by Julie, celebrating in Somerville
With A Kiss I Die shared a book birthday with Edith yesterday. I am thrilled that the second book in my Theater Cop series is in folks’ hands now. Here’s the cover copy of the book:
When Edwina “Sully” Sullivan, a retired cop turned theater manager, learns that a production of Romeo and Juliet—which Cliffside Theater’s Dimitri Traietti left town to direct—is in serious trouble, she sets aside her grant applications and heads to Boston to help.
Between managing Dimitri, consulting with costume and set designers, and schmoozing with potential funders, Sully puts on nearly every hat in the biz. But the one hat she doesn’t expect to wear is that of her old job as a cop. When a socialite is murdered in Boston’s Public Garden, Sully’s ex-husband becomes the prime suspect. So she reprises her role as an ace investigator and once again steps into the spotlight to solve a crime.
This series means a great deal to me. I have worked in the performing arts for over thirty years, so setting a mystery series in that community brings my worlds together. Now, as with anyone who works in the arts, my career has been more than a series of jobs. It’s been a wonderful adventure with folks I care a great deal about.
I dedicated the book to the StageSource community, and in memory of Jack Welch, the founder of StageSource. StageSource is the service organization for the New England theater community. I worked for the organization twice in my career. First as an administrative assistant (way back in the 80’s). Most recently I was the ED for 7.5 years. The organization does great work, and does a lot to support the performing arts community. Jack was a great friend, and was very supportive of my writing life. I so wish he was here to come to the double launch party I’m doing with Edith Maxwell on Friday.
My goal with this series is to introduce the theater world to the reader through the eyes of Sully Sullivan, an ex-cop who runs a theater company. Sully is a fish out of water, but is embraced by her new community. Working with these folks has changed her, for the better.
This series is a traditional mystery. I love crafting a solid story for folks while weaving in the theater. The mystery is framed around a production of Romeo & Juliet, a familiar story to all. I have seen a lot of stage productions of R&J. Some have been wonderful, most have been fine. A couple have been terrible. The production in this book currently terrible, but Dimitri is doing his best to right it.
I hope you all enjoy Sully’s latest adventure. Tell me, what is your favorite version of the Romeo and Juliet story?