The G-String Murders Book

The G-String Murders (1941) was one of two mysteries written by burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee. It was one of those nice little surprises I discovered a few years back and decided to give it a try.

As a mystery it was entertaining but not outstanding; lot of suspects and kind of formulaic. It starts with one of the burlesque house's strippers being found dead (strangled by a g-string). Of course the police investigate but the main part of the story is the alternate investigation by Gypsy and her boyfriend, Biff. As I say, lots of suspects, lots of threats and more suspicion amongst the burlesque actors.

The story is more enjoyable as a picture of the burlesque troupe, the characters, their lives, etc. More focus on the back stage activities than the actual burlesque shows. You see their cramped dressing rooms, the back-stabbing amongst the women, the costumes, their lives when they aren't working. You get police raids, time spent in the lock-up, relationships, drinking, parties. It's a wonderful, rich picture that Gypsy offers you. Even down to Gypsy designing and sewing her stage costumes and costumes for her friend, Gee Gee. It's a fascinating portrait, most enjoyable.

The book was turned into a movie, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Lady of Burlesque, that maybe TCM will show sometime. There is also an excellent afterword on Lee's life (in my edition at any rate), including some letters she wrote to her publishers. Well worth reading, an enjoyable, entertaining story. (3.5 stars)