Thanks to Net Galley and Agora Books for a review copy.

A theatre production of a melodrama is a comfortable setting for us to follow Dr Basil Willing’s skill in applying his considerable psychological skill to yet another murder - or two. It’s a clever plot with the challenge of a severely limited cast of suspects.

The reader is led to identify with Basil Willing, and, to a lesser extent, Inspector Foyle. The suspects, and other supporting characters were less well established and distinguished, broad brush stroke figures, tending to stereotype. It would be a more satisfying read if they were more rounded to engage the reader, rather than part of an intellectual puzzle. It is this factor that stops me giving it four stars.

As it is, I’d put it around 3.7.

Cue for Murder by Helen McCloy is the fifth in the Dr. Basil Willing series.

Willing finds himself in a complicated case, when a murder is committed on stage in the Royal Theater in full view of the audience. At the beginning there are no alibis, no fingerprints, no motives, no tell-tale looks or gestures. The only clues are a canary and a fly. Basil Willing needs his psychological insight, his keen eye and his deductive abilities.
It is a well written crime novel in the classic English tradition, and I enjoyed the reunion with Dr. Basil Willing very much!

I got this e-book from Crime Classics via NetGalley. It is published in the series from Agora Books called Uncrowned Queens of Crime.

"Cue for Murder," original copywrite 1941, is a mystery featuring Dr. Basil Willing. He is a New York City psychiatrist who is a medical advisor to the District Attorney's office. Willing attends the play "Fedora" with a young woman who designed the play's costumes. At the end of Act One, the character "Vladimir" is discovered dead. He's been murdered during the play and neither Willing, his companion, the audience, nor the other actors noticed anything. Only three people were on stage and "Vladimir" was in an alcove with no entry other than double doors facing the audience. The key to solving the crime is a canary and a fly! The plot is intricate with red herrings and misdirection to keep mystery lovers entertained. The book is a product of its time and the psychological assumptions are dated. It's an interesting book and will keep the reader guessing right up to the end. There are typos in the "Persons of Interest" section: Pauline "kindle" for "kind" and "health" instead of "healthy."

This, for me, is definitely the best Dr. Willing mystery that I have read so far. The plot fairly zips along and the characters are extremely well written. The storyline is ingenious and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Let's hope that Helen. McCloy wrote many more and that they are re-published in the near future. I highly recommend this book to all classic crime fans.

Dr Basil Willing has been given a ticket to attend the opening night of the play Fedora. Where in the first act a character dies, unfortunately so does the actor. He has been stabbed. With so few suspects can Willing determine the motive and therefore the guilty party before they kill again. The clues were there to find.
Another entertaining historical mystery, originally written in 1941. A well-written story with its varied and likeable characters. Another good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Could a Golden Age book be more exquisite? Cue for Murder in the Dr. Basil Willing Mystery series contains everything one could hope for in a mystery...suspense, tension, superb secrets, believable and memorable characters, oodles of atmosphere, wonderful descriptions and a clever ending. Plus Helen McCloy wrote with fresh humour and wit which made me chuckle out loud several times. She also included a list of persons of interest (even these are enshrouded in her magical wit) and objects of interest. Love that.

The backdrop and scene of the crime is the Royal Theatre in bustling New York in 1942. Interestingly, the list of suspects is short but each seems unlikely. Or do they? Dr. Basil Willing draws on his psychiatric background and criminal knowledge to analyze and scrutinize which really elevates this character-driven book. Though the murder was committed in full view, no one saw it happen. The descriptions transported me immediately to the stage and I felt I was a witness to a positively smashing murder without knowing it. And then there's the non-human objects of interest...

Please do not miss this superb book. It is my favourite by this author I have read thus far. Each word was arresting and riveting and had me tied up in knots as I was so eager to finish yet did not want it to end! It had that special je ne sais quois I yearn for in books.

My sincere thank you to Agora Books for reviving this enchanting era. It will always be my favourite to read from and about. Thank you to NetGalley for the privilege of reading this treasure. I could not have possibly enjoyed it more and eagerly await the next!

I liked all the Basil Willing mysteries I read and this the best so far. A page turner I couldn't put down featuring a very complex puzzle, a limited number of suspects and plenty of secrets.
The author did an excellent job in developing a plot that never stops surprising as each twist is unexpected.
The descriptions of the theatre environment and the atmosphere in NY at the beginning of WWII are masterful as the storytelling and the character development.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Perfect Murder….?
A murder takes place, on stage, before a full house. Surely that’s straightforward? Despite the clear view no one can tell who the murderer is. An enigma. Cue the enigmatic Dr Basil Willing. With a clever and well crafted plot, red herrings aplenty and a superlative cast this is an engaging and enjoyable mystery with a satisfying denouement.