Okay, so I went into this based on the cover thinking it was a cozy mystery - that cover screams cozy mystery! This is not a cozy mystery lol. Kit was such an interesting MC - she is deeply flawed, a bit weird but oh so devoted to her craft. Yolanda was also a pill who I still somewhat rooted for even though she would totally run me over with her car. I loved the opera side to this and learned a lot about how productions come to fruition.

Really enjoyed this suspenseful thriller set in the world of New York opera. The first half of the book is definitely psychological suspense and the second half turns into a mystery.
Kit Margolis is finally getting her big break in a new stage production based on the cult classic movie, Barbarella. The only problem is her understudy, or cover, as they say in opera, is trying to kill her and steal her role. Yolanda Archambeau may not be technically trained but she's good enough to get the director's attention, and beautiful enough to embody Barbarella physically. The twists and turns never stop until a surprising murder threatens to shutter the show before its even begun. Kit's only hope is tracking down the murderer before the show is lost for good.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for this digital e-arc.*

My thanks to NetGalley and Borzoi Books/Alfred A. Knopf for the ARC of "The Understudy" in exchange for an honest review.

To paraphrase that corny old joke about opera.......it's not over til someone drops dead.

Pitch perfectly trained young opera singer Kit is on the verge of her big breakthrough and first starring role. Her New York based opera company, famous for its startling choices of adaptive material, has cast her as the campy, sexy sci-fi heroine Barbarella. (Barbarella belting out arias as she defends the galaxy in outrageous skin-tight costumes? The mind boggles......how come Masterpiece Theater never got around to this......)

Kit's singing may be technically superb, but her acting is strictly mediocre connect=the-dots, lacking true fire, emotion and conviction. Which leads the company to lean toward her strikingly beautiful understudy Yolanda. Yolo's got nowhere near Kit's precision vocal talents, but she radiates the pure sexual combustion the role of Barbarella requires.

Even worse news for Kit.......Yolanda's not only more suited for the role, she's potentially a treacherous sociopath, who won't let anything or anybody stand in the way of her path to stardom. And anyone who tries......uh-oh.

At this point, I would not want to spoil all the many ways in which Kit and Yolanda's toxic frenemy situation goes spiraling out of control in multiple disturbing directions. Let's just say that Kit's determination to unravel her understudy's tortuous backstory and motives lead her into one surprise after another........and a knife wielding murderer.

I'm not sure I could fully swallow the bumpy turns of plot this book takes and its final revelation is no great surprise either. What I did thoroughly enjoy (being something of a lifelong theater geek), was the fascinating look into opera as the most distinctive and challenging of musical art forms. Author Morgan Richter takes us on a juicy tour of backstage politics, and the arduous, demanding vocal training that Kit must endure to reach the pinnacle of her chosen form of creative expression.

Combining Kit overcoming her own personal deficiencies with Yolanda's strangely dangerous life makes for one engrossing package put together. And it's not over till Barbarella sings.......

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

The Understudy by Morgan Richter took me by complete surprise and kept me glued to my Kindle.
The writing was engaging and the characters so entertaining.
I have nothing negative to say.
An entertaining story that hooked me immediately.

Thank You NetGalley and Knopf for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/627128428?source=link_share

Kit FINALLY landed the role that would change her life. The only problem was that Yolanda, her understudy, was out to get that part.
What follows next is an extreme story of secrets, lies, and finding out how different your life could've been.

I personally enjoyed this murder mystery. I did not expect the case to go like that, nor did I expect the twist at the end. I liked Kit's confidence growing throughout the story, although I hated how she was made to feel inferior by almost everyone else because of "less than adequate" looks. Opal was a highlight! I was grateful for her being the one to bring Kit's confidence to the surface.

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read! 8/10 strongly recommend.

