Book Review: MURDER ON POINTE (A Fionna Quinn Mystery) by C.S. McDonald

Synopsis 

Fiona can't wait to attend the performance of Coppelia at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. Her old friend, Silja Ramsay, is dancing the principal role. They have dinner after the show, but when they return Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is down one dancer! Ballerina, Alexis Cartwright, has been found dead in the dressing room. Is this murder a result of hot tempers among the cast members? Or is it a random act of violence? Will there be more murders? Homicide Detective, Nathan Landry, isn't taking any chances. After finding out Fiona has a strong background in ballet he recruits her to go undercover among the cast of Coppelia. Can Fiona help catch a killer, or will she be the next victim? 

Review 

What starts as time with her friend Silja triggers memories of their ballet lessons, the ballet master, David, who is still involved, and his wife, who due to an accident can no longer perform. There is tension and conflict with at least one ballerina not pleased to be cast as Coppelia, the doll, with minimal dancing.

Then one of the star performers is killed and Silja is assaulted. 

Detective Landry, along with Silja and David convince Fiona to play the part and be Landry's eyes and ears on the stage. The postponement of the production gives her lots of time for sleuthing and practice. 

The characters are interesting and the plot is well constructed with clues coming in pits and pieces. There are a few spirits who provide some interference for Fionna in unexplainable ways. I liked Fiona, Silja, and the detective and I hope to see more of them in future books. This was an enjoyable cozy, and I hadn't fully solved the murder before the end. Although there are some short stories associated with the Fionna Quinn Mysteries, this is a full length novel. 

As of this posting, Murder on Pointe is only 99cents! And is available in audio format (sample with listing in Amazon). 

AMAZON

About the Author (from Amazon)

C.S. McDonald taught dance and choreographed shows for twenty-six years. Nowadays, she resides with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister, on their Thoroughbred farm, Fly-by-Night Stables, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. George the Pony is a real pony who lives among the tall Thoroughbreds on their farm. 

In 2016, Ms. McDonald decided to write a cozy mystery series. The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are quick clean reads for anyone 10 to 110! You'll love Fiona and the quirky, but oh so charming, Detective Landry. Fiona is a kindergarten teacher and an unlikely sleuth from Pittsburgh. If you've never been to Pittsburgh, welcome to this wonderful city! If you live in Pittsburgh, you're sure to recognize many of the venues featured in the books. Ms. McDonald has even sprinkled a little Pittsburghese into her stories just for fun. Yinz will love it! Hey! Don't miss C.S. McDonald's new addition to Fiona Quinn Mysteries--Fiona Quinn QUICK Mysteries! What's that? Short Stories (about 30/40 pages) for a quick bedtime read or if you're stuck with a long wait in a doctor's office (we've all been there). Four shorts in all. Check them out! 

Okay, now for something seriously new--a new cozy mystery series, The Owl's Nest Mysteries--Meet Alexa Owl. She's returned home to Pittsburgh to start a new business, the Owl's Nest Couturier Shop. This series has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lotta cozy! Book #1 Back to the Burgh and Beyond has received great reviews! Book #2 MAXED OUT is slated for an April, 2021 release!