The Stranger in the Opera House

Emma Winberry #2

by Helen Macie Osterman

As the cast and crew rehearse for their debut performance of The Ghosts of Versailles, mystery descends upon Chicago's Midwest Opera House. Sexagenarian Emma Winberry, longtime volunteer, supporter and now an extra in the lavish production, finds her "sixth sense" tickled by sightings of a phantom wandering in and out of the theater. History and modern-day skullduggery merge when Emma discovers a secret room and old documents proving the original building was a station on the Underground Railroad. And that someone is stealing from the cache of historical artifacts.

When the group's archivist and librarian is assaulted and the strange apparition seems to take on more earthly qualities, Emma finds herself delving into intrigue both past and present. She learns that looming danger comes from the devious intent of a very real conspirator.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

279 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Helen Osterman, who has lived in or around Chicago, Illinois her whole life, is the author of the Emma Winberry Mystery Series.

Series:
* Emma Winberry

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing book with a very interesting female main character. The mystery was fairly flimsy as I understood who was guilty of what pretty early in the story. The setting was interesting and well described as were the secondary characters. The book moved along smoothly and quickly. I will try another book in this series before making a final decision.

[Julie Akeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad book. I picked it up from a library sale...ok actually I was cleaning our bookstore section and this was one of my oooh that's interesting, I'll take that. This was the second and I haven't read the first, but I like the paranormal spark of this series.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it strange that Emma and her daughter's husband had the same last name?

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Interesting story just a little slow.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like books about ghosts, you will like this one. A stranger in ragged dress keeps appearing at the rehearsals for a new opera. Not everyone can see him though. After some research into the history of the building site of the opera house, the identity of the ghost is suspected, but there are some flesh and bone problems going on also.

This is definately in the cozy-mystery corner. It is pretty easy to see where the book is going, but the characters are good and the mystery is plausible.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Winberry has a real interest in the Midwest Opera Company--she and Nate are supernumeraries there, and her son-in-law James is one of the executives. So when a few people, including Emma, start seeing a mysterious figure on the stage, she's concerned. She also befriends the new company librarian, who has had tragedies in her life. Emma knows there's something wrong with the new production of "The Ghosts of Versailles," and the problem isn't the stranger, who seems to be asking for help.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. It was not exactly the type of book I normally read but it was very well written. I loved the setting and the history used in the book with just a smidge of the paranormal thrown in to thicken the pot.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice cozy. I liked all the details about the opera, The Ghosts of Versailles. Lovely adult characters, not "geezer lit."

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read ghost story. Characters are a little predictable but still an entertaining book.

[Christine Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was good for a mystery,I usually read romances.