Ballistics at the Ballet (A Musical Murder Mystery)
by B. J. Bowen
About Ballistics at the Ballet
Ballistics at the Ballet (A Musical Murder Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Colorado
Camel Press (September 14, 2022)
Paperback : 248 pages
ISBN-10 : 1684920329
ISBN-13 : 978-1684920327
Digital ASIN : B09X3M6ZVL
When temperamental conductor Felix Underhayes is killed before a rehearsal of the Nutcracker ballet, everyone realizes the show must go on. At an already crazy time of year, things become more complicated when Emily Wilson’s nephew, percussionist Charlie McRae, is accused of the crime. Emily’s sister, Kathleen, and their mother arrive to help prove Charlie’s innocence, but in spite of their best intentions, their efforts do more to hinder the police investigation than to help. To secure justice for her nephew, can Emily juggle performances and family dynamics, while she dodges a demented killer who wants to silence her?
About B.J. Bowen
B.J. Bowen is a musician and free-lance writer whose love of music was awakened by her mother, who played the flute. After discovering her lips were the wrong shape and failing miserably as a flute player, at the age of eleven Ms. Bowen began studying oboe, and has since performed and recorded on both oboe and English horn with professional symphonies and cham[1]ber groups throughout Mexico and Colorado. Her inspirational articles have appeared in Unity Magazine and Daily Word, and she won Honorable Mention in the 2018 Focus: Eddy Awards for her article, “Letting Go with Grace,” published in Unity Magazine. Drawing on her quirky fellow musicians and orchestral experiences, she created the mystery series, “Musical Murders.” She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with two canine friends, and has a song for any occasion.
Author Links
Website – www.barbarabowen.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraBowenAuthor
BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/b-j-bowen
Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Target
EXCERPT
As I opened the stage door, I heard Felix shout, “No!” followed quickly by a shot. My ears rang with the sound. It had to have been close…
A few fraught seconds later the exit door slammed, the ensuing silence broken only by Felix’s moaning. I decided the threat had gone and moved across the entry and down the hallway, toward Felix’s dressing room.
The prima ballerina’s door was closed. Next to it, the premier danseur emerged from his dressing room. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.” I crept cautiously forward, the dancer following.
The next door, Felix’s, stood open. He lay on the floor, groaning. And bleeding.
The danseur turned ashen and his chin trembled. “What . . . what . . .”
I spotted a cummerbund hung over a chair. “Take that cummerbund and press it over the wound on Felix’s chest. I’ll call 911.”
I pulled the phone from my pocket. “Send an ambulance and police to Fleisher Hall. A man’s been shot.”
The danseur knelt on one side of Felix, pressing the cummerbund to the conductor’s chest. I knelt on the other, holding Felix’s outstretched arm, his hand in mine. “It’s okay.” I tried to reassure him. “Help will be here soon.”
Felix whispered, “Tell her she’s the only one . . .”
CHARACTER INTERVIEW
Many Musings, Mostly Musical: Interview with the Dog, Golden
By B.J. Bowen
Felix Underhayes, conductor of Colorado’s Monroe Symphony, was recently murdered. Golden, the retriever belonging to flutist and reluctant amateur sleuth Emily Wilson, has graciously agreed to step out of the pages of Ballistics at the Ballet and be interviewed by BJ Bowen, author of the novel and her creator.
BJB: Emily Wilson is a flutist and the protagonist and sleuth in the Musical Murders series. You’re her dog?
Golden: Prefer to say she’s my person, but otherwise correct. She feeds me and takes me for walks. I help her.
BJB: In the first book you had a very minor role. In this second book, that role has expanded.
Golden: Yes. Wait for book three. Emily beginning to see Golden have many talents.
BJB: How so?
Golden: Beside keep her company, encourage her, I encourage people around me, too. Emily sees when I help flute student.
BJB: How do you help her student?
Golden: Dog presence. Dog kisses. Dog caring.
BJB: Can you give an example of your help?
Golden: Student crying. I make her laugh. Her world not so sad.
BJB: Your help with Emily’s student is an important subplot in the novel.
Golden: True.
BJB: How do you know Emily recognizes your talents?
Golden: Sends Golden to therapy dog school. Already know what to do, but need piece of paper saying know what to do.
BJB: In the novel you don’t talk. Why is that?
Golden: Talk with body. Words too easy to misunderstand. Only doing it now because you asked with doggy treats. My favorites.
BJB: Why do you help Emily?
Golden: Golden knows Emily worry too much. Golden lick. Cuddle. Nudge. Now not worry anymore.
BJB: You sound like a dog with a purpose.
Golden: True. Humans need help. Golden help Emily first. Then friends. Then students. Need to take care of Emily first. My job. She needs me. Needs my help. Then together we help students, others.
BJB: That’s a wonderful goal.
Golden: Not wonderful. Natural. Dog knows. Teaching Emily.
BJB: Is there anybody you wouldn’t help?
Golden: Some humans don’t let in doggy joy. Human needs to see me, accept me, or I can’t help.
BJB: Wow. You’re a very wise dog.
Golden: Not wise. Just feel. Everybody can feel.
BJB: But everybody doesn’t.
Golden: That’s why Golden helps.
BJB: I guess that’s true. Thanks for caring.
Golden: No problem. That’s what dog does.
BJB: Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, Golden. I’ll let you go back to your home in the novel now, so you can take care of Emily and her friends and students.
Golden (wriggling joyfully): Anytime, smart creator. But don’t forget treats.
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