Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am excited to feature Theater Nights Are Murder
for out 1st Cozy Wednesday of the year.
Theater Nights Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – New Jersey
Publisher: Kensington (December 31, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
ISBN-10: 1496723376
ISBN-13: 978-1496723376
Kindle ASIN: B07Q7WHQ3H
Theater Nights Are Murder – The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama—or more murder . . .
Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She’s not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny’s long-ago high-school beau, Royce Hanson, a retired Broadway actor, has returned to Cape May, New Jersey, to star in a Senior Center staging of Mamma Mia. Leaving Aunt Ginny to wonder: What’s his motivation?
Slated to open February 13th, the problem-plagued production seems to be cursed—with stolen props, sabotage, and even a death threat. But when a cast member plunges to his death from a catwalk, it soon becomes clear a murderer is waiting in the wings. Now Poppy, Aunt Ginny, and a supporting cast must take center stage to catch the killer—before it’s curtains for someone else . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Libby Klein has penned another terrific mystery filled with laugh-out-loud humor that makes this book impossible to put down.
“Aunt Ginny was somewhere in her eighties, but somehow the feisty redhead got into more trouble than a five-year-old on a sugar binge.”
Yes, Poppy has her hands full again this time. The Senior Center is doing its version of Mamma Mia and all of “the biddies” including Aunt Ginny are involved. The director has persuaded Ginny’s high school flame, now a retired Broadway actor, to play a leading role. Why a successful man would lower himself to a local musical is unknown but everyone is excited to take part or see the show.
Opening night has been set for Friday, February 13 and it does seem the production is truly cursed. Props have gone missing, scenery panels have been vandalized and a death threat has been issued. The director tries to keep the play on course but when a cast member dies suspiciously – did he fall or was he pushed from the catwalk? the players get justifiably nervous. With a “the show must go on” attitude Poppy, Ginny and their friends push ahead while at the same time trying to reel in the killer before another murder brings down the house.
I fell hard for Poppy and Ginny reading the first book in this series, Class Reunions Are Murder
The supporting cast is also stellar. All Aunt Ginny’s friends, Tim and Gia, Amber and even one very pretty Persian named Figaro. They are all very fleshed out and realistic. Their dialogues are true and sometimes pretty funny. The personalities of the new characters introduced in this story evolve as the drama unfolds. Blanche aka Moira also grew up in Cape May and she has a history with Ginny. I loved the passive way Ginny stuck it to Moira on a daily basis. There are two very quirky/creepy characters too. While not my faves, they sure did add to the story.
The murder mystery was very well plotted and all the subplots flowed well within it. The victim was someone beloved by many and his death was hard to take, His death was misunderstood at first which was a little maddening for everyone involved. As the story unfolds the suspect list expands and the motive gets murky. Several red herrings really twist things up. Having more than one mystery to solve is always fun. I loved all the secrets uncovered and the big reveals.
The Mamma Mia theme was a delight. The Abba music was playing in my head at every rehearsal. Senior citizens playing the parts was a hoot!!
Ooh, you can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Digging the dancing queen…
We are also treated to seven of Poppy’s recipes at the end of the book!
Theater Nights are Murder
You can read my review of Midnight Snacks Are Murder here.
You can read my review of Restaurant Weeks Are Murder
Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy to give away!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US mailing address.
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Contest Will End January 22, 2020, at 11:59 PM CST
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and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For Entry Form
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
theater nights
I love books that make me laugh out loud, and this series fits the bill. Thanks, Lori, for your giveaway!
A lovely series which I would enjoy greatly. Thanks.
I know our library has this on order but owning is so much better! Thank you for the opportunity to win a Libby Klein funny and entertaining book!
Great series. Looking forward to reading the latest book.
Congrats on the new release! Poppy and Aunt Ginny make a wonderful team. Looking forward to reading how they solve this mystery.
I’m intrigued by the Mamma Mia theme.