Yay for historical cozies! A Fatal Finale is the first book in a series and what a ride it was! It was really fun and entertaining. It has a great cast of characters. I enjoyed the mystery but I like that the book was also very character focused. Great start for a new series!

Kathleen Kalb introduces Ella Shane, diva and singer of male opera parts who manages a small opera company in 1899 New York. One of her female performers dies after her performance from nicotine poisoning. Why? Kathleen is joined in her investigation by the Duke of Leith, who happens to be a relative of the dead young lady. Welcome to life on the stage and the city of Gilded Age New York. Well written cozy with suitable suspects and a possible romantic interest to develop in the future.

Description
On the cusp of the twentieth century, Manhattan is a lively metropolis buzzing with talent. But after a young soprano meets an untimely end on stage, can one go-getting leading lady hit the right notes in a case of murder?

New York City, 1899. When it comes to show business, Gilded Age opera singer Ella Shane wears the pants. The unconventional diva breaks the mold by assuming “trouser roles”—male characters played by women—and captivating audiences far and wide with her travelling theatre company. But Ella’s flair for the dramatic takes a terrifying turn when an overacting Juliet to her Romeo drinks real poison during the final act of Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi.

Weeks after the woman’s death is ruled a tragic accident, a mysterious English duke arrives in Greenwich Village on a mission. He’s certain someone is getting away with murder, and the refined aristocrat won’t travel back across the Atlantic until Ella helps him expose the truth.

As Ella finds herself caught between her craft and a growing infatuation with her dashing new acquaintance, she’s determined to decode the dark secrets surrounding her co-star’s fatal finale—before the lights go dark and the culprit appears for an encore . . .

My Review
A Fatal Finale is the first book by Kathleen Marple Kalb and one that was truly enjoyable to read. The historical cozy mystery is set during the late 1800s in New York City. The protagonist reminds me of Miss Phryne Fisher, an independent, glamorous amateur sleuth ahead of her time.

Ella Shane along with her cousin Tommy run an opera company in the city. During one of their performances, Violette their lead soprano singer dies. At first it is thought that the death is an accident. However, soon the victim's cousin an English Duke - Gilbert Saint Aubyn arrives at the opera company insisting the death is not an accident and asks Ella to help solve the mystery.

The characters are well-crafted and likable. I especially like Ella of course, but some of the other characters such as Father Michael and the Duke were very interesting. A Fatal Finale has all of the ingredients necessary to make this a great historical cozy mystery.

I was provided this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, and this is definitely a 5 star historical cozy mystery!! A must read!

Very well written, and I enjoyed how strong Ella's character was especially for 1899. While I liked her well enough, I couldn't feel any sort of connection. Maybe it was just the time period and the fact that I know nothing about opera that I couldn't relate to her, but I did really like Tommy's character. Father Michael was pretty cool too, and how about that Duke? Other characters I enjoyed were Hetty and Yardley from the newspaper. It was interesting how Marie had three children but apparently a forward-thinking husband who was okay with her continuing singing in a time when men weren't usually happy with working wives.

I got a kick out of Hetty and Ella going cycling and zooming past people who were shocked at the spectacle while some cheered them on. For fun, I looked up bicycles of 1899, and they seriously looked like more of a challenge to ride than enjoyment, but since that's all they knew, I guess it was fun for them.

It'll be interesting to see if Duke Gilbert and Ella ever become any closer. It was fairly well-paced, but I guess again that it was simply different from the cozies I'm used to and even some of the historical cozies I've read, but that's what makes it unique.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

A strong, intelligent and multi-dimensional female lead character and set in an Opera company in 1899 has the capacity to enthral. The historical aspect in this was immersive in such a way that when I watched some police procedurals during my meals, between reading this book, I had to blink and caught myself wondering why they dressed in contemporary attire because I was still living in Ella Shane’s world! In the beginning, there were not many outward indicators of the time period, which we are witnessing. The language and diction were reasonably straightforward. Although I am no expert, and that expertise might lead to the identifying of any anachronisms.
An extremely talented Opera singer is our amateur sleuth. She has risen from the ranks of poverty, thanks to a lot of talent and being spotted for her skills at the right time. She is very professional in her dealings with her company, and one of its members died in an unfortunate manner. Chalked up to suicide, it surprises her when an unknown relative comes calling and starts to asks questions. There are multiple stages during the narrative that the duo is convinced that the matter is laid to rest, but then a new thought sends Ella hunting for more information. The family life, the dialogues between them all and the backstory were delightful and an enjoyable read. The subtle tones of the combination of Ella’s faith(s) were something new and very well done. I look forward to the next in the series (if it is to be one)
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers. The review, however, is entirely based on my reading experience, as well as my prior inclination to like well written cozy mysteries.

