Unkind Cut

A culinary-murder-mystery and the sequel to UnJust Desserts

'Who is it in the press that calls on me?' Caesar cried. 'I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.'

The Soothsayer stepped forward. And nearly tripping over another actor's feet, he called 'Beware the ides of March.'

Younger members of the audience openly fidgeted. Their attention however became riveted as the assassination scene approached and Caesar was hidden from view. It was terrific staging. Even when the tallest adults in the audience craned to glimpse what was going on, they saw nothing.

Casca: Speak, hands for me!
(Casca first, then the other Conspirators and Brutus stab Caesar)
Caesar: Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.

An extra loud thump as Kingston fell to the floor. Conspirators, cast and stagehands stood back as one to display Caesar's murdered body.

Caesar twitched a few times. Then lay quite still. The pig's blood must have been warm and runny because a dark red stain covered his suit and spilt onto the stage.

The audience clapped loudly.

Cinna turned full-face to the auditorium. He held up his bloodied knife and cried, 'Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead. Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.'

ISBN: 978 0 9803572 02

Kingston Ellis, that celebrated Shakespearean actor has retired to the coastal village of Grevillea on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. As a long dry summer comes to an end, the Galahs are trying to raise money for their Fire Brigade and Broderick Primary School by staging a debut production of Julius Caesar. Most of Grevillea has been co–opted. Kingston is to play the title role. Opening night is on the 15th March. However when Kingston is stabbed for real in the assassination scene when both cast and stagehands crowd around him, it's a real show-stopper.

In her compelling new murder/mystery, Goldie Alexander shows what can happen in a small Australian town when ordinary folk mix with the rich and famous. Those who enjoyed "UnJust Desserts" will delight in the return of some of their favourite characters and their taste buds will be thrilled with the inclusion of more fabulous recipes.