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Simon Ziele #2
A Curtain Falls
The careers of New York City detective Simon Ziele and his former partner Captain Declan Mulvaney went in remarkably different directions after the tragic death of Ziele’s fiancée in the 1904 General Slocum ferry disaster. Although both men were earmarked for much bigger things, Ziele moved to Dobson, a small town north of the city, to escape the violence, and Mulvaney buried himself even deeper, agreeing to head up the precinct in the most crime-ridden area in the city.
Yet with all of the detectives and resources at Mulvaney’s disposal, a particularly puzzling crime compels him to look for someone he can trust absolutely. When a chorus girl is found dead on a Broadway stage dressed in the leading lady’s costume, there are no signs of violence, no cuts, no bruises—no marks at all. If pressed, the coroner would call it a suicide, but then that would make her the second girl to turn up dead in such a manner in the last few weeks. And the news of a possible serial killer would be potentially disastrous to the burgeoning theater world, not to mention the citizens of New York.
Following on the heels of Stefanie Pintoff’s acclaimed and award-winning debut, A Curtain Falls is a moody and evocative tale that follows Ziele and his partners as they scour the dark streets of early-twentieth-century New York in search of a true fiend.
Yet with all of the detectives and resources at Mulvaney’s disposal, a particularly puzzling crime compels him to look for someone he can trust absolutely. When a chorus girl is found dead on a Broadway stage dressed in the leading lady’s costume, there are no signs of violence, no cuts, no bruises—no marks at all. If pressed, the coroner would call it a suicide, but then that would make her the second girl to turn up dead in such a manner in the last few weeks. And the news of a possible serial killer would be potentially disastrous to the burgeoning theater world, not to mention the citizens of New York.
Following on the heels of Stefanie Pintoff’s acclaimed and award-winning debut, A Curtain Falls is a moody and evocative tale that follows Ziele and his partners as they scour the dark streets of early-twentieth-century New York in search of a true fiend.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
32 people are currently reading
1191 people want to read
About the author
Stefanie Pintoff
8 books241 followersStefanie Pintoff is the Edgar® award-winning author of HOSTAGE TAKER and the Simon Ziele historical mysteries. Her writing has also won the Washington Irving Book Prize and earned nominations for the Anthony, Macavity, and Agatha awards. Pintoff's novels have been published around the world, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Croatia, and Japan. She lives on Manhattan's Upper West Side, where she is at work on the next Eve Rossi thriller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
January 2, 2022
4.4 stars
April 19, 2011
This is the 2nd in the series by Pintoff and I just rushed through it, enjoying the story as I did In the Shadow of Gotham. I have to admit another reason I hurried is that I forgot how soon it's due back at the library and I have it on inter-library loan. Seems silly to renew when I knew I would like to read it quickly.
So I put everything else aside....and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed revisiting the same characters as they struggled with another odd series of crimes in New York City demanding all of their individual skills.
I think this will be a series I continue to enjoy. There certainly are enough characters and situations in early 20th century New York to provide many plot lines.
So I put everything else aside....and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed revisiting the same characters as they struggled with another odd series of crimes in New York City demanding all of their individual skills.
I think this will be a series I continue to enjoy. There certainly are enough characters and situations in early 20th century New York to provide many plot lines.
August 8, 2023
I really liked this murder case read. Held my attention the whole time.
October 5, 2010
The sequel to In the Shadow of Gotham, this book has one redeeming factor: an interesting premise. Unfortunately, an interesting premise alone does not make for a good novel. The plot is long and rambling (I’m sorry, but when a murder mystery clocks in at almost 400 pages, I expect some complexity and twists). The “twists” that are in this book are so laughably bad that even soap opera writers would be horrified. The characters are flat, flat, flat, and the dialogue is so stilted that a couple of times I stopped reading, guessed the conversation, and was never once surprised. The main character – who is supposed to be a clever male detective – reads like an emotionally-stunted woman with a fashion fetish. The author alternates between anvil-style reminders that this is NYC in 1906 and dialogue and reactions dictated by modern sensibilities. The more I think about this book, the worse it gets. Not recommended.
