ARC Review: There's No Murder Like Show Murder by M. S. Greene

There's No Murder Like Show Murder
Author: M. S. Greene
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (July 23, 2024)

Description: Tasha Weaver has seen her fair share of divas come and go while working as the costume shop head at the Eastbrook Playhouse, but her beloved theater is put at risk when the star of the show is killed in this fun but deadly debut, perfect for fans of Ellery Adams and Kellye Garrett

Tasha Weaver is most at home in the cozy backstage world of the Eastbrook Playhouse. As the costume shop head at the charming regional theater, she’s used to watching dramatic acts of love and revenge from the shadows. But when Kurt Mozer—the insufferable Broadway reject who stars in their production of Annie Get Your Gun—is shot center stage, the spotlight turns to her.

Everyone knows Kurt was difficult to work with, and after he got into a fight with both director Marnie Mason and artistic leader Arthur Winston, he promptly decided to quit the show. In deep financial trouble, the Eastbrook Playhouse depended on a big name like Kurt to keep afloat. With reporters coming in from the Big Apple to Tasha’s little corner of Connecticut, she realizes it's up to her to save their local theater and keep her community safe. After all, the show must go on…but what do you do when the killer could very well be one of your loved ones?

With the help of her friends, her long-time crush Bruno Machado, and her feline colleague Hilly, Tasha must catch a murderer before the shining lights of the playhouse go out forever.

My Thoughts: Since the death of her mother ten years earlier, Tasha Weaver has made the Eastbrook Playhouse the center of her life. She runs the costume shop. The playhouse has been hitting some hard times, but it is hoped that the current production of Annie Get Your Gun with some Broadway names will turn things around. 

But there is a lot of tension. Most of it is centered around has-been Kurt Mozer who is throwing his weight around. Both the artistic director Arthur Winston and the director Marnie Mason are at odds with him. When he threatens to quit with only a week or two until the production debuts, Tasha manages to appeal to his love of theater and talk him down. Unfortunately, Kurt's trip to the dark playhouse results in his murder by gunshot. 

Feeling guilty for her part in getting Kurt to his place of death and worried for the future of her beloved playhouse, Tasha begins her own investigation into the murder. She's an insider which lets her share information she finds with the police detective assigned to the case. 

Tasha has lots of suspects from the directors of the playhouse to a local property developer who has had his eyes on the land where the playhouse sits and who almost convinced the City Council to sell him the property. 

This was an engaging story with interesting characters and a nicely twisty plot. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.