Cinderella Killer, The

We without fail buy all of Simon Brett's titles for our library. Our patrons adore his writing.

I have been reading the Charles Paris mysteries for several years. It’s great to see that author Simon Brett has begun writing a few new books in this classic series. The Charles Paris we love, flaws and all, lands a part in a Christmas production of Cinderella, but ends up investigating a murder. Charles has a few heartfelt conversations with his long-suffering wife Frances, but Charles being Charles, alcohol always seems to get in the way of his good intentions.

The book entertains on three different levels. The murder mystery itself is interesting. Then the jokes from the play at the beginning of the chapters are a lot of fun, and the excerpts from reviews of other performances by Charles are all hilarious. I love author Simon Brett’s sense of humor and laughed throughout the book. Even with all the humor, there are also bittersweet moments to the book. Charles is intelligent and great fun, but doesn’t always make the wisest choices and it’s sad to see him have to deal with the consequences.

This book also gives readers an interesting look at British pantomime, which I was unfamiliar with before reading this book. Readers who have read other books in the series will be delighted to spend time with Charles. New readers can still enjoy the story and will be intrigued enough to check out earlier books in the series.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

In Simon Brett's entertaining The Cinderella Killer (Severn House, digital galley), veteran actor Charles Paris has to explain to American sitcom star Kenny Polizzi that pantomime is not mime. Rather, the traditional holiday pantos are more akin to vaudeville with numerous stock characters and bits of stage business that the audience expects. Kenny, an amiable if somewhat clueless soul, has a leading role in Eastbourne's Christmas production of Cinderella, while Charles' part is much smaller, at least until Kenny falls off the wagon, a dancer disappears and murder makes an entrance. Then Charles plays sleuth, dealing with the inflated egos and eccentric antics of cast, crew and hangers-on. The plot's on the slight side, but it's always a pleasure to keep company with Charles, and the details on pantomime's theatrical traditions are fascinating. A front-row seat on back-stage shenanigans.