This was a new series to me and an overall enjoyable, if predictable read.

I was surprised that the mystery seemed to be more of a subplot. While others investigated the murder, Ella and Gil's engagement and the hashing out of the marriage contract took center stage. Ella is an opera singer who will not marry Gil unless she can keep some part of her career. His mother and aunts arrive to smooth the preparations and prod the two to the alter.

Meanwhile, a murder and another attempted murder occur at the opera house and Ella is somewhat entangled in the investigation. Since the book was hyped as the third in a mystery series, I did expect the murder investigation to play more of a central role in the novel but it really did not. It was also easily predictable.

All in all, this makes an easy rainy day read, but I'm not sure I'll be reading more of the series.

A Fatal Overture is the third Ella Shane historical cozy mystery by Kathleen Marple Kalb. Released 29th March 2022 by Kensington, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

Set in the early 20th century, Ella is an opera diva and engaged to British royalty. Whilst they're ironing out the basic conditions of their married existence as a couple (she has no intentions of giving up her career which his family sees as deeply problematic), murder and attempted murder intrude in the negotiations threatening to upset the apple cart forever. 

Although the author is good at providing backstory, I would recommend readers begin with the earlier books in the series. There's a fair bit of character development which will be missed by hopping into the series here. 

Quite a significant proportion of the action in this installment is spent on descriptions of food and clothing, to the detriment of the mystery. For readers who enjoy cozy drama with a side of mystery, this will suit. The mystery itself was mostly straightforward and mostly investigated off-page. 

All in all, it's well written and the author has a good grasp of descriptive prose and plotting. The dialogue is a bit anachronistic in places (especially the British aunties/mother), but overall harmless and good fun. 

Three and a half stars. Eminently readable. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

New York City, 1900. Ella and Gil are a mismatched couple—not quite equivalent to The Prince and the Showgirl—but a pair with not a lot in common. Widower Gil Saint Auburn is a British duke and Ella Shane is an American mezzo-soprano with an avid following. She’s also part-owner of a theater company. A Fatal Overture is the 3rd Ella Shane historical mystery. It’s set in the Gilded Age, a time-period celebrated in the hit HBO Max show of the same name. Gil and Ella met in A Fatal Finale: Gil came to New York to investigate the untimely death of his cousin, a member of Ella’s company singing under a pseudonym. Although Ella is attracted to Gil, she is committed to her career and leads a chaste, business-like existence. The man she shares her house with is her protective cousin Tommy. As the most celebrated “trouser diva” of her time, Ella is courted constantly but she is not interested in being an ornament on a rich man’s arm. Author Kathleen Marple Kalb sheds light on why a trouser diva might sparkle in a Gilded Age mystery.

A beautiful woman with a glorious voice, dressed in well-fitted breeches dueling the villain between arias. It sounds like a Gilded Age gentleman’s opera fantasy, but it’s really a dream come true for a mystery writer looking for a unique idea. Best of all, it’s based on reality.

Gil is back in New York City, with his mother and her two sisters following closely on his heels. He wants a life with his beloved mezzo-soprano and his interfering family decide to put their oar in as well. The ladies check into the “elegant Waverly Place Hotel” but their time there is short. Unfortunately, they come face to face with a dead man in their bathtub! Ella and Gil are no strangers to murder but frankly, the investigation they undertake diverts them from their burgeoning romance.

Happily Ella becomes engaged to her ducal suitor and the heat level ratchets up. In a suitably proper way of course.

He smiled. “Now give me a goodnight kiss and get to sleep. Mother and her sisters will lead you a merry dance tomorrow.”

“Good night, my love.” The endearment felt strange, but good.

“Good night, mo chridhe.”

This time, it was a very light and proper kiss, followed by equally light and proper kisses on each of my hands, enough to make me well aware that what he was thinking was neither light nor especially proper. Or at least not especially proper until we were actually wed.

Off goes the duke and in comes her cousin Tommy. There are so many busy-bodies in A Fatal Overture, all with an opinion.

“Well done, Heller.” He had, of course, heard everything.

“We still have to settle the contract.”

“And the murder.”

“Oh, yes, that.”

