THE TUMBLING GIRL Variety Palace, Book 1

This historical mystery features amateur sleuths portrayed with appropriate theatricality by Jasmine Blackborow. They're in pursuit of the "Hairpin Killer," so called because he murders young women by stabbing them in the heart. Nineteenth-century dialogue and colorful slang pepper Blackborow's narration of this engaging and entertaining romp. Minnie Ward gathers a group of allies, along with private detective Albert Easterbrook, to identify the killer of her best friend, Rose Watkins. The police are confused because the rope burns on Rose's body could have occurred during her act as a tumbler. Blackborow adds urgency to her delivery as the investigators approach a final showdown with the murderer. This is the first in a proposed series. R.O. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2023]