Curtains of Deceit

By Lahung Kaewmuk and L.M. Sinclair

"Curtains of Deceit" weaves a gripping narrative set against the dramatic backdrop of the Grand Mireille Theater, where the line between performance and reality blurs with deadly consequences. When the theater's shining star, Vivienne LaRoux, falls victim to a tragic onstage accident, Detective Marcus LeBlanc is drawn into the labyrinthine corridors and shadowed past of the iconic venue. As Marcus delves deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of ambition, deception, and long-buried vendettas, revealing that the theater harbors secrets far darker than he anticipated.

With the help of his astute partner, Jenna, Marcus navigates the complex interplay of characters whose lives are as intricate as the roles they portray on stage. From the ambitious understudy with everything to prove to the venerable director guarding the theater's legacy, each person holds a piece of the puzzle. As the investigation unfolds, Marcus and Jenna are confronted with cryptic clues, hidden agendas, and the realization that Vivienne's death may not have been an accident after all.

Set in a world where the pursuit of truth is as perilous as it is paramount, "Curtains of Deceit" is a thrilling journey through the darkness that lies behind the spotlight. L.M. Sinclair invites readers to lift the velvet curtain and peer into the heart of the Grand Mireille, where every secret has its price, and the quest for justice could be the final act.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminous Horizons Press
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224756223

Book preview

Curtains of Deceit

Shadows of the Stage: Unveiling the Grand Mireille Mysteries

L.M. Sinclair

Copyright © 2024 by L.M. Sinclair

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

Contents

1. A Tragic Curtain Call

2. Behind the Scenes

3.Shadows of the Past

4. Whispers and Warnings

5. The Understudy's Tale

6.A Fan's Obsession

7. Echoes in the Attic

8. The Night of Revelations

9.Confrontation in the Wings

10.Curtains of Deceit

Chapter 1

A Tragic Curtain Call

Under the opulent dome of the Grand Mireille Theater, an expectant hush had fallen. Vivienne LaRoux, a vision of grace, stood at center stage, the spotlight casting her in a halo of brilliance. Tonight's performance, a riveting drama set against the backdrop of historical intrigue, promised to be the season's crowning jewel.

As the final act approached its climax, the tension among the audience was palpable. Vivienne, embodying her character with a depth that transcended mere acting, delivered her lines with such passion that the boundary between the stage and reality seemed to blur.

Freedom, at last, is but a shadow if it comes at the cost of one's soul, Vivienne declared, her voice resonating through the grand auditorium. The audience was spellbound, hanging on her every word, completely unaware that these would be her last.

At the pivotal moment, as scripted, a gunshot sounds, signaling her character's dramatic end. However, tonight, as the crack of the prop gun echoed, Vivienne collapsed, not with the theatrical grace of an actress simulating death but with a harrowing finality that stilled the air.

Confusion spread like wildfire. Was this an avant-garde twist, a piece of performance art that challenged the viewer's perception? Seconds stretched into eternity until the curtain fell with a thud, shrouding the stage in an ominous veil.

Backstage, panic ensued. The cast and crew, initially frozen in disbelief, now scrambled to Vivienne's side. Among them was Marcus LeBlanc, not as a detective but as an audience member, his night off taking a grim turn. His instincts kicked in, and he rushed to the stage, weaving through the chaos.

Call for an ambulance, now! Marcus commanded, kneeling beside Vivienne. Her stillness—the absence of life in her once-vibrant eyes—confirmed the worst. This was no act; Vivienne LaRoux was dead.

The theater, a minute ago alive with applause, now resembles a mausoleum, a silent witness to an unforeseen tragedy. The audience was ushered out in a daze, left behind a building thrumming with shock and sorrow.

Marcus, his mind shifting into professional gears, surveyed the scene. Everyone, please, stay calm and remain here. We need to understand what happened.

Eleanor Voss, the director, approached Marcus, her face a mask of grief. Detective LeBlanc, I assure you, this was a tragic accident. Vivienne... she was the heart of our theater.

Marcus nodded, the gears of the investigation already turning. Accident or not, Ms. Voss, we must treat this as a scene. No one leaves until we've spoken with everyone. Understand?

As the initial chaos settled into a somber quiet, Marcus took in the details. The prop gun, still lying discarded near the spot where Vivienne had fallen, would be key evidence. Was it truly a prop, or had a real weapon been used in a grotesque substitution?

The hours that followed were a blur of statements, forensic examinations, and the all-too-familiar dance of determining motive, means, and opportunity. The theater community, tight-knit and insular, struggled to grasp the reality of Vivienne's death.

Detective, you must believe me, we're a family here, Eleanor implored, her voice breaking. Who would want to harm Vivienne?

Marcus considered her words. In my experience, Ms. Voss, 'family' can be complex. Jealousy, rivalry, or something darker could motivate someone to turn this stage into a crime scene.

The night waned, and as dawn approached, Marcus stood alone in the auditorium. The investigation was just beginning, but one thing was clear: Vivienne LaRoux's final curtain call was no accident. It