivid descriptions to fill the senses, and entertaining banter that illustrated personality and emotion. Nora is an injured soul, who isn't, but she may just have found the right place to shine and find her strength. I loved it! Ooooh, is that a cliffhanger prefacing a book two?
I also love the bonus that many authors incorporate in to the story: tips, ideas, or extra information on a particular subject or the theme of their series. With Margaret’s focus on an old theater and classic films, she includes facts to provide a connection to the drama or educate the reader. In the Author’s Notes at the beginning of the book, Margaret does alert readers to some spoilers when discussing some old films. Every few chapters or so, she includes a blog-like post written by a mysterious character. “Movies My Friends Should Watch by Sally Lee” focuses on a specific film by giving facts, plot details, and insights. Don't skip those parts, they are fascinating!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from Edelweiss+. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
Day 1—Nora is introduced to the vintage Palace Theater as its new manager, but notices it needs some TLC…there goes the ice machine! Down in the basement, set to haul up ice from the back-up machine, she finds a body…frozen…dead! Authorities suggest the body had been dead for about two weeks…right around the same time Kate Winslow, the previous manager, had her deadly “accident.” In the light of this dead body, the circumstances surrounding Kate’s death become curious, if not downright suspicious. And then there's the rumors of hauntings? The Palace was even the subject of one of those ghost-hunting reality shows, but other than some flickering lights and cold spots in the balcony, nothing was caught on film. Nora doesn't believe in ghosts, of course, but when she suffers a concussion after falling off a ladder, she sees…Trixie?
I always enjoy a little paranormal in my cozy, and this first-in-a-series is just what I wanted…it all works brilliantly! Margaret Dumas has penned an excellent cozy with more than one mystery to explore with secrets, surprises, classic film references, wonderful quirky characters, and a ghost! Everything…everything was fascinating from the movie references linked to the plot, highlights of San Francisco, pasts coming back to haunt, and each character having the strength to let another person in. It was a page-turner extraordinaire with a well-written first-person narrative sharing Nora’s inner thoughts, vivid descriptions to fill the senses, and entertaining banter that illustrated personality and emotion. Nora is an injured soul, who isn't, but she may just have found the right place to shine and find her strength. I loved it! Ooooh, is that a cliffhanger prefacing a book two?
I also love the bonus that many authors incorporate in to the story: tips, ideas, or extra information on a particular subject or the theme of their series. With Margaret’s focus on an old theater and classic films, she includes facts to provide a connection to the drama or educate the reader. In the Author’s Notes at the beginning of the book, Margaret does alert readers to some spoilers when discussing some old films. Every few chapters or so, she includes a blog-like post written by a mysterious character. “Movies My Friends Should Watch by Sally Lee” focuses on a specific film by giving facts, plot details, and insights. Don't skip those parts, they are fascinating!
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from Edelweiss+. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
April 9, 2019
First thing I have to say is WOW! I love this book. The writer sure knew her stuff when it came to old movies. I resonated with this title because I used to work at a movie theater when I was a kid in the 80's. Our theater could only show two movies at a time, though.
When this book started out everything happened so fast. The first dead body was discovered two weeks before the main character set foot in the theater. Then, minutes after arriving, Nora stumbled over body number two. (That is just a figure of speech since you can't literally stumble over a body shoved in an ice machine.) because of this fast happening plot movement I wondered what was in store for the rest of the book. I didn't want the plot to burn out by chapter two.
I know one thing for certain, Henery Press has a catalogue of amazing authors. And they wouldn't let me down. They never had before. So I pulled up my boot straps, pushed the reservations aside and dove head first into the book. I am so glad I did. This is one of the best books I have read all year!
I am not going to give anything away about the plot but I did figure out what the McGuffin was early on. I am not sure many would so I don't want to spoil the whodunit fun. A McGuffin is a plot device in a movie which is a specific thing people keep searching for like the statue in the Maltese Falcon. There is an item like that in this story where the characters don't actually know what it is but know they need to find it.
This whole book was top notch. I about missed leaving for work onetime since I wanted to finish reading the last pages. I hope that ending is a foreshadowing of more antics in the Palace Theater is coming soon. That would be even more awesome.
Check this one out cozy mystery fans. You will love it.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank Edelweiss, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
When this book started out everything happened so fast. The first dead body was discovered two weeks before the main character set foot in the theater. Then, minutes after arriving, Nora stumbled over body number two. (That is just a figure of speech since you can't literally stumble over a body shoved in an ice machine.) because of this fast happening plot movement I wondered what was in store for the rest of the book. I didn't want the plot to burn out by chapter two.
