Death Takes the Lead

Simpson’s entertaining ninth historical whodunit for Prudence MacKenzie (after Murder Wears a Hidden Face) finds the gumshoe heading to New York City’s theater district in the spring of 1891 to catch an afternoon rehearsal with her friend, Lydia Truitt. Lydia’s cousin, Septimus Ward, is at work on a new Broadway show called Waif of the Highlands. The play stars celebrated actor Barrett Hughes, who’s also credited as its writer, director, and producer. Recently, however, Septimus revealed to Lydia that he wrote the script, giving Hughes the credit only in exchange for leverage with casting decisions; he’s since come to regret the arrangement and plans to insist his credit be restored. A few days later, Septimus dies by poison, and Prudence is summoned to his home. Though the police believe his death was accidental, Prudence and Lydia suspect foul play, so they go undercover as seamstresses with the Waif of the Highlands costume department to investigate. Soon, more people involved with the production die. Simpson keeps the action moving at a brisk clip, and richly evokes the textures of Gilded Age Manhattan. Series fans will be plenty satisfied. Agent: Jessica Faust, BookEnds Literary. (Dec.)