Murder on The Dancefloor by Shirley Ballas & Sheila McClure (2023)
Murder On The Dance Floor was Shirley Ballas’ debut novel in 2023, written in collaboration with Sheila McClure. It delves into the cutthroat world of competitive dance, as someone takes things to the next level and strategically murders dancers for the world to see. It was followed by a sequel in 2024, as part of the ‘Sequin Mysteries’ series.
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I’ve been a fan of Shirley Ballas ever since she took the role of lead judge on Strictly Come Dancing - I think she brings so much joy and expertise to the show, and I was instantly interested in her foray into fiction. I didn’t know what to expect because sometimes celebrities put their names to books as a money-making gimmick, but there’s nothing superficial about this story, besides some of the scheming characters within it. I think choosing to co-author is a sensible choice, and one that signifies a person that isn’t insecure about their talents, but rather understands that their concept can be elevated with collaboration.
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Beyond Shirley’s name on the front, the cover itself really caught my eye; it captures the dazzling lights of Blackpool, with the dancers silhouetted dramatically against the skyline. Owning a hardback edition feels like a proper luxury, and I was lucky enough to find this copy in a charity shop. The story first introduces us to Lily Richmond, who is both held as a legend and nemesis throughout the world of ballroom and Latin dance by competitors and fellow coaches. I fell in love with the character immediately and can so clearly hear Shirley’s own voice imbued in the dialogue.
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You can tell the novel is a love letter to a craft she holds so dear, and only someone with an affinity for dance could enrich the text with so much detail. My favourite parts of the book were the vividly beautiful descriptions of the different styles of dance, and how they aren’t simply a sequence of steps, but rather more deeply rooted in feeling, connection and instinct. We meet accomplished pro dancer Jack Kelly, a former student of Lily’s who switched under the tutorship of her rival, choosing to leave the amateur league behind before he was considered ready. He takes to the floor at Whitby with new partner Oxana Bondarenko, who’s been flown in from Belarus, but their budding career is short-lived when she collapses in his arms. Bearing witness to this as a spectator, having been ousted from her usual judging role, Richmond knows there’s only one person to call - dancer turned detective Susie Cooper.
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Love is a central facet of the tale - both the motherly love of a tutor and her alumni, the strained relationship between Susie and her former partner Jack, who are forced to work together again after parting so painfully, and the resistance between Javier and Lily who’s heart has been wounded one time too many. There was some great smut and even a smattering of kink, as stylist Kiko indulges in rope bondage, which was a big surprise to me. None of the characters felt flat, all with their own foibles and quirks like southern belle Ruby Rae Coutts penchant for voodoo dolls. I appreciated that a ‘Cast List’ was included at the front of the book too, as this makes it so much easier to keep track of everything.
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As the story unfolds and the bodies pile up, motive is cleverly handed to an array of faces, leaving a long list of suspects to choose from. I’m quite proud to have worked out the killer before the big reveal, and I loved how Murder on The Dance Floor came to a climax, at the dizzying heights of Blackpool Tower Ballroom’s highest peak. I thought the book was very well rounded, with every loose end tied up by the final page and all unanswered questions resolved. I really liked that Lily and Javier’s romance was left open-ended to, without there being a need to define it with a concrete commitment; it speaks to to the self-worth of the lead character, as she knows she doesn’t need a man to be complete.
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Shirley’s debut isn’t just a murder mystery, but a backstage tour of the glittering dance circuit; the kind hearts and bitter losers; innocent souls and corrupt parties; those who bring natural grace to the floor, and others who pay for the privilege to look their best. It’s a tantalising insight into a hidden world most of us don’t see, and one I can’t wait to return to when I pick up a copy of ‘Dance To The Death’. I loved every minute and hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of the The Sequin Mysteries.
