All the Faire’s a Stage: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery

by Nova Nelson

How many magical actors will die before the final bow? While the heavenly knight Olivia Swift puts on quite the show in the jousting arena, she’s never harbored thespian aspirations. But when one of Elbion’s favorite theatrical attractions ends in murder, this angel has no choice but to enter stage left to set things right. With help from her criminally minded dove familiar, Olivia suspects that all the faire might be the stage for this crime, and all the magical beings merely players…

With no clear suspect in sight, Olivia searches for the truth at the heart of the murder. When the investigation takes an unexpected turn, this angel wonders if anything at the Renaissance Faire is as it seems.

Can Olivia find the fiend before the curtain falls on another life?

All the Faire’s a Stage is the seventh book in the humorous paranormal cozy series, Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries. If you like courageous heroines, snarky animals, and a sprinkle of mayhem, then you’ll love Nova Nelson’s delightful tale.

Buy All the Faire’s a Stage to solve a murder most foul today !

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Nova Nelson grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie novels. She loves the mind candy of cozy mysteries and has been weaving paranormal tales since she first learned handwriting. Those two loves meet in her Eastwind Witches series, and it's about time, if she does say so herself.

When she's not busy writing, she enjoys long walks with her strong-willed dogs and eating breakfast for dinner.

Be sure to follow her on Goodreads!

Join the Cozy Coven for Eastwind updates, contests, and more! Go to: www.cozycoven.com

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in the Magical Renaissance Faire Mystery series and the third featuring Olivia Swift. Olivia is a fallen angel who is now a knight, who along with others with magical powers, are trapped in the faire because of a curse. She has made peace with her fate, especially now that her friendship with Brandon Bonmarito has developed into something more. Olivia begins investigating when an actress performing the “Scottish play” is killed onstage in front of the audience.

During her investigation, Olivia learns something shocking and is faced with a difficult decision. This is another entertaining book in this series. I think it’s fun that Olivia temporarily took a role in the play as part of her investigation. I liked the dramatic and satisfying ending to this book, which also sets up the part of the story which I assume will continue in the next book in the series. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from the author, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this wonderful book by author
Nova Nelson. Olivia is such a awesome character.
I highly recommend reading this wonderful book...

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun adventure at the Renaissance Faire. I love all of the magical characters. You just never know what may happen and that makes it that much more fun.

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a gift from the author, this is a fun series, highly recommended for an excellent read. Creative premise, fun characters.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Shakespeare's tragedy plays is, of course, the center theme of this cozy mystery by one of my favorite authors. The RenFaire mystery series is written by three authors, each with their own main characters but with small parts in the other books. Olivia, an angel who was cast out of Heaven with her wings removed but still with her in the form of a white dove, is one of the Realm's four Knights.

Ehen an actor performing a part in "Macbeth" is killed by a knife thrown from the audience and then her understudy has an attempt on her life during the same scene of the play, Olivia makes it her mission to locate the killer. When she finds out the play has been altered to include a spell to remove the curse that keeps the RenFaire magicals within its walls, she has the moral dilemma of keeping the information to herself so she doesn't lose Brandon or use it to free the magicals.

Read the other six books before reading this one so you'll understand but it can be read as a standalone. I'm glad I read the others first though.

[Angela Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a lot of imaginative elements within these pages. Olivia is a fallen angel, but she is moral and upright. Her wings have been transformed into an obnoxious dove with criminal tendencies. The dove, Pax, is even part of a potentially violent love triangle! They are trapped in a cursed town by a hag who offers poisoned candy. And all of this is outside the well-crafted murder mystery. I do wish Olivia didn't come across as quite so needy, though; this is such a fun read otherwise. I look forward to the next in the series!

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia doesn’t think anything of letting the announcer of the jousts borrow her old dagger when his dagger turns up missing until the next day when it is used to murder an actor in a play. Then the announcer’s own dagger is used to injure the actor that took over after the original one was killed the day before. Well Olivia
decides to join the play and try and see who is trying to kill people playing that role. Then she is attacked herself with a dagger like the two previously but she was prepared for it but the perpetrator gets away. She and one of her fellow knights follow the clues and focus on who they think did it. It turns out that what is in that script could very well affect everyone who is stuck in the Faire and it is important enough to kill or attempt to kill to prevent the truth from getting out!

