The Opening Night Murder (A Restoration Mystery)
Jan 22, Jimmie Lee Johnson rated it liked it Shelves: Interesting mystery set in Restoration England. Oct 18, Linda rated it it was ok. The author writes well and interestingly. This book desperately needed a better editor.
The Opening Night Murder
For a book entitled "The Opening Night Murder" the story thus far has had next to nothing to do with opening nights OR murder. The prologue describes the titular opening night murder. No more, nada, zip, zero. Two sentences into Chapter 1, I had to flip back to the prologue and make sure that this was, in fact, the same main character that was in the prologue.
It was so I went back to Ch. I wasn't sure if the story had jumped forward or back in time and was unsure for several more pages. Then it became apparent that the author had jumped back quite a number of years and we were getting character backstory. It was interesting and well written and fooled me into thinking it was actually relevant to the plot. Though at the rate this book is going it'll be several more chapters yet. And I have yet to have read anything that would make the 6 chapters of backstory relevant in any way to the plot. Of course, that's probably because there hasn't BEEN any plot for the entire book up to this point.
I fully intend to finish this. Like I mentioned at the beginning, the author writes well and the backstory is interesting, just completely unnecessary and, in my opinion, betrays the author's promise to the reader of delivering a murder mystery. Feb 06, Anthony rated it liked it. I was so looking forward to reading this historical mystery, set in London in He, like every one else, longs for the entertainment that Cromwell banned when the Puritans were running the country.
Suzanne Thornton finds herself on her own now as her man fled the city upon Charles' return. She, along with her son, reopen the Globe Theater, I was so looking forward to reading this historical mystery, set in London in She, along with her son, reopen the Globe Theater, originally founded by Shakespeare himself, and decide to stage the Bard's plays as well as those of Marlowe and other great English playwrights. On the opening night of the theater, a dead body lands on the stage and Suzanne finds herself the prime suspect in the murder.
I found this novel to be a little too wordy. While Rutherford does a good job of describing London and it's environment in , the story wasn't as exciting as I hoped it would be. This is teh first in a series and at this point, I'm not sure if I will read the next two.
The Opening Night Murder by Anne Rutherford
Jun 29, Judine Brey rated it liked it Shelves: I didn't find this book as engaging as I thought I would. Given that it A is a murder mystery, B occurs in a theatre, C the theatre is the Globe, D the actors are performing Shakespeare, and E features a strong female protagonist, this should have been a slam-dunk. Yeah, not so much. Suzanne's background, while interesting, was told in a bit too graphic of detail for my tastes and could have easily been curbed to cut to the key events that led her to reopen the Globe.
An interesting read, but hard to get into, and I doubt I'll pursue any future books if it turns into a series.
Apr 18, Alexandra Scarborough rated it liked it. I picked up this historical fiction mystery for a fun little read, and was pleasantly surprised by the subtle feminist commentary provided by the novel's heroine, Suzanne. The constraints of the female in the age of Restoration is made readily apparent, and I loved the fearless way Suzanne approached her life, doing what she had to, to survive.
Hardback Editions
The characters were richly drawn, and the backdrop of s theatre--in Shakespeare's restored Globe, no less! My only complaint is that I picked up this historical fiction mystery for a fun little read, and was pleasantly surprised by the subtle feminist commentary provided by the novel's heroine, Suzanne. My only complaint is that occasionally a few of author Rutherford's descriptive phrases were repeated within just a few sentences of each other, making the prose seem poorly edited, at times.
It seems something that the author, or at the least, her editor, should have caught and corrected. Nevertheless, it was a fun read, and I'm highly likely to read more from this series. Nov 03, Susan rated it liked it.
Life has been tough under the Puritans for Suzanne Thornton, now too old to easily attract men to support her and her adolescent son. Things start looking up after the restoration of King Charles II in Suzanne must investigate to save herself from the noose.
As much a novel as a murd Life has been tough under the Puritans for Suzanne Thornton, now too old to easily attract men to support her and her adolescent son. As much a novel as a murder mystery, Suzanne is an interesting heroine and the story a pleasant read. Mar 11, Kathy rated it liked it. I did read this out of order having read the second book first. I must say there are some rather modern sensibilities for the 's, but I don't mean to complain since the plotting, interesting characters and action flow make for enjoyable reading.
Overcoming obstacles and finding a way through the deepest waters seems the life blood of the heroine in this series, so buckle up and believe if you can. Apr 11, Angelique rated it liked it Shelves: She used the word insouciant too much. It was an ok little read in total. May 20, Lori rated it liked it. This was a quick, enjoyable read. I found the time period and setting interesting, and the characters were pleasant and likable. Some of the situations were a bit implausible for the time period, but if you like light historical fiction, especially about Restoration England, you will enjoy this book.
I plan to continue with the series. May 29, Karen rated it it was ok. I thought this book would be interesting: The characters feel more like people gathering for an SCA event than they did people who lived in the Restoration era. And none of them was especially likable or engaging. Feb 13, Sarah "Kat" rated it it was ok Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here. I read of the pages and decided it was time to let it go. Writing was very meh. Didn't feel very authentic for being set in , the language, the behavior of the protagonist - and frankly she was annoying. Apr 04, Molly rated it it was ok. The setting was really intriguing. As someone who loves mystery, Shakespeare, and theater, it seemed really promising.
But far too much exposition and a rather lame mystery meant that I was underwhelmed. Aug 21, Dawn rated it liked it. Nice quick enjoyable read. The time period was interesting as were the characters. But everything had lightness to it, no depth into history, characters or murder May 24, Lois Hecksel rated it liked it. Set in Restoration England, Rutherford does a good job of describing London and it's environment in However, a weak murder mystery with mediocre writing detracts from the suspense. May 11, Kimberlee Gibbs rated it did not like it. Dec 04, M. At the dawn of the Restoration Period, Suzanne Thornton hopes to find a second life in the theater.
But instead, on opening night, she finds a dead body on stage… The triumphant return of King Charles II in is occasion for much celebration in London. One of these is Suzanne Thornton. No longer a kept woman since her man has fled, she sees an opportunity to reopen a theater and stage the classics—Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the like. And now, thanks to Royal decree, Juliet can be played by a woman.
Suzanne secures financing from an old lover, assembles a troupe, and restores the venue—none other than the historic Globe Theater. Tragically, during the opening night performance, a dead body lands on the stage. After the curtain comes down, Suzanne finds herself a suspect. Wishing to live to enjoy her success, Suzanne undertakes her own investigation to find a killer who may try to close her down for good….
Anne Rutherford is a pseudonym for Julianne Lee. Lee has been writing historical fiction in several genres, under various pseudonyms, for over a decade. Her heroine, Suzanne Thornton, has always done what she must to survive in a cruel world where women count for little, and now she must solve a murder to save the one person in the world she truly loves.
- Related Articles.
- Get A Copy.
- African-American Healthy.
- Paperback Editions.
- A Pair of Wings.
- Fadette, by George Sand.