I liked the 1950s hotel setting, that was very atmospheric, as well as the characters. The mystery element fell a little flat for me.

Another fun installment in the A Catskill Summer Resort mystery series. I like that this murder brought Elizabeth and Olivia closer together. I am looking forward to the budding romance between Elizabeth and Richard and finding out if their romance goes anywhere.

writing is masterful, with vivid descriptions of the town and its inhabitants that make readers feel like they're right there in the middle of the action. The characters are complex and nuanced, with secrets and motives that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The suspense is expertly paced, with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep things interesting

Deadly Director's Cut takes place in the early 1950s. The setting is the Catskill Mountains at a resort similar one in the popular 1987 film, Dirty Dancing. I love the mystery of the murdered director. Elias Theropodous selects Haggerman's as the location for his next movie. Elizabeth isn't thrilled but it's good exposure for her resort. When Elias is poisoned while eating dinner, not only is the movie in jeopardy, but so is the reputation of Haggerman's.

Elizabeth is a strong woman running a resort in a time when women weren't taken seriously in roles men traditionally viewed as for males only. When the movie production cast and crew overtake Haggerman's, she feels like her role isn't taken seriously as Elias's demands become ridiculous and time wasters, and he treats her like a doormat.

Elizabeth has gathered a wonderful staff of family and friends to assist in the day-to-day operations of Haggerman's. Her mother, Olivia, is the star of the resort but without Elizabeth, Haggerman's would be another failing resort in the mountains. What they don't need right now is a suspected murder of a high-profile director and his equally impressive cast.

The author delivered a powerful and robust mystery. Several characters were introduced as possible suspects and red herrings were strategically placed between the pages. I enjoyed the fact that this story is set pre-technology boom and there aren't smartphones, Google, or video cameras on every corner. This mystery took good old-fashioned detective and legwork to investigate and solve. The author did a great job keeping the book in line with actual happenings in the 50s.

Deadly Director's Cut is engaging, dramatic, and filled with friendship, amateur sleuthing, and a wonderful mystery. The characters, development, and world building were superb. I felt like I was in the book with Elizabeth, Olivia, Velvet, Randy, and the rest of the group.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest, personal review. We join the character of Elizabeth Grady again as a Hollywood movie is being shot in the Catskills with Haggerman's Resort as a backdrop. The usual craziness associated with a big production ensues, and then a character collapses and dies. There is a myriad of suspects and Elizabeth needs to find the killer or risk having her resort tied to a murder forever. Ms. Delany does an excellent job of setting the backdrop of the story and she is able to get you invested in the characters as well. Looking forward to the next book!

Note: This review first appeared in the May 2022 issue of Historical Novels Review.

DEADLY DIRECTOR'S CUT
Vicki Delany, Berkley, 2022, $8.99/C$11.87, pb, 304 pp, 9780593334393

This is the second in Vicki Delany's delightful mystery series featuring Elizabeth Grady, the manager of a Catskills resort in the 1950s. Elizabeth has come to the Catskills to help her mother, a former Broadway dancer, manage the hotel. When Oscar-winning director Elias Theropodous arrives at the resort to film a movie, Elizabeth is glad of the extra income, but dismayed by Elias' demands. When Elias dies after being poisoned at a dinner for the cast and crew, Elizabeth decides to investigate in order to save her hotel's reputation. At first it seems the film people had no reason to murder the director, because they all want the movie to be a success, but it turns out that many of them have secrets which would give them possible motives for murder. Elias grew up in the Catskills, not far from the hotel, and Elizabeth begins to wonder if someone in his past is out for revenge.

Delany makes you feel as if you were in the Catskills, with vivid details of life at a summer resort, including the outdoor recreational activities, the dinners, and the entertainment. Elizabeth is a strong protagonist, a woman doing a job that was usually reserved for men in the 1950s. Several guests make negative comments about a woman as a hotel manager, and she fends them off admirably. She also has a complex relationship with her mother Olivia, who left Elizabeth to be raised by an aunt while Olivia pursued a Broadway career. Their shared experience at the hotel has drawn them together. Elizabeth, a World War II widow, has two love interests, a newspaperman and the manager of the rival hotel, but she is hesitant to pursue either relationship because of her disastrous marriage. I look forward to reading future books in the series.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

In Deadly Director’s Cut, Vicki Delany’s second mystery set during the 1950’s at a picturesque Catskill Resort, takes readers on a nostalgic summer vacation full of Old Hollywood glamor, intriguing characters, and a worthy mystery to solve.

