What makes The Importance of Being Murdered stand out is its clever structure. In most crime novels,
the body drops early. Here, the author waits until halfway through before the
curtain falls on the leading man. That bold choice gives her time to fully
develop a delightful cast of characters, paint a vivid picture of the quaint
Cotswold village, and immerse readers in the delightful chaos of amateur
dramatics.
I adored every moment of the preparations for the Bunbury Players’ production
of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest — the backstage banter, the
costume fittings, the egos, the nerves, and the sheer theatrical fun. Then,
just moments before showtime, retired star Bertram Manchester is found dead in
his dressing room. Suddenly the spotlight swings onto murder.
Detective Constable Windermere sees her big chance to solve the case and earn
the promotion she’s been craving. The problem? Every single member of the cast
has something to hide. With rumors flying through the village, DC Windermere
has a front-row seat to the drama — but will she unmask the killer before her
bumbling boss?
This is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery with a fantastic ensemble of
distinct, well-drawn characters who leap off the page. The village setting
feels warm and authentic, the amateur theatre world is brought to life with humor
and affection, and the whodunnit kept me guessing right to the end. I changed
my mind about the culprit multiple times and still didn’t get it right!
If you love clever, feel-good cozy crimes with plenty of charm, wit, and a
touch of theatrical flair, this one is highly recommended. I’m already looking
forward to the next book from this author.
You can order a copy here.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
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