Competition in the opera world can be murder

Aspiring opera singer Kit Margolis has been looking for her big break for years, paying her dues in understudy roles and hoping to push through to a leading role. When a more established singer is cast for the lead in a new opera based on the movie Barbarella but then drops out before it opens, Kit is shocked but thrilled to be offered the part. At last! Then she meets her understudy, the beautiful and very ambitious Yolanda Archambeau. Kit's self confidence is a bit shaky when she sees just how right for the part Yolanda is: charming, seductive and highly manipulative. Did I mention ambitious? Yolanda does her best to rattle Kit, with escalating ploys that don't rule out killing the woman that stands in her way. Someone is in fact killed (though its not Kit), and Kit plays amateur sleuth to find out what happened. The more she pokes into Yolanda's past, the more she finds that Yolanda's predatory behavior has popped up in other productions she has been involved with in the past...and she left plenty of enemies in her wake. One murder, many suspects...can Kit save herself (and her career) by unmasking the killer?
The stories and roles in opera have long been known to verge on the over-the-top, but who knew that the behind-the-scenes world was full of even more drama and big egos? Author Morgan Richter has written a suspenseful tale with plenty of detail about what goes into an opera production. The rivalry between Kit and Yolanda is at the very core of the story, and while I found Yolanda's plotting clever I thought that Kit's reaction to the campaign against her somewhat lacking in passion. With so much on the line, her decision to channel her inner Nancy Drew rather than involve the police was a little hard to believe (though obviously necessary to drive the plot along). The ending comes abruptly and for me didn't live up to the tension-filled plot that preceded it. Overall, I found it to be an engaging thriller with a unique and well-portrayed setting, fast-paced but with some faults within the plot, a solid 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to a 4. Readers of Megan Abbott, Alafair Burke and Gillian Flynn as well as fans of psychological thrillers who have a passion for or interest in opera may find this tale up their alley. My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor/Knopt for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.

I really did want to enjoy this book more than I did. I had high hopes, the synopsis sounded like my kind of book.

Not every book works for everyone and sadly this one didn’t works for me. I tried, I really did. But I couldn’t get past the fact that the understudy Yolanda, tried to kill the star of the opera, Kit very early in and yet she didn’t get fired, didn’t get charged by police. And then, Kit became friends with her. . I can suspend my belief for a bit but that was just too far for me. The story just moved on like it didn’t happen. Sorry, but it was just too much to handle for this reader.

Thanks Knopf for the chance to read this book. Check out other reviews as this book has some big fans.

1/5 stars: This is Richter's Mystery Thriller which features an opera singer who uncovers the dark secrets of her cruel and alluring understudy after the woman's shocking murder disrupts her disciplined world. Richter touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and CWs. While Richter's writing and character work are well done and has an intriguing plot this just wasn't a book for me; leading me to DNF it at 18%.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Kit finally gets her big break in an opera adaptation of Barbarella, but her understudy is determined to do whatever it takes to steal the role, even murder.

I was hooked from the very first sentence, and I love when a character haunts the narrative in a way that adds constant tension. While I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, that actually worked in the story’s favor, making everyone feel like a believable suspect and increasing the suspense. However, some things seemed underdeveloped, like Kit’s relationship with her mother, it felt like there was something missing there. I think this was due to the fact that the mystery didn’t slowly unravel into a moment where everything clicks together. Instead, everything was revealed through long paragraphs of backstory that didn’t feel as satisfying as being able to pick up on clues throughout the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Understudy by Morgan Richter is the first thriller I've read that takes place in the world of opera.

"After performing at the back of the stage for many years, Kit finally gets her chance as a lead in a new opera based on Barbella. Her understudy, Yolanda, tries to kill her on the first day. It was just a prank - she didn't mean anything. Yolanda is not classically trained but seems sure that she will have the lead role on opening night. When a murder destabilizes the company, Kit finds all of the people hurt and left in Yolanda's wake - and just how far she's willing to go to get what she wants."

Kit is a character that is trying to find her stage presence. She is described as having a very good technical voice but with no passion or feeling in her notes. Yolanda is the opposite - no vocal training, but an adequate voice and lots of sex appeal. And Yolanda will do whatever it takes to get what she wants. There are some other things going on behind the scenes at this small opera company - things that Kit has to fight against.
Richter gives us a little tongue-in-cheek with the Charlie's Angels and Barbarella operas but the characters always treat them as serious art.
Richter has done her research into opera. I've been around music my whole life and had never heard of a coloratura soprano. (I have heard of a castrato tenor)
Richter keeps you guessing about what's really going on, especially after the surprise murder.

Good story from Morgan Richter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the eARC.

This book was so much fun. I really enjoyed the twists, the plot, the characters, all of it. What a delight!

Wow! Who knew that the opera could be so dangerous? I don’t want to spoil the book, but just let me say that Katherine “Kit” (Katerina) Margolis is cast in the lead of an opera and the person who is her understudy will do anything to be the one that is on stage on opening night from putting eye drops in Kit’s tea to trying to shove her in the path of an oncoming subway train. There are many other twists and turns but like I said, don’t want to spoil the book for other readers.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive and read an advance copy of this book!

I loved THE DIVIDE so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of THE UNDERSTUDY.

This unusual mystery, set in the opera world, was on pace through 80 percent of the book to be five stars (for me).

The last 20 percent of the book sort of lost its way by introducing new characters that had not been around for most of the story.

