Book Review: Farewell Performance

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Farewell Performance     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Donna Huston Murray
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Ginger Barnes # 6
St. Martin’s, Mar 2000, $5.99, 272 pp.

The public adored the bright and beautiful Hollywood star Jan Fairchild, until someone murdered the actress in her hometown of Ludwig, Pennsylvania. Jan had returned to Ludwig for the first time in years. She was seeking to reconnect with her high school friends, especially Ginger Barnes, when the tragedy occurred.

The weekend together healed some old wounds, but left others festering. Didi and Ginger hosted a pajama party on Saturday night. However, on Monday morning, Ginger tries to wake up Jan who has an engagement in Philadelphia, but finds her friend dead. Ginger quickly realizes that someone killed Jan, but the list of viable suspects is huge. Ginger, who already has solved several homicide cases, begins making inquiries, as she wants to remove her own name from the head of the police’s suspect list.

Donna Huston Murray, renowned for her entertaining Ginger Barnes mystery, provides her audience with an enjoyable new entry that shows why the author is highly regarded by readers. The secondary characters turn this novel into a fabulous amateur sleuth story as each one seems human and motivated to commit murder. The lead officer on the case provides an interesting perspective on Ginger because he believes she can contribute to the investigation. This triumphant tale will clearly not be the FAREWELL PERFORMANCE of a marvelous series.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner