More entertaining and dramatic compared to book 1, Vicki Delany once again bring reader to Haggerman's resort in Catskill with its interesting ensemble casts. Elizabeth Grady must sleuthing (again) because a murder that happen in her resort (again) and the stake is much higher because she have her resort's reputation to uphold or say goodbye if the murderer is one of her employer. Set after the war, the motive of the murder now is not about accusation of communism but a grudge toward the poor famous director.

If book 1 deals with false accusation about communism to implement the Cold War setting, in book 2 Delany bring Hollywood to Catskill. An Academy Award winning director want to set his movie in Haggerman and Elizabeth will do her best to cater to the movie crews and actors alike. Just like some of movie cliche, the director was despicable, one of the main actor have interest toward Velvet, much to Elizabeth's dismay, an actress that also Olivia's friend have once married to the director and bring strife in the movie set. It's not surprising when the director end up dead because of poison. But, the poisoning happen in Haggerman's, therefore bring more problem to Elizabeth because if the news that the food in her resort end up kill people (and a famous one!), customer will never go to Haggerman's resort again.

Unlike book 1 in which I already guess the culprit from the start, in Deadly Director's Cut, Delany keep her mystery card close. The mystery is pretty solid and although not that hard to predict, she still write it tightly through the end. While I read book 2 in months after book 1, I didn't need to remember who is who. Delany manage to not info-dumping about the old characters and Elizabeth's past regarding her widowhood and her relationship with her mother, Olivia. About Olivia, her bond with Elizabeth may improve a little bit especially near the end of the story. As for romantic development, there's no love triangle and it was apparent that Elizabeth and the rival hotel owner's son, Richard Kennelwood, have feeling for each other. I also like the sisterhood between Elizabeth and Velvet and how Elizabeth worry for her friend because Velvet seems charmed with the possibility to become actress in the Hollywood. As a narrator of the story, I also like Elizabeth's voice. She is so mature, a little bit stern perhaps but also has dry sarcasm and wittiness. 

If book 1 deal with the sexism that happen to Elizabeth, then book 2 deal with the ugly truth about Hollywood and movie world in overall. The issue of ageism is pretty much real especially toward women, as proved by Gloria, a friend of Olivia who only older by 20 years compared to the actor's age but she play as his grandmother rather than mother. She also tell Velvet to not be disillusioned by Hollywood's spotlight. The issue about the relationship between directors and the actor/actress also got addressed and how the Hollywood in that time don't have place for woman to be a force to be reckoned with except to have a pretty face and body. 

Just like Deadly Summer Nights, Deadly Director's Cut also an entertaining and fun cozy read. Sadly, it's seems that Delany only wrote 2 books for Catskill Summer Resort Mystery. Maybe she think that if murder happen for the third time, the Haggerman's reputation might be threatened for real, lol. Delany herself kinda wrap Elizabeth story in the end nicely but I hope I can read more about not only Elizabeth's sleuthing but also her relationship with her mother and people of Haggerman's or maybe her burgeoning romantic relationship with Richard. Catskill Summer Resort Mystery is another cozy mystery series that can't be missed especially if you like a cozy that set in summer resort with interesting ensemble characters and a woman that didn't afraid to show who's the boss. Recommended