- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (Oct 8 2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0738707864
- ISBN-13: 978-0738707860
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.2 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Booklist
In 1894, Portland, Oregon, was still a rambunctious frontier town, and vaudeville provided colorful entertainment. Libby Seale, a seamstress from New York, is working as a costumer at the Portland Variety Theater when Vera Carabella, a magician's assistant, turns up dead backstage. Her death may be connected with the disappearance of several other young women. Libby teams up with newspaper reporter Peter Eberle to investigate and is quickly immersed in a dangerous world of smugglers and white slavers, moving from Chinatown tunnels to the mansion of Portland's most powerful man. She and Peter also find themselves falling in love, but Libby has a few secrets in her closet. This debut novel by a brother-sister team introduces a charming pair of investigators, Libby's strength and courage playing nicely against Peter's endearing maverick streak. Look forward to further adventures in this promising historical series. Barbara Bibel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
." . . Ubby's strength and courage [play] nicely against Peter's endearing maverick streak. Look forward to further adventures in this promising historical series."
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First Sentence
FROM THE MOMENT SHE entered the lobby of Crowther's Portland Variety, Libby Seale could tell something was amiss. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
FROM THE MOMENT SHE entered the lobby of Crowther's Portland Variety, Libby Seale could tell something was amiss. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 1/2 stars: an enjoyable first installment, Oct 22 2005
By tregatt - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Murder at the Portland Variety (Paperback)
The sister and brother writing team of Miriam and Joseph Zellnik have written a rather interesting first installment in the Libby Seale mystery series, which, while it was not quite the thrilling page turner, still turned out to be a rather compelling read because of the smooth writing style.When one of the stars of Crowther's Portland Variety, Vera Carabella, is found murdered, everyone is sure that she was a victim of the white slavers. Especially since Vera was found strangled in exactly the same underground tunnel that another performer had been found murdered in some months ago. But when assistant costumer Libby Seale, a recent transplant from New York City, discovers Vera's straw bag in the theatre a few days later, she begins to wonder about the convenient theory that Vera was murdered by white slavers. Convinced that there is more to Vera's murder than meets the eye, and frustrated that she is unable to convince the police that they should widen the scope of their investigation, Libby decides to do right by her friend by trying to unmask the murderer herself. Libby's quest for justice will take her to both the dark alleyways of Chinatown as well as the drawing rooms of Portland's elite -- both highly dangerous places for a young woman with questions she wants answers to. Fortunately for Libby, she has the assistance of newspaperman, Peter Eberle, who seems very keen to assist Libby in every way...
While "Murder at the Portland Variety" was a very straight read, with really no chilling or compelling plot twists, the authors' smooth and engaging prose style succeeded in making the book a rather absorbing read. Another plus was the wonderfully vivid descriptions of the city of Portland in 1894 (as a recent transplant myself, I spent quite a bit of time trying to envision all the streets that this mystery takes place in) -- I'd say that the authors were successful at evoking the feel and ambiance of the period. And if one includes the other great strength that this mystery novel possesses, the immensely courageous, quick witted and impulsive Libby Seale, one would conclude that in spite of the fact that the storyline is a rather basic one with few flourishes, "Murder at the Portland Variety" made for a truly good, entertaining read. I know that I enjoyed it and am quite looking forward to the next Libby Seale installment.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read, Nov 24 2005
By A. Verhoeven - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Murder at the Portland Variety (Paperback)
I love a great mystery and it's always fun to find a new author. Since I live in Portland, I enjoyed the references to landmarks I recognized and was inspired to find out more about historical Portland and how it became the city it is today. A thoroughly delightful read. Libby Seale is a wonderful character and I look forward to many more hours finding out about her life and times in future books. Wish they could get them out a little faster!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful Debut, Nov 20 2005
By J. Gutteridge - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Murder at the Portland Variety (Paperback)
In a strong debut, M.J. Zellnik introduces a smart and resourceful amateur detective, theatrical seamstress Libby Seale, who finds herself living and working in Portland in 1894 and investigating the death of her friend, a vaudeville performer. Along the way, Libby joins forces with a bright and charming newspaper reporter, and together they uncover the seamy underside of Portland society.With a meticulous eye for period detail, characters who are richer than first meet the eye, and pitch-perfect tone, Zellnik (a sister and brother team) crafts an engaging and suspenseful story of love, corruption, betrayal, and bravery, all set in the vibrant worlds of the vaudeville theater, the busy seaport of Portland, and the highest eschelons of turn-of-the-century society.
I eagerly await the next installment of Libby's adventures.
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