Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Harper Collins UK via #netgalley, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own
It’s Christmas in Penstowan, and local amateur dramatics group the Penstowan Players are putting on their annual pantomime.
Synopsis:
This year it’s ‘Aladdin’, and half the town have been drafted in to help, including Shirley Parker, who only has a small part in the chorus but will no doubt upstage everybody, and Tony Penhaligon, who’s treading the boards as the baddie, Abanazar. Ex-Metropolitan police officer turned caterer Jodie Parker has managed to get away with not appearing, but only if she agrees to cater the opening night party.
But it’s not just terrible jokes, quick costume changes and backstage chaos that wait in the wings… When the Widow Twankey (otherwise known as Tim, the mayor’s husband) trips over a corpse lying next to Aladdin’s bloodstained magic lamp, it’s time for Jodie and her partner, DCI Nathan Withers, to find the killer.
Was it the genie of the lamp or an overly harsh theatre critic? Or does someone in the Penstowan Players have a dark secret they will do anything to protect?
‘Funnier than panto, more warming than a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie and completely gripping. Fun, festive and full of red herrings and clever clues, it's the perfect Christmas treat’ Andreina Cordani, author of The Twelve Days of Murder
Review:
It's hard to believe that this is book 9 in the series! Fiona obviously has plenty of ideas, as she's putting out the books so quickly! It's great to see Jodie and Nathan back, newly married and ready to settle down, watching Julie's daughter and mum in the local Christmas Pantomime. But when Julie brings her food to the show, she isn't expecting to be first on scene with what appears to be murder of a main character off stage. While Nathan may sigh, there isn't much he can do about his family being involved in the case, since they were already involved. But who would want the star dead? As Julie and her daughter work behind the scenes to ferret out the gossip and dramas behind the curtain, Nathan is looking for hard evidence. As they work alongside each other to find the killer, it's a rush to keep them all safe as they get too close to the truth! A quick read with a twist you may not see coming, this is a great addition to the series!
About the Author:
Fiona Leitch is an author, tea drinker, and Jammie Dodger enthusiast. She writes the Jodie 'Nosey' Parker series for HarperCollins, because she loves thinking about Cornwall, food, and murdering people (not necessarily in that order). Her biggest claims to fame are being thrown out of a TV studio debate by John Craven, having the shortest stand-up comedy career ever, and playing a French hen in a non-denominational school Christmas play, which she is definitely not still bitter about. She is a sucker for a happy ending (though not for the victim, obviously), a romantic subplot, and a cheesy pun. Her novels are currently in development with BBC Studios and Union Pictures.
Comments
Post a Comment