November 16, 2011
2nd in a series, this novel doesn't suffer from the "sequel" weakness. The characters are still strong and continue to develop, and the early-20th-century New York City setting is intriguing. The theater community serves as the focus of this mystery, as a series of murder victims (women) are found all made up and elaborately costumed at theaters -- all owned by one powerful man. Detective Simon Ziele and the criminologist Alistair Sinclair join forces once again to decipher the clues found on and around the bodies, and in the communications from the murderer.
Once again I found the references to the growing field of forensics and crime detection to be fascinating: for example, fingerprinting is so new that although Simon can use the technique to investigate, any results are not admissible in court. Handwriting analysis also plays a part in the investigation -- is it science? or a sham?
Other reviews tell me that "if you like Caleb Carr, you'll like this book." So now I guess I'm headed in the direction of Caleb Carr. Oh, goody! Another new author to explore!
Once again I found the references to the growing field of forensics and crime detection to be fascinating: for example, fingerprinting is so new that although Simon can use the technique to investigate, any results are not admissible in court. Handwriting analysis also plays a part in the investigation -- is it science? or a sham?
Other reviews tell me that "if you like Caleb Carr, you'll like this book." So now I guess I'm headed in the direction of Caleb Carr. Oh, goody! Another new author to explore!
September 1, 2016
This second book in the Simon Ziele series follows the same pattern as the first, In the Shadow of Gotham-basically commit a horrid crime, arrest someone who is obviously not the murderer, then focus on the investigation. It seems that the process is more important than the person. The plot plods along in a series of daily dated entries, days jammed packed with countless activities. Nothing exciting occurs until the last couple of chapters when one learns whodunit and how the mystery is solved. I find this series interesting enough that I will read book 3, but I will check it out from the library.
August 5, 2012
The good - Pintoff does an excellent job at capturing time and place. I loved all the theatre tie ins and detail. That was truly wonderful. The mystery was interesting as was the interplay with the newspaper staff.
So why didn't I finish the book?
Because none of the characters is interesting enough to care about, at least to me.
So why didn't I finish the book?
Because none of the characters is interesting enough to care about, at least to me.
April 13, 2019
I really wish goodreads had a quarter star system. I would actually rate closer to four stars, but not quite there. Great character development.
June 20, 2021
A Curtain Falls by Stefanie Pintoff is the second book of the Simon Ziele mystery series set in 1906 New York City. After the tragic death of his fiancee in the 1904 General Slocum ferry disaster, police detective Simon Ziele has fled the violence of the city to work in upstate New York. His partner Declan Mulvaney remains at NYPD; now a Captain, working in a high-crime district. When Mulvaney suspects two murders of actresses are linked, he asks Ziele for help. Ziele knows who else they need on the case: Alistair Sinclair, a scientist devoted to the study of the criminal mind. Ziele and Sinclair worked together on a previous case (In the Shadow of Gotham). Ziele has mixed emotions about working with Sinclair and his daughter-in-law again, but he knows their expertise may be what it takes to solve the case.
Each victim is beautiful, carefully made up, dressed, arranged onstage as a leading lady. Handwritten notes nearby reveal the murderer identifies as Pygmalion: creating beauty and perfection, to destroy. The victims are murdered in theaters in the chain owned by Charles Frohman. He requires his employees to follow strict rules. He doesn't want bad press about murder in his theaters. Two reporters who agree to Frohman's terms are assigned to the case.
When Mulvaney arrests a theater employee based on evidence, Ziele and Sinclair are certain the man is not guilty. With Mulvaney no longer interested in the case, they must solve it themselves. Ziele unexpectedly meets his father (after many years) and from him, learns how fingerprints can be faked. The case stymies them, and more deaths seem likely. Ziele follows up an overlooked clue, which leads to a breakthrough in their investigation. But they still have to convince Mulvaney to re-open the case. Deducing who will be the next victim, they attempt to save her - but lives are lost in the effort.
A "chunkster" like its predecessor, but this time with a steady pace that keeps a reader turning pages, enjoying the rich period atmosphere as Ziele and Sinclair uncover evidence.
Each victim is beautiful, carefully made up, dressed, arranged onstage as a leading lady. Handwritten notes nearby reveal the murderer identifies as Pygmalion: creating beauty and perfection, to destroy. The victims are murdered in theaters in the chain owned by Charles Frohman. He requires his employees to follow strict rules. He doesn't want bad press about murder in his theaters. Two reporters who agree to Frohman's terms are assigned to the case.
When Mulvaney arrests a theater employee based on evidence, Ziele and Sinclair are certain the man is not guilty. With Mulvaney no longer interested in the case, they must solve it themselves. Ziele unexpectedly meets his father (after many years) and from him, learns how fingerprints can be faked. The case stymies them, and more deaths seem likely. Ziele follows up an overlooked clue, which leads to a breakthrough in their investigation. But they still have to convince Mulvaney to re-open the case. Deducing who will be the next victim, they attempt to save her - but lives are lost in the effort.
A "chunkster" like its predecessor, but this time with a steady pace that keeps a reader turning pages, enjoying the rich period atmosphere as Ziele and Sinclair uncover evidence.
May 31, 2010
A CURTAIN FALLS returns us to turn-of-the-century New York City, following the debut of this successful series (Pintoff recently won an Edgar award for Best First Novel for IN THE SHADOW OF GOTHAM.) This second book is set four months later, in springtime, 1906. Detective Simon Ziele, who lives in Dobson, just north of the city, is called in to help his longtime friend, New York Police Captain Declan Mulvaney.
A Broadway chorus girl has been murdered, and a note left by her body. But it is, in fact, the second such murder – the beginnings of a serial killer? Ziele brings in the two people who helped him in his last investigation, Alistair Sinclair, a criminologist, and Isabella, Sinclair's assistant and the young widow of Sinclair's son. The team also relies on two New York Times reporters – the killer has sent the newspaper a letter. In return for not publishing it, the reporters are given the chance to work closely with police. Investigators soon focus on Timothy Poe, an actor who is concealing a secret. But Ziele believes Poe to be innocent. After being unable to convince Mulvaney to look elsewhere, he decides to carry out his own rogue investigation with Sinclair and Isabella. He and Sinclair also believe the serial killer will strike again – and soon.
The characters and the plot are well done, with a few good twists thrown in, but where Pintoff really excels is in vividly putting the reader into 1906 Manhattan. Not only does she shed information on police procedures – fingerprinting was still a new science, not yet used in courts as evidence, and Ziele relies on a handwriting expert, despite being dubious at first – but we also get marvelous tidbits about the Dakota building, Times Square, Central Park and Broadway. The book is so well-researched that we even get the menu of the day for a famed Fifth Avenue restaurant.
A CURTAIN FALLS is an even stronger book than the first, which had some bumps in plotting. There is also more depth to the characters, and an interesting development in Ziele's personal life which coincides with the investigation. With this book, we have the beginnings of what promises to be a strong series.
A Broadway chorus girl has been murdered, and a note left by her body. But it is, in fact, the second such murder – the beginnings of a serial killer? Ziele brings in the two people who helped him in his last investigation, Alistair Sinclair, a criminologist, and Isabella, Sinclair's assistant and the young widow of Sinclair's son. The team also relies on two New York Times reporters – the killer has sent the newspaper a letter. In return for not publishing it, the reporters are given the chance to work closely with police. Investigators soon focus on Timothy Poe, an actor who is concealing a secret. But Ziele believes Poe to be innocent. After being unable to convince Mulvaney to look elsewhere, he decides to carry out his own rogue investigation with Sinclair and Isabella. He and Sinclair also believe the serial killer will strike again – and soon.