*** spoiler alert ***

It felt like when Velma in Scooby Doo (hang in there with me) would know clues that we, the audience, didn't see or know about. It was sometimes unsatisfying at the end.

Our main character. who was mostly unlikeable - she really was if you think about it - still pulled off a win in the end by solving the whodunit and achieving her "goal."

For most of the book I loved the flow and the pacing. I wish we had gotten to know our main character a bit more - especially about her mother. I thought for sure her mother would turn up at some point in the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for an e-copy of THE UNDERSTUDY to review.

I rate THE UNDERSTUDY four out of five stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Initially, the story unfolds at a leisurely pace, presenting a familiar narrative of women in competition. The suspenseful elements don't emerge until halfway through, and the climax feels hurried. I settled on a three-star rating because it left me feeling ambivalent.

THE UNDERSTUDY by Morgan Richter is a gripping story about Kit an opera star and her ambitious understudy Yolanda. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book focusing on opera so that was fascinating.

Kit is a bit socially awkward and Yolanda is absolutely cut throat and over confident who literally tried to kill Kit the first day they meet. I don’t want to give away anything but there is a shift half way through that turns the book into more of a mystery. Kit is a bit naive at times but it fun to see how her character develops.

An off-beat gem.

There were so many things I didn't like about this book. The beginning offered no real intro to any character; they just appeared and had very strange characteristics for no reason that the reader just had to be okay with. Also, an actual crime happened at the beginning, which no one seemed to care about. I felt like I was reading headlines instead of getting any sort of depth. Thank you, NetGalley.

Morgan Richter’s The Understudy is a delight—a murder mystery that’s less about the crime itself and more about the brilliantly drawn world surrounding it. The plot is deceptively simple: when someone is killed, our protagonist, Kit, finds herself under suspicion and must unravel the truth to clear her name. But Richter’s true talent lies in characterization, making the whodunit almost secondary to the vibrant, lived-in setting and the people who inhabit it.

Kit is a fantastic heroine—prickly, awkward, and deeply relatable, with a good heart that shines through her rough edges. What makes the novel truly special is Richter’s deft handling of relationships, particularly the unexpected care Kit receives from marginalized characters: a sex worker and a trans woman, whose kindness contrasts sharply with the machismo and carelessness of the wealthy men around them. These dynamics add depth and nuance, turning what could be a straightforward thriller into a layered exploration of power, vulnerability, and solidarity.

The use of the Barbarella opera as a framing device is both hilarious and clever, adding a layer of campy theatricality that perfectly complements the story’s tone. Richter’s writing is sharp, funny, and immersive, making it easy to get lost in Kit’s world. By the end, I was desperate to know what happens next to her—she’s the kind of character who lingers in your mind long after the book is closed.

The Understudy is a standout novel, blending mystery, wit, and heart in a way that feels fresh and utterly engaging. Highly recommended for anyone who loves character-driven stories with a bite.

OMG LOVED!!! The Understudy had me at the very first line: “The first time my understudy tried to kill me was on the day we met.”
Kit and Yolanda are such great complex characters and Morgan Richter was wonderful at making this very clear to see. And the way she described and wrote the character of Opal, even tho she didn’t take up much space in the story, was really remarkable. This is a fast paced, expertly written story about the backstage world of opera and what we’ll do for the price of fame. Great characters, unique and brilliant storyline and wonderful build of suspense! I could not put this book down!! Bravo!

The Understudy by Morgan Richter is a recommended suspense novel set in the competitive New York City opera world.

Kit Margolis, an aspiring trained opera singer, has been hired for the lead in a new opera, Barbarella. (Yes, based on the 1960s cult classic.) Success in this role will place her in competition for other lead roles. Her understudy, Yolanda Archambeau, is an unknown, untrained novice who is beautiful and confident. She also poisoned Kit on the first day of rehearsals. Then Kit finds a rat with a knife stuck in it on her doorstep. Things go downhill and the danger increases from there.

A heaping dose of disbelief must be set aside right from the start. When someone poisons you and it is obvious who did it, you immediately contact the police. When Kit doesn't, the quandary is to suspend disbelief and continue reading or set it aside. Adding to the indecision was the fact that Yolanda is an untrained singer. I decided to continue reading.

The preposterous scenarios continued, but they did become more entertaining in an absurd way and the action increased. Soon enough there is a fatality and Kit becomes an amateur detective. She sets out to discover what is really happening and digs into Yolanda's background. She manages to evade the police. Everyone she meets trusts her and tells her everything they know. She discovers everything about Yolanda's past.

The Understudy by Morgan Richter is for readers who can easily suspend disbelief. Thanks to Knopf Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.