I love glided age mysteries, especially ones done right. Unfortunately, this wasn't one. Characters were surface level, none of the mystery and grace of the age was missing from this book.

Gilded Age opera singer Ella Shane plays "trouser roles", can fence like nobody's business and is a fabulously witty narrator. This cozy mystery has all the elements necessary for a page-turner, including an intriguing cast of characters, sparkling dialogue, and just the right amount of historical accuracy. I'll be eagerly awaiting the sequel!

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book of a new series! The main character, Ella Shane, is fascinating to me as a turn of the century diva who runs her own company along with her cousin, a former boxer. The rest of the characters are interesting and the mystery is very well done. I like the turn of the century setting and the insights into the world of opera at that time. That Ella is dealing with falling in love for the first time and considering that a man might accept her career after marriage was very interesting as well. I very much look forward to the next book and seeing what is in store for the Diva and her Duke!

Kathleen Kalb's debut novel takes us into the glamorous, dramatic, and dangerous world of opera via the Ella Shane Mystery series, and it's quite a treat.

In 1899 NYC, Ella Shane is an unconventional opera star. A talented soprano who prefers "trouser roles," her life takes a turn for the unexpected when fellow cast member Violette Saint Claire playing Juliet consumes real poison. Although saddened by the loss, Ella only starts to look into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Violette's death when her cousin, Gilbert Saint Aubyn, the Duke of Leith, arrives looking for help.

Kalb's debut novel is quite lovely, being well-balanced between the investigative mystery into Violette's demise and the budding romance between Ella and Gilbert. Against the backdrop of The Gilded Age NYC, topics of feminism, social mores, and change become witty, intelligent banter between the parties that showcase their respect and admiration for each other. Ella herself is a great character, street-smart, talented, and a bit stubborn, but she's built a life for herself on her own terms as best as she can, and Kalb's behind-the-scenes look into opera life exhibits that well.

Hi Friends! Are you a cozy mystery fan? A Fatal Finale is a historical cozy mystery that I really enjoyed! As my last book for April I was happy to end on a high note that well written. I like cozy mysteries because they are never as violent as the thrillers I read but still have murder and mystery. This first book in a new series take place in NYC, in 1899, in the world of opera! So, I even got to learn a few things. .

Ella, the main character, and opera singer is shocked when one of her theater mates’ drinks real poison and dies during the final act of a performance. It was ruled an accident, but Ella seems to think there is more to the story. Then an English Duke shows up to determine if it was really an accident and asks Ella for her help. As the two work to uncover what really happened, they also start to uncover some feelings for each other. If you are looking for something that is new, different and an easy read I would recommend you pick this one up! It just came out this week! .

Thanks to @kensingtonbooks @kathleenmarplekalb @tlcbooktours for this review copy

I was quite excited to receive this ARC because I realized that the author of this mystery was already known to me.  She has been a reporter on my local radio station and I have heard her voice many times.  So, it was fun to think about "hearing" her writer's voice as well.


This book is a cozy and should be enjoyed by readers who like this genre.  That means nothing too violent and a good story with characters with whom I enjoyed spending time.  These include the protagonist, Ella, who is unconventional, a murder victim and an English lord. The setting is the world of opera and the time period is the very end of the 19th century.  The place is New York City.


Sound appealing?  If yes, give this one a try. 


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this first in a series (I hope).  All opinions are my own.

A quiet, cozy Gilded Age mystery where the whodunnit takes a step back and allows the atmosphere and exposition take center stage. Maybe because I’m also a classically trained singer it resonated more, but I adored it. I could see Ella and Tom’s townhouse, and each beautifully described clothing ensemble, and I wanted to become part of their troop and live with them! Of course, introducing a forward thinking British duke never hurt, either... I cannot wait for book two and our diva’s next adventure.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Fatal Finale by Kathleen Marple Kalb is a terrific historical, cozy mystery led by the lead character, Diva Ella Shane (A true diva, not the pejorative kind!). Set in New York City in 1899, we are quickly reminded of how different things are for women both working and otherwise. My how times have changed!