Resort manager Elizabeth is even busier than normal when a movie production team comes to film at the resort. More than a distraction to her employees and delight to her guests, Elizabeth finds herself at the beck and call of the egotistical and narcissistic director Ellis Therodopolous. She must remind herself that the fees she is charging are worth any temporary inconvenience. Things are going relatively well until Ellis collapses following dinner and dancing at the resort. When his death is ruled a homicide, Elizabeth does all she can to solve his murder and save the resort’s reputation.

Author Delany excels at creating a firm sense of time and place with descriptions that transport readers. I could feel the evening breeze and humidity in the air, smell the firs and the flowers along the manicured grounds, hear the lap of the waves of the lake…I need a vacation start. Lest we become too sentimental about the period, Delany reminds us that the problems of the past still ring true today, and she handles themes such as domestic violence and harassment with a deft touch. This is not too serious a tale and still sits firmly in the cozy/traditional world. The 1950’s setting feels fresh and unexplored in the cozy genre.

I really enjoy the characters, especially protagonist Elizabeth. She is spunky and industrious with her feet planted firmly on the ground. Yes, she is inquisitive, but she is nosy out of necessity. Her livelihood and future rely on the good reputation of the resort. Her relationship with her mother, a former dancer and actress who was absent for much of Elizabeth’s childhood, is growing, as is her relationship with potential love interest and rival resort manager Richard. I really like how they work together here since his reputation is also on the line. As much as I like Richard, there is the potential for a love triangle with New York Times reporter Jim (he played a central role in the series debut Deadly Summer Nights). The supporting characters, including resort employees and the cast and crew of the movie, are numerous but well drawn and easy to keep straight. I particularly like the outside activities director Violet, Aunt Tatiana, and Rosemary.

The murder mystery is well thought out and executed keeping me interested with how it would all play out. The movie cast and crew, along with a couple of locals, provide plenty of suspects with various motives. It took me a while to pinpoint whodunit. The story moves along at a steady, engaging pace. Ellis is oh-so-easy to dislike making him the perfect victim.

I really liked Deadly Director’s Cut and eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. Highly recommended to both cozy and historical mystery fans.

Deadly Director's Cut is the second book in the Catskill Summer Resort Mystery series. In the early 1960's, Elizabeth Grady is managing her mother's Catskill resort, which is being used for some film locations. When the director is murdered, she steps in to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed the first in the series so much. I absolutely love the 1960's Catskills setting. It is nostalgic and fun, and the author does a wonderful job with time and place. Her food descriptions are especially great, i.e.

"At that moment, the doors flew open and waiters carried in platters piled high. Tonight guests would munch on pigs in blankets, smoked oysters on toast, deviled eggs, small tomatoes with mayonnaise in the center and a shrimp placed on top, celery filled with a line of Cheez Whiz, fruit on skewers, squares of cheese stuck into a pineapple, and plenty of pickle trays. The cocktails would be as served in the most fashionable nightclubs of New York City." (eBook location 264)

Elizabeth is a talented detective and I enjoyed her deduction process in this well paced mystery. The author has a gift for characterization - Elizabeth, her mother and aunt who were originally from Russia, Elizabeth's romantic interest (another Catskills innkeeper), and her best friend. Oh, and the family's lovable English Bulldog, Winston, too!

I enthusiastically recommend this book - and the series - for fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for anyone who enjoys a 1960's setting.

Deadly Director's Cut is the second book in the Catskills Summer Resort Mystery series by Vicki Delany. I read the first book and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read its follow-up. This one was even better in my opinion. Knowing the characters ahead of time, and a little of their backgrounds, definitely helps make reading a series book more enjoyable. Of course, this cozy mystery can be read as a stand-alone as well since each book contains its own mystery.

