The Virginia Mysteries, Book 11 - Danger on the Stage

It's been a year since I read the previous book in the Virginia Mysteries series, so it was about time to pick up the most recent book.  For the most part, I have enjoyed this series, each book not only set in a particular part of Virginia (or its surrounding area) but also chock full of historical facts about the State and its rich history.  Author Steven K. Smith not only provides young readers with fun stories of mystery and adventure, but he teaches them about Virginia's colorful past along the way.  And this particular book was one I was looking forward to reading, as it centers around an historic theater - and since I spent some years acting in local community theaters, I could not wait to see how Smith would merge the mystery and theater into one story!

Danger on the Stage takes place in Abingdon, Virginia, where the historic Barter Theatre is located.  And yes, Abindon is a real city, and yes, Barter Theatre is a real place!  As Smith relates in the story, the theater got its name from the fact that when it opened back in the 1930s, patrons were told they could either pay the 35-cent admission in coin or by bringing "an equivalent amount of produce" - basically bartering for their ticket!  The concept became known as "ham for Hamlet," and today the theater still has at least one show a year in which patrons can bring canned or dry goods to help local charities in exchange for a ticket to the show.  The history of this theater can be found at their website, Barter Theatre.  Again, this is one great thing about this series - actual, historical sites are integrated into the stories, with a mystery centering around them.

The mystery this time involves the aunt of the boys' best friend, Caitlin.  Her Aunt Ginny, who is the current artistic director for the theater, has invited Caitlin and her family (and by extension, Sam and his older brother Derek) to come visit and see the production of Red Riding Hood - which, coincidentally enough, stars the famous actor, Jake Greensboro, as the big bad wolf.  Sam can't wait to meet his favorite actor - but when they get the chance to meet him backstage before the first performance, they learn he has been getting threats from someone ever since he arrived back in town (Jake used to act in the theater years ago, before he left for Hollywood after being "spotted" on stage during a performance).  Sam is concerned, but Jake shrugs it off, saying it is something he is used to as a star.  After all, the show must go on...

 

And here's where the mystery really heats up.  Sam spots a mysterious man in a white suit in the balcony across the way - a man who seems to be warning of something.  Sam catches on and cries out to the actors on stage, but it is too late - a swinging sandbag knocks over a wall, which falls directly on Jake Greensboro!  He is injured and taken to the hospital, leaving Aunt Ginny to deal with the show's backer - a real estate mogul who Sam, Derek, and Caitlin see in several places around town.  With Jake in the hospital, and the "accident" revealed to be sabotage, the show must be shut down, leaving Ginny concerned about the future of the theater (which is in financial straits).   The three little crime solvers decide to do what they do best and figure out what is really going on in town.

This is actually once of Smith's best mysteries to date (and I'm not saying that just because of the theater connection).  There's a bit of a ghost tale, there's an unscrupulous real estate developer, there's a blackmailer, there are plenty of secrets, there's a secret underground tunnel, there's a wronged individual out for revenge, and there are unresolved feelings between some star-crossed lovers.  There's mystery, there's supernatural (is there?), there's history, and there's romance, all rolled into one great story.  And, of course, there's Derek's mischievous and somewhat rebellious nature that leads the kids into trouble more often than not. I can honestly say there is not one dull moment in the entire story - each chapter leaves you wanting to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next!

As usual, the mystery does get all wrapped up nicely by the end, and the kids prove their worth by uncovering the truth and revealing the culprits behind everything - and at same time, save the theater, and pretty much the entire historic district, from being gobbled up by a real estate developer set on turning the entire area in a 21st century money-grab!  Smith's stories remind their readers just how important history and the landmarks that preserve it, are to our culture and our country.  Such a fun way to learn, much in the same way Harriet Stratemeyer always incorporated real world learning experiences into the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books back in the '60s and '70s.

 

I do not find any solicit for a 12th book in this series, so I have to wonder if this book is the concluding chapter of The Virginia Mysteries.  I hope not, as I'd like to see more adventures of Sam, Derek, and Caitlin as they continue to age and learn more about their home state of Virginia!

 

RATING:  9 lightning round games of chess out of 10 for proving that there is always way more drama going on back stage / behind the scenes at a theater than is actually on the stage!