Untimely Death

Book excerpt: This cozy mystery series debut dials up the charm with an Upstate New York setting, delightful twists, and fascinating insights into Shakespeare plays and costume design! A Catskills resort’s production of Romeo and Juliet takes a wickedly ironic turn when the leading lady drops dead . . . When actress Lauren Richmond is first poisoned and then stabbed, the locals are left to wonder: Who would extinguish the life of such a beautiful young thespian? Who wouldn’t? It seems like just about everyone had a motive to pull the ropes on her final curtain call. At the center of this Shakespearian tragedy is Charlotte Fairfax, formerly the costume mistress of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Upstate New York is a long way from the royal stage, but Charlotte is always the queen of her domain. As this small production’s costume designer, she has stitched her way into everyone’s lives, learning more than anyone could possibly imagine about the rise and fall of Lauren Richmond. But curiosity killed the cat. And it might well kill the costume designer. Witty and wise, Untimely Death, the first in Elizabeth J. Duncan's charming cozy series, is sure to delight.