Reviews - Murder at the Theatre Royale

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181 reviews for:

Murder at the Theatre Royale

Ada Moncrieff

3.13 AVERAGE

madi_reads13's review

3.5

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cjthereader's review against another edition

2.0

Not the best book to start the year with! Murder at the Theatre Royale is the perfect encapsulation of that sort of book you buy at a train station on a whim and that you’ve never heard of prior.

A simple period murder mystery set in a theatre, Murder at the Theatre Royale gives off Agatha Christie by way of the perfectly average 2022 movie See How They Run. Much like that movie apes both Christie and lacking the style of a Wes Anderson, this book just feels a bit off and a bit too simple in its emulation.

By all means our sleuth is interesting enough, a former columnist breaking into murder investigation after a puff piece turns into intrigue. But by the third Sherlock Holmes reference this story just leaves you wanting for one of the great detectives to make this tale all the more interesting and twist-and-turn-y.

It all just feels a bit too quaint and a bit too simple. Perfect fare for a train journey to and from the city. Just not one for the bookshelf, really.

christygsp's review

2.5

Short historical fiction of a murder around Christmas time at a theatre.
Most focus is on the murder finding with Daphne. Lots of sexist stuff going on at her newspaper. Annoying.
Definitely historical fiction prose and language. Not really my favourite to read. I was somewhat disinterested and not very engaged in the story.
Resolution was pretty good and the mystery was well expressed, I just am not a fan of this time period.

Content Warnings

armorcats's review against another edition

4.0

Such a fun cozy crime book set around London’s West End in 1935 with a really solid mystery and a smashing leading lady. Daphne is one to root for. I also cheered when they ended up in Foyles near the end, investigating a clue. Just delightful!

yelyahrose's review against another edition

3.5

challenging mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

alannafowler's review against another edition

2.25

mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book was just ok, I think I’m just not an “Agatha Christie” style reader and Ada Moncrieff is that kind of writer.

I did like some of the twists but I also don’t think I like a journalist doing the police’s job.

simslibrary's review against another edition

3.0

This book was a very slow start for me. It follows Daphne who is an agony aunt for a newspaper but wants to change departments. Not being able to move to a different department she is given the opportunity to show some cast around the theatre, however during the dress rehearsal someone is murdered.

Daphne tries to solve the murder of the cast member but during her investigation, another person dies. This book uncovers Daphne trying to solve the murders.

The reason I didn’t love this book was because I thought it lacked a lot of detail and depth, it definitely could have been expanded more. I also felt it was outdated because of the fact of when it was set. However, that did add something unique to the murder mystery.

Would I read it again? Probably, due to the fact it’s a really quick read and easy to read. Read if you love short murder mysteries!