In Deadly Director's Cut, that mystery revolves around a film being shot at Haggerman's Catskills Resort, (This resort is the setting of this series.) The mystery is very well-plotted with multiple motives and suspects.

I "got to know" the main characters in the previous book, but now they're really beginning to grow on me. The addition of a film crew and its actors made for an entertaining story. One of the issues revealed in Deadly Director's Cut is a concern that's still around Hollywood (not just Hollywood!) today. I appreciated the inclusion of it....you'll have to read to see what I am talking about since I don't want to give spoilers.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, Dirty Dancing's setting, and great characters, you'll love Deadly Director's Cut!

This is fantastic second book in the series. I still adored all the characters that I loved in the first book. The author did a great job of bringing them to life. They are fun to read. I also love the setting of a resort in the 1950's. It's so unique and well done. The idea of having a movie filmed at the resort worked really well. It added a ton of extra suspects and gave a glimpse into Hollywood life at the time. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the third book in the series.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Hollywood has come to the Catskills to shoot a movie directed by the famous Elias Theropodus using Haggerman’s Resort as a backdrop. The staff and guests are enamored by the stars in the presence but resort manager Elizabeth Grady has her hands full handling the resort’s regular guests while being treated like the director’s lackey and his over-the-top needs and requests. She just needs to remember the much-needed fee the production company is paying for this major inconvenience.

Elias has scheduled a dinner in one of the private dining rooms and then he and his guests will join the rest of the resort’s guests for dancing and dessert. As the event wraps up Elias collapses on the way to his car and he is rushed to the hospital. He dies shortly thereafter and it is determined that he was poisoned.

At first, it doesn’t look good for Elizabeth and her resort but none of the other guests becomes ill. It seems the director’s death was an isolated event and had to be premeditated. The man was a tyrant to work for, demanding absolute perfection, so he has the actors and his crew on edge most of the time. Would one of them kill him to get a new director? A rumored womanizer . . . did he scorn the wrong woman? Or could one of the resort’s many guests have reason to want the man dead?

Elizabeth finds herself with a myriad of suspects. Can she wrap up the case before the movie wraps and the guilty party jets back to Hollywood? Or will here own days in the Catskills be numbered?

“There’s nothing a man can do, that I can’t do better and in heels”
― Ginger Rogers

“I did everything Fred did, only backward and in high heels.”
― Ginger Rogers

When I read about Elizabeth Grady these Ginger Rodgers quotes come to mind. She is working in a job normally held by a man and probably does it better than any man especially when you add a murder investigation to her list of duties. In this second book in the series, she is on even firmer footing. This is good because director Elias Theropodus’ fame has truly gone to his head and treats everyone including Elizabeth horribly. I loved the way Elizabeth held her ground not only with Elias but others as she investigated his death. I was delighted to see her and Rishard getting closer. He is the type of man she deserves although there is that reporter still hanging around.

I am so glad that Ms. Delany filled in more of Elizabeth’s backstory. Being the child of a movie star isn’t easy and she and her mother were kind of thrown together when her mother inherited the resort. They are getting closer and still learning about each other as well. The way the author is developing these characters is perfect, believable, and comfortable. After reading many of her books I can tell you she excels at character development, making each character unique and engaging. This particular book had a rather large cast when you add in the Hollywood people but they are each well thought out and presented in a way to make them memorable.

Ms. Delaney has given readers a complicated mystery to enjoy. Set in the 1950s it comes down to legwork, observations, and listening carefully or eavesdropping to work through the variety of suspects. There is tons of drama with the movie cast in life and in the movie and each could have motive to have killed off the director. I was doing my best to stay one step ahead of Elizabeth but soon I found myself so caught up in the story I wasn’t even concentrating on any theories of my own. I felt transported right to the beautiful Catskill resort, hiking around the trails with Elizabeth, going into town for an egg cream, worrying about Velvet getting her heart broken, and more. For me, that truly makes A Perfect Escape.