The characters and the plot are well done, with a few good twists thrown in, but where Pintoff really excels is in vividly putting the reader into 1906 Manhattan. Not only does she shed information on police procedures – fingerprinting was still a new science, not yet used in courts as evidence, and Ziele relies on a handwriting expert, despite being dubious at first – but we also get marvelous tidbits about the Dakota building, Times Square, Central Park and Broadway. The book is so well-researched that we even get the menu of the day for a famed Fifth Avenue restaurant.
A CURTAIN FALLS is an even stronger book than the first, which had some bumps in plotting. There is also more depth to the characters, and an interesting development in Ziele's personal life which coincides with the investigation. With this book, we have the beginnings of what promises to be a strong series.
November 9, 2012
A Curtain Falls by Stefanie Pintoff is the sequel to the Edgar Award finalist In the Shadow of Gotham. My book club picked the sequel to read so I needed to tackle this one before the first. I was a little apprehensive, because I thought I would have needed some background, but I needn’t have worried. A Curtain Falls is a true mystery in its own right and a darn good one at that.
Set in New York City in one of my favorite time periods, the early 1900s, Detective Simon Zeile has been asked to help on another case. A serial killer is on the loose, murdering chorus girls in their theater houses, and arranging them in macabre positions. Zeile is asked to keep details very hush-hush, as all relevant theaters belong to Charles Frohman, a very wealthy and powerful owner. With his gang of motley assistants, Zeile rushes to solve the case before the next killing.
This is definitely a quick page turner, and I must admit I was not able to predict the ending. While obviously not on the same level as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allan Poe, Pintoff succeeds in keeping the reader guessing and building suspense. I look forward to reading In the Shadow of Gotham to get to know the history of Simon Zeile.
MY RATING - 4
See this review on 1776books...
http://1776books.blogspot.com/2012/11...
Set in New York City in one of my favorite time periods, the early 1900s, Detective Simon Zeile has been asked to help on another case. A serial killer is on the loose, murdering chorus girls in their theater houses, and arranging them in macabre positions. Zeile is asked to keep details very hush-hush, as all relevant theaters belong to Charles Frohman, a very wealthy and powerful owner. With his gang of motley assistants, Zeile rushes to solve the case before the next killing.
This is definitely a quick page turner, and I must admit I was not able to predict the ending. While obviously not on the same level as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allan Poe, Pintoff succeeds in keeping the reader guessing and building suspense. I look forward to reading In the Shadow of Gotham to get to know the history of Simon Zeile.
MY RATING - 4
See this review on 1776books...
http://1776books.blogspot.com/2012/11...
October 31, 2010
I LOVE this author! She is a blast. These books are set in turn of the century NYC, and though this is well covered territory (Caleb Carr, Rhys Bowen, Victoria Thompson) she really makes it fresh. Her main character is a grieving detective (he lost his fiancée in an infamous ferry accident, referred to in both books) who is interested in the newest methods of detection, with each book spotlighting a different one. This one highlights handwriting analysis, thanks to the author's interest in serial killers who write messages to the police or newspaper. A delightfully complicated but well thought out plot set in NY's fledgling theater district, this book is really a knockout. If you like historicals or police books or both, you'll be in heaven, but Pintoff is simply a great storyteller.
August 27, 2011
The second of Pintoff's novels about Simon Ziele who solves crimes at the beginning of the 20th century. I love the feeling evoked by these books - slightly dark, but with hope that new things are coming. The walks through New York tenement buildings are harrowing, but stepping into Delmonico's for dinner is heavenly. I look forward to reading more from Pintoff.
May 17, 2016
A great little detective mystery set in NYC in early 1900. All elements of my favorite genre to read!
September 24, 2019
Istorinis detektyvas. Antroji ciklo knyga.
Pati XX a. pradžia. Kažkas žudo teatro aktores, o detektyvas Simonas Ziele ir jo draugas, paistantis visokius ten niekam nesuvokiamus blėnius apie “psichologinį portretą”, Alistairas Sinclairas, savaime suprantama, vieninteliai, neužkibę ant jauko ir nepatikėję policijos suimtojo kalte. Tai čiumpa tyrimo vėliavą ir neša ją link pergalingo finišo.
