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Ebooks and Paperbackmy-books9 s Caz2,916 1,093

Lights. Camera. Murder. originally appeared in the Footsteps in the Dark anthology from 2019 (along with stories from Josh Lanyon, Dal Maclean, S.C. Wynne, Z.A. Maxfield and others) – and as I’ve had good experiences with C.S. Poe’s work lately, I thought I’d give this novella a go for the January “quickie” prompt. I enjoyed the story, and was pleased to learn that the author is writing a sequel/series set in the same world with the same lead characters.

PI Rory Byrne has gained a reputation as the go-to guy for people who need their problems solved quickly and quietly. He’s very good at what he does and is something of a workaholic – which accounts for his string of ex-boyfriends, most of whom left when they got fed up with playing second fiddle to his job.

The story opens with Rory being hired by a ‘hot shot’ (in Rory-speak, that’s “Royal Pain in the Ass”) television producer to investigate the theft of a script. John Anderson is the producer of a new TV show being filmed in Queens called The Bowery – an historical drama set in turn-of-the-century New York centred around an Irish gang leader who is in a committed same-sex relationship. Anderson is planning on branching out and has written a pilot for what he says is a bigger, edgier and better show than The Bowery – but it’s gone missing and he’s sure it’s been stolen. The job is a bit out of Rory’s usual line – it’s on a live film set, ly an inside job, there are literally hundreds of suspects (basically the entire cast and crew) – and he only has a few days to solve the case.

So Rory goes undercover as a PA (production assistant) and immediately, all the tensions – both on and off set – hierarchies and petty politics that come with working in such a high-pressure, high-profile environment become apparent. The key PA is an arsehole, the Production Manager clearly doesn’t the on-set production crew, there’s obvious hostility between the director and lead actor Marion Roosevelt… nobody’s talking, everybody’s nervous – and then in the midst of it all, one of the crew is murdered.

Lights. Camera. Murder is a well-crafted and engaging read, despite its small page-count. The mystery is intriguing, with enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep it interesting without going over the top, and although the secondary characters are drawn with broad strokes they have depth and individuality. Rory is the PoV character, so he’s the one we get to know the best, and he’s hard-bitten in a very noir-ish kind of way (I admit that when I first saw the cover, I though the story was set in the 1950s); he’s in his forties and has been there, done that several times, and the one constant in his life is his cat Gary (a total scene-stealer). He isn’t too worried about his poor track record with relationships, although meeting Marion makes him start to wonder if maybe it’s time he made some changes and stopped getting in his own way.

Marion is almost twenty years younger than Rory, he’s gorgeous, charming, super-talented, sweet and savvy; he’s landed the role of a lifetime in The Bowery and feels passionately about the opportunity it’s given him to deliver a positive portrayal of a strong queer character in love. Sparks fly between him and Rory from the moment they meet and their romance gets off to a promising start. I confess though, that had this been a standalone and not the start of a series, I might have found it a bit rushed.

The writing flows smoothly and Ms. Poe does a great job when it comes to describing the day-to-day working of a bustling movie set. I always enjoy her wry humour – and she gets extra brownie points for Gary the cat, whose utter “cat-ness” clearly signals someone Who Knows Cats.

Lights, Camera, Murder is an entertaining whodunit with a touch of romance, and although short, it reaches a satisfying conclusion and feels ‘complete’. I’m looking forward to reading what the author has in store for Rory and Marion next.2022-tbr-challenge 4-stars m-m ...more5 s Terri Jones2,432 45

I really wanted to love this, but ultimately I can only it. The mystery is good, but the best relationship in the story is between the MC and his cat. Hoping #2 is better. 4 s ConM879 9

Easy read, look forward to more.2020 crime romance3 s Alisa1,827 199

Meh.......actor m-m-read pi-s ...more3 s Genevieve1,119 8

This story has a great main character who is work obsessed and has a stream of ex boyfriends. He has one rule don't lie even though his job is to lie as an undercover private investigator. The story line was good and kept me glued to the book turning pages. I d all the side characters and really hope that this turns into a series.1 K.537

It was really short. and for some reason, I thought it would be somewhat historical. I think it was the cover that gave me that idea. Anyway, I think it was fine. Nothing too memorable... fairly sweet. The cat was cute. But then the story was a bit too short to get a sense of the characters. 2023 bingo-2023 m-m1 PaperMoon1,635 68

