Jacket Copy (Genre : Thriller)
Editor's Choice/Contest Entry-Updated 8/31 A black and terrible beauty lived inside him. Those deaths were not his fault. I was to blame. He killed to find me to protect me-
When the nightmare of the opera house began I knew I had to be the one to stop it. You see she was not the first. I was...
History has been kind to me in that I have only identified once by my dear friend, the box keeper of the infamous box five, Madame Giry. She did not know she spoke of me when she told them of the ghost's lady who sometimes left a fan or glove behind after sitting with him between walls of an empty opera box.
It has been the only evidence of my existence, the only mention made of me by that ghastly little journalist Monsieur Leroux, until now...
Afraid that time and distance may have clouded my judgment during those years, I will merely present my journal and the scattered notes that represent his. Betwixt the two of us perhaps we may at last set the record straight.
Foreword/Preface
Headlines
November-- Paris 1893
OPERA HOUSE RETIREMENT GALA FOR EXITING MANAGERS MARRED BY HANGING DEATH
The shocking death came amidst the ballet in the third act when the poor man's body swung out over the crowd from a hang man's noose. The man was not identified by the gendarmerie but inside sources say that the man was long time stage hand Joseph Bouquet. His death comes as a great shock as he was generally considered a jovial man and a long time favorite of the company.
Initial reports rule his death a suicide but a inquest has been scheduled and a full inquiry will take place.
This death comes after a long line of mysterious incidences that have long plagued the outgoing managers and hastened their retirement.
Leading soprano La Carlotta declined to comment at the scene and was overcome with hysterics when the evening's performance came to a halt. A nervous young soprano came forward to finish the opera when Carlotta refused to go on again.
The pretty understudy performed credibly. The audience was overcome by the evening's dramatic events to mind her few inconsistencies. She has no doubt earned her place in minor roles and will continue to blossom given other opportunities.
25 Votes
