Synopses & Reviews
At the dawn of the Restoration Period, Suzanne Thornton hopes to find a second life in the theater. But instead, on opening night, she finds a dead body on stage… The triumphant return of King Charles II in 1660 is occasion for much celebration in London. The Merry Monarch’s unquenchable thirst for entertainment creates opportunities for everyone from tavern keepers to brothel owners to actors.
One of these is Suzanne Thornton. No longer a kept woman since her man has fled, she sees an opportunity to reopen a theater and stage the classics—Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the like. And now, thanks to Royal decree, Juliet can be played by a woman. Suzanne secures financing from an old lover, assembles a troupe, and restores the venue—none other than the historic Globe Theater.
Tragically, during the opening night performance, a dead body lands on the stage.
After the curtain comes down, Suzanne finds herself a suspect. But she also finds that murder is good for business—the next night’s performance is sold out. Wishing to live to enjoy her success, Suzanne undertakes her own investigation to find a killer who may try to close her down for good…
Review
"Anne Rutherford brings the world of Restoration England to vivid life, from the teeming streets to the halls of the royal palace. Her heroine, Suzanne Thornton, has always done what she must to survive in a cruel world where women count for little, and now she must solve a murder to save the one person in the world she truly loves."—Victoria Thompson, Author of
Murder on Fifth Avenue “I read this book in one sitting, captivated by Rutherford's vivid depiction of actors and aristocrats, political intrigue, and her strong, resourceful heroine. The world of Restoration London and its theaters leaps off the page in this impressive novel.”—Carol K. Carr, National Bestselling Author of India Black and the Widow of Windsor
Review
Praise for Anne Rutherford and The Opening Night Murder “Anne Rutherford brings the world of Restoration England to vivid life.”—Victoria Thompson, national bestselling author of Murder in Chelsea
“The world of Restoration London and its theaters leaps off the page in this impressive novel.”—Carol K. Carr, national bestselling author of India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy
Synopsis
Black is back-Her Majesty's favorite spy is off to Scotland in this new adventure to ensure the Queen doesn't end up getting killed.
When Queen Victoria attends a séance, the spirit of her departed husband, Prince Albert, insists she spend Christmas at their Scottish home in Balmoral. Prime Minister Disraeli suspects the Scottish nationalists plan to assassinate the Queen-and sends the ever resourceful India and the handsome British spy, French, to the Scottish highlands.
French will take the high road, looking for a traitor among the guests-and India will take the low road, disguised as a servant in case an assassin is hiding among the household staff. India is certain that someone at Balmoral is determined to make this Her Majesty's last Christmas...
Synopsis
The first production of The New Globe Players was marked by murder. Now Suzanne Thorntons company dares to mount the most cursed of plays
When charming Scotsman Diarmid Ramsay asks to play the titular role in Macbeth, he sets off a flurry of excitement among The New Globe Players. Despite protests from the company director that performing the Scottish play” will lead only to disaster, Suzanne decides that the show must go onwith herself acting the part of Lady Macbeth, opposite the handsome stranger.
Rehearsals beginbut then rumors about Ramsay arise, implicating him in the death of a sailor found behind the Goat and Boar. Is the man a murderer, possibly involved in a plot against the newly restored king? Suzanne refuses to believe it, until another murder connected to Ramsay occurs.
It seems the curse of Macbeth may have been unleashed, leaving Suzanne no choice but to use her wits and her wiles to determine if Ramsay is a gifted actoror a murderous villain.
Synopsis
At the dawn of the Restoration Period, Suzanne Thornton hopes to find a second life in the theater. But instead, on opening night, she finds a dead body on stage… The triumphant return of King Charles II in 1660 is occasion for much celebration in London. The Merry Monarch’s unquenchable thirst for entertainment creates opportunities for everyone from tavern keepers to brothel owners to actors.
One of these is Suzanne Thornton. No longer a kept woman since her man has fled, she sees an opportunity to reopen a theater and stage the classics—Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the like. And now, thanks to Royal decree, Juliet can be played by a woman. Suzanne secures financing from an old lover, assembles a troupe, and restores the venue—none other than the historic Globe Theater.
Tragically, during the opening night performance, a dead body lands on the stage.
After the curtain comes down, Suzanne finds herself a suspect. But she also finds that murder is good for business—the next night’s performance is sold out. Wishing to live to enjoy her success, Suzanne undertakes her own investigation to find a killer who may try to close her down for good…
About the Author
Anne Rutherford is a pseudonym for Julianne Lee. Lee has been writing historical fiction in several genres, under various pseudonyms, for over a decade. She was the author of the Catherine of Aragon novel,
The Spanish Bride, in Berkley's Wives of Henry the Eighth series (under the house name Laurien Gardner) and as J. Ardian Lee wrote an historical fantasy series for Ace.