Murder and the Key Man

The Birth of Television Trilogy, Book 1

By: Clarence Budington Kelland

Narrated by: Virginia Ferguson

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's summary

In one of the first crime novels ever set behind the scenes of big-time television, Clarence Budington Kelland has plotted a thrilling adventure of danger and death which climaxes in a series of fast-moving surprises. Peter Mortain, one of the youngest directors in this very young medium, was beleaguered enough, directing the first episode of the most expensive variety show ever produced. He had a cast whose first appearance on television made them skittish, a thousand technical details to handle, and a star…who was also his boss!

The blonde soprano was smooth, sultry. She was also mysteriously hired at the last minute and was taking the best songs and skits away from the other cast members and claiming them as her own—and the producer refused to stop her. From the first moment she joined the Tod Arundel Show, at least one member of the cast suspected her presence meant big-time trouble. That suspicion became a certainty when a corpse called on the young director.

Peter directed the next rehearsal of his coast-to-coast television revue, knowing that somehow the glamorous soprano had picked up some nasty acquaintances. He worried that his back was the target for the next knife. Peter found out too fast why the sensational blonde was hired, and why their boss was paying her particular attention...and why she took a certain non-professional interest in Peter—for a price that added up to his own life. Unwittingly, he had become the key man in a in a nightmare intrigue.

Murder and the Key Man shows one of the master storytellers of all time at his exciting best, populated with Kelland’s vivid, memorable characters, with the signature brilliant, strong-minded heroine, eccentric romance, and showstopper of a grandmother, who solves most of the case herself.

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Very enjoyable classic mystery

Murder and the Key Man by Clarence Budington Kelland is another great golden age mystery story. This book is set during the birth of the television industry. Peter Mortain is a young director of a high pressure TV variety show. At the last moment a mysteriously hired soprano throws a monkey wrench into the works. Just add in a stolen stradavarious, a couple of dead guys, a strong minded girlfriend and her grandma and other characters and the reader is treated to a wonderfully vivid classic mystery story. The narration by Virginia Ferguson is also wonderful. Her performance breathes life into the characters and makes the story all the more enjoyable. I received a free copy of the audiobook for my honest review.

wishing for different outcomes

I had an ax to grind with several characters and never liked them, especially Sally and her grandma. I have a huge problem with arrogance and people who use money and position to manipulate things. Some very weak characters that I wanted to be stronger. It takes all kinds to fill the world, and this was proof. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job bringing it to life.

Didn’t keep my interest

From the very beginning this story jumped all over the place and I had a hard time focusing and completing the book