Private investigator Rory Byrne has gained a reputation as someone the elite of New York City can trust to solve their problems quickly and quietly. So when a hotshot television producer hires him to recover a stolen script, Rory will have to go undercover on the set of a historical drama to complete the job. He has his hands full trying to investigate a skeptical crew while they work around the clock on The Bowery, a new show that promises to shake up the television industry. To make a delicate situation more complicated, the production is led by out-and-proud actor Marion Roosevelt, and Rory is downright smitten.
But every member of the cast and crew is a suspect in the theft. And the deeper Rory delves into their on-set personalities, the more suspicious Marion’s behavior becomes. If Rory is to uncover the theft without sacrificing the fate of The Bowery, he will have to trust his identity and his heart to Marion.
Previously featured in the Footsteps in the Dark anthology.
Despite Lights. Camera. Murder. being present day, it has a hint of noir and Hitchcockian feel to it and in my book that is not easy to do. You have a missing script, undercover PI, cast of wacky and wonky characters(and there's more than one that would make a viable murder victim) . . . what more could you want?
So as this is a mystery I won't say too much because I refuse to spoil anything. Rory and Martin are a well matched duo, a PI with only one rule for his personal relationships, don't lie, and an actor with a few possible secrets and his ability to act may add a few layers of "do I trust him" in Rory's mind.
I'll admit I was left guessing the whole time and that's not easy to accomplish. I'm not bragging or being immodest, it's just that mysteries in book, tv, & films are my favorite genre of choice so in my 47 years I've read & seen many plot bunnies play out. So I know when one keeps me stumped right to the reveal I found a winner. Can't wait to see what the author has in store for Rory and Martin down the road.
RATING:
GET BENT, DIPSHIT
The love note was scrawled across my grocery list on the refrigerator door. Which was fine. I preferred keeping all my reminders in a central location. Now I knew I needed to pick up milk, sugar, bread, and a new boyfriend.
My cell rang as I splashed some cream into my coffee. I pushed my tortoiseshell glasses up my nose and turned to pick up the phone from the counter behind me.
Caller ID: Nate.
Shocker.
I pressed Accept and put the phone to my ear. “Good morning, sunshine. I got your message.”
“You’re a sonofabitch, Rory!”
“I’ve been called worse things by better people.”
Nate’s audible gasp allowed me enough time to indulge in that first sip of morning coffee. “Only an asshole breaks up over text message,” he accused.
I winced at his shrill tone, pulled the phone away from my ear, set it to speaker, and put it back on the countertop. “I only have one rule, Nate.”
“Screw your rule.”
“And you broke it,” I continued without missing a beat.
“Maybe if you were a contributing member in our relationship, I wouldn’t have had to find someone else to fuck me senseless.”
I stared at the phone and messed my already disheveled hair with one hand. “I told you when we started dating just how much I worked.”
“And?”
“And if you need it day and night, I’m probably not the most suitable candidate in the dating pool.”
Nate let out a frustrated growl and then shouted loud enough to cause mic distortion, “Can you pretend like you give a damn right now?”
“It’s not worth my energy. You swore to never lie, and I caught you in one.” I took another sip of coffee while he sputtered and hissed. “Oh. I’d like my extra key back.” I gave the note on the fridge a second glance.
“Burn in hell, Rory.”
“Have a good life, Nate.”
“Hey, while we’re at it—I fucked your coworker too!” he screamed.
“Yeah, I know. Bye-bye.” I hit End, promptly deleted Nate’s contact information from my phone, and walked out of the kitchen.
C.S. Poe is a Lambda Literary and two-time EPIC award finalist, and a FAPA award-winning author of gay mystery, romance, and speculative fiction.
She resides in New York City, but has also called Key West and Ibaraki, Japan, home in the past. She has an affinity for all things cute and colorful and a major weakness for toys. C.S. is an avid fan of coffee, reading, and cats. She’s rescued two cats—Milo and Kasper do their best to distract her from work on a daily basis.
C.S. is an alumna of the School of Visual Arts.
Her debut novel, The Mystery of Nevermore, was published 2016.
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