The Grapes of Death

By James A Pyduck

The Grapes of Death A betrayed Jude O'Brien struggles to maintain his dream of acting. He is about to face his betrayer, and three grisly murders. Jude O'Brien meets his longtime agent, Clarence Putty, at the Blarney Stone bar, where he is given his latest acting assignment, The Grapes of Wrath , at the Penny Pot Theatre in Fury, Maine. He soon learns that the actor, Martin Eden, who betrayed him years earlier, is also in the play. Martin is cast in the role Jude wanted. Years earlier, Martin Eden used the mentoring expertise Jude freely offered to help him become a better actor, to betray Jude. In return for his help, Eden stole Jude's audition ideas for the lead in A Streetcar Named Desire . Both men audition. Eden got the part. Eden's career soared, while Jude's career consisted of relatively minor parts, and major resentment. The two men meet again for the first time in decades, at rehearsal for The Grapes of Wrath . Jude is able to vent his pent up resentments toward Martin; venting which gives him little satisfaction. At different times, during rehearsal, both Martin and Jude observe a mysterious old woman walking through the Theatre. Neither man shares their experience. Martin Eden, along with David Diver; a Reality Television star, and Bonnie Dougherty; the director's wife, are brutally murdered. Bonnie had been having sordid, sexual affairs with Martin Eden and David Diver simultaneously, during rehearsal, affairs which she flaunted in front of everyone. Upset by their behavior, a religious zealot, and set designer for the play, Tommy Drew, vows punishment. Drew hides onstage and witnesses the hedonistic behavior of Bonnie and each of her lovers; he then sinks a heavy Firefighter's ax into the back of all three heads; each in their own time. The list of suspects for the murders includes everyone in the cast, including Jude O'Brien. Jude meets Detective Molly Wagner during his interrogation. He convinces her to allow him to help in the murder investigation. The two soon became lovers. After his murder, Jude takes over Martin's part in the play. He then experiences a life-changing event. The play is a huge success. The unsolved murders bring in curious patrons who fill the house, but most of the success is the result of mutual enthusiasm the entire cast experiences when Jude assumes Eden's role. Jude helps solve the murders, with an amazing, investigation talent. A talent which Jude was unaware he possessed. Later, Jude becomes Artistic Director of The Penny Pot Theatre. He recruits his agent, Clarence Putty, as set designer. In a personal vindication, Jude mounts, A Streetcar Named Desire , as his first play. He casts the mysterious old woman who he and Eden saw as a singing flower vender. Streetcar is a success.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F6DW19B4
• ISBN13: 9798280605756
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 166 Pages
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.4" x 6.0"