Caroline Graham (b. 1931) is perhaps the only classic of the English detective story of modern times, almost unknown to Russian readers. Meanwhile, it is she who is called in England the direct literary heir of Agatha Christie, and it is based on her novels that one of the most popular detective television series in the UK and in Russia, “Midsomer Murders,” (“Purely English Murders”), which has not left television screens for eighteen seasons, is filmed. The writer's work was awarded the prestigious literary award "Macavity Award", and the book "Murders at Badgers Drift" was included in the list of "The 100 Best Detective Novels of All Time." "Death of the Actor" is the second novel in the series of detective stories about Inspector Barnaby. The theatrical society of the provincial town of Causton is preparing a production of Peter Schiffer's famous play "Amadeus". The nerves of all participants in the performance are on edge: confrontation of characters, intrigue and suspicion fill their hearts both on stage and in life. The premiere of the play, which the Chief Inspector attends, turns into a real tragedy, and Barnaby has to find out which of the characters decided to commit such a daring crime...