A Village Theatre Murder: A completely unputdownable and utterly gripping cozy English murder mystery (Julia Bird Mysteries) - Softcover

Gayle, Katie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1835258689 ISBN 13: 9781835258682

Publisher: Bookouture, 2025

Synopsis

‘An addictive page-turner… I absolutely love reading this… Amazing… I devoured the whole book in just a few hours… Absolutely page-turning!!!... Stunning.’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s nothing quite like a night at the theatre. But Julia Bird is expecting a night of sweeping drama, not an onstage murder!

At the end of Berrywick’s amateur theatre’s latest production, a shot rings out amongst the rapturous applause. But when Julia Bird peeks through the curtain, she sees lead actor Graham is lying still on the stage, his co-actor Oscar looking down at his prop gun in shock. She knows that Graham has been murdered, but with nearly everyone in the village helping with the play, anyone could have tampered with the props. And why was a beloved family man the target?

Graham’s wife Jane collapses in a puddle of tears as Oscar is comforted and led away from the stage. But days later when Julia spots prim and proper Jane kissing Oscar, she wonders if the grieving widow’s tears were fake. Graham served Jane divorce papers the day of the tragedy – was he killed before he could spill the beans on his wife’s affair, and sully her perfect reputation?

Meanwhile, the aptly named director, Roger Grave, wants the show to go on. The play is up for a local award, and this might just be Roger’s big break. But when failed actor Hector is not assigned the lead role he assumed he’d get, the mood among the cast quickly turns sour. Could Hector have killed Graham out of jealously for the leading role, Julia wonders?

Then another member of the crew is found dead and Julia discovers there’s a dark secret at the heart of Berrywick’s local theatre society. But who would kill to protect it? Can Julia find the murderer before it’s curtains for another victim?

A totally gripping, charming cosy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will absolutely love the Julia Bird Mysteries.

Readers love the Julia Bird Mysteries:

‘I absolutely LOVED this… Julia Bird was an amazing and lovable character… Once I started it, I couldn't stop.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely adore this book… 10/10… absolutely perfect!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my, I loved Julia Bird… she is a delight! I loved the mystery … I can’t wait for the next one! Please don’t let it be long! It’s a five out of five.’ MoongloTexas, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic… I can’t say enough good things about this book. I just loved every minute.’ Fireflies & Freekicks

‘There just aren't enough stars for this one, so I can only give it FIVE!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Kept me engrossed and I completed the book within a day… page-turner… perfect.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic… I love Julia… had me hooked from the start… I could not stop reading.’ Once Upon a Time Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed… wonderful.’ Carla Loves To Read, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Such a treat… will inhale in one sitting. A struggle to put down and a joy from start to finish.’ Bookish Jottings

Edition details

• Publisher: Bookouture
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1835258689
• ISBN 13: 9781835258682
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 234