Hunter Knox, the man no one can remember, goes backstage to solve a murder in a musical based on Edgar Allen Poe's life.
Hunter Knox is an actor and amateur detective whose
distinguishing trait is that he doesn't have one. In fact, no
one can remember him once he leaves a room. In this
adventure, he finds himself involved with a broadway
musical based on the life of Edgar Allen Poe is in
preparation until one of its backers is found under the stage
where the body from The Telltale Heart should be.
The characters, including an eyelash viper named Arnold, a
vamp called Myrna Wdnyzkoscdykyzny, and the producer's
daughter, seductive Sissy Pinkus, all seem out to either
murder or seduce Hunter-or both. How he escapes some of
them-and solves the crime-is zany, sexy, and full of
surprises.
Professional Reviews
Quirky
Filled with quirky, larger than life characters, irreverent off-beat
humor, and a tantalizing mystery Poe is a delightfully fast paced page
turner.
Playwright/director Alfie Rangoon and his partner, musical director,
Podrous Wolfman, are struggling to put together a cutting edge
musical production based on the life of none other than the writer of
classic horror, Edgar Allen Poe. There are only a few small problems
standing between the cast and success: an overzealous creative team
that constantly rewriting play, a woeful lack of funding, and, of
course, a real corpse, hidden where a live actor is supposed to be. But
the cast and crew, from the director down to the chorus girls all prove
the show must go on, valiantly working around the difficulties caused
by the sudden appearance of the unidentified body.
Fortunately, Alias Hunter Knox, part time actor and detective,
masquerading as a wealthy arts patron, is on hand. Hunter, a man
who describes himself as "almost instantly forgettable," blends easily
with the cast and crew as he doggedly seeks to unravel the ever
deepening mysteries that surround the production. As the successful
murders and near misses pile up, the production seems doomed to
failure, or worse.
Poe - The Musical is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It is peopled with
wonderfully vibrant characters, each bursting with an individuality
that adds humor to the otherwise serious business of murder. The
plot, with its intricate twists, will keep you guessing, until you reach
the very satisfying ending. I've definitely become a fan of Hunter
Knox and T. K. Sheils!
Kelle Riley - Scribes World ****
Innovative
...an innovative mystery that goes out on a limb to entertain.
(PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)
Dark Humor
If you like dark humor and twisted tales, check out POE - THE
MUSICAL. You don't have to be a POE aficionado to enjoy this
clever and imaginative mystery."
Sharpwriter *****
"The cast of characters of the musical is a strange and colorful set of
people, from the cloud-forest loving Sissy Pinkus (the snakes
slithering around Sissy give the reader goose-bumps) to the large
Amazon-like Edna. The cast is entertaining on stage as well as off.
The twists and turns of the plot are fascinating, and the mystery really
keeps the reader in suspense."
Cynthia Arbuthnot - Running River Reader *****
"Anyone who's ever seen a big musical--PHANTOM OF THE
OPERA for instance--will probably appreciate the snatches of
Poe-inspired lyrics sprinkled here and there through the story as much
as I did. Or recognize someone in the cast or crew of the show--it's
obvious that the author is familiar with the world he's written about.
Mr. Sheils has created another wonderful detective, and given him a
terrific case to solve. Best of all, he kept me guessing about the
murderer's identity until all was revealed in the end. I'd recommend
this book to any mystery buff."
Catherine Witmer - Just Views *****
"Poe - the Musical, is more comedy than mystery. For those who
enjoy Monthy Python humor, there's enough zaniness and off-beat
one liners here to keep them well entertained. Sheils delights in the
outrageous and the unbelievable, with no holds barred."
John Broussard for Charlotte Austin Reviews
An Internet stripper finds fortune, love and murder in New York City after an encounter with a rare first edition book, which opens doors to many possibilities.