I know one thing for certain, Henery Press has a catalogue of amazing authors. And they wouldn't let me down. They never had before. So I pulled up my boot straps, pushed the reservations aside and dove head first into the book. I am so glad I did. This is one of the best books I have read all year!
I am not going to give anything away about the plot but I did figure out what the McGuffin was early on. I am not sure many would so I don't want to spoil the whodunit fun. A McGuffin is a plot device in a movie which is a specific thing people keep searching for like the statue in the Maltese Falcon. There is an item like that in this story where the characters don't actually know what it is but know they need to find it.
This whole book was top notch. I about missed leaving for work onetime since I wanted to finish reading the last pages. I hope that ending is a foreshadowing of more antics in the Palace Theater is coming soon. That would be even more awesome.
Check this one out cozy mystery fans. You will love it.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank Edelweiss, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
November 12, 2020
I enjoyed this one. Recommended for fans of old/classic movies.
Nora Paige is undergoing a very public divorce. Her husband was apparently a major movie star having a very public affair with a young woman, thus tossing aside his wife, a late 30-something, who apparently doubled as a manager. She receives many texts from Ted begging her to come back and straighten this or that out. But a friend is an investor in a classic movie theater in San Francisco, and the manager recently died suspiciously. Robbie offers Nora a place to go and something to do when she got there, be the new manager.
At least one person thinks that the last manager, Kate, was murdered. More credence is lent to this theory when they discover a body in the ice machine. It looks as though Raul may have been in the machine since about the time Kate fell off a hill in a park.
I may have started this is in July but I read most of it today. Forgot all about dinner. There is a ghost in the Palace Theater, possibly two. We only meet one in this book - Trixie. She had been head usherette in 1937 when she was knocked out of the balcony during Random Harvest.
For the most part the author got the movies right. But I was really irritated that she didn't have actress Irene Dunne's name right - no e in Dunne - in a discussion of The Awful Truth.
I'll read the next book.
Nora Paige is undergoing a very public divorce. Her husband was apparently a major movie star having a very public affair with a young woman, thus tossing aside his wife, a late 30-something, who apparently doubled as a manager. She receives many texts from Ted begging her to come back and straighten this or that out. But a friend is an investor in a classic movie theater in San Francisco, and the manager recently died suspiciously. Robbie offers Nora a place to go and something to do when she got there, be the new manager.
At least one person thinks that the last manager, Kate, was murdered. More credence is lent to this theory when they discover a body in the ice machine. It looks as though Raul may have been in the machine since about the time Kate fell off a hill in a park.
I may have started this is in July but I read most of it today. Forgot all about dinner. There is a ghost in the Palace Theater, possibly two. We only meet one in this book - Trixie. She had been head usherette in 1937 when she was knocked out of the balcony during Random Harvest.
For the most part the author got the movies right. But I was really irritated that she didn't have actress Irene Dunne's name right - no e in Dunne - in a discussion of The Awful Truth.
I'll read the next book.
November 26, 2018
First off, I'm going to state that I am a huge classic film fan. There isn't one I haven't seen, I own thousands of them myself, hundreds of biographies of actors from silent film right through the Golden Age of Hollywood (including those on directors, producers, studios and genres). I don't even watch newer films (aside from Christmas TV flicks) and haven't been to the theater in years. They just don't compare in either quality nor acting. (Oh, to have another Humphrey Bogart!) In fact, when I first read the list that Kate had left behind - Win, M, Lace, Sorry, Gas - I knew exactly what it was and its meaning. Therefore, I was able to piece everything together easily.
Having said that (as a heads up, of course) I was excited to read this book. Anyone who's a classic film buff would feel the same as I do, if only to read the many references strewn about. And trust me, there are many.
When Nora Paige's marriage implodes she finds herself at a loss. What is the ex-wife of a famous actor to do, when her life has been centered on her husband? As his unpaid manager and I-know-where-everything-is-and-what-to-do-about-that person, she's at odds and ends and feeling pretty sorry for herself. Luckily, she has a best friend who knows exactly what to do: She installs Nora as manager of her San Francisco classic movie theater, whose last manager, Kate, was killed in a tragic accident.
But while Nora is willing to take over, and most of the employees are fine with having her, the projectionist isn't. Marty is a big guy who thinks he should have been manager, that because he loves the theater and knows more than anyone about classic film, he was the logical choice. What Marty doesn't know is that Kate probably has a greater knowledge than him, and she's not letting on, which keeps him at arm's length.
But when Nora goes to get ice in the basement since their upstairs ice maker isn't working, she comes across something frozen that doesn't belong there: a body of a man. When it appears that he died around the same time as Kate, Nora gets as suspicious as Marty that Kate's death might not have been an accident. The dead man is identified as Raul Acosta, but his connection to Kate isn't apparent. It's also apparent - at least to Nora and Marty - that this was no accident. Then there actually is an accident - Nora, trying to fix a light fixture, gets hit by it instead and blacks out. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it) when she wakens, not only is she surrounded by employees, but by one she's never seen - a young woman in an usher's costume.
