“Either my theater is haunted or someone’s trying to drive me into bankruptcy!”Professor Moriarty’s new client is the manager of a West End theater. He’s three weeks away from opening his Chistmas pantomime, the expensive spectacle that pays for the rest of the year. But after months of freak accidents and spooky incidents, the cast and crew are convinced the show is cursed. Worse, he’s out of … Worse, he’s out of money and the rent is due.
The Moriartys leap to the rescue. Angelina takes on the leading role and James supplies the needed funds. While she works backstage uncovering secrets and grudges, he follows the money in search of a motive. Then someone sets Sherlock Holmes on their trail, trying to catch them crossing the line into crime.
How far will Moriarty have to go to keep the show afloat? And will they all make it to opening night in one piece?
more
The third book in the series, this one takes place primarily in a theater, as Lina returns to the stage and drags her husband into another mystery and bit of insanity. Just as fun as the first two books, but the mystery isn’t as well hidden, I had most of it figured out before the halfway point. Still, it was good, and Sherlock Holmes gets his own case out of it.
Nicely done…really interesting to read about how Victorian theatre worked…enjoyed seeing Prof M and L relationship get back on an even keel…
Angelina Moriarty is delighted to see her old friend come to visit (thinking he is going to tap her talent for his theater) but soon discovers that he needs the talents of her husband Professor Moriarty. The Christmas pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk is to open in three weeks, but the theater has been plagued with strange and very expensive occurrences. Everyone thinks the show is cursed and maybe even jinxed by an unfriendly ghost.
The Moriarty’s decide to give a helping hand with Angelina filling in as the lead role and James supplying the funds, they both use their smarts to uncover backstage secrets and grudges. Can they keep the show afloat, find out who is behind all the incidents, and actually have an opening night?
This book is the perfect touch of old-time mystery, intrigue, and suspense. And the surprise twist is that you get to see a different side of Professor Moriarty then portrayed in Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
When a distressed theater owner comes to the Moriartys for help, Angelina jumps at the chance to get back on stage in a plum role during a Christmas pantomime. Moriarty himself is more cautious, but is soon led to invest both his money and his detective skills into the Galaxy Theatre. But as the accidents affecting the production take a sinister turn, it becomes increasingly doubtful whether the show can go on. Moriarty cudgels his brain to discover who could possibly profit if a theater company goes under while trying to protect his wife and other principals from loss of life or limb. At the same time, he must evade the watchful gaze of Sherlock Holmes who is determined to catch the professor in some sort of felony.
The third book in the Professor & Mrs. Moriarty series provided an intriguing look at the backstage of a Victorian theater. The jealousies and rivalries between the dressers, the lighting managers, the scenery movers, and the actors is shown in high relief. Angelina is charming as usual, desperately dieting to shed a few pounds before returning to the stage that she deserted a decade ago. Her brother Sebastian, one of London’s most sought after male leads, takes on the new role of theater manager, using his extensive experience to govern every aspect of the show. Moriarty himself, learns the theater business in an astonishingly short time, finding that his acumen for financial matters may bring him a fine return on his investment as well as help solve the mystery of the murderous ghost at the Galaxy Theatre. This novel is a worthy continuation to the series, and an enjoyable mystery story in its own right.