I didn't how MC Rory came across at the start ... the slightly hostile arrogance rubbed me the wrong way immediately, and thus it is entirely the author's skill that she manages to subtly win me over to caring about our sleuthing PI. The mystery/murder plot is not overly complicated, and given the length of the novella - we don't have a plethora of suspects (despite hundreds of suspects! was mentioned when Rory started his undercover stint at the studio). And because this is not a 'cozy', the M-M romance was nicely built up to the inevitable bedroom scene (which thank God did not happen anywhere near the start). 3.5 stars for a very promising start of a new series from an auto-buy author (for me).1 CrabbyPatty1,656 180

For a brief novella, this really feels whole and complete ... and a great start to a new series by C.S. Poe. Our main characters are a charismatic actor in the role of a lifetime, and a world-weary PI on set to find who stole a missing script. There's an instant sizzle between the two, and a well-plotted murder mystery and it all works in just a handful of pages. I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series!

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2020-reads mm-crime-spy-intrigue mm-historical ...more1 Heather1,535 53

Despite Lights. Camera. Murder. being present day, it has a hint of noir and Hitchcockian feel to it and in my book that is not easy to do. You have a missing script, undercover PI, cast of wacky and wonky characters(and there's more than one that would make a viable murder victim) . . . what more could you want?

So as this is a mystery I won't say too much because I refuse to spoil anything. Rory and Martin are a well matched duo, a PI with only one rule for his personal relationships, don't lie, and an actor with a few possible secrets and his ability to act may add a few layers of "do I trust him" in Rory's mind.

I'll admit I was left guessing the whole time and that's not easy to accomplish. I'm not bragging or being immodest, it's just that mysteries in book, tv, & films are my favorite genre of choice so in my 47 years I've read & seen many plot bunnies play out. So I know when one keeps me stumped right to the reveal I found a winner. Can't wait to see what the author has in store for Rory and Martin down the road.2021-reads cs-poe hollywood-acting Dawn660 4

A short entertaining story set in the world of television filming with a private detective, Rory Byrne, hired to find the culprit who has stolen the Producers script, a script he has been working on for a long time and was his ticket out of tv and into writing.

Rory has to go undercover on the set as a PA to find the thief when there are approximately one hundred people to choose from. He must also keep it low key so as not to hurt the drama they are close to wrapping.

Rory has never had much luck with relationships, in fact his latest one ended the day he started on set. He is so committed to his work that he doesn’t put enough effort into relationships, or maybe he has never met the right man!

Whilst on set he meets the star of the historical drama Marion who is playing an Irish mob leader from the turn of the century and as soon as he meets him he falls hard, even whilst having to treat him as a suspect.

I love this authors writing and even her short stories are enthralling. Beth2,547 20

Really enjoyed this mystery/romance book

C.S. Poe is one of my favorite writers. I know I am always going to get a clever, nuanced, well written and enjoyable read in one of her books. His book is no exception.

Rory is a PI hired to investigate the theft of a script from a tv show soundstage. Marion is the lead actor on the show. As Rory investigates the theft he and Marion become closer even though Rory knows this is a violation of his professional ethics. But having just dealt with an ugly breakup he realizes that he needs to learn to live and all work and no play makes Rory a dull boy.

The mystery is intriguing and there are good red herrings tossed out. The steps to the solution are cleverly plotted and it was a fun read to get to the reveal. Other crimes and awful people along the way make the read more intense.

I look forward to what comes next with these characters. Claudia2,901 39

As soon as I began to read the story, I knew I have already read it (talk about memorable first lines!) but it took me a bit to remember that this was part of Footsteps in the Dark.

I loved, of course. The characters are simply fantastic. And Marion! Oh, Marion is just... perfect! The mystery is really well done and keeps you wondering until the end; brilliant and masterly executed! And I love that is Marion, at the end, who saves the day (and Rory's life).

Another fantastic read, and I really, really hope will be seeing more of these two really soon :Dlgbt mystery novella Donna3,031 39

News flash... the cover is misleading... thank goodness! I feared this was going to be set back in the '40s or '50s... which would have worked to an extent... but there were cell phones and all of those wonderful modern techno things!

Rory isn't what you would call "likable"... but he kinda grows on you as you slowly get to see the "him" that he keeps hidden... even from himself! Marion on the other hand was lovable from the start and that "drunk sex scene" was just too adorable for words!

The mystery was short and two-fold... I d listening to Rory think his way through the suspects.

Now, I guess I will be waiting for the second installment to come out... ugh, I hate waiting! *grin* 0-lgbtq-read Ellie ThomasAuthor 41 books63

Another excellent story from C. S Poe. I loved the cool modern version of Phillip Marlowe meets the movie industry in PI Rory Byrne, with plenty of film/tv set in-jokes as he goes undercover to solve the theft of a vital script.