When the woman tells Nora her name is Trixie and that she's a ghost, Nora resists until she's given evidence that she can't refute, even if she still doesn't want to believe it. Then a man shows up insisting that he was working on a film festival with Kate, Nora needs to figure out if he's telling the truth; Raul's brother shows up telling her he wants to find out who killed Raul, Kate's best friend Monica is definitely mysterious, and Nora is feeling overwhelmed.
But it's not long before being overwhelmed takes second place to feeling threatened, and Nora finds herself smack into the middle of a modern day real life murder mystery...and doesn't know if she'll survive long enough to figure it out. If she doesn't get things right, and soon, she might be the next accident just waiting to happen...
I have to tell you that I absolutely loved this book. I will also tell you - for those who aren't movie buffs - that there are a lot of film references, so you may find yourself heading to the nearest computer to look everything up (I do suggest watching the films, though; you'll enjoy yourself immensely and see what real films are).
The mystery is tight and the writing done well, the story line is plausible and the characters likable. Marty was a hoot; even though he's anti-social, he loves the old theater and everything that comes with it, and you can tell that even though he's not happy he wasn't chosen manager, he's beginning to like Nora.
Nora is a solid character, and her personal insecurities make her a real person. While I think (and hope) she'll grow a real backbone, she manages to keep her own within the story line, and that's important. I do like Trixie; she gives just enough paranormal without going over the top, and seems a little unsure of herself every now and then. The other characters fall into place exactly where they're supposed to, and the enigmatic Hector Acosta is quite an intriguing character who has more facets than a diamond. I look forward to seeing more of him in future books.
There were plenty of red herrings in the story and it even seemed like a scavenger hunt at times, which made for part of the fun of it. Weaving classic film plots with the search for the reason for Kate and Raul's death seemed not only natural, it was delightful to follow and made me almost wish I was right along with the rest of them, offering up my opinions on what everyone was looking for.
The only thing I didn't understand is why Nora didn't share with Marty the fact that she knew so much about classic film. If she had, he might have seen a kindred soul in her, and it really didn't make sense that she didn't. In the end, Kate's resolution of the problem was most ingenious indeed, and I loved every minute of it. There was only one thing I didn't care for, and while I won't state what exactly it was as it is too much of a spoiler, (it's a personal peeve I have). Anyway, aside from this, I can't state enough how much I was captivated by this book and hope to see more in the future. Highly recommended.
Having said that (as a heads up, of course) I was excited to read this book. Anyone who's a classic film buff would feel the same as I do, if only to read the many references strewn about. And trust me, there are many.
When Nora Paige's marriage implodes she finds herself at a loss. What is the ex-wife of a famous actor to do, when her life has been centered on her husband? As his unpaid manager and I-know-where-everything-is-and-what-to-do-about-that person, she's at odds and ends and feeling pretty sorry for herself. Luckily, she has a best friend who knows exactly what to do: She installs Nora as manager of her San Francisco classic movie theater, whose last manager, Kate, was killed in a tragic accident.
But while Nora is willing to take over, and most of the employees are fine with having her, the projectionist isn't. Marty is a big guy who thinks he should have been manager, that because he loves the theater and knows more than anyone about classic film, he was the logical choice. What Marty doesn't know is that Kate probably has a greater knowledge than him, and she's not letting on, which keeps him at arm's length.
But when Nora goes to get ice in the basement since their upstairs ice maker isn't working, she comes across something frozen that doesn't belong there: a body of a man. When it appears that he died around the same time as Kate, Nora gets as suspicious as Marty that Kate's death might not have been an accident. The dead man is identified as Raul Acosta, but his connection to Kate isn't apparent. It's also apparent - at least to Nora and Marty - that this was no accident. Then there actually is an accident - Nora, trying to fix a light fixture, gets hit by it instead and blacks out. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it) when she wakens, not only is she surrounded by employees, but by one she's never seen - a young woman in an usher's costume.
When the woman tells Nora her name is Trixie and that she's a ghost, Nora resists until she's given evidence that she can't refute, even if she still doesn't want to believe it. Then a man shows up insisting that he was working on a film festival with Kate, Nora needs to figure out if he's telling the truth; Raul's brother shows up telling her he wants to find out who killed Raul, Kate's best friend Monica is definitely mysterious, and Nora is feeling overwhelmed.
But it's not long before being overwhelmed takes second place to feeling threatened, and Nora finds herself smack into the middle of a modern day real life murder mystery...and doesn't know if she'll survive long enough to figure it out. If she doesn't get things right, and soon, she might be the next accident just waiting to happen...
I have to tell you that I absolutely loved this book. I will also tell you - for those who aren't movie buffs - that there are a lot of film references, so you may find yourself heading to the nearest computer to look everything up (I do suggest watching the films, though; you'll enjoy yourself immensely and see what real films are).
The mystery is tight and the writing done well, the story line is plausible and the characters likable. Marty was a hoot; even though he's anti-social, he loves the old theater and everything that comes with it, and you can tell that even though he's not happy he wasn't chosen manager, he's beginning to like Nora.
Nora is a solid character, and her personal insecurities make her a real person. While I think (and hope) she'll grow a real backbone, she manages to keep her own within the story line, and that's important. I do like Trixie; she gives just enough paranormal without going over the top, and seems a little unsure of herself every now and then. The other characters fall into place exactly where they're supposed to, and the enigmatic Hector Acosta is quite an intriguing character who has more facets than a diamond. I look forward to seeing more of him in future books.
There were plenty of red herrings in the story and it even seemed like a scavenger hunt at times, which made for part of the fun of it. Weaving classic film plots with the search for the reason for Kate and Raul's death seemed not only natural, it was delightful to follow and made me almost wish I was right along with the rest of them, offering up my opinions on what everyone was looking for.
The only thing I didn't understand is why Nora didn't share with Marty the fact that she knew so much about classic film. If she had, he might have seen a kindred soul in her, and it really didn't make sense that she didn't. In the end, Kate's resolution of the problem was most ingenious indeed, and I loved every minute of it. There was only one thing I didn't care for, and while I won't state what exactly it was as it is too much of a spoiler, (it's a personal peeve I have). Anyway, aside from this, I can't state enough how much I was captivated by this book and hope to see more in the future. Highly recommended.
April 17, 2019
I am not a movie person, but nonetheless I loved this book. Nora leaves her cheating movie-star husband behind and takes a job managing the Palace, a San Francisco movie theater specializing in classic films, which are her passion. The former manager Kate has died in a suspicious accident, and Nora finds a second dead body hidden in the theater. Hit on the head by a falling light fixture, Nora develops the ability to see and hear the theater's resident ghost, a former usherette who died in the 1930's. And is Trixie glad to have some company! As Nora gradually works out what happened to the dead manager, she realizes some things about her own life, and the reader slowly recognizes that maybe the whole story is about control.
June 7, 2020
OMG YES! This book series is exactly what I need right now! What I miss more than anything during this God awful pandemic is going to the Alamo Drafthouse every weekend with my husband. It's our Sunday thing, and now we have to make do with Netflix. I know, I know, first-world problems....but still! So I just want to thank this talented mystery author for giving me this fun little escape to the movies. I just loved the grand old movie theater setting with it's sparkling chandeliers, red velvet auditorium seating and things that go bump in the night! It starts out like any other cozy mystery with a 30-something woman fleeing from a cheating partner and big city life. She starts life anew as a manager of The Palace, a historic San Francisco movie house, where she meets a quirky crew of staffers including the ghost of a very perky blonde usher. I really enjoyed all of Nora's interactions with her eclectic employees. In some ways their dynamics reminded me of the motley crew of characters in that old 90s movie "Empire Records"--talk about a mixed bag of nuts! I also really enjoyed the many classic movie references, making me want to downtown to the Paramount for monster movie marathon night! I should also note that this is a a vary tightly-plotted game of whodunit, complete with treasure hunts and red herrings. Please keep 'em coming, Ms. Dumas!
January 15, 2020
I would really rate this one 3.5 stars instead of 3 stars. There was a lot, of this story that I really enjoyed. I love classic movies and TCM, is always on in my house. The Palace, sounds like a dream place to watch classic movies at. For some reason, I wasn't a huge fan, of some of the characters in this story. They came across, a little too flat to me. Marty, the projectionist, I feel, has a chance to really shine in this series, as does Albert, the 90 year retiree, who works at The Palace and is a somewhat historian for the place. Overall, I'll most likely, read the second book, in the series sometime soon.
May 26, 2019
This was a great read for me. It hit so many of the things I love to read in a mystery.
Primarily it is based in San Francisco and focuses on classic movies.
There is a ghost.
There is a Maguffin.
There are quirky characters.
It is beautifully written.
There is a sequel coming in a few months!!!
I just did not want to get up and do anything when there were pages unread.
I won a copy and will be recommending it to all my mystery reading friends.
Primarily it is based in San Francisco and focuses on classic movies.
There is a ghost.
There is a Maguffin.
There are quirky characters.
It is beautifully written.
