by J. A. Jance
Part of J.P. Beaumont, book 11
First published 1994
Former Seattle Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont never imagined his search for a desperate father's missing daughter would lead him backstage at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The theatrical world of costumes and rehearsals becomes a crime scene when real murders interrupt the performances. Blood spills beyond the stage as Beaumont discovers a twisted plot involving revenge and greed. Young people fall victim to brutal crimes while the festival continues around them. Beaumont races against time to identify the killer before more innocents suffer. The investigation pulls him deeper into a web of violence where the line between performance and reality disappears. With additional young lives hanging in the balance, Beaumont must solve the case before the final curtain drops on more victims.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-detective, investigation
Setting: Seattle, Oregon, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
384 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Avon