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Jane Wheel #7
Backstage Stuff
With a divorce looming, antiques picker and P.I. Jane Wheel has been spinning her wheels, unsure what to do with herself. She could use a good shove in the right direction, and while she may know this, she isn’t about to admit it. Luckily, her best friend, Tim Lowry, has her interests at heart, and he has the perfect answer.
Not only does he have a mansion he needs help prepping for an estate sale, but he has unearthed an old play, a murder mystery, that he’s dying to put on. The play would be just the thing to get Jane back on track—that is, if it weren’t cursed. Thankfully, Tim isn’t buying into any curse and pushes forward in spite of the ominous notes that keep showing up in the actors� scripts warning against a performance. It’s only when the show’s carpenter dies in a suspicious accident that Jane is convinced someone definitely doesn’t want the show to go on and might be willing to kill to stop it.
Lively and intriguing as ever, Sharon Fiffer’s Backstage Stuff is as much fun for the puzzling mystery as it is for sneak peek at all of the surprises that Jane has collected backstage for the big show.
Not only does he have a mansion he needs help prepping for an estate sale, but he has unearthed an old play, a murder mystery, that he’s dying to put on. The play would be just the thing to get Jane back on track—that is, if it weren’t cursed. Thankfully, Tim isn’t buying into any curse and pushes forward in spite of the ominous notes that keep showing up in the actors� scripts warning against a performance. It’s only when the show’s carpenter dies in a suspicious accident that Jane is convinced someone definitely doesn’t want the show to go on and might be willing to kill to stop it.
Lively and intriguing as ever, Sharon Fiffer’s Backstage Stuff is as much fun for the puzzling mystery as it is for sneak peek at all of the surprises that Jane has collected backstage for the big show.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2011
4 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 20, 2019
I'm not certain you can trust my rating. It's 3 stars. Middle-of-the-road. And reflects the fact that this is the first book in this series that I read, AND perhaps the fact that this is the 7th book in the series... so for anyone who has read a series that has become a stable source of income year to year... there is a comfortable shoe, lackadaisical feel to the writing... these are familiar characters to the series fan with stereotyped personalities and a comfy feel...
so if you like these sorts of series... I'd suggest starting at #1 and see if you can make it to seven.. if you do, it's an interesting plot with a reasonable mystery and well written text... literary comfort food ... or the left-overs there0f...
so if you like these sorts of series... I'd suggest starting at #1 and see if you can make it to seven.. if you do, it's an interesting plot with a reasonable mystery and well written text... literary comfort food ... or the left-overs there0f...
September 14, 2021
Another satisfying addition to the Jane Wheel "stuff" series. Jane's life is moving in a new direction and she is working on being okay with that.
October 16, 2024
This one was fun, aside from the creepy ventriloquist dummy/ies. Some really fun characters, and of course, Jane, Tim and Oh, being their dear selves.
August 26, 2011
First Line: Jane Wheel couldn't sleep.
If divorce weren't staring her right in the face, Jane could probably sleep the night and day away. But lawyers are wanting detailed lists of income and expenditures, and she's finding it much easier to learn how to check in with her son Nick on Facebook, Twitter and text messages than it is to sit down and compile everything the lawyers want.
Fortunately her best friend Tim knows just what to do to get Jane out of her doldrums. Not only is there a mansion on the outskirts of Kankakee, Illinois, that's stuffed to the rafters with treasures that need to be sorted, tagged and priced before the estate sale, Tim has also unearthed a play written by the mansion's former owner. He's directing and starring in the murder mystery and needs Jane's help with props and the like. But when the show's carpenter dies under suspicious circumstances, Jane becomes convinced that someone definitely doesn't want the show to go on-- and that someone might even be willing to kill to stop it.
These Jane Wheel mysteries are among the select few that I tuck away, knowing that if I'm in need of a guaranteed good read, Jane won't let me down. Backstage Stuff reinforced my belief in Jane Wheel and her creator Sharon Fiffer. In this seventh book in the series, Fiffer used misdirection (in the form of multitudes of creepy ventriloquist's dummies) brilliantly to keep part of the plot from being revealed too soon.
As good as the mystery was, it's always Fiffer's characters that get the lion's share of my attention. Jane has been quietly evolving throughout the series. She's being forced to change more quickly now due to her impending divorce, but she can still describe Bakelite and vintage kitchen linens in such a way that my hands start to tremble with my own desire to find such treasures. I also like to see how Jane is learning more of the art of being a private detective through her work with Detective Bruce Oh.
And-- as always-- Jane's mother Nellie continues to be one of the most contrary characters in crime fiction. Nellie does everything on her own terms. If you're lucky, you might get an explanation for something once every couple of decades, but mostly you're going to be out of luck. Nellie doesn't explain, she doesn't apologize (in fact she can make you want to strangle her), but when all is said and done, this tiny cantankerous woman demands-- and gets-- my respect. Normally a character as mean-spirited as Nellie would be tossed on the scrap heap of my disdain. That she continues to garner my curiosity and respect is a mark of how skillful Fiffer is at her portrayal.
