Week 49 Review: Death of a Showman

From Goodreads:

In Mariah Fredericks's Death of a Showman, the fourth in this absorbing series set in Gilded Age New York, lady's maid Jane Prescott is thrust into the world of show business, where a killer is stalking Broadway.

It's the summer of 1914 and Jane Prescott—lady's maid to Louise Tyler, daughter of a wealthy New York society family—has just arrived home from Independence Day celebrations to find musician Leo Hirschfeld playing the Tylers' piano.

Jane's brief courtship with Leo had ended before the Tylers' vacation to Europe earlier in the summer, so she isn't entirely surprised to see him. She is, however, shocked to learn that he's been engaged to write a new Broadway show—and that he's married a chorus girl in his musical.

Jane and Louise Tyler are pulled into the sparkling and dramatic world of Broadway, with Louise becoming an investor in the show, and Jane accompanying her to rehearsals as her chaperone. But behind the glittering facade of costumes and love songs, the cast is restless and prone to deception, culminating in the death of the show's producer: Sidney Warburton.

The accusation that Leo was involved jolts Jane, and her old friend and tabloid reporter Michael Behan, into action. Determined to close the curtain on these murders, Jane must strip back the masks of these consummate actors until she knows the truth.

My Review:
Yeah, I really enjoyed reading this book! This series has been so great, I love the mix of mystery in this time period. Jane is just so practical and as a modern woman, it's interesting to look back at the life of someone who was a lady's maid.

Of course this investigation involves Leo. He played a brief but important role in the previous book. But he has a much larger role in this book, which I loved. He's just too much of a charmer for his own good. But this investigation really delves into what his loves-his Broadway show.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this book is that Louise really came into her own power in this book. She becomes a patron of the theater, of Leo's work specifically, at least for this book. She also surprises Jane on an occasion or two, and that was just really great! 

One thing about this book, is that it's set around the time of the verge of World War I. It's mentioned that the Arch-Duke was killed, and that tensions were rising. And it ends with war being declared. So I'm not sure how much of a time jump the next book will have or not. 

Yeah, that last chapter in the present, that was so interesting! We got another hint as to who could be the father of her kid(s?) and I think I'm going to have to search the other books, because this was just a small thing, but I don't remember the small things! 

This was a really great book, it was such a great read, and I can't wait for the series to continue! 

Author: Mariah Fredericks 
Series: Jane Prescott #4
Read: November 30th, 2020
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Historical Fiction 2020 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2020 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Expected Publication: April 13th 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars