Customer Reviews

A Curtain Falls

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Those of us readers who are fans of the CSI TV series and other similar forensic police programs will find Stephanie Pintoff's new novel a unique look at what police science was in the early years of the 20th century. Against a background of the theatrical world, including real historical characters like impressario Charles Froman, Ms. Pintoff weaves an intriguing story around Detective Simon Ziele that includes a serial murderer, a budding romance, a look at gay life in Manhattan at the time and a good look at what police work probably was like in 1906.

This is the author's second novel built around Detective Ziele, and as his character continues to develop, I think other readers will find him as engaging as I do.

In 1904, New York City residents are stunned by the tragic sinking of General Slocum. Like so many locals, NYPD partners detectives Simon Ziele and Declan Mulvaney are impacted by the calamity. Simon's fiancée died with the sinking; he quit the force and left the city moving to Dobson up the Hudson. Declan stayed with NYPD until now in 1906 he is a captain.

Needing someone he trusts, Mulvaney asks Ziele, who just watched in disgust a jury set free a spouse killer, to investigate the murder of a Broadway chorus girl; the second such homicide made to look like a suicide near the Garrick Theater on West Thirty-Fifth in the last few weeks. Ziele believes a serial killer is loose. The cops arrest a suspect, but Ziele thinks the wrong man has been brought in. He and criminologist Alistair Sinclair investigate the murders.

The latest Ziele historical police procedural (see In the Shadow of Gotham) is an excellent period piece with a strong whodunit. Readers will enjoy the cankerous camaraderie between Ziele and Sinclair who respect each other professionally but also distrust one another personally especially with the former guilt-laden attracted to the latter's widow daughter-in-law. With insight into the beginnings of the Great White Way becoming the American Theater District inside a strong cop case, Stefanie Pintoff provides sub-genre fans with another superb early twentieth century mystery.

Harriet Klausner

I do enjoy this genre. I found her first book, In the Shadow of Gotham much better, although, this book had the ability to be better had it not been so predictable. Having said that, even though, the bad "person" is fairly easy to figure out from a relatively early time in the book, the book remains exciting.

I think this writer has a very successful future ahead of her and her plots very intricate and detailed with the backdrop of NYC in an era that enhances the mystery.

Those of us NY History buffs will find the writer's references to historical landmarks including restaurants (some still in existence) an added treat.

I am not sure if the writer purposefully makes the "villain" easy to figure and is more concerned about the plot that ultimately unfolds or is an unintended weakness of the book. In either case, the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars and I definitely look forward to more of her mysteries. I think she is a great writer and has a theme that will stick.

Stefanie Pintoff won an Edgar for In the Shadow of Gotham, her debut novel.. A Curtain Falls is the second in the Detective Simon Ziele mystery series.

I'm very used to reading modern day mystery/detective novels that use the latest technologies and methods to pursue the case. It was a treat to go back in time when fingerprinting, graphology and profiling are just being accepted as a possible means to solve a case. A Curtain Falls takes place in New York City in 1906.

Although there are references to Ziele's previous case in the first few chapters, it didn't deter me from enjoying this book, but it did whet my appetite for the first case.

Two chorus girls, dressed in leading lady finery, are found dead in two different theatres with no apparent means or manner of death. Their bodies are 'staged.' It is only the poetry included with the bodies that link the murders to one killer. Ziele is called in to help his former partner Captain Mulvaney.

Pintoff has crafted a careful, well pace mystery in keeping with the time period it is written in. Social mores and stations dictate how the case progresses as much as political machinations. The personal life of Ziele is just as interesting as the case he is pursuing. Isabelle and her father in law Alistair are fascinating characters. The unresolved tension between Isabelle and Simon provides an interesting subplot.Ziele is a character I enjoyed. He is headstrong and sometimes acts before he thinks, but he is honest and forthright.

Pintoff has done her homework - the flavour and feel of time is accurately captured and portrayed. I look forward to reading the third book in the series - An Oath of Silence - due out in 2011.

Fans of historical mysteries, such as Caleb Carr and Charles Todd, would enjoy this series.

After reading and thoroughly enjoying Stefanie Pintoff's first mystery novel In the Shadow of Gotham, I was looking forward to her second. I was not disappointed. She has again created a very authentic feeling historical setting - the theatre in 1906 New York City that is fascinating. She has also created a murder mystery scenario that kept me enthralled throughout. One of the keys to her success is her ability to draw characters that are compelling figures that could stand on their own in any genre of fiction. I highly recommend A Curtain Falls. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE READ In the Shadow of Gotham to enjoy it.

Dead chorus girls dressed as leading ladies. Cryptic handwritten notes. Scenes of murder displayed for a particular audience. Detective Simon Ziele returns in another harrowing case with New York City's Captain Declan Mulvaney, law enforcement faced with solving the recent murders of chorus girls carefully staged as leading ladies, the cause of death not readily apparent. Ziele and Mulvaney suspect the work of a serial killer in an unfolding scenario where the killer is far too intimate with the police investigation. Ziele is still recovering from the death of his fiancé in the General Slocum steamboat disaster, reluctant to return to New York but for the entreaties of Mulvaney, who appreciates Ziele's investigative talents. As in the former novel, In the Shadow of Gotham, Ziele once more requests the expertise of Alistair Sinclair, a law professor and criminologist. And when a New York newspaper receives a letter from the killer, Ziele and Mulvaney accept unpalatable terms in order to keep the investigation secure, while Sinclair develops a profile of the killer.

From the shocking murder scenes of the dead chorus girls to Professor Sinclair's stuffy apartment to the bustle of a newsroom on deadline, Pintoff takes charge of her characters and plot in a taut mystery that is all the more riveting for the era in which it takes place, including the growing suspicion that the murderer is acquainted with his unsuspecting victims. Fingerprinting has become a standard investigative tool, criminal behavior a worthy area for scientific study. And while Ziele trusts Sinclair, he also understands the professor's fascination with the criminal mind and the limited opportunities in which to study such individuals. Desperate to identify the killer before he strikes again, the chapters are charged with menace. Early 20th century New York comes alive in Pintoff's well-written thriller, from Ziele's diligent investigation to the darkened stage where killers lurk, even Simon Ziele isn't immune to sudden violence. Luan Gaines/201

Enjoyable fun read. You'll enjoy it if you enjoyed In the Shadow of Gotham. I wanted a little more from the story and characters, especially the main detective, but still good stuff.

If you like suspense and an excellent mystery you'll love A Curtain Falls. This is the author's second 'Simon Ziele' book and its every bit as good as her first book. This time, Detective Ziele is on the search for a serial killer, loose in New York City's theatre district. It's 1906 and the author has done her research. The author based the killer in the book on some actual villians from the past. This guy is as bad as they get. Detective Ziele is expertly assisted by criminologist Alistair Sinclair and his recently widowed daughter-in-law Isabella. It's not just a chase to catch a killer but also a chase to find why he kills. Top notch writing.

Having enjoyed the first Detective Ziele novel by Pintoff I was a bit disappointed with this sequel. Some of the minor details that add color or breath to a scene seemd forced here. And the storyline seemed to take a long time to develop. I put this one down multiple times to read something else, something I rarely do, hense the two stars. If you are inclined to read this one just pick it up from the library. Unfortunately it wasn't worth the full price I paid.

The Curtain Falls by Stephanie Pintoff is a very enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone especially mystery lovers. She is a new author that is on her way.