A chorus girl has been found dead on stage dressed and posed as the leading lady of the current show. There are no immediate signs of the causes of death, but a note, referencing the play Pygmalion has been found near the body.  Another girl had been found dead at another theatre earlier in the year, but the death was thought to be a suicide. Now the two notes tie the deaths together, along with a letter received at The Times, convincing the two detectives they have a possible serial killer on their hands. 

Because of the Pygmalion reference the police look at actor Timothy Poe who had recently starred in a production of the play. With not much more than the notes to go on, the two agree to bring in law professor and criminologist Alistair Sinclair who has some new, unorthodox ways of looking at evidence. 

Working quickly before another murder occurs, the three navigate the newly christened “Great White Way” (lighted marquees have just been introduced).  What they find is a surprise to all three, but will change Ziele’s life in a way he could never have imagined.  

A Curtain Falls is a very atmospheric, historically detailed mystery with very likable, human characters and a plot with an interesting twist at the end.  Ziele, Mulvaney and Sinclair are all very different in their approaches to life and investigations, yet they each complement each other and ultimately work very well as a team.  Adding to the mix is Sinclair’s recently widowed niece of whom Ziele is growing very fond, even in light of his relatively recent loss.

 While there are several people who would make good suspects, enough is not made of each of them and they are quickly discarded, leaving the murderer fairly easy to pick out, though there are a few surprises in the end.  The plot is engrossing and theatre fans will enjoy the historical aspect of Broadway.                                                  

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry