The Demon Librarian

Murder on stage. But is it simply a case art imitating life for Detective Eve Dallas?This was a slight dip in the road for me for the In Death series. The quality of the wrting was at its usual exceptional level; fast-paced, gritty, funny, sentimental. All the usual good stuff. But unfortunately this time the subject matter of the crime simply didn't ignite my imagination. I'm sure it was just a personal thing.There's a murder within the first few paragraphs right on the stage in front of Eve during a performance of a play that's being backed by her squillionaire husband, Roarke. So the killer is known right from the beginning, but the question really is, who switched the fake knife for a very real one?I didn't really like the cast of self-adsorbed, borderline narcissistic actors and luvvies. They weren't supposed to be enjoyable, I don't suppose, but it also had a somewhat old fashioned feeling to the format. A bit like an old Agatha Christie or Hercule Poirot, where all the players are known, and it's just a question of interrogating each of them until somebody spills their guts. Like I said, it just wasn't for me.However, I'd say it was worth reading it for one hilarious scene alone. Eve gets her new computer unit in her office at Cop Central. Funniest. Scene. Ever. The narrator truly outdid herself on it.I'm also loving the developments with MacNab and Peabody. So cute, I really hope it keeps going.So, all in all not my favourite of the series, but not without a few high points, either.3 Stars ★★★