Ella Shane runs an opera company with her cousin, Tommy, and during a performance their lead soprano, Violette, collapses and dies. Originally ruled an accident, Ella delves into the mystery at the request of the soprano's relative, Gilbert Saint Aubyn, a charming Duke who's made the trip from England to learn more about his relative's untimely demise.

The mystery itself isn't always the main part of the story. I felt as if it were more a story about the challenges of women in the turn of the century. Though not in an "in your face" sort of way, the author presents several strong female characters in addition to the lead, Ella.

* Maria - her friend who is also a talented soprano and mother of three.
* Hetty - a journalist doing her best to overcome obstacles to let her write about something other than the society pages.
* Dr. Silver - a female physician who's both a widow, single mother, and who does her best to help women with family planning services. (nothing scandalous, except perhaps by 1899 standards!)

These women are all fabulously woven into the story and help remind us how far we've come - and how far we have yet to go.

Ella Shane has a tough back story, a big part of which - being orphaned as a young child - is described in detail in this book. Not expecting this in a cozy, I got pretty emotional when reading about it. Cozies don't usually have truly sad stories in them and this was so well-written that I was just drawn in.

Plenty of great male characters as well such as:

* Tommy - her protective cousin, the ex-fighter (ex-champ)
* Preston - A sports writer and 2nd father to both her and Tommy who has a crush on their cook, Mrs. G.
* Father Michael - an open-minded priest with a great sense of humor.
* Duke Gilbert Saint Aubyn - The potential romantic interest - who lives across the sea in England.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to subsequent books in this series. (I hope it becomes a series!) I recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting story with plenty of humor and where the lead character isn't just overly nosey and getting herself into trouble. (...and who doesn't automatically fall for the Detective. Heck - there wasn't even a detective in this story. How's that for different?) It's also fun to read about a progressive woman in the 19th century who occasionally wears pants, is very well-read, but who remembers her roots and gives back whenever she can - a fine example to follow even in the 21st century.

Pick it up - it's definitely a worthy read!

This book was received as an ARC via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review. Thanks to both Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!

Fatal Finale

Synopsis: New York City, 1899. Gilded Age singer Ella Shane is a bona fide diva. Violette, a young Soprano in her theater company, winds up dead during a performance. Weeks after her death is ruled an accident, her Uncle the duke arrives on the scene. Ella sets out to solve the mystery surrounding the Soprano’s fatal finale.

What I liked
--I really liked many of the characters in the story, especially cousin Tommy and Hetty.
--The setting, the world of opera and the Gilded Age, was entertaining and unique-- a very good choice for a mystery series.
--I liked the last few chapters where Ella shows emotion and her relationship with the Duke heats up.
--I liked the touch of romance and the promise of more

What could have been better
--The plot meandered a bit and was slow, especially in the beginning.
--There wasn’t much of a mystery because there weren’t enough characters who could have done it..
--velocipede I know is a thing because I googled it, but I don’t know if it isn’t one sideline too many. In other words, Ella has so many sidelines/talents does she really need another one?
--Some chapters didn’t seem to advance the story
--I was disappointed there weren't any Author’s Notes to explain historical research into the time period. I’m sure the author did extensive research and I really enjoy reading a little bit about the historical research.
--This is minor, but I think the cover is a little too cartoonish for the tone of the story.

All in all, the characters were unique enough to capture my interest and I am looking forward to the next installment.

3.5/5

This is one of those special mysteries that I have so enjoyed that I have my fingers crossed that it will become a series. It's that good. Historical mysteries are a favorite of mine, especially those set in the Gilded Age, so my attention was drawn to the blurb and I wasted no time starting it. Ella Shane (full name Ellen O'Shaunessy, daughter of a Jewish immigrant father and an Irish immigrant mother) runs an opera company with her cousin Tommy. She sings the male roles and at the end of their run of Romeo and Juliet, the young singer playing Juliet really dies on stage. She's the victim of poisoning. Soon Ella and Tom learn that she had quite a background - she was a member of British aristocracy and her cousin is a Duke. When he arrives seeking answers to her untimely death, he makes some assumptions about Ella that she soon sets him straight. When poisoning is revealed as the cause of death, Ella, Tommy, Gilbert, the Duke set out to catch a killer. With a large extended family to help along the way, Ella will find justice for the deceased young woman, Violette Saint Claire. Might there also be a budding relationship with Gilbert, the Duke?
Besides being a very well written mystery with a great cast of characters, there is lots of depth regarding the social structure of the 1890's regarding immigrants and the upper classes. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Ella, Tommy et al.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Fatal Finale by Kathleen Marple Kalb is a first book in An Ella Shane Mystery series and a real pleasure to read.