There is a sequel coming in a few months!!!
I just did not want to get up and do anything when there were pages unread.
I won a copy and will be recommending it to all my mystery reading friends.
March 28, 2019
This was exactly the entertainment I needed for my flight. A light murder mystery with a friendly ghost. I do not know classic movies so I suppose I would have taken more from it if I had, but it wasn’t necessary to follow along.
June 22, 2019
A quick, easy read. I really enjoyed the plot line.
May 13, 2019
Great first in series! A dash of paranormal adds some fun to this cozy mystery!
May 9, 2019
I really enjoyed Murder at the Palace. Never a dull moment, and a pleasure to read. The mystery was great, and having a resident ghost usherette (the adorable Trixie!) isn't as weird as it sounds, lol! I'm absolutely looking forward to more books in this series. A+++
August 20, 2020
3.5 rounded up. I think it was all the classic movie references that bumped this novel up. I loved it! And I am now going to go back and make a list of all the movies that I need to watch. :)
July 1, 2024
I have had this amazon book forever and finally got around to reading it and I really enjoyed it. Nora needs a fresh start after her actor husband, Ted, cheated on her. Her best friend, Roberta, is part owner in an old movie theater called The Palace, and they need a new manager since Kate, the previous one, died recently after a fall. Nora, a lover of classic movies, which is what the old theater shows, accepts the job and moves into Roberta's guest cottage. On her first day, she meets a rag tag team of employees, including 90+ year old ticket salesman Albert, Brandon and Callie who work in concessions and Marty, the projectionist. She also meets resident ghost, Trixie, the usherette who fell to her death after a fight on the balcony. But her first day is even more traumatic when she finds a dead body in the ice maker. The man, Raul, is a stranger to all of the employees but the police start to suspect that his death and Kate's are related. A sleezy man, Tony, starts sniffing around, claiming that Kate owed him money for a film festival, but Nora is suspicious. Digging into the financial records for the theater show some inconsistencies and she soon learns that Kate's friend and newest part-owner of the theater, Monica, who owns a legal cannabis shop, was using the theater to launder her pot money. Nora and Trixie team up to find the murderer and they soon learn that Kate had run from an abusive husband. When Raul's brother, Hector, comes to town, Nora suspects that he might have something to do with the murders, especially once he admits that his family was into illegal businesses, but he swears that he and Raul were taking the business in a different, more legal direction, and that Raul had been working with Kate on a project. Apparently he was interested in starting a state bank for cannabis shops and was meeting with Kate in her office when he was killed. The killer is Kate's estranged husband, Tony, who thought that Raul and Kate were having an affair. Tony overheard them talking about money and was back after the deaths to try to steal it. It takes Nora and the rest of the employees a long time to figure out where the money was hidden "in plain sight," first searching for gold in the wallpaper and then diamonds in the chandelier and finally for real jewels sewn into costumes. Finally Nora and Trixie find the original posters for Dracula and other famous classic movies and know that they have hit the jackpot. But unfortunately Tony catches them and tries to kill Nora but Trixie manages to flash the house lights, alerting Hector to the danger, and Nora is saved. Tony, after seeing Trixie's ghost, falls down the stairs and breaks his neck. I look forward to spending more time with Nora and Trixie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2019
I have to admit that the reason why I picked up Margaret Dumas's Murder at the Palace is that I spent a lot of time at the movies for decades and sometimes even think in movie quotes. For me, the setting is perfect. Many of the films I saw as a teenager were in theatres that had originally showcased vaudeville acts-- just like the one in this book. I also didn't mind the parenthetical references to old movies when there was a tie-in with the plot. The one thing that got old quickly (for me anyway) was the occasional break to talk about an old film from a blog called Movies My Friends Should Watch. If you're not familiar with the films that are discussed, you probably won't mind it at all, but I was, and I found the breaks intrusive. There was an easy solution, however-- I skipped over them.
The police presence in Murder at the Palace is practically non-existent, but that prevents me from breaking out in hives due to the used-to-death stupid cop characters. What the book lacks in the department of men in blue it more than makes up for in the eccentric. I liked Nora. She's strong and funny, but-- maybe because she's got so much on her mind-- she sometimes does some pretty silly things, but she's so likable that you just have to forgive her.
The employees at the theatre are very good, although the character of teenager Brandon needs more oomph and Marty the projectionist needs a bit less oomph. Since one of my touchiest pet peeves is the word "like" being overused, I'm happy that Callie the college student didn't have a larger role, but that's just, like, me. And what about the ghost of young Trixie, the usherette who died in the theatre in the 1930s? She could really turn out to be a strong member of the cast, although I do hope she learns some manners and stops expecting Nora to answer all her questions when there's another person in the room. (Nora's the only one who can see her.)