Kaip ir pirmojoje ciklo knygoje, detektyvo čia gerokai daugiau, nei istorijos, o gaila. Bet nuobodu nebuvo, tai tvirti trys iš penkių.
Pati XX a. pradžia. Kažkas žudo teatro aktores, o detektyvas Simonas Ziele ir jo draugas, paistantis visokius ten niekam nesuvokiamus blėnius apie “psichologinį portretą”, Alistairas Sinclairas, savaime suprantama, vieninteliai, neužkibę ant jauko ir nepatikėję policijos suimtojo kalte. Tai čiumpa tyrimo vėliavą ir neša ją link pergalingo finišo.
Kaip ir pirmojoje ciklo knygoje, detektyvo čia gerokai daugiau, nei istorijos, o gaila. Bet nuobodu nebuvo, tai tvirti trys iš penkių.
September 30, 2019
I did enjoy this book...maybe even more than Ms. Pintoff’s first one, “In the Shadow of Gotham.” I am off to look for her next one, “Secrets of the White Rose.”
Closer to 4.5 stars...almost perfect. 😊
Closer to 4.5 stars...almost perfect. 😊
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August 11, 2011I wasn't sure if the second book in this series would be as good as the first, but I'm pleased to say that it was! Pintoff's descriptions of early 20th-century New York City are wonderful, and it is easy for the reader to imagine himself or herself as a character in the story. I am eager to read more of Detective Ziele's adventures with Alistair and Isabella.
October 14, 2011
There is nothing more frustrating to me as a reader than an interesting idea mangled by an inept writer. I hated so much of this, and yet that kernel of interest kept me going...to a finale worthy of a terrible soap opera.
May 18, 2012
I really enjoyed Ms. Pintoff's 2nd novel.It is a perfect blend of mystery,intrigue and one really connects with the characters.I also liked that there was just a hint of romance,but it did not take away from the story.
Stefanie Pintoff is a wonderful writer and one of my favorite mystery authors.
Stefanie Pintoff is a wonderful writer and one of my favorite mystery authors.
June 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It had the suspense of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, and some good plot twists. The personality of the times - turn of the century - were well represented. It wasn't too maudlin, either. Good read, definitely, and I would read more by this author in the future.
November 25, 2016
I'm loving this series, with its protagonists developing early forms of criminal profiling (before the term was even invented). In fact, as I read this book, I could almost picture it as an early 1900s version of "Criminal Minds." Well written, interesting characters, and fascinating mysteries.
August 18, 2017
I wanted to like this book: characters seemed interesting, great time period, etc. But it really dragged after the first 60-70 pages. May try and read the 1st in the series and give it another chance.
April 24, 2014
This was a good second book in this series, which is set in 1906, and features a police officer in New York City.
March 17, 2023
Started this book while waiting at the hospital, in a bag for doctors visits, hence taking so long to finish.
This book takes the reader back to the year of 1906. A detective (Ziele) who recently lost his fiancé in a tragic accident is recouping and has time on his hands. Another detective (Mulvaney)has murders on his hands. Actresses at theaters are being murdered. They are unusual murders and the murderer leaves them taunting messages. He also appears to know their every moves! Mulvaney asks Ziele for some help.
Although the detectives are friends, Detective Simon Ziele and his friend Captain Declan Mulvaney do not always see eye to eye. Detective Ziele also has an interesting friend, who has helped him before, but is not always right in his assessments. However, Ziele knows that his help would be of great benefit to this case, and enlists the help of Professor Alister Sinclair who is a Law Professor and a criminologist, who may be able to bring some insight to the case. He also had a brilliant daughter in law who had lost her husband and is now devoted to helping her father in law with his projects. The Sinclairs are quite well to do, and have many friends in many different places, to whom they can call upon for help. The three of them decide to help Captain Mulvaney with his quest to solve the case, however Mulvaney often did not agree with their efforts or their views.
In spite of this, they solve the case. Women are murdered, a policeman almost dies, and a father returns and helps with the case. Who dun it, and the answer did surprise me. I like that, when I don't figure it out. Will look for other books by this author. Well written.
This book takes the reader back to the year of 1906. A detective (Ziele) who recently lost his fiancé in a tragic accident is recouping and has time on his hands. Another detective (Mulvaney)has murders on his hands. Actresses at theaters are being murdered. They are unusual murders and the murderer leaves them taunting messages. He also appears to know their every moves! Mulvaney asks Ziele for some help.
Although the detectives are friends, Detective Simon Ziele and his friend Captain Declan Mulvaney do not always see eye to eye. Detective Ziele also has an interesting friend, who has helped him before, but is not always right in his assessments. However, Ziele knows that his help would be of great benefit to this case, and enlists the help of Professor Alister Sinclair who is a Law Professor and a criminologist, who may be able to bring some insight to the case. He also had a brilliant daughter in law who had lost her husband and is now devoted to helping her father in law with his projects. The Sinclairs are quite well to do, and have many friends in many different places, to whom they can call upon for help. The three of them decide to help Captain Mulvaney with his quest to solve the case, however Mulvaney often did not agree with their efforts or their views.
In spite of this, they solve the case. Women are murdered, a policeman almost dies, and a father returns and helps with the case. Who dun it, and the answer did surprise me. I like that, when I don't figure it out. Will look for other books by this author. Well written.
October 10, 2018
Stephanie Pintoff incorporates everything I enjoy reading in one mesmerizing novel: historical fiction, crime, mystery, a touch of family dysfunction, and a hint of romance. Pintoff won the Edgar Award for her first novel, "In the Shadow of Gotham." I am now anxiously awaiting that book's return home (it was borrowed by a family member who didn't realize I had both on my To Read pile.) Detailed characters who feel like friends, and a finely paced, gripping plot, makes her second novel, "A Curtain Falls," hard to put down. The story takes place in New York City's Theater District at the turn 0f the 20th century. Detective, Simon Ziele, his former partner, Captain Declan Mulvaney, along with law professor and criminologist Alistar Sinclair, and his daughter-in-law, Isabella, make use of fledgling forensic sciences as they puzzle their way through a series of dramatically cruel murders of young women within the theater community. Best of all, this book stands on its own, though the characters were introduced in Pintoff's first novel. Well done!
July 13, 2020
I love just coming upon a fun read randomly: a lucky find was a dog-eared paperback copy of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS in a summer rental, the perfect thing for those hazy nights. This historical mystery was in the basement of my apartment house which is usually only a repository for daunting medical textbooks from the interns who commute to work via Bedpan Alley (the street leading to Hospital for Special Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and Weill Cornell). I love NYC, I love the theatre, I love crime fiction, so this one was a hat trick for me. Detective Simon Zeile is a very companionable series character and Pintoff paints a great picture of a raucous, dirty, crowded, ambitious city. I'll go back to the first in this series when I can use the library again: a central tragedy is the sinking of the General Slocum, a ferry that my husband's ancestors were planning to take but didn't; a lucky decision, to say the least.
July 11, 2021
The second book by the author featuring police detective Simon Ziele, set in 1906. The story picks up a few months after the events of the first book, with Ziele brought in by his former NYPD partner to help with the murder of a Broadway actress. The book is a quick read and while I wasn't surprised when the killer was revealed, there were enough plot twists to satisfy me. My main complaint about this and its predecessor, is that NYC of that time period isn't much of a character. The time and place seemed to have been chosen because there are enough similarities to the present day, without all the technology and related complications of our time. Fortunately, that isn't much of a distraction. The characters are likeable and the mystery intriguing, enough to make me want to read the third Ziele book.
April 10, 2018
A good but not great mystery set in the early theater district of New York. Many interesting characters and I really like the history and scenery of the budding city the author builds into the story. This is book 2 of 3 in a series about Detective Ziele so it’s on to book 3 for me.
August 27, 2022
Decent sequel to In the Shadow of Gotham has turn-of-the-century detective Simon Ziele and amateur criminologist Allison Sinclair reuniting on a new case, this time involving a serial murderer of bit part actresses.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews