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Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries #1
Death at the Dress Rehearsal
Two ageing actors attempt to solve a murder after a body is found on the set in this witty, fun whodunnit, perfect for fans of Thursday Murder Club and Death & Croissants .
In 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom 'Floggit and Leggit', leading man Edward Lowe stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. But there's something about her that rings the faintest of bells in Edward's head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star John le Breton to investigate further. Crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the War. As the body count mounts, Edward and John face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer...
In 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom 'Floggit and Leggit', leading man Edward Lowe stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. But there's something about her that rings the faintest of bells in Edward's head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star John le Breton to investigate further. Crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the War. As the body count mounts, Edward and John face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer...
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
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551 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 22, 2024
〝'to a return to a quiet life!' he said as the glasses clinked together.〞
★★
thank you to titan books and netgalley for providing me with this arc.
in 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom, the leading man stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. but there's something about her that rings the faintest of bells in his head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star to investigate further. crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the war. as the body count mounts, the co-stars face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer.
I think I went into this book with the wrong expectations. the cover reminded me of the thursday murder club books which made me think this was going to be humorous. that combined with the main characters being actors in the 70s made me think this was going to be more camp, glam rocky and drug induced. Sadly, this was more in the realm of two conservative and somewhat sexist middle aged men unhappy with their careers continuously reliving their glory days during the war. the plot in itself was pretty fun and well thought out and I appreciate the layers of twists that kept surprising me but the boring main characters just dragged the whole book down with them.
overall, this is a pretty standard murder mystery with a well thought out plot but it wasn't what I was expecting and if I knew that I probably wouldn't have read it. if, however, you're more into the normal mysteries instead of the humor/ cozy mystery sub genre I would give this a try.
ig: @winterrainreads
★★
thank you to titan books and netgalley for providing me with this arc.
in 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom, the leading man stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. but there's something about her that rings the faintest of bells in his head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star to investigate further. crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the war. as the body count mounts, the co-stars face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer.
I think I went into this book with the wrong expectations. the cover reminded me of the thursday murder club books which made me think this was going to be humorous. that combined with the main characters being actors in the 70s made me think this was going to be more camp, glam rocky and drug induced. Sadly, this was more in the realm of two conservative and somewhat sexist middle aged men unhappy with their careers continuously reliving their glory days during the war. the plot in itself was pretty fun and well thought out and I appreciate the layers of twists that kept surprising me but the boring main characters just dragged the whole book down with them.
overall, this is a pretty standard murder mystery with a well thought out plot but it wasn't what I was expecting and if I knew that I probably wouldn't have read it. if, however, you're more into the normal mysteries instead of the humor/ cozy mystery sub genre I would give this a try.
ig: @winterrainreads
July 14, 2024
alec baldwin core
Read
January 19, 2026OK. I give up. Found this book exceedingly slow and the main characters on the somewhat unpleasant side. They were working together to investigate a murder but boy, I read 150 pages and not much was discovered. I was looking for a story with older protagonists much like the Bryant & May stories but this wasn't it.
It's a shame cause I was really looking forward to this.
It's a shame cause I was really looking forward to this.
October 9, 2024
the reveal of the killer and the reasoning behind the killings felt a bit underwhelming. otherwise, the book was an easy and fun read, apart from a few words and British slang that i didn’t understand
February 13, 2024
Very enjoyable book. I liked the use of Arthur Lowe/Captain Mainwaring and the Dad's Army cast as character proxies. I think it worked very well.
August 13, 2024
i like my old men adorable, not borderline misogynistic
April 14, 2025
Another series featuring older sleuths looking for something new to alleviate their boredom. Set in 1970, this one features two aging actors filing a BBC comedy near the end of long careers. While out for a stroll, one of them finds a dead young woman. The police say she foolishly went for a walk wearing the wrong clothing and without knowing where she was going; Edward Lowe feels confident that foul play was involved. He and fellow actor John Le Breton investigate.
This was fine for the first in a series. We don’t get to know any of the actors beyond Edward and John. 1970s England seems well portrayed. As the series they are filming is wrapping up, I wonder in what circumstances they’ll be in order to investigate more crimes together.
My biggest complaint is that this is a cozy mystery, but several innocent young women (and a dog) are the murder victims. It’s better when the murder victims are either criminals themselves or at least people who somehow seem to get what they deserve.
I might have read the second book, but no library in my system owns it, nor does the ebook collection have it.
I read a print advance reader copy of Dress at the Dress Rehearsal.
This was fine for the first in a series. We don’t get to know any of the actors beyond Edward and John. 1970s England seems well portrayed. As the series they are filming is wrapping up, I wonder in what circumstances they’ll be in order to investigate more crimes together.
My biggest complaint is that this is a cozy mystery, but several innocent young women (and a dog) are the murder victims. It’s better when the murder victims are either criminals themselves or at least people who somehow seem to get what they deserve.
I might have read the second book, but no library in my system owns it, nor does the ebook collection have it.
I read a print advance reader copy of Dress at the Dress Rehearsal.
September 13, 2025
I will start off by saying the title and illustration of this book do not make sense with the story. There is no dress rehearsal and there is not a big moment in the book with a smashed bottle of liquor. I found it very slow going probably 3/4 of the book and the last fourth going at a good pace. I do think this book has an interesting concept and perhaps could be edited into a nice crime solving TV show on BBC where the characters hold your attention. None of the characters were too compelling as to root for them. The villain had unbelievable motivations, and they were not set up with any clues that would have led the reader to guess it was them. Perhaps it appeals more to cozy mystery readers, but I found there to be little compelling about it that makes you want to keep reading. They spend a lot of time talking about whether they even have enough evidence to call it murder, and there is little action except at the very end. Another book where women contribute nothing except being murdered, a pretty face at reception, or a waitress getting your food. Perhaps the characters shine more in book #2 since this is a series.
Read
June 4, 2024Fun odd couple amateur detective book set in the 1970s. Two actors with a prickly relationship find a body on their set. When the authorities brush off the death as an accident, they decide to investigate on their own. Enjoyed this one and recommend it to fans of cozy British mysteries!
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Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
September 8, 2024
Interesting, and a bit different, amateur detectives set in a 1970's TV filming. Good plot. Looking forward to the next book.
June 12, 2024
*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during Murder Most Foul (February-May 2025)
Edward Lowe believes that Floggit and Leggit might just be where his career dies. If anything, being a the lead in a slightly vulgar situation comedy bodes ill for the 1970s. He knows he shouldn't complain, he's the lead and he's employed, but it's not where he thought he'd be at his age. He's always faced an uphill battle; he doesn't look like a leading man, a short northerner without the right education or connections. That would be his costar, John Le Breton. Which is why their downmarket show is popular. The intrinsic humor of Edward Lowe as George Wetherby, the self-important owner of a provincial antique shop, being John Le Breton's boss? Comedy gold. They're currently out on location which means that Edward Lowe is subjected to his fellow cast members continually. Do they not understand that a raised newspaper or a seperate table means he doesn't want to interact? And they all want to talk to him after he discovers a body. They were getting ready to film the testing of some vintage diving gear at the local reservoir, the episode "wittily" titled "That Sinking Feeling," when Edward stumbled on the body of a woman. Not only did this put the day's filming into disarray, who knew when they could finally film at the reservoir now that it's a crime scene. Constable Primrose tells Edward and the others that it's best if they forget what happened and get back to making people laugh. Which didn't instill Edward with much hope for the case, the constable seems to be their target audience. Meaning it was Edward's job to investigate the death of Mrs. Alice Burke. Because she sure as hell didn't die accidentally. Plus what else is there to do with filming shut down for a few days? Which is exactly what John thinks when he weasels his way into the investigation. The two of them track down Alice's father and Edward is in for a shock. Back during the war there was a suspicious death of a women with several men involved. One was named Lowell Edwardsson. If it wasn't for the fact his name was almost the reverse of Edward Lowe Edward would never have paid attention. But Lowell Edwardsson is Alice's father. That can't be a coincidence. Especially when another body with ties to that long ago case appears. Again looking like an accident. It's up to Edward and his Watson to solve the case before another woman dies. If only Watson would get the clue he's not needed...
Just like the seventies, we are once again in the Golden Era of quirky detectives. Columbo, Jim Rockford, and Kojak could easily hang out with the likes of Charlie Cale, Benoit Blanc, and the members of The Thursday Murder Club. As could Lowe and Le Breton. They fit the bill. They tick both of the boxes, being quirky and set in the seventies. Here Stuart Douglas is able to offer up a pastiche of Dad's Army while creating two memorable characters who come to really care that justice is served. Two characters who each have a unique voice, a feat not many authors can pull off. In most cases the inner monologues are much the same, the authorial voice thinly veiled. But not many authors are Stuart Douglas. Edward Lowe and John Le Breton are two of the most unique and disparate crime solvers you could find. Actors as unalike in their dispositions as their methods. Which leads to some interesting crime solving methodology as well as acting methods. Just their interactions create a tension that propels the narrative forward. Edward is dedicated and far more traditional in his ideas of what a detective should be. Whereas John is there for a laugh. Well, not a laugh, as that would be insensitive to the dead, but he's there because he thinks it would be a diversion, a fun way to spend his downtime versus chasing skirt. And while this leads to much butting of heads, as anyone who reads or watches enough shows with a dead body or two in the hedgerow will know, sometimes the best partnerships are made of oil and vinegar. And Lowe and Le Breton are the best partnership, something even John concedes by the end, wondering if more adventures would really be so bad? As a reader, the answer is hell no. I need this infusion of nostalgic crime solving because no book has so encapsulated the Sundays of my childhood spent on my grandparents' farm as Death at the Dress Rehearsal. With my grandfather watching old BBC comedies and my mother and her sisters running their own murder mystery lending library over the dining room table. There's even a beloved collie! My grandfather's collie was named Jenny if you were interested and he favored Are You Being Served? over Dad's Army. But those are just the specifics of my life, I'm sure this will bring out different memories in you. I entreat you to spend a nostalgic Sunday afternoon with Lowe and Le Breton. You won't regret it.
Edward Lowe believes that Floggit and Leggit might just be where his career dies. If anything, being a the lead in a slightly vulgar situation comedy bodes ill for the 1970s. He knows he shouldn't complain, he's the lead and he's employed, but it's not where he thought he'd be at his age. He's always faced an uphill battle; he doesn't look like a leading man, a short northerner without the right education or connections. That would be his costar, John Le Breton. Which is why their downmarket show is popular. The intrinsic humor of Edward Lowe as George Wetherby, the self-important owner of a provincial antique shop, being John Le Breton's boss? Comedy gold. They're currently out on location which means that Edward Lowe is subjected to his fellow cast members continually. Do they not understand that a raised newspaper or a seperate table means he doesn't want to interact? And they all want to talk to him after he discovers a body. They were getting ready to film the testing of some vintage diving gear at the local reservoir, the episode "wittily" titled "That Sinking Feeling," when Edward stumbled on the body of a woman. Not only did this put the day's filming into disarray, who knew when they could finally film at the reservoir now that it's a crime scene. Constable Primrose tells Edward and the others that it's best if they forget what happened and get back to making people laugh. Which didn't instill Edward with much hope for the case, the constable seems to be their target audience. Meaning it was Edward's job to investigate the death of Mrs. Alice Burke. Because she sure as hell didn't die accidentally. Plus what else is there to do with filming shut down for a few days? Which is exactly what John thinks when he weasels his way into the investigation. The two of them track down Alice's father and Edward is in for a shock. Back during the war there was a suspicious death of a women with several men involved. One was named Lowell Edwardsson. If it wasn't for the fact his name was almost the reverse of Edward Lowe Edward would never have paid attention. But Lowell Edwardsson is Alice's father. That can't be a coincidence. Especially when another body with ties to that long ago case appears. Again looking like an accident. It's up to Edward and his Watson to solve the case before another woman dies. If only Watson would get the clue he's not needed...
Just like the seventies, we are once again in the Golden Era of quirky detectives. Columbo, Jim Rockford, and Kojak could easily hang out with the likes of Charlie Cale, Benoit Blanc, and the members of The Thursday Murder Club. As could Lowe and Le Breton. They fit the bill. They tick both of the boxes, being quirky and set in the seventies. Here Stuart Douglas is able to offer up a pastiche of Dad's Army while creating two memorable characters who come to really care that justice is served. Two characters who each have a unique voice, a feat not many authors can pull off. In most cases the inner monologues are much the same, the authorial voice thinly veiled. But not many authors are Stuart Douglas. Edward Lowe and John Le Breton are two of the most unique and disparate crime solvers you could find. Actors as unalike in their dispositions as their methods. Which leads to some interesting crime solving methodology as well as acting methods. Just their interactions create a tension that propels the narrative forward. Edward is dedicated and far more traditional in his ideas of what a detective should be. Whereas John is there for a laugh. Well, not a laugh, as that would be insensitive to the dead, but he's there because he thinks it would be a diversion, a fun way to spend his downtime versus chasing skirt. And while this leads to much butting of heads, as anyone who reads or watches enough shows with a dead body or two in the hedgerow will know, sometimes the best partnerships are made of oil and vinegar. And Lowe and Le Breton are the best partnership, something even John concedes by the end, wondering if more adventures would really be so bad? As a reader, the answer is hell no. I need this infusion of nostalgic crime solving because no book has so encapsulated the Sundays of my childhood spent on my grandparents' farm as Death at the Dress Rehearsal. With my grandfather watching old BBC comedies and my mother and her sisters running their own murder mystery lending library over the dining room table. There's even a beloved collie! My grandfather's collie was named Jenny if you were interested and he favored Are You Being Served? over Dad's Army. But those are just the specifics of my life, I'm sure this will bring out different memories in you. I entreat you to spend a nostalgic Sunday afternoon with Lowe and Le Breton. You won't regret it.