In fact, I could go on for paragraphs about Sharon Fiffer's characters in the Jane Wheel series because they all feel like family. If you like excellent puzzles to solve, vintage treasures to discover, and characters that make you feel as though you've come home, do what I do: open a Jane Wheel mystery.
If divorce weren't staring her right in the face, Jane could probably sleep the night and day away. But lawyers are wanting detailed lists of income and expenditures, and she's finding it much easier to learn how to check in with her son Nick on Facebook, Twitter and text messages than it is to sit down and compile everything the lawyers want.
Fortunately her best friend Tim knows just what to do to get Jane out of her doldrums. Not only is there a mansion on the outskirts of Kankakee, Illinois, that's stuffed to the rafters with treasures that need to be sorted, tagged and priced before the estate sale, Tim has also unearthed a play written by the mansion's former owner. He's directing and starring in the murder mystery and needs Jane's help with props and the like. But when the show's carpenter dies under suspicious circumstances, Jane becomes convinced that someone definitely doesn't want the show to go on-- and that someone might even be willing to kill to stop it.
These Jane Wheel mysteries are among the select few that I tuck away, knowing that if I'm in need of a guaranteed good read, Jane won't let me down. Backstage Stuff reinforced my belief in Jane Wheel and her creator Sharon Fiffer. In this seventh book in the series, Fiffer used misdirection (in the form of multitudes of creepy ventriloquist's dummies) brilliantly to keep part of the plot from being revealed too soon.
As good as the mystery was, it's always Fiffer's characters that get the lion's share of my attention. Jane has been quietly evolving throughout the series. She's being forced to change more quickly now due to her impending divorce, but she can still describe Bakelite and vintage kitchen linens in such a way that my hands start to tremble with my own desire to find such treasures. I also like to see how Jane is learning more of the art of being a private detective through her work with Detective Bruce Oh.
And-- as always-- Jane's mother Nellie continues to be one of the most contrary characters in crime fiction. Nellie does everything on her own terms. If you're lucky, you might get an explanation for something once every couple of decades, but mostly you're going to be out of luck. Nellie doesn't explain, she doesn't apologize (in fact she can make you want to strangle her), but when all is said and done, this tiny cantankerous woman demands-- and gets-- my respect. Normally a character as mean-spirited as Nellie would be tossed on the scrap heap of my disdain. That she continues to garner my curiosity and respect is a mark of how skillful Fiffer is at her portrayal.
In fact, I could go on for paragraphs about Sharon Fiffer's characters in the Jane Wheel series because they all feel like family. If you like excellent puzzles to solve, vintage treasures to discover, and characters that make you feel as though you've come home, do what I do: open a Jane Wheel mystery.
June 11, 2012
Trying to cope with her imminent divorce, Jane Wheel needs a change of pace. She agrees to help her best friend Tim prep a mansion for an estate sale and to do props for a play he is directing. She didn’t expect either of these jobs to involve her in murder, but of course they do.
So, in addition to the prep, the props, and dealing with her truculent mother Nellie, Jane starts to play detective � hoping to stop the murderer before more bodies fall.
Jane, her friends, and family are well-drawn characters rather than caricatures. This is a great series. Why doesn't Fiffer hit the best seller list? These titles have much of the same flavor fo the Fluke mysteries - but the characters are more fun.
So, in addition to the prep, the props, and dealing with her truculent mother Nellie, Jane starts to play detective � hoping to stop the murderer before more bodies fall.
Jane, her friends, and family are well-drawn characters rather than caricatures. This is a great series. Why doesn't Fiffer hit the best seller list? These titles have much of the same flavor fo the Fluke mysteries - but the characters are more fun.
December 15, 2018
Jane Wheel planned to spend the summer brooding on her forthcoming divorce, but her best chum Tim lures her back to hometown Kankakee, where he is staging a mansion for a house sale and also planning a little theater performance of the last play written by the mansion's once owner, Freddy Kendall. A series of threats and accidents plague the production in which Jane, a former theater major, acts as props mistress and anything else needed. Then there's a death that could be an accident, but Jane and her mentor, investigator Bruce Oh, who's in town too, don't think so. Jane is also tantalized by the mystery surrounding her mother's past history with the theater group.
January 27, 2011
I didn't like this book. It's a cozy mystery with an antique/collectible angle, but the book wasn't really either. There was a murder, but the amateur sleuth didn't really investigate, just bumbles along into a solution. The author spent more time on the main character's sudden divorce and the staging of a play instead of antiques. One of those books that doesn't give you what you're expecting and thus disappoints you. I think most people who read cozy series read the series and enjoy the familiarity with the characters and settings.