Main protagonist is a young girl, an opera singer who came from poverty and rose to become hugely successful singer. She lives with her cousin in New York in 1899 and has a set of great people around her.
An accident happens and a fellow singer dies. Several months later, dead singer relative, Duke of Leith shows up to find out what really happened.
This will reveal many secrets as well as a romantic feelings between Ella and the Duke.

This is a very slow going book, it is more about Ella's life and I had the feeling that it was some form of a diary. I liked Ella's character so much that I really didn't mind this at all but for those who enjoy faster paced mysteries this wouldn't be a great choice.
She is smart, hard working, loyal. professional and incredibly kindhearted. And she loves to read. So another plus in my book. It was immensely interesting for me to read about women in those times, what their lives looked like, their daily struggles and restrictions they had to deal with. Nice reminder for all of us who sometimes take liberties we have for granted.
I had guessed the culprit from the beginning but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book. I enjoyed meeting all the colorful protagonists I met along the way.
I am looking forward to the next installment to see what will happen.

Oh no! Juliette drank poison- real poison- on stage and now Ella has a mess on her hands. Turns out that Violette, who was playing Juliet, was actually Lady Frances Saint Aubyn and her cousin Gilbert, the Duke of Leith is determined to find out what really happened. Ella is an opera singer who runs her own theater company with her cousin Tommy. It's 1899 New York and she's just a tad outside the norm (hah!) because, among other things, she likes to play male roles. She and Tommy have more or less clawed their way into their own. Neither one of them wants to take any guff from the Duke, who, as the novel progresses, becomes a bit of a love interest for Ella. While the mystery of who killed Violette and why is well done, the characters are better. I'm not usually a fan of theater based cozies but this has a nice touch of class issues and atmosphere. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one!

A Fatal Finale by Kathleen Marple Kalb is a new series that takes place in New York City, 1899. I found this book to be fun with many twists and turns, that keep me reading. The plot and characters are well developed, and I enjoy the quirky characters in the book. I recommend this book, and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Fatal Finale is a good cozy mystery with an interesting premise and fascinating characters. Kathleen Marple Kalb did a good job of entertaining us in the process. The main character is in show business so it fits very well.

Ella Shane is an opera singer who likes to take on roles that are meant for men. For example, she played Romeo in Rome and Juliet. During her performance, her 'Juliet' faced her own finale when she drank actual poison. This is so unexpected and throws her for a loop.

This is where we meet an English Duke named Gilbert. He was Violette's cousin and is determined to find out more about her death.

The story is interesting throughout and really liked the historical setting. The chemistry between Ella and Gilbert was fun to read and they made a great team.

I give A Fatal Finale 4 stars. It is an entertaining historical cozy mystery that has romance and secrecy. If you like some drama in your reads, I think you will like this one!

3.75 stars

Entertaining debut set in New York City at the very end of the 19th century. Ella Shane, who came up the hard way from her childhood as an Irish orphan, is a strong and compassionate woman. She runs her own opera company which gives her control over her personal and professional life. She is a "trouser diva" who sings male roles in her performances.

Ella is of a very independent character and spirit, aided by her cousin Tom and an appealing cast of friends and co-workers. When a young woman dies onstage during a performance by Ella's company, she is greatly saddened to hear the verdict of suicide. But nothing is as it seems. She soon discovers that the young singer was actually a member of the British nobility. And further investigation points to murder and not suicide.

Soon Ella begins to check further into the circumstances of the death. The victim's cousin Gilbert, a handsome and intriguing British Duke, teams up with Ella to investigate. Their growing attraction is nicely presented, along with the problems it presents: Ella has no interest in marriage and family because it is so difficult to reconcile them with the demands of her career. Nonetheless, she is in her mid 30's and can't help but think of what she might be missing. And the Duke lives across an ocean.

This was a great read. The ending felt a bit abrupt and rushed, and for some reason toward the end of this book the strong female lead succumbs to several bouts of weepiness, which seemed out of character. But overall this was an enjoyable read.

The historical setting is well drawn and it's an interesting glimpse into the theatrical world. Ella is unusually independent and one of not many successful independent businesswomen. I look forward to future adventures. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.