A Pantomime of Peril: A British Cozy Murder Mystery
(A Cotswold Antique Mystery)
by Victoria Tait
About A Pantomime of Peril
About A Pantomime of Peril
A Pantomime of Peril: A British Cozy Murder Mystery (A Cotswold Antique Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Cotswold, England
Publisher : Kanga Press
Publication date : November 14, 2025
ISBN-13 : 978-1917168335
ASIN : B0DNLG8M1J
It’s pantomime season in the Cotswolds… but this year’s performance is a real killer!
Winter has settled over the Cotswolds, and Dotty Sayers and her friends are in the spotlight as part of the local amateur dramatics pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk. With costumes to sew, lines to memorise, and rehearsals to juggle, the village is buzzing with excitement.
But on opening night, the show comes to an abrupt halt when a cast member dies on stage. As whispers of foul play sweep through the audience, Dotty and her friend Keya are drawn into a mystery that’s anything but make-believe.
With suspects lurking in the wings and a tangle of alibis to unravel, the pair must tread carefully to uncover the truth. Can they solve the case before the final curtain falls, or will the killer steal the show?
Take your seat for a charming performance of A Pantomime of Peril today!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
“A British pantomime, known simply as a ‘panto’, is a much-loved form of family theater, traditionally performed around Christmas and New Year. Despite the name, it is not silent mime. Instead, it is loud, colourful, and joyfully over the top, blending music, slapstick comedy, dancing, and audience participation. Each panto is based on a well-known fairy tale or folk story.”
The holidays are special in the Cotswolds. In addition to a busy time at Akemans, many employees, family, and friends are involved in a pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk. From writing the script to constructing sets and altering the costumes, directing, and acting in the performance, it’s all hands on deck. A monkey wrench is thrown into the event when a well-known actor moves nearby and takes over all aspects of the panto, including playing a key role.
Opening night arrives, and in the middle of the show, an actor keels over dead onstage. Natural causes or foul play? Keya, Dr. Peter, Dotty, and Sujin are right there to preserve the scene and tend to the body. Inspector Lynn Lockwood and more officers quickly arrive. Keya double and triple-checks everything, and soon she has new questions that need answers. With assistance from Dotty and Sunjin, Keya works hard to reveal the truth. Will the killer get away scot-free? Or will the clues come together just in time for the holidays?
I really enjoy catching up with these characters. Dotty and Keya have grown by leaps and bounds since we met them in Fake Death. The supporting cast has evolved as well. New characters have joined the cast, and others have moved on. Everyone continues to develop, face changes, make new relationships, and find new purpose. What I love is that Ms. Tait lets it all happen naturally, which can’t be easy. She has created genuine and endearing characters, making it very easy to become invested in their lives. They feel like friends.
I loved the pantomime theme of this story, and that everyone was involved in some way. What a wonderful holiday tradition. I appreciated the teamwork Zach fosters at Akemans, listening to everyone, being open to new ideas, and being willing to work to make things happen. The diversity of the auction items, the changes made to Akemans, and Keya’s wonderful cafe are all highlights that bring an ideal atmosphere to the story.
Professional actor Wickham Vane had a very high opinion of himself and his abilities, but he was nothing more than a bully, cruel, and overbearing. I was thrilled that he was the victim, and I enjoyed the way Ms. Tait plotted the mystery of his death. I was caught off guard by the way the story played out, and while heartbreaking, it made perfect sense.
Victoria Tait is an outstanding storyteller, and A Pantomime of Peril is another excellent example of her gifts. With engaging characters who pull you into the story and an intriguing mystery, all set in the beautiful English countryside in the Cotswolds, this story was a delightful Perfect Escape. I am excited for this series to continue with A Honeymoon of Havoc, which has some characters traveling, and A Maypole of Deceit, which takes us back to the Cotswolds in springtime. You truly can’t go wrong with anything written by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
About Victoria Tait
Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, where she developed a lifelong love of tea and British traditions. Inspired by the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder, She Wrote, she writes cozy mysteries infused with her signature British charm.
Her determined and hard-working female sleuths are joined by colourful but realistic teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and evocative. With intrigue, surprises, and gentle humour, Victoria’s page-turning stories are the perfect blend of mystery and charm, best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
You can find Victoria at VictoriaTait.com ‘
Author Links
Website BookBub Instagram Goodreads Pinterest
Purchase Links
TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
November 15 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
November 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 16 – Storybook Lady – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 17 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
November 17 – Deal Sharing Aunt = AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 18 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 18 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
November 19 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
November 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
November 21 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST
November 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 24 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here
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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
Discover more from Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - Great Escapes Book Tours
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
