A Fatal Finale

by Kathleen Marple Kalb

Published by Kensington Books (April 28 2020)

I must preface my review with a disclosure. I was otherwise engaged when I received A Fatal Finale so my wife, whose genre of choice is historical fiction, eagerly grabbed this one up. I watched with interest as she voraciously flew through the pages with delight.

Kathleen Marple Kalb offers a splendid illustration of turn of the 20th century etiquette and appropriate period dress codes of the various classes and professions. Judith Martin (Miss Manners) states that if one wishes to become an accepted member of any society or group, one "had better learn to practice its etiquette".

Kalb shines a blazing light on timeless foibles of humanity throughout A Fatal Finale. She highlights the gender inequities of society in a perpetual conflict between the sexes, interspersed by the struggles of the indigent to not only survive but to thrive. Even the diva has her, own, rags to riches back story. Interestingly she juxtaposes a young lady’s overwhelming desire to live for her art leaving her life in the British aristocracy behind.

Undaunted by controversial issues, the author illustrates the deep seated animosity between the English and the Irish; the Protestants and the Catholics; British aristocracy and everyone else by creating dramatic tension involving a British, Protestant Duke of Leith and an Irish Catholic Priest.

Throughout A Fatal Finale, a technically flawless historical cosy mystery, the author gracefully implies that there is a whodunit to be solved; however, was it an accident, suicide or a murder?

The protagonist, Miss Ella Shane, gifted Opera Diva, conflicted between her father’s Catholic faith and her mother’s Jewish faith, is completely devoted to her art. Enter a dashing Duke giving rise to a life changing dilemma for the indomitable diva.

Kathleen Marple Kalb is a skillful wordsmith, be sure to preorder her next novel A Fatal First Night due out April 27, 2021, I know my wife will.

James D. A. Terry