Deadly Director’s Cut is a wonderfully written cozy mystery with fabulous characters set in the ideal place for a 1950s vacation. Of course, murders may not be good for business but my bags are already packed for my next trip to Haggerman’s Catskills Resort. I hope I don’t have to wait too long.

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.

"Daring resort manager Elizabeth Grady will need to think fast to bring a killer into the limelight in this charming 1950s set cozy mystery series.

Famous director Elias Theropodous has chosen Haggerman’s Catskills Resort as a shooting location for his next film. It sounds glamorous to much of the staff, but resort manager Elizabeth Grady is less satisfied. Dealing with the ridiculous demands of the antagonistic director is bad enough, and his attempts to walk all over Elizabeth are making her feel like her position at the resort has been changed into a bit part.

But when Elias is poisoned during a dinner at the resort, the future of the film and the resort itself are on the line. Between an aging movie star, a harried producer, and former victims of the deceased director’s wrath, Elizabeth has a full cast of suspects to examine, and she’ll need to investigate every lead to catch a killer."

I'm a masochist for actually wanting to read this after my experience with the first one...

Elizabeth Grady is the manager of Haggerman’s Catskills Resort that her mother, retired professional dancer Olivia Peters, inherited. The glamor of Hollywood has come to Haggerman’s when the resort is chosen as the location for a new movie. Most of the staff is thrilled, but Elizabeth is tired of being bossed around by movie director, Elias Theropodous. When the difficult director is poisoned during a dinner at the resort, rumors fly and the resort’s reputation and future is at risk. Elizabeth decides to start her own investigation to find the murderer and save the family business.

Deadly Director’s Cut is the second book in this series and although the murder case stands alone, the first book gives additional background on the main characters. The story takes place during the 1950s. It was interesting that a character comments that because there are so many family businesses in the Catskills, it was more common to see women in positions of authority there than in other areas. Although there are a couple of female characters in the story who won’t stand up for themselves. Elizabeth doesn’t hesitate to take charge while running the resort. I like her sense of humor, but because of events in her past, Elizabeth can be a strict boss and reserved in her personal life. However, a few things happen in the book that make it look like Elizabeth may be starting to relax a bit. I hope so because that will open up the possibilities for future storylines.

I enjoyed Elizabeth’s investigation into the murder and that she was able to identify potential suspects that the local police chief couldn’t. She gathers the clues and then thinks things through, making smart deductions based on what she finds out. I enjoyed the role Velvet McNally, Elizabeth’s best friend and employee, plays in helping uncover the killer. I was glad that nobody took any foolish risks to get to the truth, which is overdone in the cozy mystery genre. I was very surprised by who the killer was and by the motive, so I’m glad the plot wasn’t predictable. The setting and time period make this a unique series and enjoyable book to read.

~ Christine

Haggerman’s Catskills Resort is the shoot location for a major film. It is exciting for the guests and employees but is a headache for the owner, retired screen star Olivia Peters and the manager, her daughter, Elizabeth Grady. When agreeing to the filming, she hoped to bring in more vacationers. The full rooms proved Elizabeth correct. Unfortunately, they didn’t account for the trouble that came along with the rich and famous. When the famous, demanding director is poisoned and dies, all hopes for the resort are dashed.

The small police department starts working the case. So does Elizabeth. She has everything riding on the success of her resort and is determined to crack the case. Unfortunately, the press is swarming, painting Haggerman’s in a bad light with the sensational headlines about the murder. . The filming continues as Elizabeth quietly investigates. Hopefully she will find the killer before he or she strikes again. She is on a short timeline because the filming will be wrapped up soon. Will she crack the case before someone else dies?

The book is set in the 1950’s. This creates additional problems for the amateur gumshoe, making it more difficult to find the killer without DNA, cell phones, the internet or any other modern conveniences to solve a crime. Elizabeth has to use her head and intuition to search for clues. Will it be enough?

