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sonia_reppe's review against another edition
4.0
Look at the cover--it's so cute. I enjoyed this so much, the second in her trilogy of Chicago-based choir murders. Very cozy and fun. I knew this author when she was a grad student in voice at DePaul. So what I don't get is: why the inaccuracies about the Messiah production? (I know Joelle knows her stuff). Why do the characters refer to the Messiah as a "show," when it's a concert? And the performers wouldn't be referred to as "the cast" because it's not a show, like an opera or a musical. Also, the soloists (which includes the main character) would not have to be at all of those rehearsals for the choir and orchestra--just one rehearsal before the concert, to practice with the orchestra. It's not like a show where there is staging that needs a lot of rehearsals. And a stage manager for a large concert I can see, but an assistant stage manager too, for a concert that doesn't involve costumes or scenery or props? I'm guessing Joelle picked The Messiah to fit in with the Christmas theme of the book, but it seems like she wrote about an opera production and then switched it to The Messiah. (And the main character gets excited when the "show" sells out, but as this takes place in Chicago and is written as the big sing-along Messiah downtown, any Chicago singer will know that this is always sold-out).
I really like this series for the voice of the main character, and especially for the love interest element. She has two desirable guys in love with her. I wasn't planning on reading the third book, but now I think I will just to see who she ends up with.
I really like this series for the voice of the main character, and especially for the love interest element. She has two desirable guys in love with her. I wasn't planning on reading the third book, but now I think I will just to see who she ends up with.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
High School Show Choir Coach Paige Marshall has her hands full. She has just learned that two other high schools are performing the same number as her choir in the upcoming competition season. She needs to quickly replace that song, complete with choreography, with another before they debut at the holiday concert in just a few days.
Paige has also been selected as one of the soloists in a production of the Messiah and is rehearsing daily to prepare. She is so excited, but the man singing the tenor part is world-renowned tenor David Richard and his overblown ego is hitting all the wrong notes. When the tempestuous tenor drops dead during rehearsal Paige finds herself investigating another murder and finds out the tenor was certainly no choirboy.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What a wonderful encore to Murder for Choir. Charbonneau hits all the right notes!
The author combines mystery with a romantic triangle that reads like a marvelous melody. Should Paige be with Devlyn or Mike? The hunky detective or the talented teacher? Paige is extraordinary as she deals with keeping her current job while trying to further her singing career plus she is dealing with her love life, her students, and her boss Larry, and trying to catch a killer.
The story has layers and is full of humor. The characters just draw you right into their lives. It is easy to see the author is a performer but she is also a terrific storyteller. Her insight into the musical arena shines through this entire literary score.
As I said in my review of Murder for Choir…
Like Glee, you will love this book!
Like cozy mysteries, you won’t be able to put this one down!
I can’t wait for the next performance. It must almost be time for the Show Choir Competitions to begin.
Paige has also been selected as one of the soloists in a production of the Messiah and is rehearsing daily to prepare. She is so excited, but the man singing the tenor part is world-renowned tenor David Richard and his overblown ego is hitting all the wrong notes. When the tempestuous tenor drops dead during rehearsal Paige finds herself investigating another murder and finds out the tenor was certainly no choirboy.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What a wonderful encore to Murder for Choir. Charbonneau hits all the right notes!
The author combines mystery with a romantic triangle that reads like a marvelous melody. Should Paige be with Devlyn or Mike? The hunky detective or the talented teacher? Paige is extraordinary as she deals with keeping her current job while trying to further her singing career plus she is dealing with her love life, her students, and her boss Larry, and trying to catch a killer.
The story has layers and is full of humor. The characters just draw you right into their lives. It is easy to see the author is a performer but she is also a terrific storyteller. Her insight into the musical arena shines through this entire literary score.
As I said in my review of Murder for Choir…
Like Glee, you will love this book!
Like cozy mysteries, you won’t be able to put this one down!
I can’t wait for the next performance. It must almost be time for the Show Choir Competitions to begin.
murderbydeath's review
4.0
First, let me say that I have zero interest in show choir, or singing, performing, etc. So I was wary about starting this series and let the first book languish on The Pile for quite some time. I was pleased enough with the story and the characters, as well as the mystery plot, when I finally did pick it up, to buy the next one, End me a Tenor (plus, great title! I love puns!) I found this second effort to be excellent! I'm really enjoying most of the characters and the scenes are written really well and vividly enough to 'see' the story unfold.
As to the murder plot - well it was, IMO just really, really well done! No really clear suspects where any one stood out from the others. No late entries that stood out and become obvious. And a nice surprise reveal at the end. The ending was totally implausible, but it's a cozy mystery - we're not drowning in verisimilitude in this genre. This is a fun, engaging read that entertains from beginning to end.
The only small bits of the story I didn't like were the love triangle, although I can kind of see that resolving itself in the next book - the groundwork was laid for the decision to be made. If I'm right, I'll be quite pleased. And lastly, what's rapidly becoming a pet peeve of mine - having the secondary characters telling the protagonist "you have to figure this out!" "you have to find out who did this!" etc. etc. While at the same time berating her for putting herself in dangerous situations. The whole device is such a cop out and such a massive turn off - at least for me.
But I'll be waiting eagerly for the next book release!
As to the murder plot - well it was, IMO just really, really well done! No really clear suspects where any one stood out from the others. No late entries that stood out and become obvious. And a nice surprise reveal at the end. The ending was totally implausible, but it's a cozy mystery - we're not drowning in verisimilitude in this genre. This is a fun, engaging read that entertains from beginning to end.
The only small bits of the story I didn't like were the love triangle, although I can kind of see that resolving itself in the next book - the groundwork was laid for the decision to be made. If I'm right, I'll be quite pleased. And lastly, what's rapidly becoming a pet peeve of mine - having the secondary characters telling the protagonist "you have to figure this out!" "you have to find out who did this!" etc. etc. While at the same time berating her for putting herself in dangerous situations. The whole device is such a cop out and such a massive turn off - at least for me.
But I'll be waiting eagerly for the next book release!
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