Mystery at the Lantern Theatre
by Clare Chase
DESCRIPTION
The curtain’s about to rise on the Saxford St Peter pantomime… but the stage is set for murder. Eve Mallow must find a killer so the play can go on!
The Saxford Players are on tour, performing Cinderella at a nationwide competition. But the drama isn’t only on stage. There’s conflict at the dress rehearsal, peacock feathers hidden in the scenery and a good luck card sent to the theatre – to the superstitious actors, it’s clear someone’s cursing the play. And when director Cally Walcott breaks more than a leg, it’s time for Eve Mallow to swap amateur dramatics for detection…
There’s no shortage of suspects in her death. Cally didn’t suffer fools gladly, and both her assistant and her former brother-in-law had reasons to resent her. But Eve is sure there are answers to be found among the cast as well. Why was the Ugly Sister flirting with Prince Charming? And who stole Cinderella’s glass slipper?
When the police make an arrest, everyone is sure that the murderer has made their final bow. Eve’s not convinced. She’s on her way to investigate the latest lead when she hears a scream… and finds Cinderella dead. Time is running out to give this case a happy ever after. Can Eve unmask the real killer, or will she star as their next victim?
A completely charming cozy mystery, which will keep you hooked from the first page to the last! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, M.C. Beaton and the Marlow Murder Club.
BUY LINK
- Amazon: https://geni.us/B0H1HRS2TSsocial
MY THOUGHTS
The Saxford Players are about to perform Cinderella, their next stop on their theatrical tour. Although an obituary writer, Eve Mallow is thrilled to be involved in the production, as it takes place in her hometown of Saxford St Peter. As with any play, there are plenty of moving parts, s one comes with more than its fair share of drama. The players are at odds, a disturbing good-luck card has everyone on edge, and then Eve makes a shocking discovery: director Cally Walcott is dead, and Eve is the one who finds her body.
Eve, with her excellent skill at deductive reasoning, is poised to unravel the mystery and identify the murderer. Back at home, she is also grappling with some concerns that could impact her future. However, she reuses to let her worries distract her. As always, Eve’s role as an obituary writer serves as provides the perfect cover for her sleuthing, allowing her to ask questions as well as to gather information without raising suspicion.
Eve soon discovers that investigating this particular cast will be no easy task. Cally was not well liked and as Eve begins speaking with the various members of the production, it becomes very clear that nearly everyone has a potential motive for the murder. Of course, Eve isn’t the only one searching for answers. The police are as well. Will their notes match and the real culprit be discovered?
As always, Eve finds herself skirting dangerously close to trouble, as it becomes increasingly apparent that the murderer has no intention of being caught. The police have a suspect in mind, but does Eve agree? If the police are wrong, will the murderer use the all-consuming confusion as an opportunity to take another life? With suspicion swirling and the stakes rising, Eve must rely on her instincts and investigative skills to get to the truth.
I’ve been a devoted reader of this series since the very first book, and over time I’ve grown to love Eve, her friends, and her adorable dachshund, Gus. Eve is now happily married to Robin, a former policeman turned gardener. I thoroughly enjoy Robin’s role in Eve’s personal life and appreciate his expertise when she occasionally strays from the path.
Clare Chase delivers another thoroughly entertaining installment in the Eve Mallow mystery series. The theatrical setting, suspicious cast, and mounting danger kept me engaged, while the satisfying conclusion left me eager for more. I hope Eve, Robin, Gus, and their friends will be back for another exciting mystery to be solved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
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