It’s not often you read about a murder mystery that has a parallel plot of a couple tussling over a pre-nuptial agreement. How modern but not at all uncommon when an aristocrat marries. Gil’s mother, the Dowager Countess, describes Ella as “a poor orphan girl,” but although she may be the orphaned daughter of a Jewish man and an Irish woman, there’s more to her than her past. To be fair to Gil’s mother, she appreciates the idea of an infusion into Gil’s blue bloodline of “fine, hardworking, American stock, and good Jewish common sense besides.” It’s not an easy discussion.

“I am a singer, the leading artist in my own company. However much I may want to marry a man, I cannot just leave the career and life I have built.”

“He hasn’t been fool enough to ask you to give up everything for him.”

“No.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” She smiled.

Back to the murder. What might possibly lay behind it? Who is “the bounder who got himself stabbed in the eye?” Could there be a connection between his death and the inexplicable disappearances and deaths of maid servants? On a parallel track, Connor Coughlan, an old friend of Ella’s (and erstwhile “kingpin of the City’s most dangerous neighborhood) brings up the topic of domestic service agencies. Ella has an intrepid reporter friend, Hetty, who is “poking about.” Readers met Hetty in A Fatal First Night, the 2nd Ella Shane mystery. Connor doesn’t pooh poo Hetty’s investigative journalism but he sounds a note of caution.

“That’s fine, as far as it goes, but a couple of them are run by some very bad people.”

For Connor to describe someone as very bad people meant they were likely the incarnation of Satan on earth. Or at least someone who could be extremely dangerous to Hetty. “What kind of bad people?”

“The kind who find other uses for the prettiest and youngest girls who come looking for work while running a perfectly legitimate agency for the rest.”

I didn’t know the exact details of those other uses, but I knew they had to be both horrific and lucrative. And that anyone involved in such things would not scruple to make a lady reporter disappear if she looked too closely into their business. “Oh, dear.”

Connor’s insider information puts Ella in a difficult spot. On the one hand, she doesn’t want her friend harmed. But on the other, as she says to Connor, “It’s wrong, and it should be stopped.” Ella Shane is a proponent of women fulfilling their destinies, even if it leads them into harm’s way. A famous quote from Sigmund Freud sums up the tension that threads through A Fatal Overture: “Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.” Ella’s artistic work sustains her and brings her personal satisfaction but a life with Gil is equally important. If they can solve mysteries along the way, so much the better. The officially engaged couple, “with all the public approval and private privileges that implied,” decamp to London. Undoubtedly readers will eagerly await the next Ella Shane mystery, especially as it will take place in a foreign land.

Ella Shane is surprised by the visit of three doughty older women, who are mother and aunts to the man she loves, and soon to be her fiancé. She and he then spend several days trying to sort out responsibilities and the like for their marriage contract so that Ella does not have to give up her performing and profits. And, incidentally, there is a murder and attempted murder, but these are really just the backdrop to meeting a variety of Ella’s large family, eating tasty meals, worrying how to replace her friend and highly skilled cook, changing into pretty clothes, and having all her male friends and relatives tell her she should be happy Gil is willing to let her continue to work after their marriage. And that only love matters.

I was so fed up by everyone telling her the same thing, repeatedly. I know it’s the Gilded Age and it’s truly a wonder that a man would consent to his wife having a life outside of his own, but it got super repetitive and irritating that everyone told Ella the same thing.

And the clues to the murder and attempted murder were easy to see, and no sleuthing was happening, except by people off-page.

I’m not sure if I’ll read anymore in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

A Fatal Overture is the third historical mystery to feature Ella Shane. The story takes place during the Gilded Age so fans of that TV show may enjoy this view of the time period. Ella is a performer; she is also in love with a British aristocrat so there is a tension in the story over work vs. relationship. Readers of the prior books will no doubt enjoy catching up with the latest on this couple.

Now relatives (a mother and sister) of our aristocrat have come to visit. There is trouble when a body is found in a bathtub in their hotel. Lord Peter Wimsey once investigated a case of a bathtub victim but here we have Kalb’s version. It is entertaining and sure to be enjoyed by cozy mystery aficionados who may also enjoy the opera and show business that are in the novel.

