Extra, extra, read all about it! Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury finds herself playing the role of sleuth when a night at the theatre turns deadly. Victorian Countess Amelia Amesbury’s secret hobby, writing an advice column for a London penny paper, has gotten her into hot water before. After all, Amelia will do whatever it takes to help a reader in need. But now, handsome marquis Simon Bainbridge desperately requires her assistance. His beloved younger sister, Marielle, has written Amelia's Lady Agony column seeking advice on her plans to elope with a man her family does not approve of. Determined to save his sister from a scoundrel and the family from scandal, Simon asks Amelia to dissuade Marielle from the ill-advised gambit. But when the scoundrel makes an untimely exit after a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Amelia realizes there’s much more at stake than saving a young woman’s reputation from ruin. It’s going to take more than her letter-writing skills to help the dashing marquis, mend the familial bond, and find the murderer. Luckily, solving problems is her specialty!

Murder by Masquerade by Camden Wyatt Lust, betrayal, revenge, and murder. It's Hollywood, and it's where acting out non-truths on a daily basis is ordinary and where relationships-and the crimes of doomed relationships-are never what they seem. Hollywood's leading man has tragically given his last performance, falling to his death in front of hundreds of witnesses on the movie set of Sweet Sherry South. The entertainment world is stunned; fans are overcome with grief; and the funeral is grandiose and memorable. But for Lacey Sills doubts arise, and she shares her sensational, often unbelievable, tale with Detectives Zoe Burns and Axel Hawk, who set out to investigate the death and, in the process, discover one of Hollywood's darkest, hidden secrets. The investigation quickly leads them into the shadowy recesses of Hollywood, revealing a vile creature who is totally disguised and hidden by the infamy of the industry itself. And now it has emerged to do battle with Axel and Zoe. Good versus evil, friendship versus narcissism, sacrifice versus greed. Are the charismatic and sympathetic heroes a match for their heinous opponent?

When Cassie Pengear’s cousin Milly invites her to a masquerade ball at the Melpomene Theatre, her first instinct is to say no. The last party Milly had invited her to ended in murder, and these tickets came from one of Milly’s gentlemen callers, never a good sign. But dressing up for a Halloween masquerade at a theater did sound fun, so she agrees. And the masquerade is fun, until someone discovers a body. With Inspector Burrows in charge, Cassie figures the case is in good hands and out of hers, until Milly drags them into investigating the murder at the masquerade. In a Victorian England that almost existed, a steampunk London where tinkerers and clockwork devices exist alongside hansom cabs and corsets, murder is still solved by traditional observation and intuition. This is the London where American typist Cassandra Pengear finds herself stumbling over corpses and helping Scotland Yard detectives solve murders (although they inexplicably prefer to call it interfering). Follow her adventures in the Cassie Pengear Mystery series, beginning with The Killing at the Carnival.

The air hummed with anticipation as the guests of the grand masquerade ball descended upon the historic mansion on Fifth Avenue. Behind their glittering masks, each individual sought to conceal their true selves, a testament to the intricate dance of deception that defined New York's high society. Yet, beneath the shimmering surface, a darkness lurked, a hidden truth that would shatter the illusion of perfection. The night began with a symphony of laughter and whispers, the clinking of champagne glasses, and the intoxicating aroma of roses. But the revelry would soon turn to horror when a prominent socialite, Lady Olivia Thorne, was found lifeless, her pearl necklace twisted around her neck. The scene, stark against the opulent backdrop, whispered of betrayal, jealousy, and a sinister motive. Enter Detective Emma Cole, a woman with a sharp mind and an unwavering determination to uncover the truth. Known for her ability to pierce through facades, she was drawn to the intricacies of this case, the tangled web of secrets that lay woven into the lives of those who had attended the ball. As Emma delves deeper into the world of high society, she encounters a cast of characters, each with a motive and a secret to protect. They are the socialites, the tycoons, the artists, and the hangers-on who inhabit the opulent world of New York's elite. But who among them is the killer? This story is more than just a murder mystery; it is a journey into the heart of human nature, where the pursuit of truth becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Prepare yourself to be captivated by the glittering world of New York's elite, a world where appearances are deceiving and secrets are currency.

