Murder in First Position: Novel Review

Murder in First Position by Lori Robbins is a ballet-set cozy mystery with an intriguing premise, though its uneven execution lets it down

Synopsis: Murder in First Position

a sharp, stylish mystery set in the fiercely competitive world of professional ballet.

Ballerina Leah Siderova knows that a dancer’s career can end in an instant, but nothing prepares her for the brutal murder of her rival, rising star Arianna Bonneville, who is found stabbed in the back.

When Arianna’s final whispered word is Leah’s name, suspicion quickly settles on her shoulders. New York City detective Jonah Sobol is convinced Leah had motive, opportunity, and everything to gain from her rival’s death.

Desperate to prove her innocence, Leah launches her own investigation with the help of her best friend and her ballet coach.

Digging into the company’s backstage rivalries, jealousies and tangled love affairs, Leah discovers a world where ambition cuts as sharply as any blade and where nearly everyone has something to hide.

Murder in First Position combines classic whodunnit intrigue with the unforgiving discipline of ballet, asking whether Leah’s lifelong training will be enough to keep her one step ahead of both the police and a killer still at large.

Review: Murder in First Position

A ballet-set cozy mystery with an intriguing premise, if uneven execution

Murder in First Position is the first book in Lori Robbins’ On Pointe Books in Lorie Robbins: On Pointe Mystery Series, introducing readers to ballerina and amateur sleuth Leah Siderova, a principal dancer with the American Ballet Company.

Robbins opens the series with a striking hook: Leah’s professional rival, Arianna Bonneville, is murdered as her star is on the rise. By being stabbed in the back both literally and metaphorically in a world already rife with competition.

When New York City detective Jonah Sobol identifies Leah as the prime suspect, she found the body, had clear professional motives, and was named by the dying victim.

Leah is forced into a position familiar to cozy mystery fans. Determined to clear her name, she launches her own investigation, delving into rivalries, romantic entanglements, and the less graceful side of professional dance.

Plot and Mystery Elements

The central mystery follows a fairly traditional cozy structure, complete with red herrings, multiple suspects, and an eventual reveal.

While the plot is serviceable and the clues are largely fair, some of the misdirection’s feel more frustrating than clever in hindsight, particularly once the solution is revealed.

Readers hoping for a tightly plotted or especially surprising mystery may find this aspect of the novel somewhat underwhelming.

That said, the investigation itself is easy to follow and paced well enough to keep the story moving, making it a comfortable rather than challenging read.

Setting: Ballet as Both Strength and Weakness

Where Murder in First Position truly distinguishes itself is in its ballet setting, which is relatively rare within the cozy mystery genre.

Robbins clearly has an interest in portraying the physical and psychological demands of professional dance, frequently highlighting the pain dancers endure and the constant vigilance around food and weight.

While this adds authenticity, these details are repeated often enough to become distracting. The emphasis on physical suffering and restrictive eating habits, though realistic, can feel heavy-handed and may pull some readers out of the story rather than deepen immersion.

Characterisation and Themes

Leah Siderova is a likeable and competent protagonist, with her voice carrying the novel even when the mystery falters.

With her internal monologue, professional anxieties, and determination to protect her career makes it easy to root for the lead protagonist. Even if she does not always make the most convincing amateur detective.

The novel touches on themes of rivalry, ambition, artistic sacrifice, and identity, particularly the precarious nature of a dancer’s career.

However, these themes are more present than fully explored, serving as background texture rather than driving forces within the narrative.

Overall Reading Experience

While Murder in First Position did not fully live up to its intriguing premise, especially for readers expecting something darker or more stylised, perhaps blending the elegance of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries series with the intensity of Black Swan movie, it remains a pleasant and readable debut.

The writing style is both accessible, with the tone fitting comfortably within the cozy mystery genre, and the ballet backdrop provides enough novelty to make the book stand out, even if the execution is uneven.

Who Should Read This Book?

Murder in First Position will appeal most to:

• Fans of cozy mysteries looking for a fresh setting
• Readers interested in ballet or performing arts
• Those who enjoy amateur sleuth stories with a professional twist
• Readers seeking a lighter mystery rather than a complex thriller

It is particularly well suited to readers who value atmosphere and setting over intricate plotting.

Conclusion

Murder in First Position by Lori Robbins is a solid if unspectacular start to the On Pointe Mystery series. While the mystery itself may not surprise seasoned genre readers, the ballet-world setting and an engaging central character make it an enjoyable introduction to Leah Siderova’s world.

For readers curious about cozy mysteries set outside the usual bookshop or village café—and who are happy with familiar genre conventions—these novels are worth picking up.

Though It may not quit hit the spot on every reader’s TBR, it offers enough charm and originality to justify continuing with the series.

If the idea about a czy mystery set in the world bo ballet check out the full list of the On pointe mystery series here.

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