This series is best read in order. However, a reader could still start here and go backwards.

I hear this author on my local news. I am so impressed that she also writes mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for this title. All opinions are my own.

This is yet another series that I am really enjoying the progress of. The setting is unique, as are the characters and their interactions.
It is 1900s New York, and Ella Shane runs an Opera company. I would not recommend starting this series at this point because the interactions will feel lacklustre without the prior history. Ella does repeat herself, something I am not overly fond of. Still, if there had been a longer gap between my reading of the various books, I might have appreciated it more.
In the previous books, we see Ella and a Duke announcing their feelings for each other. This story begins with the arrival of unexpected reinforcements that is meant to hurry their relationship along. Amidst the general confusion, a man's dead body is found in a bathtub. This splits the story into two. One is Ella and the company's personal growth and life, and the other is the investigation. Originally, wince she does not have any special reason to unravel the case; our lead protagonist does not think or process too much information about that death but is more concerned about the life of her sort-of fiance.
I guessed the culprit of one of the parts, and despite me trying to point them the right way (in my head), the characters took their sweet time in getting to the point. Even with this being the situation, I surprisingly enjoyed the entire thing. I like the people, which is always a bonus when reading such books.
I would recommend this series to anyone who likes the blurb and/or the premise.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Wasn't for me sadly
But thank you for the chance

I did not realize that A Fatal Overture by Kathleen Marple Kalb was book #3 in the Ella Shane Mysteries, but that was ok because it was not confusing at all to just jump in and enjoy the story. This book was such a delight. It is set in The Gilded Age and Ella is an opera singer. The characters are all very well developed. I love the romance between Ella and Gil. I liked that they fenced each other in one scene to resolve a conflict. I got a kick out of Gil’s mother and aunts. There were scenes where they made me laugh. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will definitely continue with the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

this book has it all! strong characters who are complex and interesting, a fast paced story that has a lot of twists and turns makes it a real page turner and a must read!

I have some doubts about the historical accuracy, maybe the mother of a duke wasn't so openminded during the Belle Epoque, but I'm sure I had a lot of fun in reading this mystery and thoroughly enjoyed it even if I didn't read the rest of the series.
The mystery takes often the backseat to the romance but it's solid and kept me guessing.
Ella and the cast of characters are likeable and fleshed out, I liked the humour, and the storytelling. A fast paced story that kept me reading.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Though A Fatal Overture is Kathleen Marple Kalb's thrird in the Ella Shane Mystery series, it is my first. What an enjoyable historical read, set in the early 1900's London. I did not feel as if I missed anything by not reading the first two books, but the characters and their story was so enjoyable, I want to read more about them---I will get the ones I missed and catch up.
The plot moves at a good clip , the characters are believable as real people, the murder and its mystery were also quite good. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for sending me the review copy that I requested. All opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #Kensington #KathleenMarpleKalb

Marple Kalb has a way of writing deceptively simple lines to end her chapters. They take my breath away. They are poignant, yet so mundane. I adore this style of writing. The novel itself is nothing short of enjoyable, the cast of characters, the dialogue, the plot - I loved every second with this book.

Ella and Gil are working out how they'll marry and how Ella will manage her opera career after when his mother and aunts show up in New York! It's the 1890s so this marriage of a NYer and a Duke has his relatives all atwitter until they find a body in their hotel bathroom. The victim, a lech, was not killed by Ella's friend who has confessed but who did it? This is as much a tale of people from two different classes and cultures as it is a cozy mystery. Don't worry if you missed the earlier ones- this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.

This isn't so much a mystery, although there are murders in the story. It's more a romance and a historical novel about families. Soprano Ella Shane finally agrees to marry the dashing Gil Saint Auburn. But of course there are obstacles. His family, her family, and women's rights all complicate the details.

There are lots of appealing and intriguing characters, plenty of action, thought-provoking conversations, and evocative local color. The book is well written and the intrepid women among Ella's friends and family are convincingly of their time.

I look forward to reading more in the series.

