Death in Heels

Murphy’s debut and first installment in the “Dublin Drag” series follows Fi, whose best friend, Robyn, is making his debut as drag queen Mae B at the local club, TRASH. Fi, who is straight, isn’t invited to Mae B’s after-party, and is the one to discover a competing queen dead in the alley outside the club. Fi is convinced it was murder, and when another body turns up, her suspicions are confirmed. Murphy has created a spectacular drag world that even those new to the scene can understand and love. While the large cast may be a little overwhelming for listeners, the main characters shine throughout. Narrator Ell Potter uses perfectly modulated tones to capture Fi’s range of emotions, from timidness at the drag club to anger and deep sadness as her investigation threatens her friendships. But Fi pushes on, showing determinism and bravery, especially in the final chapters. Well-loved tropes and expectations are present, while others are turned around in a way that keeps the story, especially the final reveal, fresh and exciting.