This is a book that has good bones. I learned a bit about a certain type of business dealt with in the story, and the mystery is a good one even though some of the clues were too obvious. I think I'll add a word of warning, though. For those of you who hate cliffhangers (and I know you are legion), the mystery in the book is solved, but the story does end on a cliffhanger that involves Nora's personal life.
Do I want to find out what happens in that cliffhanger? Yes, I do. I like Nora and I like that old movie theatre. I want to know more.
The police presence in Murder at the Palace is practically non-existent, but that prevents me from breaking out in hives due to the used-to-death stupid cop characters. What the book lacks in the department of men in blue it more than makes up for in the eccentric. I liked Nora. She's strong and funny, but-- maybe because she's got so much on her mind-- she sometimes does some pretty silly things, but she's so likable that you just have to forgive her.
The employees at the theatre are very good, although the character of teenager Brandon needs more oomph and Marty the projectionist needs a bit less oomph. Since one of my touchiest pet peeves is the word "like" being overused, I'm happy that Callie the college student didn't have a larger role, but that's just, like, me. And what about the ghost of young Trixie, the usherette who died in the theatre in the 1930s? She could really turn out to be a strong member of the cast, although I do hope she learns some manners and stops expecting Nora to answer all her questions when there's another person in the room. (Nora's the only one who can see her.)
This is a book that has good bones. I learned a bit about a certain type of business dealt with in the story, and the mystery is a good one even though some of the clues were too obvious. I think I'll add a word of warning, though. For those of you who hate cliffhangers (and I know you are legion), the mystery in the book is solved, but the story does end on a cliffhanger that involves Nora's personal life.
Do I want to find out what happens in that cliffhanger? Yes, I do. I like Nora and I like that old movie theatre. I want to know more.
July 1, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5
I really enjoyed this book.
Nora Paige loves old movies. When her movie-star husband dumps her for a co-star starlet Nora takes refuge in San Francisco where she takes over as the manager of a historic movie theater that shows old movies - just the kind that she likes most. Here she befriends a band of misfits - all who seem to share her love of old films. But in her very short time at The Palace movie theater she discovers some very questionable financials, the ghost of a 1930's usherette, and a much more recent dead body. What did she get herself into and how will she survive?
Author Margaret Dumas has penned a clever, swiftly moving mystery that manages to incorporate a little historical fiction, the supernatural, and the Hollywood film world. What's not to like?
We get a really good dose of mystery here that ties most of the various elements together nicely. Too often the mystery seems secondary to the gimmick of the series but that is not the case here. It took a little while for this mystery to develop because of the need to set up the characters and the situation.
While I don't mind supernatural in my fiction - in fact, I often gravitate toward that sort of fiction - I'm not completely sold on the ghost of Trixie here. She's interesting and she does contribute to the results of the mystery, but she isn't really necessary and I wonder how she'll be used in future Movie Palace Mysteries. I read another mystery series published by Henery Press which features a ghost, and it works quite well whereas this feels a little bit like an attempt to draw in an audience with the gimmick.
I really appreciated the little "must watch" movie reviews and all the allusions to classic films in the book and I did manage to add a movie or two to my own must watch list thanks to these.
Looking for a good book? Murder at the Palace by Margaret Dumas is a fun mystery and an excellent start to a new series.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book.
Nora Paige loves old movies. When her movie-star husband dumps her for a co-star starlet Nora takes refuge in San Francisco where she takes over as the manager of a historic movie theater that shows old movies - just the kind that she likes most. Here she befriends a band of misfits - all who seem to share her love of old films. But in her very short time at The Palace movie theater she discovers some very questionable financials, the ghost of a 1930's usherette, and a much more recent dead body. What did she get herself into and how will she survive?
Author Margaret Dumas has penned a clever, swiftly moving mystery that manages to incorporate a little historical fiction, the supernatural, and the Hollywood film world. What's not to like?
We get a really good dose of mystery here that ties most of the various elements together nicely. Too often the mystery seems secondary to the gimmick of the series but that is not the case here. It took a little while for this mystery to develop because of the need to set up the characters and the situation.
While I don't mind supernatural in my fiction - in fact, I often gravitate toward that sort of fiction - I'm not completely sold on the ghost of Trixie here. She's interesting and she does contribute to the results of the mystery, but she isn't really necessary and I wonder how she'll be used in future Movie Palace Mysteries. I read another mystery series published by Henery Press which features a ghost, and it works quite well whereas this feels a little bit like an attempt to draw in an audience with the gimmick.
I really appreciated the little "must watch" movie reviews and all the allusions to classic films in the book and I did manage to add a movie or two to my own must watch list thanks to these.