I have not read the previous books in this series, but I did enjoy the author's historical description and dialogue. The heroine is very likable as she is very three-dimensional and had a tough upbringing. And the connection to her love-interest makes them a likable couple as well.

The introduction of a murder early on definitely piques interest. Readers who enjoy a combination of romance and mystery will enjoy this series

Thank you to Kensington and Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

I missed the first two in this series with opera singer and part time sleuth Ella Shane, but I am going to go back and read them soon.
Even without reading the first two this book works very well as a stand-alone whodunnit. I gleaned enough from the well written descriptive text and dialogue that I did not feel at a disadvantage for missing the two previous books at all. It was very easy the catch on to who was who and their relationships and back stories. That being said, I did enjoy reading Ella's story, the three sister's arriving brought spunk and humor to the story which I very much enjoyed. I did have one slightly large problem with the book overall. This is supposed to be a historical mystery? Ok, yes there is a body, yes it is a murder, but the amount of attention paid to said murder itself, let alone to the solving of it is almost like a forgotten footnote!, an after thought if you will. To me the murder occurs, is discovered, the sisters are questioned and then the book goes off, more concerned with Ella and her love-life, whether her and Gil are going to finally come to an agreement so they can marry. This seems to be the primary focal point, the murder takes a dim second.
Still the book is well written, the characters are entertaining and likeable. It is a quick, enjoyable, entertaining read for a weekend or breezy afternoon. Just don't expect to be solving an intricate murder plot.
Thank you to the publishers at Kensington Books and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Ella is back in A Fatal Overture! I was so happy to read this next installment in which the main character is dealing with murder. This historical mystery did a great job of portraying New York City in the 1900s. Whether you have read the two previous books you cannot help but be invested in the characters.

I could not put this cozy mystery down and now I can't wait for book 4.

Looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

This is the third in the series but a first one for me. Boy after a few pages I was hooked! Didn't want to stop reading! You know it's good when you don't want the book to end! Awesome characters that are fun, likeable and relatable! Great story plot. I'm off to read the previous two! Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Another lovely installment of the cozy Ella Shane mystery series. There seems to be as much drama between Ella and Gil navigating their relationship as there is backstage at the theater. And their relationship pretty much over shadows the murder and mystery. But that works perfectly for me, as I find Ella and Gil (and Tommy and Preston and Marie and all their friends) utterly delightful.

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

I found myself deliberately slowing down my reading pace as I wanted the story to last awhile longer for my enjoyment. Although this was a new series to me, I will definitely be following the adventures of opera singer Ella Shane in the future, not to mention going back and reading the previous entries. While the story unfolded at a perhaps slower pace than many others of the same ilk, perhaps appropriately since it unfolds in the early 1900's, it was a delight to meet not just Ella and her beau Gil, a duke/barrister/lawyer, but his family and Ella's extended family and friends. And let's not forget Montezuma, an Amazon parrot, who is thoroughly entertaining with his renditions of not just opera but raucous drinking songs with attitude.

I loved that Gil's mother, a countess, no less, and aunts weren't put off at all by Ella's humble roots or mixed religious influences, even if it was a bit surprising to read they'd discovered a body in the bathtub of their hotel suite. True, he sounds like someone soundly deserving of his fate but, well, this death sets off a series of events and actions that draw you further into Ella's surroundings and reveal past events to those like me who are just discovering Ella Shane.

It's a fascinating world, too, peopled by characters that author Kalb brings to life well. I was particularly intrigued that one of the characters had been a drummer boy at Gettysburg as I, too, have an ancestor who was in that battle. True, Ella is only a figment of Kalb's imagination but it shows how well she ties the characters, good or not-so-good, alive and part of their world, not just distractions. Not only is there the bathtub murder to solve but the question of who is threatening Gil and what role does Ella's reporter friend have in the murder. And, oh, yeah, that ominous message from an aunt with second sight that Ella should be careful where fire is involved. The laudanum dreams Ella has at one point are both wonderful and reveal much background in a way that works, too. Finally, toss in the negotiation going on between Gil and Ella, both of them with many responsibilities, and every chapter was intriguing and informative on who these people were.

Bottom line, I'm looking forward to the next entrant to their lives. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Press for introducing me to these fascinating people.