Death of a Showman

Set in 1914, Frederick’s lyrical fourth Jane Prescott mystery (after 2020’s Death of an American Beauty) finds lady’s maid Jane Prescott, after a year in Europe with young society matron Louise Tyler, back in New York, where she learns her former sweetheart, composer Leo Hirschfeld, has gotten married and is about to open his first musical revue on Broadway. After Louise becomes one of the show’s patrons, Jane is assigned to assist the wardrobe mistress and is soon immersed in the theater’s tumultuous backstage life. When the musical’s despicable producer is murdered and Leo is pegged as the main suspect, astute, observant Jane goes on the hunt for the killer. Fredericks offers up a cast of original, fully human characters, even the most villainous of whom have backstories that evoke at least a little understanding. Those who think they know where the story is going will be pleasantly surprised. This witty, empathetic foray into the world of Broadway will leave readers eager for Jane’s next adventure. Agent: Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary. (Apr.)