Created by Kelley Roos
Pseudonym of William Roos (1911–1987)
and Audrey Roos (1912–1982)
“She was the most luscious, blue-eyed, baby-faced blonde I had ever seen, and she was dancing with my husband. I was tempted to scratch her eyes out…”
Kelley Roos, the pseudonym for the husband-and-wife writing team of William and Audrey Roos, were best known for their popular series of novels featuring happily married husband-and-wife amateur sleuths Haila and Jeff Troy tried their hand at another husband-and-wife detective team, CONNIE AND STEVE BARTON, who appeared in only one novel, 1956’s The Blonde Died Dancing.
The novel is actually an expanded version of a short story called “Dancing Death” that appeared way back in 1948 in American Magazine, which featured the Troys, while the novel itself was eventually filmed in France as Do You Want to Dance With Me? (1959) and starred Brigitte Bardot.
Set in New York City (of course), it all revolves around the murder of a dance instructor — the dance instructor Steve’s been seeing on the sly.
But it’s not what you think…
I haven’t been able to get my hands on either the novel or the film, so I’m still not sure if Connie and Steve are P.I.s or not (I’m beginning to think not), but Roos did write an actual P.I. novel later in their career, Murder on Martha’s Vineyard, featuring private eye Timothy O’Hara.
As for The Blonde Died Dancing, professional detectives or not, the novel seems to have been well-received in its day, praised for its humour. and oh-so-New-York setting.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Although occasionally reported to be a woman, Kelley Roos was actually the joint pseudonym of husband-and-wife writing team, William and Audrey Roos, who combined his last name with her maiden name to come up with their pen name. They wrote plenty of mysteries starting in the forties, and their biggest success was the series featuring amateur sleuths Jeff and Haila Troy.
UNDER OATH
- “An entertaining tale to puzzle and delight the most exacting mystery fan.”
— The Montgomery Advertiser - “The Blonde Died Dancing is in line for one of the ‘best detective story of the year’ awards. It is certainly one of the most entertaining.”
— The Journal-American - “… a little honey of a blend between comedy and murder.”
— The San Francisco Chronicle - “The Blonde Died Dancing is a good, old-fashioned locked room mystery and one of the reasons why I stored this away for a cold, wintry day.”
— Beneath the Stains of Time
NOVELS
- The Blonde Died Dancing (1956) | Buy this book | Kindle it!
FILMS
- VOULEZ-VOUS DANSER AVEC MOI?
(1959)
Language: French
Based on the novel The Blonde Died Dancing by Kelley Roos
Starring Brigitte Bardot, Henri Vidal
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- Married to It!
Hitched! Detecting Couples
THE DICK OF THE DAY
- August 25, 2026
THE BOTTOM LINE: They may not be professionals, but this married NYC couple of amateur sleuths meddle gloriously in the investigation of a murdered dance instructor. Frothy but fun?
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
