Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Deadly Director's Cut by Vicki Delany

 
First Line: "LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION!"
 
Academy Award-winning director Elias Theropodous has chosen Haggerman's Catskills Resort as a shooting location for his next movie, and the guests and employees are loving every minute of rubbing elbows with the stars. If only the manager of the resort, Elizabeth Grady, could say the same. While her mother is sharing living quarters with one of the movie's stars and catching up on all the gossip, Elizabeth finds herself being pulled in all directions by the outrageous demands of Theropodous. If the resort didn't desperately need the hefty fee the film company is paying, she'd send them all packing. 
 
Then Theropodous is poisoned at a dinner at the resort, and Elizabeth has her work cut out for her in trying to find the killer. She has to because she needs to protect the reputation of the resort and keep those all-important bookings coming in. Unfortunately, the director was so disliked that the list of suspects is a long one. Elizabeth is going to have to work fast. 
 
~
 
With its 1950s resort setting of the Catskills in New York State, Vicki Delany's new series is perfect for all readers who count Dirty Dancing as one of their favorite movies. Deadly Director's Cut is the second book, and it's left me-- once again-- wanting more. 
 
I love the setting. Delany really gives a feel for how a resort of this type is run. Elizabeth's work is never done, and she has to have both diplomacy and a spine of steel to stand up to impossible guests and vendors. It's a pleasure to watch her doing so well in what was considered a man's job in the 1950s. Another thing I like about Elizabeth? When she figures out whodunit, she calls the police before she puts her plan into action. This woman is turning out to be one of my favorite cozy sleuths, especially since she's sleuthing while being fully armored in a girdle, no-nonsense bra, stockings, and a poodle haircut. (Interesting how a very few details-- like clothing-- can help readers transport themselves to another era, isn't it?)
 
Also, having a movie being filmed on location at the resort was a stroke of genius. Not only do readers get to experience a bit of Hollywood behind the scenes, but it also broadens the playing field with the addition of so many suspects.  
 
Deadly Director's Cut was another thoroughly enjoyable visit to Haggerman's Catskills Resort, and I look forward to my next. I hope I can book my favorite cabin. 

Deadly Director's Cut by Vicki Delany
eISBN: 9780593334409
Berkley Prime Crime © 2022
eBook, 304 pages
 
Cozy Mystery, #2 Catskills Summer Resort mystery
Rating: B+
Source: Net Galley

13 comments:

  1. So glad you liked this. I may be looking for a cozy or two sometime soon to relax and enjoy, given all the world's stresses.

    And girldes? I remember wearing one in high school. And stockings. All that ended in my college days, and then somehow wearing them was over.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. Fortunately, I'm just young enough to have missed that particular form of torture.

      Delete
  3. You are so lucky. Girdles and stockings (worn with a garter belt. All of it a horror. Panty hose was a step to progress.

    And then one gets older and who cares about all that> Wear pants with socks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, this sounds so great, Cathy. And I have nothing but admiration for Vicki Delany. She's so prolific, but each of her books is a good read. Love the time and place setting for this one, too. And thank goodness girdles are a thing of the past (well, they are for me). Yikes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you, Margot-- I really admire Delany. She is a very talented writer.

      Delete
  5. I used to read cozy mysteries almost exclusively and now I seem to have gotten away from them almost entirely. Probably a mistake on my part for there's nothing more comforting than a good cozy and this one sounds like it fits that bill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does.

      I used to read a lot more cozies than I do now. I'm finding too many of them to be "the same old, same old." There are always exceptions, though, and this series is one of them.

      Delete
  6. I did love Dirty Dancing when it came out. (Of course, I was a lot younger back then. ;D ) A resort in the Catskills is a fun setting though.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am looking forward to reading this series. Your review has reminded me I better get started while it is still only two books in. And yes, I love how the details like clothing can transport you to a different time and give you extra clues about the character’s personality.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is a series that you'd enjoy, Gretchen.

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. I really appreciate it!