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Murder Takes Center Stage

Published about 3 hours ago • 1 min read

Cue the Murder

A Darcy Donovan Drama Detective Mystery by Claire Hart-Palumbo

The Show Must Go On.
Even When There's a Murder.

An actress, an unexpected death, and a killer who didn't count on a leading lady asking questions.

Thirty-two-year-old stage actress Darcy Donovan is juggling five jobs, a complicated love life, and a career that never seems to pay the bills. But when she lands a freelance reporting gig at a Houston magazine, she has no idea she's about to take on her most dangerous role yet.

After a beloved theater security guard plunges to his death, Darcy refuses to believe it was suicide. Armed with determination, a nose for trouble, and her billboard-covered VW Bug, she sets out to uncover the truth.

Soon she's dodging dangerous suspects, unraveling secrets, and finding herself at the center of a murder investigation—with a little romance threatening to steal the spotlight.

Witty, fast-paced, and full of theatrical flair, Cue the Murder is a lively mystery where the drama doesn't end when the curtain falls.

Praise for Cue the Murder

“The romance is charming and the mystery compelling. A big plus is the spot-on depiction of the hustle and nimbleness of a working actor’s life.”

—Rebecca Green Udden, Artistic Director, Main Street Theater-Houston

About the Author

Claire Hart-Palumbo grew up in rural Texas. A year of teaching in her hometown forced her to admit she wanted to be an actress. Between starting up mid-sized professional theaters, she studied at American Conservatory Theater and received an MFA from University of Texas. During forty-plus years in professional theater she has been an actress, director, and teacher primarily in Houston. Concurrently, she spent twenty years as an instructional designer. In 2020 she moved back to her farm, teaching and writing remotely, while renovating a 170-year-old farmhouse.

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