DEAD ON YOUR FEET
by Grant Michaels
A third appearance for Boston hairdresser/amateur sleuth Stan Kraychik (Love You to Death, 1992, etc.), who's all a-dither at committing to a relationship with Nureyev-like choreographer Rafik Panossian, now working on a new ballet for controversial director Max Harkey. When Max is messily dispatched, Stan, on a first-name basis with members of the ballet set, is given the green light to investigate by his former nemesis, rugged Officer Branco. Among his interviewees: a wealthy benefactor; a ballet mistress with a Russian accent; a conductor; and a homophobic homosexual ballet star. A cute guy is killed; an unappealing one makes advances; and Stan and Rafik spat and make up (in love scenes that may be a tad too graphic for mainstream tastes). Then, in a fabulous penthouse surrounded by balconies, Stan and the killer meet up one last time.... Much here for gay balletomanes, but others may have less interest in Stan's romantic soul-searching, his bumbling detective work, and his clientele back at Snips.