The Last Line : Crooked Lane Books : 9781639108213 : 1639108211 : 23 Jul 2024 : The new production at Ellie Marlowe's community theatre could save her from financial ruin, if only her overbearing lead, Reginald Thornton IV, wasn't determined to antagonize every cast member. Nervous and with her Tourette's syndrome flaring, Ellie is delighted when opening night goes off without a hitch. But when Reginald's death scene at the end of the play turns out to be all too real, she quickly comes crashing down. The state police suggest the death was a drug overdose, but Reginald's widow insists he never used drugs. Unconvinced it was an overdose, Ellie and her childhood friend, the local chief of police, Bill Starlin, begin investigating. It isn't long before someone linked to the theatre is attacked in her own home. As Ellie and Bill reveal connections between cast members, they uncover dark secrets and must race to find the killer before it's curtains for someone else.