This is the second book in the Catskills Summer Resort Mystery Series. I have not read the first in the series, but it reads well as a standalone book. Author Vicki Delany is an established, prolific cozy mystery author. I have read several of her previous books and have enjoyed them immensely. Especially the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. I highly recommend all of her books as they are well written and interesting with well-developed characters. Deadly Director’s Cut is destined to be a best-seller, get your copy today.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the Author and Netgalley and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2022 Laura Hartman

1st Line: " 'LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION!' "

Review: Book two of the prolific Delany's 1950s-set Catskill Summer Resort mystery series finds Haggerman's Hotel manager Elizabeth Grady's resort up to its armpits in drama. Multi-Academy Award-winning director Elias Theropodous has chosen to film a few key scenes of his latest masterpiece in the Catskills, and Haggerman's finds itself swarmed with actors, crew, tourists, ovely-curious guests - even hotel staff who'd rather watch a potential Oscar-winner being filmed over doing theirr jobs. Add to this the local sheriff and a small battalion of reporters from around the country, after the irascible, sexist and overbearing director has what appears to be a heart attack during a hotel event, and is reported DOA at the hospital, poisoned. With the safety level of her resort (not to mention kitchen) under attack, Elizabeth wastes no time in wading into the fray of hidden motives, scandalous backstories, and the questionable morals of movie industry types - most of whom seem to have had at least some gripe with the deceased director.

Delany, one of my favorite cozy mystery writers, here yet again shows off her skills at introducing and handling a rather large, active cast of characters - on all sides of the law - without confusing the narrative or reader. The mystery kept me guessing, thanks also to the author's ability to deflectt blame toward this character one minute, then on another the next, and though I haven't read the first book in this series yet - Deadly Summer Nights - I was also very pleased to get the impression here that we learned a bit more about Elizabeth's past, as well as that of her aunt and mother (who also live at Haggerman's), bringing more depth to those characters. And while at first I felt the revelation of the killer to be a bit anti-climactic, as the explanation behind the motive and means continued, the reveal took on a sense of poignancy that was both unexpected and appreciated. Any complaint here would be nit-picking - I would liked to have gotten more than the occasional reminder or sense of the 1950s setting; I just didn't feel it as much, in general, while reading - but as always with Vicki Delany, this is a well-written, very entertaining mystery with a vivid setting, and characters I look forward to revisiting again and again, in book one and beyond. (Available March 1) 4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series but got annoyed by the nemesis type characters in the rival resort owner and the police chief. I'm so glad to see in this book that both of those have been realistically dealt with but the best part of the premise is still very much present. Elizabeth is a likable main character. She's smart, hard working and a capable manager. She feels overwhelmed sometimes and can be a smidge impulsive but it makes her very easy to connect to.

The mystery really kept me guessing. There's no shortage of motives for killing Elias but both law enforcement and Elizabeth have to sort out which who was finally pushed to their limit and how they did it. This had me guessing until the reveal and I loved how the reveal was done. There's some character development with Elizabeth, Velvet and Olivia which I enjoyed and I loved seeing the behind the scenes at Haggerman's Catskill Resort.

This latest entry into what I hope is a long running series was entertaining with interesting characters, a gorgeous setting, and a well plotted mystery. I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops and spending more time at Haggerman's with Elizabeth, Velvet, Oliva and everyone else.

This is the second book in Delany’s series set in the Catskills in the 50’s. While the Catskill resorts that served so many families back in the 50’s and beyond are now gone – even the great Grossinger’s is a ghostly version of itself – Delany nevertheless manages to make the area come alive for the reader. She doesn’t dip into the pure historical novel category. Instead, she provides period details that set the reader where she wants them to be, and she somehow manages to invoke the feel and atmosphere of a very specific place and time. The fact that a Canadian writer who, I am thinking, did not spend her childhood summers in the Catskills, is able to do this with such virtuosity is one of those mysteries of the writer’s art. The time period is close enough that with a little bit of yearning and nostalgia you are right back there with her.

Her main series character, Elizabeth Grady, runs the resort her mother owns, Haggerman’s. It’s not one of the bigger ones, like Grossinger’s, but it’s a nice, respectable place that draws high level entertainers and regular guests. Her mother, a retired actress, provides front of the house glamor while Elizbeth does the hard work of running the resort. This summer, there’s a movie being filmed on her property, and one of the stars is an old buddy of her mother’s, Gloria.

