Murder on Theater Row: A Bill Donovan Mystery

Casablanca: The Musical is the gala scheduled to open the painstakingly renovated Knickerbocker Theater on Times Square in this glowing quintessentially New York City mystery. But disastrous events threaten to derail the New Year's Eve premier: a major water main break in the area exposes the murdered body of an Asian man in the theater's sub-basement and reveals the unknown grave of a long-dead vaudevillian who used crossbows in his act. Within days, an Irish immigrant, killed by a crossbow arrow, is found in the same location. Captain Bill Donovan, a seasoned, literate and shrewd NYPD investigator makes this tale quiver with his special blend of computer expertise and uncanny intuition. The arrow went with the crossbow that is missing from the vaudevillian's grave. When a black actor is killed by crossbow during rehearsal, Donovan and his wisecracking but efficient crew scour the theater district for the killer. Does Jack Derrida, whose construction company is linked to the mob, want the musical to fail so he can purchase the valuable property? Could a jealous actress be seeking revenge? And what about the New York Times music critic who bears a nasty grudge against the producer? The supporting castDan alcoholic writer, egotistical actors, porn kings, aging agentsDadds extra sparks to the story. The Edgar award-winning Jahn (Murder at the Museum of Natural History) makes Donovan, learned and technologically adept, wonderful company. (Mar.)