—An exceptional debut and a novel that would transition well to other mediums Stage Business proves a genuine pageturner and is highly recommended.—
A deceptively comfortable mystery thriller that packs a hefty punch Stage Business is a good reminder of how very satisfying a well-written novel can still be. Like many books in the genre it’s allure depends on its surprises whilst its delight grows out of the characteristics of its protagonist and here Fostaty has it perfectly pitched. Novels like Stage Business often forget to pay attention to the human nature of their characters but Fostaty injects a certain edge which serves him well with enough narrative twists and the kind of refined plot that regularly confounds our expectations and keeps us guessing as to how it will end. On this level, it’s vivid and immediately engaging with readers being left in no doubt that behind the devices of pen and paper resides a finely honed wit. This is most evident in Fostaty’s dialogue which excels beyond the norm and fully captures the essence of people trying to reveal or conceal themselves in his chosen setting and it all makes for a delightful page-turner. But there is also a serious thread that is hard to ignore, and when all of the threads are pulled together we are reminded that no matter which side of the stage we find ourselves we are all prone to the daily posturing, self-doubt and failings that colour our lives.

"Author Gerry Fostaty turns his skills to fiction and explores the world of theatre and celebrity hangouts from an insider's viewpoint, leading the reader on a merry dance through Toronto's cafes, rehearsal halls and back alleys as his reluctant detective takes on more than he bargained for. The wryly humorous narrative moves at a cracking good pace and the author, a former professional actor himself, provides an insiders glimpse of what really constitutes Stage Business."

"With Stage Business, [Fostaty] masters the balance between the dramatic and the humorous, keeping the narrative light and quirky, while maintaining a level of suspense and intrigue throughout the whole novel. The story had me captivated from the first page, and has stayed with me days after finishing the last. The plot is compelling, the characters are genuine, and the fast-paced, conversational dialogue makes the reader feel as though they are part of the adventure. Best of all, the ending leaves just enough room for another book to take place in the same universe. A truly fabulous read!

"Let’s hope that Fostaty has written “Stage Business” as the beginning of a series, for it doesn’t take a playwright’s imagination to be swept away by the possibilities"