REVIEWS

March 2011
The Legend of Biltmore Mary
Written and Directed by Kimberly A. Monroe
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Review - Tahoe Daily Tribune

CRYSTAL BAY, Nev. — Ask any employee of the Tahoe Biltmore if it is true that a showgirl was murdered at the famous Lake Tahoe resort, and you will hear many different versions. But all agree that it is true. Many employees even claim that the ghost of the dead showgirl still is haunting the employees around the hotel. Local lore provides lots of information about Lincoln Fitzgerald’s time as owner of the Biltmore, but factual history is hard to locate. One reason for the lack of historical data could be that Fitzgerald needed to keep a low profile because of his past. Of course, without correct information, the stories are simply stories and grow each time they are told. But it has been recorded in several publications that a showgirl who worked at the Biltmore while Fitzgerald was owner did die mysteriously.This past weekend, many former employees, as well as curious residents and other guests, attended a special mystery dinner theater called “The Legend of Biltmore Mary.”

The theater was in the small Breeze Bar area where the stage used for performances by the showgirl is located. “It was a very, very enjoyable performance,” said Jeanne Mullaney, a Tahoe resident attending the performance. “It was a hoot.”The play is written by a former Biltmore employee, Kimberly Monroe, and centers on Mary’s last night of work at the Biltmore. As in most murder mystery theater productions, the audience is invited to solve the murder at the end of the play. To help the audience decide who murdered Mary, they are taken backstage during the intermission into the area where the showgirls and other employees spent break times in order to view clues. The entire theater company and writer quickly won the hearts of the audience. “It was very entertaining,” said Sandy Burdick. “I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time.”Hopefully this will become a regular feature at the Biltmore so more can enjoy “The Legend of Biltmore Mary.”

Cast photo below by Alex Hardin

Reviews from Tyke and the Elephant Angel

Wonderful, cute, simple and sad at the same time.
The illustration is beautifully drawn too. I completely forgot about this sad story about Tyke the elephant, thank you for bringing up this serious issue of animal in captivity. I don't want to confused the review here, first off the story is short and simple but the message the author conveyed is beautifully depicted. Think of Tyke the elephant back with her mother and family like it should of been. A heavenly elephant angel reuniting them together forever. The story of Tyke like the author had said can be found on the internet. No sugar coating the event, Tyke rampage and terrible demise shook me to the core but other than Tyke another life was lost, her trainer. Post traumatic stress, yes it was evident. I saw this event unfold on the news, I lived there and it was repeatedly played over and over again. I remembered feeling ill and kept the television off and not reading the newspaper for a long time. So when I read this book, I remembered but I preferred this story and knowing Tyke left with the angels and reunited with her family. I won this book on Goodreads, First Read Giveaway.

Thank you, Darlene Cruz

Reviews from Delta the Dancing Elephant

This book may be targeted at those younger than myself, but not in a long, long time have I picked up and read a book which moved me the way this one did. Written from the point of view of Delta, this story follows her life, first as a happy, much-loved baby in idyllic surroundings, through to the murder of her precious family and the tortures beyond, which became her everyday existence. This may be written as fiction, but given what we are learning about elephant intelligence, It came alive for me and made me weep for Delta and the human race.

Nancy Cunningham

BUY IT NOW

KIMBERLY A. MONROE

REVIEWS