Book Review: MURDER IN FIRST POSITION - An On Pointe Mystery Book 1 by Lori Robbins

About the Book 

Ballerina Leah Siderova knows the career of a professional dancer is short. But rarely is it as brief as that of her rival, Arianna Bonneville, whose rise to stardom ends when she is stabbed in the back. 

New York City police detective Jonah Sobol fixes upon Leah as the prime suspect. After all, she was the one who found the body, she had the most to gain from Arianna’s death, and it was her name Arianna whispered, just before she died. 

Leah is desperate to clear her name, and she begins her own investigation, collaborating with her best friend and her ballet coach. As the three dancers sort through backstage intrigues, attempted blackmail, and a tangle of romantic liaisons, the noose around Leah’s neck grows tighter. 

Ballet, with its merciless discipline, is all Leah has ever known. Is that enough to keep her one step ahead of the police — and the killer? 

Review 

For Leah, her best friend, and her ballet coach are the only people on her side. Even the choreographer she helped and mentored turns on her. Certainly the detective isn't on her side. She's good at ballet, but sleuthing is a new adventure.

This was an engaging mystery with an unexpected twist at the end. The characters are well developed and the pace is steady. The reader has a good sense of Leah's mindset, her fears, and her feelings of having been betrayed. Well done. 

This is the first of four books. I'll be adding the rest, if only to see if maybe Leah discovers Jonah Sobol might not be as bad as she thought. 

Amazon 

The On Pointe Series

Murder in First Position

Murder in Second Position

Murder in Third Position

Murder in Fourth Position

About the Author 

Lori Robbins is the author of the On Pointe and Master Class mystery series. She won the Indie Award for Best Mystery and the Silver Falchion for Best Cozy Mystery. Short stories include “Leading Ladies” which was cited in the 2022 Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology. She also is a contributor to The Secret Ingredient: A Mystery Writers Cookbook. 

A former dancer, Lori performed with a number of modern dance and classical ballet companies and now writes full time. 

Lori’s experiences as a professional dancer, English teacher, writer, and mother of six have made her an expert in the homicidal impulses everyday life inspires.

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