Prima Donna at Large (Signet) [Paperback]

Barbara Paul (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet | Publication Date: May 5, 1987

When French Baritone Phillippe Duchon hits a series of low, low, notes that turn the 1915 Metropolitan Opera season into a disaster, soprano Geraldine Farrar and the great Caruso turn their legendary talents to criminal detection. Martin's.

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Signet (May 5, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451148169
• ISBN-13: 978-0451148162
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,610,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a hysterical historical musical romp, April 26, 2002

By 

Carol Mello "marzeedoats" (San Jose,CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prima Donna at Large (Signet) (Paperback)

This mystery is a follow on to the Cadenza for Caruso mystery. Caruso has been forbidden to interfere in a murder investigation by the police, so he convinces Geraldine Farrar, a soprano at the Met opera, to investigate for him. Narrated in the first person by Geraldine, the novel provides amusing portraits of many famous Met singers and the life they led in WWI New York City. Ms. Paul's portrait of Geraldine is apparently fairly close to the real thing -- a passionate, intelligent, witty, talented, and beautiful woman. Though not a big fan of opera (but a big fan of NYC), I enjoyed this humorous mystery tremendously. I liked it so much, that if I were not an honest woman, I'd have told the public library I lost the book and paid the fine. Hello, publishers! This is one of many vintage mystery novels that deserve to be back in print so a new generation can enjoy them!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meddling, merriment, murder and mayhem at the Met, August 8, 2002

By 

R. Tiedemann "Sunnye" (Bellevue, NE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prima Donna at Large (Hardcover)

Paul had to do a lot of research to put this delightful story together and she has done a superb job of portraying historic opera stars in a fictional situation. Geraldine Ferrar is the heroine; Enrico Caruso and Arturo Toscanino share the action with fictional characters in this romp through murder at the Metropolitan Opera.

Phillippe Duchon is an annoying, egotistical personality and everyone at the Met has just about had all they can take of him. Suddenly someone replaces his throat spray with ammonia. His vocal chords and his life are finished.

"Rico" Caruso is hard on the trail of the killer but Police Lt. O'Halloran of the NYPD threatens to lock him up if he doesn't quit meddling. Geraldine Ferrar takes over for Rico and the fearless and gorgeous diva throws caution to the wind to find the killer.

This is lightweight entertainment, sheer delight with every turn of the page. Prepare to laugh out loud -- you'll dread finishing it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Check your brain at the door & enjoy!, October 30, 2009

By 

Karla Bushway "7Rabbits" (South Strafford, VT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prima Donna at Large (Hardcover)

Very funny mystery that is slight on the mystery but has all its charm in the cast of characters. The Metropolitan Opera has engaged a new baritone who is quite arrogant and he quickly meets with an accident. Or did he? With an opera house packed full of fiery temperaments, anything is possible. Geraldine Farrar takes it upon herself to solve the mystery and Enrico Caruso insists on helping her. Co-sleuths are real-life acoustic era legends Antonio Scotti, Pasquale Amato, and Emmy Destinn. While trying to dig into the tangle surrounding the felled baritone, Farrar has to juggle her dislike of Destinn, her colossal fame among her young female fans, and her long-time amour Scotti.