The research was flawless and I became wholly involved with the tv production process as Rory, ever the professional learns the ropes as he starts his investigation. But his stoicism and dedication, the dearth of his many short-lived relationships is tested when he meets and is attracted to the star of the show, actor Marion Roosevelt.

I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of mystery and romance and was trying to guess whodunnit while cheering on Rory and Marion's tentative relationship. Looking forward to Book 2!
Suze3,606

Another engaging read - but one that felt very familiar - missing script; undercover job as PA - did some digging, realised this was in Footsteps in the Dark anthology! But a CS Poe reread is always a good thing.
Not perhaps my favourite of hers but a good closed set mystery, that turns murderous.
Marion perhaps a little needy for my full liking but looking forward to the next one
3.5/4* Maryann Kafka762 24

“Lights, Camera, Murder” is a novella by CS Poe that starts a new mystery series “The Silver Screen”. She brings us two new delightful characters: Rory Byrne, PI and talented actor Marion Roosevelt.

Rory meets Marion on the set of a new tv show, while investigating the theft of a script. Rory finds he has way too many suspects and of course Marion is one.

Along with the fantastic cover the story has that old classic detective mystery feel to it. This is a great start and lot’s of potential for a new mystery series.
Can’t wait to see what CS Poe has planned for Rory and Marion next! lune151 9

Foi muito rápido. E desenvolveu pouco demais, quase nada mesmo.
A atração de Rory por Marion foi até boa sendo descrita mas não foi bem mostrada, nem o primeiro encontro deles mostrou e usou de uma cena de sexo bêbado pra trazer uma proximidade entre os dois que não funcionou pra mim.
Fica muito esse vazio sobre ambos os personagens.

Ficou mecânico também algumas vezes, como uma situação levava o Rory a pensar sobre a vida amorosa/afetiva dele, não me passou naturalidade.

O mistério também não foi nada demais mesmo, muito simples sem nenhuma reviravolta.lgbtqia review Tj2,225 67

Nice, short book for the beginning of a series. We are introduced to the MC of the story and get a little bit of a feel for him. He is a bit of a loner and a definite workaholic. He seems fine with his life but realizes after his latest breakup that he may need to "get a life." In the course of his latest investigation he meets an up and coming actor. We really don't get much about Marion, just mostly surface level. I hope this will be rectified in the next book. Overall just a sweet little read.cover-black genre-contemporary genre-m-m-romance ...more Kassu464 8

This was my second novella from the author and while the first, Kneading You, was nice, this was better and makes me want to read more of her mystery stories.

I read this as a part of Footsteps in the Dark anthology.char-agent-or-detective m-m-romance pov-1 Lio166 4

So, apart from c.s.poe's skills to make every scene flow into the next, this book had a lot of good points:

A cat that is just so cat. Can't not love a cat who is also well loved by their keeper.

A dickjoke as a tactic to steer off an awkward answer.

And the romance was just all around sweet.

Oh, and you can definitely tell c.s.poe had worked on a film set before when you read this.

Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series! Stacy24

Lights. Camera. Murder. by C.S. Poe is another engaging read. The novella is the start of the Silver Screen series. Marion and Rory were great characters and I look forward to seeing more of them. Looks this series will be another home run for Poe. If you're looking for a good, quick read, grab this one.

*I received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.* Jonnie618 3

Probably 2.5 stars but I rounded down because I thought the premise was flawed. Since it was a novella, there wasn't much time to develop the characters but still I found it hard to relate to any of them. The ending was somewhat haphazard to me. I didn't really buy into Marion and Rory's relationship. I'm not sure whether I would read a sequel, if there is one. DeeNeez1,795 13

It starts off with a stolen script. PI under cover on the filming of s historical drama. Loved the details of the behind the scenes making of the show. Sweet romance, great chemistry. I would love to see another story on how the relationship progresses. 2020 lgbt mystery ...more Justjeanette159 4

I it Noir

Poe creates characters that feel real: you can see them doing, saying, being the characters we're reading about.
Mystery, wrapped up. HFN delivered. A promise of more to come...
Happy dance.
This is a nice quick read with just the right amount of heat. Bb1,249

Enjoyable story. Rory is a dedicated and smart PI. Marion is a sweet guy. Their romance is kind of quick and just kicked off when the book ended. It is 2024 and no hint of the supposed next book so went ahead and read. Eolia110

I didn't care about either character. 2 stars for Gary the cat. Misty1,444

** 3.5 Stars **

A good start to a new series. I more than d it but I just wish it was longer. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!2020-publ contemporary crime-mystery ...more boogleloo437 8

RRmm-mystery JR875 30

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