Trending Bestseller

A Black Tie Affair and Other Mystery Stories

Elizabeth Elwood

No reviews yet Write a Review
Paperback / softback
09 April 2008
$29.00
In Stock: Ships in 3-5 Days
In Stock: Ships in 7-9 Days
Hurry up! Current stock:
A lighthearted mystery collection whose main character is an opera singer and inadvertent sleuth. Philippa Beary, who first debuted in To Catch an Actress and Other Mystery Stories (2005), appears as the protagonist in these nine stories. Aided by her sisters, a city-councilor father and a formidable mother, Philippa finds herself solving several crimes in myriad settings. In "The Mephisto Waltz Jump," a skater dies in a pool of blood at the rink where Philippa's niece takes lessons. "The Fall of Tosca" occurs at one of Philippa's auditions, where she hears a famed soprano fall to her death from a castle tower. In the title story, Philippa's father thwarts the offstage murder of a lovely prima donna in a performance of Die Fledermaus, while Philippa sings and deals with a surplus of suitors. Unlike many mystery writers, Elwood provides relatively sparse physical descriptions of her characters-Philippa has, for example, a "diminutive five-foot frame," and her father an "ample" waistline, but beyond this sort of phrasing, readers are left to imagine the characters' appearances. However, Elwood offers genuine character development through lively dialogue. In addition to puzzling over mysteries, readers get a glimpse into Philippa's relationship with her sisters (she prefers the softhearted animal lover Juliette to the driven lawyer Sylvia) and her parents (her father embarrasses her in his attempts to advance her career, and her mother is demanding and overwhelming). Elwood's settings, whether the coast off Vancouver, refined stage scenes or bustling New York streets, are equally well drawn. Elwood's stories are typically more clever than frightening, and many plot twists depend on a character being in the right spot at the right time, but because she has deftly created a web family of characters and acquaintances, the constellation of murders seems plausible. Well-crafted stories which will delight mystery fans.-Kirkus Discoveries

This product hasn't received any reviews yet. Be the first to review this product!

$29.00
In Stock: Ships in 3-5 Days
In Stock: Ships in 7-9 Days
Hurry up! Current stock:

A Black Tie Affair and Other Mystery Stories

$29.00

Description

A lighthearted mystery collection whose main character is an opera singer and inadvertent sleuth. Philippa Beary, who first debuted in To Catch an Actress and Other Mystery Stories (2005), appears as the protagonist in these nine stories. Aided by her sisters, a city-councilor father and a formidable mother, Philippa finds herself solving several crimes in myriad settings. In "The Mephisto Waltz Jump," a skater dies in a pool of blood at the rink where Philippa's niece takes lessons. "The Fall of Tosca" occurs at one of Philippa's auditions, where she hears a famed soprano fall to her death from a castle tower. In the title story, Philippa's father thwarts the offstage murder of a lovely prima donna in a performance of Die Fledermaus, while Philippa sings and deals with a surplus of suitors. Unlike many mystery writers, Elwood provides relatively sparse physical descriptions of her characters-Philippa has, for example, a "diminutive five-foot frame," and her father an "ample" waistline, but beyond this sort of phrasing, readers are left to imagine the characters' appearances. However, Elwood offers genuine character development through lively dialogue. In addition to puzzling over mysteries, readers get a glimpse into Philippa's relationship with her sisters (she prefers the softhearted animal lover Juliette to the driven lawyer Sylvia) and her parents (her father embarrasses her in his attempts to advance her career, and her mother is demanding and overwhelming). Elwood's settings, whether the coast off Vancouver, refined stage scenes or bustling New York streets, are equally well drawn. Elwood's stories are typically more clever than frightening, and many plot twists depend on a character being in the right spot at the right time, but because she has deftly created a web family of characters and acquaintances, the constellation of murders seems plausible. Well-crafted stories which will delight mystery fans.-Kirkus Discoveries

Customers Also Viewed

Discover Books for Every Interest at BookLoop

Discover your next great read at BookLoop, Australia's trusted online bookstore offering a vast selection of titles across various genres and interests. Whether you're curious about what's trending or searching for graphic novels that captivate, thrilling crime and mystery fiction, or exhilarating action and adventure stories, our curated collections have something for every reader. Delve into imaginative fantasy worlds or explore the realms of science fiction that challenge the boundaries of reality.

Books on Hobbies, Crafts, Gardening, and More

For those with a green thumb, our comprehensive range of gardening books provides insights and tips for all levels of enthusiasts. If you're aiming to enhance your financial acumen, our selection of finance, business, and management books offers valuable knowledge from industry experts. Craft lovers will appreciate our assortment of handicrafts, decorative arts, and crafts books, perfect for inspiring your next project. Engage your mind with our collection of hobbies, quizzes, and games books, or explore the mystical with our fortune-telling and divination guides.

Transport, Contemporary Fiction, and Picture Books for Kids

Transportation aficionados can immerse themselves in our extensive transportation books, including detailed works on road and motor vehicles. Young readers are not left out, with a delightful array of picture books and early learning concepts designed to educate and entertain. Fans of contemporary narratives will find compelling stories in our contemporary fiction section. Embark on epic journeys with our fantasy and science fiction titles, or gain inspiration from real-life tales in our biographies and true stories collection. Health-conscious readers can explore our health and wholefood cooking books, focusing on specific diets and conditions.

School Books, Teacher Resources, and Academic Textbooks

Textbooks for Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education

BookLoop proudly supports the educational needs of students and schools across Australia. Our textbook collection includes school books and teacher resources for every phase from primary school books, secondary school books, and essential titles for TAFE courses, vocational training, and university study. Each book is selected to align with curriculum outcomes and classroom needs, making it easy for schools and teachers to plan ahead.

Teacher Resources and Classroom Support Materials

From structured lesson planning to engaging student activities, our wide range of school books and teacher resources provides essential tools for educators. You’ll also find dedicated school and preschool teacher materials designed for early years education, classroom support, and intervention. Teachers can access a reliable selection of workbooks, literacy and numeracy programs, assessment tools, and professional development guides all in one place.

Books for Early Learning Centres and Childcare Professionals

Support the earliest stages of education with our curated range of early childhood care and education books. These titles are ideal for early learning centres, preschools, and childcare settings, offering age-appropriate resources that build foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and emotional development. Families and educators alike trust our resources for quality, clarity, and classroom effectiveness.

Bulk Book Orders for Schools and Educational Institutions

We make bulk school book orders simple and efficient. Schools, libraries, and early learning centres can rely on BookLoop for competitive pricing, fast shipping, and expert support when sourcing large quantities of textbooks and educational materials. Whether you’re restocking for a new term or ordering resources for an entire class, our bulk ordering system ensures convenience and accuracy every step of the way.

Stay Up to Date with Book Trends

Explore our new releases for the most recent additions in romance books, fantasy books, graphic novels, crime and mystery books, science fiction books as well as biographies, cookbooks, self help books, tarot cards, fortunetelling and much more. With titles covering current trends, booktok and bookstagram recommendations, and emerging authors, BookLoop remains your go-to local australian bookstore for buying books online across all book genres.

Explore the Latest and Most Loved Books

Stay updated with the literary world by browsing our trending books, featuring the latest bestsellers and critically acclaimed works. Explore titles from popular brands like Minecraft, Pokemon, Star Wars, Bluey, Lonely Planet, ABIA award winners, Peppa Pig, and our specialised collection of ADHD books. At BookLoop, we are committed to providing a diverse and enriching reading experience for all.