The director is extremely unpleasant and dictatorial, making sure his chauffeur is ready at a moment’s notice, treating the staff as they don’t deserve to be treated, and laying into and sometimes humiliating the actors and actresses in his film. Because he’s a very successful director with several Oscars under his belt, everyone tends to jump when he says so. Of course, in a mystery novel, this is the very kind of person who is going to be murdered at the first opportunity.

While the movie is being shot at Haggerman’s, most of the crew and the actors aren’t staying there, they are staying at the slightly nicer and bigger resort owned by Elizabeth’s friend and possible love interest, Richard. One night, however, the director decides to host a dinner at Elizabeth’s place, demanding that she attend. This of course ends horribly – he collapses and is taken to the hospital, where he later dies. This also gives Elizabeth a chance to observe all the players in the drama firsthand.

Delany is a pro at setting up a story and telling one clearly and with precision. This book is no exception. She’s drawn into the investigation in order to save her business – if some one was poisoned by food at Haggerman’s there’s a danger her kitchen will be shut down at the height of her summer season. She and Richard work together as his hotel is also implicated. It’s not known for a time where exactly the poison ingested by the dead director came from.

For some reason, this is completely believable, and Elizabeth’s investigation seems totally natural under the circumstances. (Of course, the reader will hope that Haggerman’s doesn’t continue to be the setting for murders. It will be terrible for business). Delany also continues to fill out Elizabeth’s backstory. She was raised by her Aunt Tatiana (now the head housekeeper at Haggerman’s) while her mother pursued her career. Later in life, the two women are getting to know each other better, and share a cabin on the property.

This is a well thought out, well paced, and captivating mystery. For this particular reader, who grew up in her parent’s northern Michigan resort, it’s almost a forcefully nostalgic read. One of my favorite memories is being in the hotel’s ballroom, sipping a Shirley Temple, watching the ballroom captain sprinkle the dance floor with a bit of wax for easier and smoother dancing. Delaney’s book brings it all back in a whoosh. This is a truly delightful series and I can’t recommend it more highly.

3.5 stars

This is the second book in the Catskill Summer Resort Mystery series, featuring Elizabeth and her mother Olivia in the 1950s. Olivia is a famous retired dancer and actress, self-centered and content to leave the heavy lifting of hotel work to her daughter. She had a Bohemian actress's life and left the parenting of Elizabeth to her sister Tatiana while she enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle.

Elizabeth is an interesting character with a fair sized chip on her shoulder. She and her mother are trying to forge a relationship as adults. Elizabeth also married in haste to a soldier who was shipping out. Unfortunately, he was abusive and philandering and when she got word he was a war fatality, she was secretly relieved. So, between her childhood and her marriage, she has turned into an emotionally guarded woman. In addition, she is determined to make the resort a success and is a stern and unyielding boss. It will be interesting to see if she loosens up a bit as the series progresses.

She has romantic opportunities -- with a NY reporter who is only around occasionally, and with the handsome son of the neighboring resort owner. But she keeps both at arm's length.

Her season is frantically busy. In addition to her normal guests, a movie company is doing some filming at her resort and generally creating a ton of extra work and drama. The director in particular is temperamental and unpleasant, so when he drops dead one night after dinner, there is a long list of suspects. But Elizabeth can't afford to have the resort's business suffer and so she does some investigating of her own.

The setting and the character interactions make this series stand out. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Second in the series that I like because of the unusual setting, the Catskills summer resort area in the 1950s. This time a movie is being filmed at the resort, and Elizabeth and her mother are involved. A good friend of the mother appears in the movie and has taken over Elizabeth's room, so she is staying in another cabin. Things go awry, and attract unwanted police and press, when the film director is poisoned. Elizabeth, as usual, is on the case, ostensibly to protect the resort, but also because she cannot resist a mystery. Elizabeth is still very formal and proper towards everyone, including her two potential beaus. She really needs to loosen up, but feels she cannot afford to as a woman in a man's world in the 1950s, and she's probably correct. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC.