It was probably one of the best books in the series.

If you ARE into THIS old-fashioned kind of mystery you'll probably LOVE it a lot. David S. Pederson writes a NICE cosy type of historical mystery that is EASY to read and ENJOY) and that has this holiday spirit, doesn't matter if you are ON the beach while reading it (you'd better be), or somewhere else.

A very good scenery and atmosphere. BUT...a lot of unpleasant characters. Somehow VERY irritating behavior of Alan (he was probably just TOO naive for his age here), Heath has my deep compassion-Alan is not easy to deal with. An excellent opening, a bit frustrating middle part but a good ending. All in all, a good book, though without a wow-effect.

This is a really fantastic story, and there is only one thing I deeply regret about reading this book, and that thing is that I didn't know that it was part of a series, and therefore miss the joy of reading it from the beginning :P

This is a really clever mystery, with two gay main characters whose relationship is not at the forefront of the narrative but definitively there. My favourite kind of story, I must say it: genre books with queer main characters.

The plot is very well done, and we have lots of suspects and a fair number of red herrings running through the story, which kept me guessing and wondering about the real culprit until the end.

I really liked the description of a theatrical production backstage and the faithful description of the times. All in all, this is a great reading, and I'm going to go back and read the whole series from the beginning :)

I was unaware there were previous books in this series when I started reading, but I don't think it's entirely necessary to read the previous books first. It would definitely help, though. There's an established relationship but I wasn't entirely sure who it was with until partway through the book. The characters are generally good and the mystery is interesting, but I definitely think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books.

Theater mystery settings are one of my favorites, so this was an immediate plus for me. The plot itself is classic in design and denouement, and I enjoyed the plot overall. There were too many characters to keep up with, unfortunately. I read for pleasure, and it was more like work trying to keep the cast straight (pardon the pun). I did enjoy the twist of gay characters in a mystery setting--different and refreshing. I did not, however, enjoy the constant bickering and bitch-fests. There was so much potential here, but hese two flaws caused me to eventually put down the book. I will re-visit others in the series, however, because this is clearly a talented author.

"Death Takes a Bow" drops us into the midst of the dress rehearsal for a Milwaukee theatre production titled "Death Comes to Lochwood." There's a rich tapestry of characters here, three of whom share a past that includes a death of a fellow actor and a betrayal, a drunken husband / ingenue wife pair, the harried director who desperately needs a packed house, an actor who may be on the brink of getting a part in a Hitchcock movie, Alan Keyes (making his stage debut in a non-speaking role), the diva's ward / assistant, and a completely obnoxious Broadway "star" everyone in the theatre had a reason to despise. Toss in a supposed ghost haunting the venue, and David S. Pederson's latest mystery has plenty of suspects as well as red herrings.

As the book began, I will admit to being somewhat confused by the huge cast, but the pre-opening night cast party scenes helps flesh out the characters, as well as their pasts and motivations. And when the obnoxious actor, Shelby Berkett, is murdered on-stage on opening night, it falls to Detective Heath Barrington and Alan to solve the murder. The plot really explores the full range of motives and opportunities and keeps your interest to the denouncement.

As in past books in the series, Heath and Alan's relationship is all off-page, but Heath makes an interesting comment about the nature of deception:

Don't we all do that to some extent or another, Heath? Isn't that a part of life, getting along?
I glanced over at him, and I knew he was right. I was playing a part right now, keeping my true self hidden, and that was indeed a part of life. Of my life, anyway. And it was necessary for my survival.

But there's also a lovely scene near the end of the book that puts into words the feelings that Alan and Heath share for one another, but can't openly share because of the time they live in and their jobs in law enforcement. All in all, an interesting murder/mystery and an apt depiction of the times. 4 stars.

Because there are a million stars in the sky, but you're the only one for me , the only one I see.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

This was a cute little mystery to read on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Though I will say that when I read it, it was Monday and it was a very sunny day, but you get my point.

The book starts with Heath having provided some feedback and consulting for a play, in return for which Alan got a starring (sort of) role. So far so good. What's not good is Alan's very handsome co-star and Heath's jealousy. Throw a dead body into the mix and you have the recipe for a disaster.

The whodunnit was well paced and there were enough red herrings to make it interesting. The denouement scene was well handled, though the evidence put forth seems a bit spurious. Heath and Alan's relationship...I probably would like to have read more scenes with the two of them together, in private. The relationship felt really restrained? Though the end scene where they talk about what they mean to each other was lovely.

All in all, a fun mystery novel with some great suspects.

This book is like a wreath knot of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie. It’s been a long time since I read a good, well-crafted murder mystery. The only thing that makes this book one step above your average murder mystery is that the two main characters… a Detective and a Police Officer are a gay couple. This book is the fourth in the Detective Heath Barrington Mystery series. I read it as a stand-alone and it was easy to follow.

This is a mystery in its purest form. The book is primarily the dialogue and procedure of solving a mystery. Detective Heath Barrington is a laid back guy, but his attention to detail is amazing. And, in spite of the fact that he seems to be comfortable with his relationship with Officer Alan Keys, he’s a little jealous about Alan’s new friendship with a handsome actor. It’s Alan’s involvement in the theatre which leads to the two men being in the theatre the very night a murder is committed.

This book falls into one of my favorite categories; this is a story … with queer characters. Queer is not the focus of the story, it’s just a facet of what is going on. The fact that Heath and Alan are a couple is definitely an integral part of the story, but it’s subtle and well-written… it’s… just another relationship. And what a wonderful way to read about a queer couple!

The murder occurring in the theatre brings Heath and Alan into contact with a snarky, colorful cast. What a delightfully bitchy and back-stabby crew of folks! Some of the supporting characters are equally as interesting as the mains!

If you like murder mysteries and are particularly interested in the old-school type, you’ll love this book!

Ordinariness is not a quality one would normally refer to when highly recommending a book to other readers, but that is just what is so clever about David S. Pederson’s novel of the murder of the star of a play in late 1940s Milwaukee.Here is a novel with gay protagonists in which sexual activity plays little part, and in which the main characters, while personable, are markedly unglamorous.

I greatly enjoyed the fourth instalment of this mystery series featuring two gay detectives who, despite the necessity of keeping their feelings secret, manage to lead fulfilling and ordinary lives.

Heath Barrington and Alan Keyes are a couple, they are lovers. However, they are, primarily, police officers and so their relationship is fraught with danger. They live apart, but their emotional bond is intense. When a handsome actor takes a great interest in Alan, Heath feels jealousy. Will this impair his ability to investigate the crime, and will it jeopardise their affair?

The bitchiness and backbiting of the theatre world are well-captured, although I thought some of the dialogue a little stilted.The murder investigation is thorough, and the classic reveal, at a gathering of all the suspects, is neatly-done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the digital ARC.