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caweath's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
graneets's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jonscott9's review against another edition
4.0
"The critical profession, in fact, is cruel in its nature, and demands for its efficient discharge an inhuman person like myself." — George Bernard Shaw
So goes the lead-in quote before page 1 of this Gotham-meets-the-Gershwin drama. First-time novelist Alexis Soloski is a Brooklyn-based culture vulture and critic. She teaches, learns and breathes this stuff, with a doctorate in theater and a life to date spent in New York's dozens of playhouses of all kinds and levels. It's easy to listen and read here how much she's wanted to write a book.
Her murder-thriller is set in that vivacious, fraught and esoteric theater world where players pound the boards and discerning scribes can make or break a show upon (or before) its opening. The many references and asides to musicals and plays, both relatively recent and mostly classic, provide a bit of jolt and a joy every time.
That's especially true as delivered by the audio version's narrator, Tony Award–winning actor Laura Benanti. I saw her once in a cabaret setting, one in which she deftly handled a table of loud, rude comers. In this, she skillfully delves into an array of characters and accents. In turn, I found myself casting this grand, noir-soaked mystery – in my 20s, I would fantasize about being a casting director – and Benanti's portrayal of one player, Raj, speedily brought Aziz Ansari to mind.
The protagonist here, Vivian Parry, is a classic antihero, and the supporting characters are peppered in with aplomb. Vivian's pal Justine, a starlet-forever-waiting, provides some delicious comic relief, and Benanti giddily, nasally leans in for her quippy "kills." Separately, Vivian frequently gets handsy, with both a man in uniform and a stage-effects guru as her vodka-drenched saga plays out. All the characters are vivid (or as vivid as called for) via Benanti's inspired voice. Vivian has her antagonists, but it's Benanti who's having the most fun here.
A handy half-dozen people might have "done it," but Vivian, ever the steely, skeptical critic, resolves their potential motives one by one until just a couple suspects remain. That's because she's obsessed with performances (in her life to date) and crimes (as they seem to pile up in her vicinity).
There's a vintage-y denouement, a final showdown, that doesn't disappoint. I recommend approaching this book as delivered by Benanti. The longer the story progressed, the more I hinged on her interpretations, her various tones and details, her cliffhanging decrescendos. This one made me watchful for what she reads next.
So goes the lead-in quote before page 1 of this Gotham-meets-the-Gershwin drama. First-time novelist Alexis Soloski is a Brooklyn-based culture vulture and critic. She teaches, learns and breathes this stuff, with a doctorate in theater and a life to date spent in New York's dozens of playhouses of all kinds and levels. It's easy to listen and read here how much she's wanted to write a book.
Her murder-thriller is set in that vivacious, fraught and esoteric theater world where players pound the boards and discerning scribes can make or break a show upon (or before) its opening. The many references and asides to musicals and plays, both relatively recent and mostly classic, provide a bit of jolt and a joy every time.
That's especially true as delivered by the audio version's narrator, Tony Award–winning actor Laura Benanti. I saw her once in a cabaret setting, one in which she deftly handled a table of loud, rude comers. In this, she skillfully delves into an array of characters and accents. In turn, I found myself casting this grand, noir-soaked mystery – in my 20s, I would fantasize about being a casting director – and Benanti's portrayal of one player, Raj, speedily brought Aziz Ansari to mind.
The protagonist here, Vivian Parry, is a classic antihero, and the supporting characters are peppered in with aplomb. Vivian's pal Justine, a starlet-forever-waiting, provides some delicious comic relief, and Benanti giddily, nasally leans in for her quippy "kills." Separately, Vivian frequently gets handsy, with both a man in uniform and a stage-effects guru as her vodka-drenched saga plays out. All the characters are vivid (or as vivid as called for) via Benanti's inspired voice. Vivian has her antagonists, but it's Benanti who's having the most fun here.
A handy half-dozen people might have "done it," but Vivian, ever the steely, skeptical critic, resolves their potential motives one by one until just a couple suspects remain. That's because she's obsessed with performances (in her life to date) and crimes (as they seem to pile up in her vicinity).
There's a vintage-y denouement, a final showdown, that doesn't disappoint. I recommend approaching this book as delivered by Benanti. The longer the story progressed, the more I hinged on her interpretations, her various tones and details, her cliffhanging decrescendos. This one made me watchful for what she reads next.
angelajzhu's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
cbrack90's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Oopsy doopsy, finished this like a week ago and forgot all about it. I really liked the wittyness of this one at the start, but then some things were a little farfetched. And then I went away for almost two weeks and didn't listen to any of it, so it was a little disjointed when I got back to it. The twist sadly didn't shock me.
detrasystem's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rachelparaski's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
tabithavdv's review against another edition
1.0
This book was just so MEHHHH. It took forever to get into and the main character is SOOO unlikeable. I have no issues with characters who have substance dependance… but Vivian was unbearable and grating. She makes the worst, borderline unbelievable, decisions - like why is she deep diving into an investigation of a guy she met ONE time?? And then takes time from her real job (where she is actively competing for a promotion!) to “play a role” and get a job at the missing man’s former company?! IDK it didn’t make sense, the writing was pedantic, maybe if you’re a die-hard theatre kid you’d appreciate all the references… but I’m just left wondering who rec’d this book to me and why they would do something so mean (b**ktok probably). I thought it was getting good on the middle but then it returned to the mid-shelf.
OH and there’s this big hubbub about some ‘incident’ when she was in college that isn’t really addressed & the ending wraps up very quickly (which are both personal pet peeves of mine).
Apparently, the audio book kills though, so if you’re debating reading this, and I haven’t deterred you, I’d recommend that route.
OH and there’s this big hubbub about some ‘incident’ when she was in college that isn’t really addressed & the ending wraps up very quickly (which are both personal pet peeves of mine).
Apparently, the audio book kills though, so if you’re debating reading this, and I haven’t deterred you, I’d recommend that route.