Thank goodness Marian Babson listened to those who wanted a sequel to Reel Murder, her comic mystery involving two elderly American former movie stars visiting England. This first sequel is entitled, appropriately enough, Encore Murder.

Trixie Dolan, our narrator, and her self-centered, imperious friend, Evangeline Sinclair are at loose ends. They're waiting for Hugh Carpenter, a very successful London theatrical producer, to find a theatre he would consider best for a revival of that classic murder comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace. Trixie and Evangeline would play Aunts Abby and Martha Brewster, of course. (If you've never seen the movie version that starred Cary Grant, do yourself a favor and watch it. It's very funny.) In the meantime, our heroines are staying in Jasper's house. (Jasper is the grandson of their old friend, Beauregard Sylvester.)

Trixie suspects that Hugh is too caught up in his upcoming wedding to their daughter, Martha Dolan, to hunt for that theatre. Martha calls Trixie four times in the first chapter. (Can't say I think much of Martha's latest choice for the mother-of-the-bride dress.) Evangeline is being rude, of course. The young persons whom Trixie calls 'the theatrical kids' are practicing something Trixie taught them in their flat (apartment) at the top of the house. Enter another elderly movie star, Griselda von Kirstenberg, appropriately nicknamed 'Grisly'. Her verbal sparring matches with Evangeline are delightful -- since we're not stuck in the same room with them. Poor Trixie.

Grisly is threatening to write her memoirs -- and mention Evangeline's big secret (revealed in the first book) in them. Evangeline's response makes Grisly nervous. Hardly has Grisly left them when Martha enters, sobbing. She's calling the wedding off! Enter the best of the theatrical kids, Gwenda, to be a source for the information the ladies need about Martha's reason.

There are other problems, both involving a certain Cressida Garrick-Erving, or 'Cressie Nemo,' as the former actress is calling herself now that she's become a feminist of the unreasonable variety. She wants Evangeline to star in her production. Unlike the fuss about the 'audacity' of remaking 'Ghostbusters' with women playing the leads, Trixie has good reason to feel bad about the proposed play. (There's a sample of the original material and the adaptation in chapter 9. Really, scriptwriter Lucy would have done better to change one noun from a feminine insult to its masculine equivalent and let the rest of the speech alone. The original author must be spinning like a top in his grave.)

The action is liberally printed with references to real Golden Age movie stars and fake films Trixie, Evangeline, and Grisly appeared in. I loved it!

Film buff Detective-Sergeant Julian Singer is helping Evangeline write her memoirs, so he's the one Trixie calls about the murder. Naturally, he calls Detective-Superintendent Ron Heyhoe. Heyhoe doesn't like Evangeline any better in this book. I can't blame him. Evangeline is still pretending she can't remember his name.

Most of the characters have reason to be satisfied with the ending. I'm more than satisfied to reread this book.

NOTES (pop culture references, fictional and real name-dropping, character facts, and non-spoiler tips to help those who've read the book find things again):

Chapter 1:

a. If you're not a fan of Regency Romances (Georgette Heyer!), Gretna Green is a place in Scotland that was THE elopement destination in the early 19th century.

b. Trixie tells about the way Grisly has treated her previously.

Chapter 2: Three fake films are mentioned, one involving Beauregard Sylvester, whom we met in the first book.

Chapter 3:

a. Look here for a reference to the Marx Brothers and Evangeline's effect on them.

b. Cressie Nemo's Widow's Mite Productions is mentioned.

Chapter 4:

a. There's mention of two real films, one starring Orson Welles and the other Marlon Brando.

b. One of Evangeline's fake films is mentioned.

c. The Golden Turkey Award is an imaginary award for bad films created by two authors, Michael and Harry Medved. Two of their books are The Golden Turkey Awards and Son of the Golden Turkey Awards.

d. Trixie tells us her record time for changing clothes and when (and in what) it was set.

e. Trixie names some famous makeup brands (to herself) when she meets Cressie Nemo.

Chapter 5:

a. We get some background information about Joe Farraday and a story about an unnamed film director.

b. It's the first mention of a fake old hit TV series, 'The Highwayman'.

Chapter 7:

a. Trixie uses a famous line from chapter VI/6 of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to describe Evangeline eating toast.

b. Evangeline repeats an anecdote about Fay Wray and King Kong.

c. Martha's engagement ring belonged to Hugh's grandmother. It's described here.

d. The film "Sorry, Wrong Number' is mentioned.

e. Trixie is reminded of one of Evangeline's past roles.

f. Evangeline quotes the first line of that old anti-alcoholism song, 'Come Home, Father', to which you may listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z6g_4Jw6Ug

Chapter 8:

a. Trixie and Evangeline reenact a scene from one of their old films.

b. Singer names some of Griselda's old films.

c. Trixie and Martha come the closest they ever have to discussing what Martha's biological mother did with her baby.

d. Evangeline hates to remember that Trixie is younger than she is, but it is why she remembers some stories about Joe Farraday that Trixie doesn't.

e. Evangeline acts as if she were Oscar Wilde's Lady Bracknell from 'The Importance of Being Earnest' as she comments on the scandal.

Chapter 9:

a. It's Trixie's turn to act as if she's Lady Bracknell.

b. Ah, the cushion on the cover of the hardcover first U.S. edition is explained. From the way Trixie and Martha talk about it, cover artist John Nickle didn't make it ugly enough.

c. Again, this is where we get a sample of Lucy's script versus the original. Trixie imagines the lines said in film star Jimmy Cagney's voice.

d. Trixie understands why her Martha is so attractive to Hugh.

Chapter 10:

a. Evangeline is using her Ethel Barrymore voice.

b. That classic 1945 suspense film, 'The Spiral Staircase,' gets mentioned. (If you haven't before, watch it!)

c. Martha made allspice cookies from scratch, using her own recipe.

d. Cressie Nemo demonstrates her talent.

Chapter 11:

a. Trixie mentions another fake film.

b. I've seen a similar version in another book, but I still enjoy what Trixie says about what she's prepared to do if a man wants to do the dirty work.

c. Evangeline parodies the opening words of a famous song from the musical, 'The King and I'.

Chapter 13:

a. Job says at which pub he and the old crowd were going to meet.

b. Trixie mimics Mickey Rooney.

c. 'Trainers' are sneakers/athletic shoes.

d. Singer recognizes the scene/role Evangeline is reenacting. Trixie tells us how many times the director made her rehearse it.

e. Trixie uses the story she has prepared when someone wants her or Evangeline to finance a show or film.

Chapter 14:

a. Griselda is one of the over-the-top cult heroines for drag acts.

b. We're told the about the only time Evangeline ever approved of film star W. C. Fields. Apparently it actually happened.

Chapter 15:

a. Trixie recounts a scene between Evangeline and Griselda as if it had subtitles.

b. 'Counting your chickens before they're hatched' comes from Aesop's Fables. http://aesopsfables.org/F133_The-Country-Maid-and-Her-Milk-Can.html

c. 'The Trial of Mary Dugan' is a real play.

Chapter 16: Trixie uses a mannerism that was useful for her when she acted in musicals and Evangeline makes use of one her talents.

Chapter 17: Trixie compares her situation to a scene from the movie of Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth.

Chapter 18:

a. Sergeant Singer mentions a film two of the cast members of "The Highwayman' had been in.

b. You may hear the Andrews sisters sing 'I didn't Know the Gun was Loaded' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGJMtnRMpjM

c. We learn what roles Job has in mind for our heroines and Griselda.

Cat and dog lovers are both out of luck, but if you enjoy a cozy with a liberal helping of farce, Encore Murder is the book for you. ( )