Prima Donna at Large — Barbara Paul

A headstrong young soprano must solve a murder to save her friend

The Metropolitan Opera has no time for illness. So when its principal baritone succumbs to a head cold on the eve of Carmen, house diva Geraldine Farrar doesn't hesitate to recommend a replacement: the hungry young American Jimmy Freeman. He's raw, talented, and desperately in love with her -- something she doesn't mind at all. But when Freeman is passed over in favor of Philippe Duchon, a legendary baritone fleeing World War I, the young man is shattered, and the stage is set for tragedy.

A throat spray laced with ammonia destroys Duchon's vocal chords, finishing his career once and for all. But who poisoned his spray? While everyone in the company loathed Duchon, Freeman and Farrar are the obvious suspects. To clear their names, the thoroughly modern prima donna who brought flapper-style to the Metropolitan stage will kick up her heels and get to work.

Prima Donna at Large is the 2nd book in the Opera Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.