This is a fun mystery cozy in this delightful series. There are two previous box sets of the first two series available which I urge you to get and read them as well. These three authors have combined their talents to produce a wonderfully delightful series which is sure to make you glad you learned how to read!

I enthusiastically recommend all these books as ones you’ll enjoy! In fact when you’re finished with these books you just may want to check out series that each have written separately and enjoy new characters as well!

You’ll love this series I can guarantee it! So start it today and join the hundreds of fans who are delighted by these three talented authors who have combined their talents to turn out these marvelous
books!

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The characters are so fun. Olivia is investigating a murder. One her daggers was used to harm someone and someone else was killed with another dagger. The owner of the other dagger and Olivia both have solid alibis, but that doesn't stop the sheriff from trying to arrest them. When Olivia discovers the reason behind the murders, it gives her pause and she has to make a big decision. It could change everything. Can she find the murderer before someone else is killed?

[Angie R Geissman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Swift is enjoying her time with her recently started romance with Brandon the Falconer, but she wonders if he would still have feelings for her if they weren’t stuck in the faire. This is weighing heavy on her mind. She asks him if he thinks they would be together if they weren’t stuck in a cursed Faire and when he says probably not she is devastated. Meanwhile, there is a murder of one of the characters in a play being done at the Faire and they are stabbed with the jester’s dagger. Then another murder takes place during the play again using her dagger. She needs to find the murderer before he kills again.
Good plot with good characters-loved the way it played out.

[Federica De dominicis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!

The beginning of the end, as bittersweet as this is, brings the best out of Nova Nelson's storytelling. I will dearly miss the knights, Pax and all the incredible characters she has created in this magical shared world.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

All The Faire’s A Stage
By Nova Nelson
I really enjoyed this book. A new adventure for Olivia Swift is always fun. Well, of course we have to include her wings, Pax!
In this one, Sheriff Boswell thinks he has the The Autumn Knight, dead to rights in killing someone on the Shakespearean stage, because it was dThat is once disapproved by the Jester, Yorick, that it was Olivia! But, of course, he ignores the fact that the Yorick was working at the time and couldn’t have done it!
In order to save his honor after exonerating Olivia, Fabian, The Spring Knight, who believes in honor above all, jumped in and told Boswell to release Yorick. Well now Fabian and Olivia must try to figure out who did it.
Can they figure it out before it’s too late?
Can’t wait for the rest of the Faire books this time! Sounds like quite the twist!

[Kathy O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 7 in this series follows Olivia, the Autumn Knight, as she gets involved in the murder of one of the Shakespearean players and the attempted murder of her replacement. Olivia and many of the other characters from this series follow leads that not only helps them to solve the mystery but perhaps may have finally found the way to end the curse that keeps them trapped there. The story is fast moving and the characters are well developed. While this book could be read as a stand alone, I strongly suggest you start with book one and follow the plot. It’s well worth it!

[Kate Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Olivia, Autumn Knight and fallen Angel, has another mystery to solve. With the help of her naughty and not always sober wings turned Dove Pax and her fellow Knights she must find out the truth before ‘the Scottish play’ takes another victim.

This is book 7 in the Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries and the authors have created a detailed and interesting world to set Elbion in. I love having 3 main characters to follow and as they all have a different author the characters each have a very distinct voice.

Nova’s books always flow beautifully. I love Olivia and the Knights, and Pax’s antics make me giggle, it’s like she has a wild teenager for company who loves to get in to trouble but can mostly be relied on (or bribed into) doing the right thing. I also can’t wait to see where Olivia and Brandon’s relationship goes.

The story is a light and entertaining read which manages to touch on heavier topics without breaking the cozy mystery feeling. I’m looking forward to the next books in the series and hope very much that there is another set of 3 planned!

