The Queen Is Dead: A Jocelyn O'Rourke Mystery (Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery) [Paperback]

Jane Dentinger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery | Publication Date: October 1, 1995

It's a trip down memory lane when Jocelyn O'Roarke returns to college--and a course in Murder 101 when the campus play turns deadly. No amateur on the stage or on the trail of a murderer, Josh remains her cool, witty self until the curtain falls on this hilarious and engaging mystery.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jocelyn "Josh" O'Roarke again proves she is a real trooper as professional actress and amateur sleuth when the sudden death by heart attack of renowned actress Tessa Grant leaves Corinth College's production of A Winter's Tale without a female lead. Josh, a Corinth alum, agrees to take over the role even though the death of Tessa, who'd been her mentor at the school, hits her hard. Heartened to be reunited with her old roommate, Frankie, now a less-than-sedate faculty wife, Josh is not so pleased with the arrival of NYPD Lt. Phillip Gerrard, an ex-lover hoping to regain favor. She's glad for his assistance, however, when Sheriff Calvin Kowaleski (who, alas, remembers Josh and Frankie's youthful pranks) seems disinclined to investigate suspicious events surrounding the death of Tessa, who was known as "a man-eater of the first rank." As Josh thoughtfully picks her way through on- and offstage dramatics, she realizes that some of the best amateur acting around her has nothing to do with the Bard. Although readers will note a major secret long before Josh and Phil cotton to it, Dentinger ( Dead Pan ) puts on a show that is terrific fun and will hold special appeal for theater fans.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Series maven Jocelyn "Josh" O'Roarke (Dead Pan, Viking, 1992) steps into a Shakespearean role at her old alma mater after the star actress, her beloved mentor, drops dead of a heart attack. Josh suspects foul play, but only with the aid of a hidden diary and former-cop lover does she do anything about it. Thus simplified, the plot centers on proving the death a murder and unmasking the murderer. The theatrical setting provides ample opportunity for subplot digression as well as a likely array of culprits. Great fun and sarcastic wit. Recommended.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140158359
• ISBN-13: 978-0140158359
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,175,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Queen is Dead, Long Live the Queen, January 16, 2004

By 

Sires "I enjoy mysteries, historical and proc... (Chesapeake, OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Queen is Dead (Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery) (Hardcover)

Hardly back from California, Josh is greeted with the news that her first mentor, Tessa Grant, has died during rehearsals for a production of A Winter's Tale at Corinth College, Josh's alma mater. The chairman of the drama department, also an old friend, begs Josh to come, not just to the service but to take Tessa's role in the play, that of the wronged queen Hermione.

Back at Corinth Josh finds a lot of old memories and emotions waiting for her, as well as a new cast of players including Donna Reed-- oops, Miriam, faculty wife and constant purveyor of cocktail weinies and stuffed celery; Frankie, Josh's old roommate; and, surprise! Phillip Gerrard, cop extraordinaire and ex-SO, who is trying to get back in her good graces.

Highly entertaining, this is one of the best in this series with a touch of a serious, dark side, lightened by a leavening of humor.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, October 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Queen Is Dead: A Jocelyn O'Rourke Mystery (Jocelyn O'Roarke Mystery) (Paperback)

Jocelyn O'Rourke was wonderful. The characters were believable and was an interesting story line. Would like to read more Jocelyn O'Roarke Mysterys.