Deadly Director's Cut

February 14, 2022
Set in the 1950s, Delany’s delightful sequel to 2021’s Deadly Summer Nights opens with the filming of a movie scene at Haggerman’s Catskills Resort. Elizabeth Grady, the manager of Haggerman’s, which is owned by her mother, former Hollywood dancer Olivia Peters, must contend with the film’s demanding director, Elias Theropodous, starting with his insistence on parking his car in the main driveway, where it blocks traffic, instead of the staff parking lot. There’s also friction between Elias and “silver screen legend” Gloria Grant, his former wife and Olivia’s friend, who has a leading role. When Elias is fatally poisoned at a dinner party, Elizabeth worries that Haggerman’s will suffer from the bad publicity. Since Elias had lots of enemies, the list of suspects is endless, but amateur sleuth Elizabeth is determined to find the culprit before the film crew leaves town. Olivia’s subsequent nonfatal poisoning raises the stakes, and the budding relationship between Elizabeth and a neighboring resort’s owner adds some romance. This entry may be a standard-issue cozy, but, as always, Delany reliably entertains. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends.

June 1, 2022

Delany's charming sequel to Deadly Summer Nights transports listeners back to the 1950s Borscht Belt, where Haggerman's Catskills Resort manager Elizabeth Grady finds herself in the midst of another mystery. Haggerman's has been selected as a filming location for the infamously difficult director Elias Theropodous's next movie. The project brings welcome funding to Haggerman's precarious finances, but it also introduces a host of problems, most notably, a gaggle of demanding Hollywood actors and their officious staff. With steely resolve, Elizabeth holds her own until Elias is poisoned during a banquet. Knowing that a suspicious death could spell the end of the resort, Elizabeth sets off to find the killer before they strike again. Narrator Jennifer Van Dyck ably gives voice to the many colorful characters that make their way through the resort--aging, but elegant movie stars, suave leading men, adoring women, and blustering businessmen. Van Dyck's narration is perfectly in tune with the setting, adding a classic, vintage feel that sets this audio apart. VERDICT This engrossing, atmospheric cozy will appeal to existing fans of the series and newcomers alike. A great next listen for readers of Elizabeth J. Duncan, Rhys Bowen, and Frances Brody.--Sarah Hashimoto

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