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Olivia Swift, former avenging angel, has been trapped in the Renaissance Faire for more time than she can remember. With Pax, formerly her wings and now her naughty and free dove, Sir Olivia is the Autumn Knight destined to entertain visitors who come to experience the Faire. With no way to escape, all those trapped in the Faire have come to accept their fate. When the local, incompetent sheriff tries to arrest Sir Olivia for a murder she did not commit, she takes it upon herself to investigate and find the real killer. This charming storyline is so imaginative and entertaining that I look forward to all the books in the series, some by Nelson and others by other authors. It is a must-read series. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Carol Kather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Renaissance Faire books. They always make me want to go to my local Renaissance Festival.
All The Faires a Stage by Nova Nelson is a fun, fast read. The main character is the Autumn Knight, Sir Olivia, a fallen angel. She, like many of the Faire workers, have been trapped in the Faire's kingdom for centuries or more. Nothing is more important to the Knights than justice. After a murder at the Shakespeare theater production is blamed on Sir Olivia, she has to take on the investigation to find the culprit. The story is captivating with all kinds of twists and turns. It is a well written who dunnit. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not generally a fan of this genre but this author converts me to one every time she releases a book. The characters while fantasy are realistic and engage me every single time. The mystery is well plotted and had me guessing who the killer was almost to the very end. I only wish the three authors involved in this series released more than three books a year!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia, the Autumn Knight, once again finds herself on a search for justice using her Judgement. She unexpectedly finds herself accused of murder after her dagger is the murder weapon. Fabian steps up to protect someone honor and finds himself sleuthing along with Olivia. An unexpected winfall lands in her lap but she's unsure what to do about it in the end. Surprising twist for the conclusion.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good addition to the series! What a tricky murder to figure out. But with Sir Olivia on the case, since the sheriff is an idiot, we know it’ll get solved. And it does! Pax helped too!

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is fun and entertaining. I love this series. The setting of the magical Renaissance faire is so interesting. The characters are wonderful. The mystery has many twists and surprises. I highly recommend this book.

[Gina-Dianne Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dive into an enchanted realm, brimming with magic and mystery in Nova Nelson's mesmerizing sequel, "All the Faires a Stage." Our hero, the Autumn Knight Olivia, a fallen angel grappling with a confounding dilemma, is thrust back into the limelight. She may hold the key to breaking an ancient curse, but it could come at a high price for her and the fair's magical inhabitants.

Trouble brews at the Renaissance Faire as Olivia, her troublesome dove, (once her heavenly angel wings), and the gallant Spring Knight investigate a murder accusation against the court jester, Olivia's enthusiastic champion in her tournaments. Their quest for justice becomes even more challenging when a lackadaisical sheriff complicates matters. He not only arrests the jester based on circumstantial evidence but also enlists his hags to erase the memories of non-magical fairgoers who may have been witnesses, thereby blurring the trail of the real murderer.
As the number of victims grows, a chilling commonality emerges - each victim played the role of a witch in Shakespeare's "Scottish Play."

Amid the chaos, Olivia navigates through her daily life of thrilling jousts and moments of tender respite with her falconer beau, all while dealing with her uncertainties about his feelings. Her mischievous dove, Pax, stirs up its own tempest of romantic tribulations.

When the chilling truth behind the murders comes to light, Olivia is forced to choose between unlikely alliances and personal integrity.

Nova Nelson's writing is smooth and fast-paced, filled with vivid descriptions, well crafted characters and unexpected twists. Even with its lighter tone, the story's magic and Olivia's dilemma feel real and believable, and they engage the reader. "All the Faires a Stage'' surpasses its predecessor, offering a more intricate plot filled with unexpected twists and intriguing mysteries, and leaves you yearning for more of Olivia's adventures. If you're a fan of paranormal cozy mysteries inhabited by magical beings, this delightful tale is your next must-read. Dive into the mystifying world Nova Nelson has created, and prepare to be spellbound.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

While you don't have to read these books in order, I suggest you do to understand how each of these relationships come about.

As this book opens with Sir Olivia, the Autumn Knight enjoying breakfast with Brandon Bonmarito the falconer at his home. This has become a routine for them, and it just feels right. It's interrupted by Pax, her wings turned mischievous dove as he battles with Barty, Brandon's turkey vulture. Seems Pax is pursuing one of Barty's hens, or is it the other way around, ahhh love.

When Olivia and Pax arrive at the stables to prepare for their day of tournaments, the door is unlocked but it seems no one is about.

She first checks on Mysterium her horse, the proceeds to check all the stalls, as she approaches the tack room, she hears a thunk. Yorick the court jester and the announcer for the tournaments is rifling through the contents of the room. Seems he lost his dagger and was hoping someone threw it in the tack room for safekeeping. He carries it for protection but hasn't ever had to use it. He just feels better having it. Olivia decides to loan him one of her old ones, so he feels secure.

