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Lindy Haggerty has accompanied the Jeremy Ash Dance Company to Atlantic City for a ballroom dancing competition. Lindy serves as rehearsal director for her dance company. It's not long before she has reason to be glad that she's not competing. The competition is fierce, and the world of competitive ballroom dancing is both more cutthroat and more insular that you might think. Dawn Gilpatrick, owner of her own dance studio has invested a lot of money in this event. Some of her students have paid hefty fees to be able to participate, partnering with one of her instructors. She also has a pair that she feels can win the overall competition. But there's a snag. Her ex-husband, Junie Baker, owns his own studio, too; and he has a pair he feels will win. Junie is also one of the judges. Welcome to the world of competitive dance.
On the first night of the competition, the participants are stunned when the famous designer, Enrico, appears. Enrico left the dance world and stopped designing several years ago after a spectacular, and very public, outburst. His appearance on this evening can only mean that he's making a comeback. Shortly after this, Katja, a dancer at Dawn's studio, appears in a gorgeous turquoise gown that can only be an Enrico. She and her partner, Shane, appear on stage for a competition. The next shock comes when Felicia and Timothy, dancers from Junie's studio, appear. Felicia is wearing what is clearly a knock-off of the Enrico gown. A shouting match ensues, with Enrico literally ripping up the knock-off with Felicia still in it; Enrico accusing Katja of selling his design; Katja accusing Shane of leaving her to dance with Felicia; and Dawn accusing Junie of wanting Shane for himself. All in all, much more interesting that any of the dancing. Katja and Shane, both unnerved, disappear. The next morning, a body is found, washed ashore, wearing the Enrico gown. And, on the vendor's floor, someone has ripped every existing Enrico gown to shreds.
This is a very entertaining mystery. The setting is original, and the world of ballroom dancing lends itself wonderfully to a situation rife with competition, backbiting, and jealousies. So many people here have so many reasons to wish harm on one another that it's almost difficult to keep track. Each of the characters is an individual and given his or her own quirks. The supporting cast is varied and adds flavor to the story. There's also a subplot involving Lindy and her personal life. Not having read the rest of the books in the series, I found this subplot less compelling than the mystery; but it did make me anxious to find the author's backlist to learn what has gone before. Overall, this is a wonderful and unique mystery. I look forward to more from this author.
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