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179 reviews for:
Murder at the Theatre Royale: The perfect murder mystery for Christmas 2022
Ada Moncrieff
3.13 AVERAGE
179 reviews for:
Murder at the Theatre Royale: The perfect murder mystery for Christmas 2022
Ada Moncrieff
3.13 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a decent if unmemorable cosy mystery story. It follows a tried and tested formula, has a likeable main character and features my favourite type of denouement (getting everyone together in a room to reveal the murderer). It is set at Christmas but is not massively Christmassy. I enjoyed the book, but unfortunately it lacks anything special to really differentiate it from so many other books of this kind.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"In the week, months and indeed years that followed the vomiting was the one detail that Daphne omitted from every re-telling of the events of December 1935. The other details she would describe in intricate and vivid terms, each retelling bringing a new and startling revelation. Clues she could have spotted earlier, intimations of voice that unwitting disclosed truths, questions she wished she had asked."
In London, bright but under-appreciated journalist Daphne, AKA agony aunt 'Dear Susan', gets her big break when (standing-in for a colleague interviewing theatre actors) when one collapses dead on stage. Naturally she is determined to find out the truth of what happened and why.
I loved Daphne's intelligence and determination, combined with the cast of witty characters (some loveable some definitely dislikeable) and the fast plot, propelled forwards with every discovery Daphne makes. The historical, London theatre setting with its well-loved theatres and pubs, and its dramatic characters makes for engaging reading. Not necessarily the most original setting or type of characters, this was easy to read and enjoy, helped by Daphne's strong voice, the author's writing style and and the affectionate humour.
Seasonal and historical cosy crime with a theatre setting and a Lucy Eyelesbarrow-esque (Christie's younger Miss Marple-esque detective in 4:50 From Paddington) protagonist, makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read. I'd definitely read more of Daphne's investigative journalism.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
fast-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
In 1935, a few days before Christmas, a production of A Christmas Carol has come to London's Theatre Royale. When one of the cast members dies on stage, journalist Daphne King finds herself in the middle of an investigation. However things take another turn when someone else is found dead backstage.
I cannot resist a festive mystery and this made for such a fun read.
Daphne was such a great character that I took an instant liking to and I enjoyed seeing how she handled the investigation. The story itself was very well paced and kept me engaged throughout. I particularly loved how you are thrown straight into the drama. The 1930s London setting was such a perfect fit for the story, of course there were no phones or technology at that time and it allows the reader to just focus on the mystery unfolding.
I highly recommend this wonderfully entertaining book.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I cannot resist a festive mystery and this made for such a fun read.
Daphne was such a great character that I took an instant liking to and I enjoyed seeing how she handled the investigation. The story itself was very well paced and kept me engaged throughout. I particularly loved how you are thrown straight into the drama. The 1930s London setting was such a perfect fit for the story, of course there were no phones or technology at that time and it allows the reader to just focus on the mystery unfolding.
I highly recommend this wonderfully entertaining book.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.