Murder in Fourth Position by Lori Robbins
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Pub date: Oct. 3, 2023

Thank you Netgalley and Level Best Books for a gifted ARC of this book- my review is voluntary and my honest opinion.

I would consider this book a “cozy mystery”. It was not one that got my heart racing or had me up at night thinking about it. But it was a cute and fun read that kept me interested enough to want to find out what happened.

I wish that the weird sisters had played a bigger role. There was a big fuss made about their special skills, but in the end they really only served as a sounding board for Leah to discuss her own theories with. They were lovable characters and I wanted them to have more involvement.

My only other criticism is how prevalent Leah skipping meals and counting her calories was. I grew up in the world of dance, so I know that this is unfortunately a very real thing that dancers struggle with. I don’t mind it being mentioned once or twice, but it was talked about more than the threats to Amber were. And it didn’t add anything to story.

But other than that, Leah is a strong and independent main character. You’ll especially enjoy this if you love or have any involvement in the dance/ stage world. This is perfect short read for when you want a light cozy mystery to cuddle up with on the couch for a weekend.

I will be doing a “rapid review” of this book on my Instagram stories in the coming weeks sometime before pub date, and will save that story to my rapid review highlights

I read an eARC of Murder in Fourth Position by Lori Robbins. Thank you, NetGalley and Level Best Books.

Whoops, this is the fourth book in a series. No, I didn’t realize this right away, and I’m not going back and reading the other three.

I’ve also learned that I’m really picky about mystery/thriller books. This story was fine. Maybe I would have liked it better if I read the first three, but this book felt like a middling book in a list of books like it. The main character is dull. I pointed to the person who did it early on in the book, and honestly, how this book was written, I didn’t even think it was “too easy” it was just the sort of book that would have this kind of character as the one who did it.

In the end, I think this is a good book for people who like books that have a mystery to it, I also don’t think the book was for me.

Leah finds herself in a deadly race against time as the virtual threats escalate into real-life violence. Her collaboration with the handsome detective assigned to the case complicates their fragile romance as she battles jealousy, hidden motives, and a shadowy stalker who endangers her personal and professional future.

Great mystery, great plot twists, great characters.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

MURDER IN FOURTH POSITION:

Robbins delivers another brilliantly crafted On Pointe Mystery with Murder in Fourth Position. Leah Siderova is back in this latest book of the series, still squaring her shoulders and pirouetting across the stage, but this time as the lead dancer in Mad Music, Broadway’s most anticipated new musical. Her true role is a clandestine one. She agreed to take the part only to conceal her undercover investigation of the online threats against the show’s star, Amber Castle. Stunned to discover that the threats they all feared had become a reality on the first day of rehearsal, Leah is determined to uncover the truth as intrigue and danger grow.
Masterfully written, Robbins takes you on a journey through every stunning leap and down every dark path to the end. I couldn’t put it down!
C.L. (Cynthia) Tolbert, author, Thornton Mystery Series

“Prima ballerina, Leah Siderova, makes the leap from ballet to Broadway in Lori Robbins’s twisty Murder In Fourth Position. Going undercover as the alter-ego dancer of the star of Mad Music, Amber Castle, accidents plague the production right from the start. After Amber winds up in the hospital, things go from bad to worse. Will the show be a no-go? Or, will Leah discover who’s behind the threats? You’ll be turning pages as fast as you can to find out!”

Lori Robbins held my attention the entire way through this book… compelling, captivating and mysterious all wrapped up in pretty ballet ribbons.

Peek backstage at rehearsals for a Broadway musical, as jealous dancers and actors vie for attention and praise. In Murder in the Fourth Position, the newest addition to her On Pointe series, Lori Robbins again entertains and surprises us. Ballerina Leah Siderova, selected for a central role in the show, learns the star actress has received threats. Who wishes her harm? Her ex, her understudy, her boyfriend? Who will find the culprit first, Siderova or the police? Readers will love this mystery on its own, while reaching for the other On Pointe books.

If you like the genre/ trope of ballet then you will love this… it honestly give me a “ find a killer “ or other similar type game vibes …. i’d def recommend this novel to others!! This book is just short of a 4 star for me though honestly the more i think about it in next few days it probably will raise it to 4 stars .