Buck Baxter and the Disappearing Divas

The Buck Baxter Detective Agency, Book 2

By: Robin Knight

Narrated by: Art Brown

Length: 2 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Hard-boiled 1920s private detective Buck Baxter has a new romance to kindle with playboy Holden Hart while at the same time trying to solve a new murder mystery at a seemingly cursed theater on Broadville. But if he doesn't solve this case in time, Buck and Holden might be taking their final bows.

Something sinister is occurring at the Maharaja Majestic Theatre on Broadville Boulevard. The domineering actress, Dominique Duprey, has vanished without a trace, the opening night of the theatre’s new production of The Snake Charmer’s Slave is now in jeopardy, and six suspects are about to have the pleasure of meeting Buck Baxter, Private Detective, as he investigates whether there’s a killer on the loose… or a phantom at the opera?

Could it be the handsome leading man, Errol Hemingway, who’s responsible for the disappearance of his leading lady… or perhaps it’s that sweet, doe-eyed understudy Olivia Overton? Is it the theatre owner himself, the tall and mysterious Raja Khan who has committed the crime… or the show’s investor, the autocratic aristocrat Serafina Somerset? Or is it possible that the meek and mild stage manager Stanley Small, or the flamboyant and frustrated director Barnabas Blake, is guilty? And what of Buck’s romance with playboy millionaire Holden Hart? Will Buck get a backstage pass to access all areas of his one true love… or will this be the final curtain for Buck and Holden? Follow the clues, and you might just solve… the mystery of the disappearing divas!

Buck Baxter and the Disappearing Divas is the second adventure in the Buck Baxter Mysteries. It is a campy, noir, 28k-word detective mystery featuring a tough and troubled leading man, a heartthrob love interest with secrets of his own and a hilarious cast of supporting characters. Enter a world of prohibition, gangsters, speakeasies, jazz clubs, star-crossed romance, brooding heroes and a mystery with a twist.

©2024 Robin Knight (P)2024 Robin Knight

Excellent follow up with phenomenal narration.

Robin Knight’s Buck Baxter and the Disappearing Divas, the second book in The Buck Baxter Detective Agency series, is an exhilarating, fast-paced mystery that sweeps readers into the gritty glamour of Broadville’s cursed theater scene. Picking up seamlessly from the first book (which is a must-read!), this installment draws us into Buck’s toughest case yet: a series of chilling murders targeting the theater’s leading ladies.

From the outset, Buck’s character is magnetic—sharp-witted, determined, and even a bit vulnerable as he navigates both the treacherous mystery and his complex love life. Knight’s skill in balancing high-stakes action with Buck’s personal struggles adds a refreshing depth to the plot. The setting itself is a character, too; each shadowy theater, dimly lit alley, and echoing stage conjures up the mystique of the 1920s, immersing readers in a time of smoky lounges, forbidden romances, and vaudeville’s fading glory.

Though it’s only a little over 100 pages, Disappearing Divas packs a punch, especially with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that guarantees you’ll be counting down the days to the next book. And if you have the chance, the audiobook narration by Art Brown is phenomenal. His performance is evocative of a 1920s radio show, transporting listeners straight into the golden age of mystery with captivating voices, accents, and an almost theatrical charm.

For anyone who loves a witty detective, a rich historical setting, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, Buck Baxter and the Disappearing Divas will not disappoint.