"Mystery, murder, and romance weave a tale around characters who are Black professionals living in today's world. Phaire writes with a style that struts from start to finish." -E. Ethelbert Miller, director, African American Resource Center, Howard University "Murder and the Masquerade, demonstrates how important it is to address your unfinished business since the only true relationship begins with yourself. This book makes the point very well. I am sure it will change the way many women think and behave in their romantic experiences." -Audrey B. Chapman, author, Seven Attitude Adjustments When Dr. Renee Hayes is suspected of involvement in a murder case, she becomes conflicted about her ethical oath as a psychologist. Torn between her professional loyalty to a patient and her young lover, who is investigating the case, Renee is forced to do whatever it takes to clear her own name and rethink her purpose in life. But the most shocking secret of all is unlocked in the end, and it will change all of their lives forever. Packed with drama and intrigue, Murder and the Masquerade opens up the details of an intense love triangle, woven around a murder plot that is anything but typical.

Mike Hammer, the iconic PI created by hard-boiled crime master Mickey Spillane and written by New York Times bestseller Max Allan Collins, returns in Masquerade for Murder. Hammer is at a high society party when a wealthy and well-respected man, Colby, is hit by a car and badly injured. When all he expected was a night on the town, Mike is hired to find out who was driving the car. His search leads him on a trail of murders, the victims often exhibiting the same kind of strangulation as the cause of death. How are they connected to an accident involving Corby, and why is the man himself acting so strangely?

Queen Elizabeth’s chief musician Kate Haywood must unmask a thief and murderer in this Elizabethan Mystery Novella from the author of Murder at Westminster Abbey… 1560. Whispered speculations drift through the shadows of Windsor Castle. Who are the Queen’s suitors? Who is her heir? To distract her political enemies from gossip, Queen Elizabeth stages a masquerade ball… Tasked with organizing the lavish preparations, Kate, the Queen’s musician, is overjoyed when her dearest friend, Lady Violet, arrives at court, eager and willing to help. Accompanied by her demanding mother-in-law, Violet welcomes any opportunity that will rescue her from the attentions of her husband’s mother. But just days before the masquerade, one of the Queen’s guards is found dead in front of the chamber that holds her most precious jewels. With no sign of foul play, the court believes the man perished from natural causes, but Kate suspects otherwise. And when Her Majesty’s pearl pendant necklace, an heirloom from her mother, Anne Boleyn, disappears on the night of the ball, Kate must once again play sleuth to uncover the culprit’s identity among the aristocratic masked merrymakers… “Amanda Carmack’s talent for creating a richly drawn setting, populating it with fully realized characters, and giving them a tight and engaging narrative is unparalleled.”—New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander INCLUDES A PREVIEW OF MURDER AT WHITEHALL

This study of crime and masquerade in fiction focuses upon the criminal as a 'performer'. Through stimulating discussions of a wide range of criminal types, Peach argues for the importance of novels that have been neglected. The book integrates incisive literary and cultural criticism with arguments about gender, masquerade, crime and culture.

This book is about gaining a biblical understanding of death. Whether you are Christian or not, you may see things in a whole new way and gain an understanding of the many theories you have heard over the years. This book is valuable to anyone who has had questions about God's justice or injustice, hellfire, or where we go when we die. Learn about suicide, euthanasia, ghosts, the crucifixion, and many more insights. The wisdom within is heavily supported with biblical texts and the personal experiences of the author and others.

No competition. This book has the advantage of combining diverse fields of knowledge, social theory, fashion theory, art, history, literature, performance and cultural studies. Range of markets for this book. It's topical - it relates to current debates on the politics of identity, the social construction of identity. Covers range of fascinating examples to illustrate the arguments: the film 'The Crying Game', lesbian fashion, fetish fashion, Jewish folk theatre, opera balls in 19th century France.