DEATH MASK

by Jane Dentinger ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1988

When it comes to show-biz mystery-comedies, less is more: Simon Brett, the sub-genre's master, wisely keeps his Charles Paris episodes fast and breezy. But, though Dentinger's previous two N.Y.-theater outings for actress/director Jocelyn O'Roarke (Murder On Cue, First Hit of the Season) followed suit, this time the frivolity is stretched a bit thin--with excess length and a somewhat heavy hand. Jocelyn finally gets her big chance as a director: a major revival of Major Barbara, starring legendary thespian Frederick Revere, at off-Broadway Burbage Theatre. But then, at a preview, one of the supporting actors, old-timer Burton Evans, collapses and dies of an apparent heart attack--which is revealed (150 pp. later) to have been murder-by-poisoned-makeup. Jocelyn, suspicious from the start, tracks a gaggle of contrived suspects: the wealthy actor's nephew/heir; the nephew's fiancÉe; an actor who suffered because of Evans' HUAC testimony back in the 50's; plus anyone who knew about Evans' secret ownership of the Burbage Theatre's land-site. (Was he planning to sell it to a developer?) There's also a hokey theater-ghost--plus lots of post-romance tension, la Vane and Wimsey, between Jocelyn and cop-lover Phillip Gerrard (who has a new girlfriend). The nonstop repartee is more campy than witty; the plotting is clunky and, ultimately, unsatisfying. Still, with lots of hard-working backstage detail and Jocelyn's likable (if overdone) Manhattan sass, this is fair diversion for devotees of stagey, fanciful doings.

Pub Date: July 1, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1988

Categories: FICTION