January 13, 2013
Another fun read in Sharon Fiffer's "Stuff" series. Jane Wheel ( Picker and Private Investigator) is helping her best friend since childhood Tim with a large estate sale and gets caught up in the production of an old time play. We meet a new cast of characters (really characters). Our usual crew of Jane's parents, Oh and Claire, her son Nick and her soon ti be ex-husband Charley (who is Honduras on a dig) are also integrated within the story. Not as much on antiques and collectibles as in the books, but still a pleasant jaunt!
May 20, 2011
Apprentice P.I. Jane Wheel is facing many changes in her life and I have to say, I like them. Divorce is a horrible fact of some marriages, but, in Jane's case, she had just moved on and so had her husband. I liked the fact there wasn't anger or sarcasm which would have been out of Jane's personality.
The mystery was splendid. I did not understand what was happening until Ms. Fiffer chose me to. A very well done book.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
The mystery was splendid. I did not understand what was happening until Ms. Fiffer chose me to. A very well done book.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
Read
November 18, 2011Jane Wheel, an antiques picker, is helping to stage a house for a sale as well as work as a tech person in a community theater. She is getting divorced from Charley and her teenage son is in Honduras with his father on a dig. Two people are killed and she manages to find the two murderers: a former suitor of her mother and the sister of the owner of the house. Her parents, Nellie and Don, who own a tavern in Kakakee, Ill are also involved with the theater.
January 4, 2013
I always like the Jane Wheel mysteries. This one was especially fun because of the theater background we didn't know Jane's mother, Nellie had. Not to mention insights into Tim and Jane's childhood friendship.
Even though a lot of the clues are obvious, there is enough distraction in the form of character relationships, backstage bickering, unexpected "picking" discoveries, etc., that I bet you won't know who really "did it" until Jane reveals all.
Even though a lot of the clues are obvious, there is enough distraction in the form of character relationships, backstage bickering, unexpected "picking" discoveries, etc., that I bet you won't know who really "did it" until Jane reveals all.
February 22, 2011
I'm glad there's another book in the Jane Wheel series although I'm sorry she's getting divorced. But it's a good story and I enjoy the characters, including her parents. This is an interesting plot and (even though I don't agree with her belief that ventriloquists dummies are creepy - I love Jeff Dunham and all his guys!) a lot of twisted events. Fairly fun, solid read.
August 6, 2011
I love this series, more because of the descriptions of Jane's adventures at estate sales than because of the actual mysteries. Jane Wheel is a "picker," meaning she finds treasures for cheap and then resells to dealers (who sell for even more). Her mysteries always involve antiques and collectibles, and her inventory is similar to mine!
September 13, 2016
This one was about Tim getting Jane to help him with a play. This seems to be a common story with cozy series and I never like them much. It seems that many times in this type of story there is more about the play than the mystery. At least the regular characters appear in this one and some of them have some theater background which makes it better than most I have read.
April 8, 2013
At first I wasn't really impressed with this particular book in the series. It seemed to drag and not go much of any where. But by the time I reached the end I realized I learned a lot more about Jane Wheeler's family which was worthwhile. The highlight of the book, without giving anything away, is when they finally put on the play. It was a laugh out loud scene. Well worth the trip.
March 18, 2011
Cozy Kankakee, IL based mystery--I think 7th in the series. Pleasant. Jane is going through a separation and divorce with minimal angst, and helping Tim put on an play and price items in a mansion for an estate sale.
June 27, 2011
Easy reading and enough complications in solving the crime. I like the details that describe the process and production of a small town theater.
Yes, I need to get up and do something besides read all afternoon and evening!!
Yes, I need to get up and do something besides read all afternoon and evening!!
December 21, 2016
If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
January 31, 2013
Too many characters too quick in the book. Am enjoying more as I get into book. Adding to confusion of who is who when parents are called by first names part of the time and even the dogs name (Rita) adds to character confusion. This is my first read by this author.
January 21, 2013
"Maybe my favorite so far (#7) in the Jane Wheel series due to the further development of Jane's character, and of Nellie's and their relationship. Also, the theater stuff is very fun. I also like how much Jane has learned from Oh, and that she has an iPhone."
September 26, 2013
Really enjoyed this one. One of my favorite Jane Wheel mysteries. Inspired a road trip to Kankakee with my mom to look around for some of the landmarks always mentioned in the books (including a stop for pie at the diner).
July 12, 2015
An easy read contemporary cozy mystery.
The script to a cursed play was found in the attic while preparing for sn estate sale by P.I. and antiques picker Jane Wheel. She and her friends put on the play in the community theater.
The script to a cursed play was found in the attic while preparing for sn estate sale by P.I. and antiques picker Jane Wheel. She and her friends put on the play in the community theater.
March 12, 2016
The writing style makes this book rather difficult to read -- it's almost everything is included in this book, whether it is relevant (or interesting) or not. Because of that, none of the characters were able to rise about the page.
June 8, 2011
little too much detail but I had to finish it to find out who did it.
August 26, 2011
Very tame murder mystery--not much to it, but if you a theatre buff you might like it more
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
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