Looking for a good book? Murder at the Palace by Margaret Dumas is a fun mystery and an excellent start to a new series.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2020
MURDER AT THE PALACE, Margaret Dumas, 2019
This is the first in a 3-book series. Since I read the second book first, I was doing a bit of behind-the-scenes catch-up reading with this one. Here we meet Nora Paige, who has fled Hollywood to San Francisco after her movie-star husband has a very public affair with his co-star, agreeing to take charge of a friends' investment in the form of the Palace Movie Theater. Nora figures she can manage the theater for a while, until she figures out what to do with the rest of her life. Despite her misgivings, she finds herself drawn into the business and starting to care very much about what happens to the theater. She has several employees to get to know, and one of them, in particular, is not happy with her taking over. Then there is the ghost of a 1930s usherette that apparently only she can see--or is she hallucinating, or perhaps just losing her mind? She's barely starting to get her bearings when she finds a dead body in the icemaker in the basement. Cue the organ!
If you are a fan of vintage movies, you should read the series simply for the movie reviews. I haven't seen too many movies from the 30s and 40s, but I really want to see them after reading Nora's reviews. If you love old movies and also like a darn good mystery, you DEFINITELY have to try the series! Dumas really delivers an all-around good read. The characters are perfect (and, since I've read the second in the series, I know the characters continue to grow with the series), the setting is very different (how many mysteries have you read taking place in an old movie theater?) and the pacing is perfect--Dumas never lets the story pause to feed you information. The only drawback I can think of is that you might end up with a hankering for popcorn!
This is the first in a 3-book series. Since I read the second book first, I was doing a bit of behind-the-scenes catch-up reading with this one. Here we meet Nora Paige, who has fled Hollywood to San Francisco after her movie-star husband has a very public affair with his co-star, agreeing to take charge of a friends' investment in the form of the Palace Movie Theater. Nora figures she can manage the theater for a while, until she figures out what to do with the rest of her life. Despite her misgivings, she finds herself drawn into the business and starting to care very much about what happens to the theater. She has several employees to get to know, and one of them, in particular, is not happy with her taking over. Then there is the ghost of a 1930s usherette that apparently only she can see--or is she hallucinating, or perhaps just losing her mind? She's barely starting to get her bearings when she finds a dead body in the icemaker in the basement. Cue the organ!
If you are a fan of vintage movies, you should read the series simply for the movie reviews. I haven't seen too many movies from the 30s and 40s, but I really want to see them after reading Nora's reviews. If you love old movies and also like a darn good mystery, you DEFINITELY have to try the series! Dumas really delivers an all-around good read. The characters are perfect (and, since I've read the second in the series, I know the characters continue to grow with the series), the setting is very different (how many mysteries have you read taking place in an old movie theater?) and the pacing is perfect--Dumas never lets the story pause to feed you information. The only drawback I can think of is that you might end up with a hankering for popcorn!
August 8, 2020
I began my addiction to classic film when I was still relatively young, when I was watching independent television stations in the afternoon while I was babysitting my brothers and sister.
We were the first family in our neighborhood to have a color television, but my preferred shows were old black-and-white films, musicals starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, comedies like the Thin Man series, and especially any movie that starred Cary Grant or Katharine Hepburn.
So I did not have a chance. Margaret Dumas saw me coming.
A mystery ... a classic movie house and a woman who ends up working for the revival house. If you're as much in love with old movies as I am, you, too, will find yourself with another addiction.
I was disappointed in how obvious parts of the mystery were, but I still really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to seeing more of the characters, and have already bought the next two volumes of the book series.
Here's to Vagabond Theatre and all the classic movie theaters that used to exist. And here's to Turner Classic Movies, Britbox, and all the other ways these fantastic movies will continue to live on!
And here's to the new mystery book series by Margaret Dumas!
We were the first family in our neighborhood to have a color television, but my preferred shows were old black-and-white films, musicals starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, comedies like the Thin Man series, and especially any movie that starred Cary Grant or Katharine Hepburn.
So I did not have a chance. Margaret Dumas saw me coming.
A mystery ... a classic movie house and a woman who ends up working for the revival house. If you're as much in love with old movies as I am, you, too, will find yourself with another addiction.
I was disappointed in how obvious parts of the mystery were, but I still really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to seeing more of the characters, and have already bought the next two volumes of the book series.
Here's to Vagabond Theatre and all the classic movie theaters that used to exist. And here's to Turner Classic Movies, Britbox, and all the other ways these fantastic movies will continue to live on!
And here's to the new mystery book series by Margaret Dumas!
February 4, 2019
An entertaining cozy mystery with an chatty ghost!
