No One Dies in Branson (Hardcover)

From Publishers Weekly
Branson, Mo., a country-music mecca, provides a lively setting for this decidedly lackluster mystery. Tampa newspaperwoman Emily Stone comes to Branson on assignment days before a country music award show. At a lavish promotional party, she overhears an argument between much touted, marginally talented Stella Love and crass starmaker John Hackett, host of the soiree, moments before Stella falls to her death from a balcony. Naturally Emily investigates, coming up with the usual: jealous backup singers and washed out ex-stars, along with an insecure, oft-ignored starmaker's wife. Present for walk-ons are real stars like Kenny Rodgers and Mel Tillis. Before the end of this fairly flat tale, readers may find themselves wishing for the quirkiness of writers, like Joan Hess or Sharyn McCrumb, who have plumbed country ways more spiritedly. Branson provides a terrific backdrop for a mystery; one hopes Buckstaff will do it justice next time around.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Tampa Tribune travel reporter Emily Stone, back in the Ozark town of Branson, Mo., to cover the Hot Country awards show, hits the jackpot at the very first party she goes to, when hard-driving starlet Stella Love (1) announces for Emily's eavesdropping ears alone that she's sucked her last sugar daddy at the hands of her one-eyed mentor John Hackett, whose help she doesn't need with her career anymore, thank you, and (2) ends the festivities by taking a header off her former sugar daddy's balcony. Sheriff Ron Turner seems satisfied that Stella's death was an accident, but then he's been interested in Irene Hackett for too long to want to make waves in the family, so it's up to Emily to check out a list of suspects that includes legendary Hot Country host Lyle Malone; Monica Deal, who may have been worried Stella would bump her out of her slot as one of Lyle's Goodtime Gals; Robert Simmons, the old flame who's followed Stella, over her complaints to the police, all the way from Texas; and of course the lovey-dovey Hacketts themselves. Emily's hardcover debut showcases three big discoveries: She looks great in denim; vacation food is worth the calories and cholesterol; and country singers not only don't want to die, they don't even want to get old. Best on Emily's bittersweet coming to terms with her own Missouri roots. No mystery to speak of. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus A