This past week I read Murder in the Fourth Position by Lori Robbins.

This is the fourth in this very interesting series. The protagonist/detective is a ballerina.

In this outing, Leah Siderova leaves the world of ballet for a musical on Broadway. The truth, though, is more complicated. There are rumors of problems on the set and the star of the show, Amber, is being targeted by online threats.

Then the online threats escalate into real world violence, resulting in the hospitalization, not only of Amber, but also of a costumer.

Then Leah herself is targeted. I love this unusual protagonist and setting and the mysteries aren’t bad either.

The second book for the week is Old Murders, the third in Frankie Bailey’s Lizzie Stuart mysteries.

I love this series. Lizzie Stuart is an engaging character with flaws as well as strengths.

Against the backdrop of a fight over the development of downtown Gallagher, a talented local artist goes missing. At the same time a fifty year old murder raises its ugly head. Someone wants to keep bury both mysteries and Lizzie is in the way.

At the same time, she is dealing with her fragile relationship with detective John Quinn.

As usual, Bailey does a great job of setting her mystery against the intersection of race, gender, and the imbalance of power. Highly recommended.