After all the tournaments for the day Sheriff Boswell shows up demanding to see Sir Olivia.

Since Yorick couldn't be in two places at one time, Olivia is determined to find the culprit and prove Yorick is innocent.

The Shakespearian actors are performing Macbeth but only call it the Scottish play. To do otherwise is considered bad luck. Sir Fabian and Sir Olivia through questioning find the knife was thrown from the audience. A hooded cloaked figure was seen running away right after, but the person's face was concealed.

When the understudy is injured the next day at the same spot in the script, Sheriff Boswell arrests Yorick, since it seems it's Yorick's dagger that did the damage this time.

We get to see many of our favorite characters as this tale unfolds, and what an interesting tale it is. There is fun, laughter, mayhem, and one very big surprise.

[Terry Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in theater knows that “the show must go on,” but just how many times must it go on when someone actually dies within the first few lines? Macbeth is a big hit at the Renaissance Faire, but someone wants it to flop. Sir Olivia Swift, the Autumn Knight is determined to stop the show until the killer is caught, even if it means stepping into the role herself!

Sir Olivia Swift, a fallen avenging angel, has been trapped in the Renaissance Faire for…well… ever. When she fell to Earth, her wings separated and became her familiar, a white dove named Pax, a snarky sidekick with criminal tendencies.

Much like the other residents of Elbion, Sir Olivia has resigned herself to spending an immortal lifetime entertaining “tickets” in the arena jousting with her fellow knights and keeping Pax out of trouble.

Spending time with Brandon the Falconer, creating a life together, and surrounded by her closest friends isn’t the worst life, is it? And when the incompetent and sleazy Sheriff Boswell arrests one of those friends for murder, Sir Olivia and the rest of the knights won’t stand idly by.

But Sir Olivia finds herself in a quandry when she discovers a truth that will affect not only her life, but the lives of everyone in Elbion. What will she do with this information?

If you haven’t visited the Renfaire yet, you’re missing out. This series is not only magical, it’s transformative! You will fall in love with the characters and the setting, and when the story is done, you will feel lost. So go ahead, buy a ticket. Enter the gates. Fall in love. Just don’t eat the candy at Pomelo’s sweet shop!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 7th book in the amazing Magical Renaissance Faire series is amazing. In this book, we have Sir Olivia the Autumn Knight, who is a fallen angel and her familiar, a dove, Pax who was once her wings on the case to find a murderer before he murders again. Apparently, the murderer didn't want the play, Macbeth to go on. Why? But unfortunately, the court Jester is holding Olivia's knife which was the murder weapon. Olivia was entertaining in the jousting ring at the time. Who stole her knife. Sure the jester is innocent, which of course the incompetent sheriff Boswell is sure he has the murderer. But all the knights stood up for the jester, knowing he didn't do it and now the murderer has to be found. This is a wonderful, page turning book with a little cross-over from the other two authors in this series. And there is a little romance between Olivia and Brandon the Falconer. What makes matters worse, she is fighting her conscience since she discovers the truth about the faire that will affect the lives of everyone who are trapped in the faire and live there until the curse is released. What will she do with this information? Will she keep the secret to herself or will she divulge the secret to the others. This series is fantastic and I highly recommend the whole series and each of the three author's books in this series! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Swift was an avenging angel before she fell from heaven and became trapped in the renaissance faire, where she now jousts as the autumn knight, however when a murder takes place at the faire she feels she has to intervene and try to solve the whodunnit mystery as was her calling. She and her fellow knight find a few people who they question but they have no real leads as to a motive, and she is getting desperate especially as another murder ends up to be an attempt only through sheer luck, so though she did not have acting skills she offers to act the part which was being targeted. A cloaked person had been seen throwing the daggers, the murder weapons so the hunt was on. However it soon became clear that there was more behind these attempts than what appeared at face value, and when Olivia finds out what was the cause, her own values and insecurities come to the fore, and for once she does not wish to do the honourable thing for fear of losing her beloved and all her friends in the cursed faire. They were the only life she knew, however if Olivia was anything, she was always steadfast and honourable. I absolutely loved this fun cosy mystery, the seventh case taking place at the cursed faire, and love the romance growing between Olivia and her falconer as well as that between Pax and his hen, and look forward to more pleasurable reading with the next book in the series.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in the Magical Renaissance Fair Mystery series! Pick up this book if you like sarcastic characters, (Pax the dove) a captivating who done it mystery, and a sprinkle of romance.
In this book, our friend Olivia Swift ( fallen angel) the Autum Knight has been accused of murder! After lending her spare dagger to the jester and finding it embedded in an actress the no good sheriff is quick to point the finger at Olivia. To prove her innocence and that of the jester, Olivia and friends launch their investigation but things get complicated as the investigation progresses and Olivia puts herself in harms way. A truth so shocking is revealed putting Olivia in a position no one would like to be in. This revelation could impact the entire people of the Fair, their very lives and freedom are at stake. This is one stepping stone closer to the ending you don’t want to miss! I received an ARC of this book and willingly leave a review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 7 of these multi-authored Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries sees Angel Sir Olivia the Autumn Knight trying to uphold justice when her friend borrows her dagger which is used to murder an actor playing one of the witches in Macbeth. Her friend has an alibi but the lazy and corrupt sheriff is not one to exert himself to find the real culprit. Investigations centre around the murdered woman but when a 2nd actor playing the role is also killed in the same way, Olivia’s investigations lead to a surprising discovery – can the curse which binds magical creatures to the Faire really be broken? Olivia will need the help of her friends and the cooperation of new witch Laidey and Fairy Queen Coriander to play their part – by working together they might just succeed. Such a fun series by 3 fabulous authors, read these last 3 in order so the ending isn’t spoiled.

[Katinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Olivia is a fallen Angel who is trapped in a cursed Renaissance Faire. All of the performers are magical beings, though many didn't know of their heritage until they ate some cursed candy while they bought from a shop there & have not been able to leave ever since. In fact, those who knew them before they were cursed no longer have any memory of them. It is as if they had never existed outside of the faire. In this book, one of the actors performing Macbeth is killed while onstage using her dagger. Now, Sir Olivia must find the real killer before the wrong person is blamed and possibly executed for the crime.

This is the 7th book. I have read the first 6 books in this series and I have enjoyed them all so far. Each of the three authors contributing to this shared world series have done a fantastic job. Nova's characters, highlighted in this tale, are well developed, and the moral dilemma that this angel must deal with when partnered with a dove (formerly her wings) who possesses a penchant for petty theft are entertaining.

I'm not going to tell you exactly what the moral dilemma is (as that would be a spoiler) or why she must face it herself, but it involves a very interesting twist that could change the Faire for more than just herself and her wings, but for everyone else as well.

I received a review copy of this book. I believe that if you have enjoyed the previous books in this series, if you enjoy Renaissance Faires, or if you have enjoyed other books by Ms. Nelson that you will enjoy this one too.

[Renee Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things aren't quite right in the kingdom, but when are they? When Sir Olivia takes it upon herself to investigate, not only does she find the culprit, she also discovers a closely guarded secret.

The setting is a Renaissance Fair that is cursed for anyone with magic. The characters are all interesting and the plot is very well written. The series is written by three different authors and is probably best read in order, but could be read as a stand alone.

I loved this book! The author, Nova Nelson, did an awesome job of keeping me entertained throughout the whole book. I definitely recommend not only this book, but the whole series!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the director of the theater troop finds a copy of "The Scottish" play he decides that they must put it on. One of the three witches is killed in the first scene by Olivia's dagger. But Olivia had lent it to the jester and both of them were in sight of hundreds of people during the afternoon joust at the time the murder occurs. Olivia has to look into it because she knows it wasn't either of them but the Sheriff doesn't see it that way. It's always fun to visit the Magical Renaissance Faire (as long as you aren't magical and don't eat the candy). The characters are interesting and the mystery is well plotted.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The only thing more addictive than committing crime, it turns out, was solving it."

Sir Olivia Swift, Autumn knight of the Magical Renaissance Faire, is at it again! This time, after a member of the Shakespeare's Players is killed with Sur Olivia's dagger, she is forced to find out who really killed the actor and why before it could happen again

All the while Pax, her winged companion has an eye on another bird. Will they settle down or will Pax have to defend her honor? And what's happening with Brandon and Olivia? Is love in the air?

Will Olivia solve the mystery? And then what might happen, since "all the world's a stage and all the men and women mearly players"? Since I am known for trying not to spoil you will have to read this marvelous addition to the series! Highly Recommended 5/5

[ Disclaimer ' I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]