Nora has been her husband’s unpaid manager for years. He thanks her by leaving her for a much younger woman. The old movie theater in San Francisco provides a new start for her. But on her first day… yep, you guessed it!
The story was good! I was drawn in completely. I really liked all the main characters. But Trixie stole the show for me. I LOVED HER!!! The ghost of a 1930’s usherette. And she’s so excited because finally - finally! - someone can see her and actually talk to her! Her lonely days are over.
I am not a huge connoisseur of old movies, no, I’m sorry: classic films. But that didn’t matter at all. The references were well explained. And those little blog thingies: I didn’t really care for them. For me, they took the flow out of the story, but by first skimming through them then skipping them altogether that was easily remedied. But if you’re a fan of old movies, you will love these blogs.
And I’m happy to say I was wrong about whodunit and about some important clues. I like being wrong in a murder mystery. I like being surprised! Yes, I will definitely want to read more by this author.
Nora has been her husband’s unpaid manager for years. He thanks her by leaving her for a much younger woman. The old movie theater in San Francisco provides a new start for her. But on her first day… yep, you guessed it!
The story was good! I was drawn in completely. I really liked all the main characters. But Trixie stole the show for me. I LOVED HER!!! The ghost of a 1930’s usherette. And she’s so excited because finally - finally! - someone can see her and actually talk to her! Her lonely days are over.
I am not a huge connoisseur of old movies, no, I’m sorry: classic films. But that didn’t matter at all. The references were well explained. And those little blog thingies: I didn’t really care for them. For me, they took the flow out of the story, but by first skimming through them then skipping them altogether that was easily remedied. But if you’re a fan of old movies, you will love these blogs.
And I’m happy to say I was wrong about whodunit and about some important clues. I like being wrong in a murder mystery. I like being surprised! Yes, I will definitely want to read more by this author.
April 25, 2019
So here's the thing. I'm going to talk nonspecifically about the plot in a little bit, but I'll make it far down enough that it shouldn't show up in the preview and give anything away just in case you're someone who is very, very sensitive about spoilers. But overall, I REALLY liked this story. I like the characters, and the film element was so enjoyable. The supernatural aspect, which normally I struggle with in cozy mysteries, just *worked* in a way I haven't really seen in awhile. The story was interesting, as was the cast of characters.
I will say, though, that I found the actual result of the mystery to be kind of difficult. What happens, and the reason for it, is completely horrific. I think if the rest of the book wasn't so well written, and if the author hadn't clearly attached emotional resonance to it, I would have had a significant problem with the ultimate answer to the mystery. But honestly, while I'm still...not thrilled this was the answer, the rest of the book was so good and enjoyable that I'm going to keep my really solid rating. I enjoyed this - I look forward to further entries in this series!
I will say, though, that I found the actual result of the mystery to be kind of difficult. What happens, and the reason for it, is completely horrific. I think if the rest of the book wasn't so well written, and if the author hadn't clearly attached emotional resonance to it, I would have had a significant problem with the ultimate answer to the mystery. But honestly, while I'm still...not thrilled this was the answer, the rest of the book was so good and enjoyable that I'm going to keep my really solid rating. I enjoyed this - I look forward to further entries in this series!
June 25, 2020
I don't give you the whole story line as you can read it on Goodreads if you want to (and many others include it in their reviews in detail, although I really don't understand why). I just like to say why I liked or disliked a book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It combines two of my favorite genres, mystery and ghosts (as long as they are not scary/gory). Trixie was a sweetheart and added so much to the whole story line. I loved all the characters and am looking forward to reading more about them, although I think most of us picked up on what the mcguffin was a lot sooner than they did ;-). I think it was very well written, with no distracting grammar or word miscues.
And I loved the old movie tie-ins in the story, and old movies in general (hence, my subbing to her website). I routinely go through TCM schedule to decide what to record. I think I am really going to love this series - just bought book 2. Yikes, only 1 more after that?? Write faster Ms. Dumas!
ARGGGGH!!!! No page numbers in book 2. Why? There were in the first book. I really hate books without page numbers!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It combines two of my favorite genres, mystery and ghosts (as long as they are not scary/gory). Trixie was a sweetheart and added so much to the whole story line. I loved all the characters and am looking forward to reading more about them, although I think most of us picked up on what the mcguffin was a lot sooner than they did ;-). I think it was very well written, with no distracting grammar or word miscues.
And I loved the old movie tie-ins in the story, and old movies in general (hence, my subbing to her website). I routinely go through TCM schedule to decide what to record. I think I am really going to love this series - just bought book 2. Yikes, only 1 more after that?? Write faster Ms. Dumas!
ARGGGGH!!!! No page numbers in book 2. Why? There were in the first book. I really hate books without page numbers!
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