September 9, 2025
I enjoyed this mystery for long enough that I’m giving it three stars, but the ending was a huge disappointment.
This novel is, essentially, an old man's book: it’s about old men, doing old man things, viewing the world as old men probably do (especially when the story takes place in the early 1970s), and I assume it’s written by an old man. (At book club, we also joked it’s slow like old men.) That’s all fine, because old men need books to read, too.
I enjoyed the potential for a brewing odd-fellows-type bromance between the two amateur sleuths, but the author didn’t quite get them there by the end (there is another book in the works, so hopefully their relationship will continue to grow). I especially appreciated the structure of the investigation, as I thought the way the clues were revealed was clever and well-plotted. I love the novel A Very Long Engagement, and it gave me those vibes, although not as complex.
But, as mentioned, the ending was horribly underwhelming and dissatisfying, so much so that it almost ruined everything that came before. Firstly, our sleuths don’t solve the murder. Rather, the perpetrator presents themselves and confesses without prompting of any sort. Furthermore, that reveal isn’t even necessary as the killer has already set in motion another death that could be easily carried off as an accident, and no one would be the wiser. Why confess to a crime when one could get away with it?
Secondly, the murderer’s motive makes no sense. They go from having no idea a person even exists, to wanting to avenge a misdeed done to the mystery person, to the point of killing for them, all in the space of five minutes? Thirdly, it’s disappointing because a larger, more complex conspiracy-type motive/result was overtly teased, but then never touched upon again.
Two overly long sequences in this book are unimportant and have no bearing on the plot: a dream sequence and a tractor chase. I could have forgiven the first if the ending had any impact, but the tractor chase was also one of the problems with the ending.
This novel is, essentially, an old man's book: it’s about old men, doing old man things, viewing the world as old men probably do (especially when the story takes place in the early 1970s), and I assume it’s written by an old man. (At book club, we also joked it’s slow like old men.) That’s all fine, because old men need books to read, too.
I enjoyed the potential for a brewing odd-fellows-type bromance between the two amateur sleuths, but the author didn’t quite get them there by the end (there is another book in the works, so hopefully their relationship will continue to grow). I especially appreciated the structure of the investigation, as I thought the way the clues were revealed was clever and well-plotted. I love the novel A Very Long Engagement, and it gave me those vibes, although not as complex.
But, as mentioned, the ending was horribly underwhelming and dissatisfying, so much so that it almost ruined everything that came before. Firstly, our sleuths don’t solve the murder. Rather, the perpetrator presents themselves and confesses without prompting of any sort. Furthermore, that reveal isn’t even necessary as the killer has already set in motion another death that could be easily carried off as an accident, and no one would be the wiser. Why confess to a crime when one could get away with it?
Secondly, the murderer’s motive makes no sense. They go from having no idea a person even exists, to wanting to avenge a misdeed done to the mystery person, to the point of killing for them, all in the space of five minutes? Thirdly, it’s disappointing because a larger, more complex conspiracy-type motive/result was overtly teased, but then never touched upon again.
Two overly long sequences in this book are unimportant and have no bearing on the plot: a dream sequence and a tractor chase. I could have forgiven the first if the ending had any impact, but the tractor chase was also one of the problems with the ending.
June 1, 2024
After stumbling upon a dead body near the set where his sitcom is filming, Edward Lowe is unconvinced by the police’s ruling that it is only a tragic accident. Determined to discover if his hunch of foul play is correct, he convinces his co-star, John Le Breton, to join him in an investigation that takes them across the countryside. Uncovering connections to an unfortunate death during World War II, Edward and John must race against time and a mounting body count to stop a serial killer in their tracks.
I really enjoyed Death at the Dress Rehearsal. It is a solid mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the reveal at the end. With the exception of a tantalizing chapter from the victim’s perspective at the start, the story is told between John and Edward’s POVs. This really allows their opposite personalities and odd couple-esque dynamic to truly shine. Edward is serious and gruff, while John is charming and affable. These traits help them as they investigate crime scenes and interview possible suspects. There are a large number of side characters introduced between those working with them on the set of their show, suspects and witnesses, and the locals of the village where they are filming. As such, it does get a bit difficult to keep track of some of those that pop up less often. A standout was the young, bumbling local policeman, Primrose. He is initially the only member of law enforcement willing to entertain the possibility of foul play and assists Edward and John throughout their investigation. The pacing is great, with the twists and reveals spaced out enough to keep you interested and keep any sections from feeling like a slog. This is longer than most of the mysteries I typically am drawn to, but it felt like just as quick a read and I did not want to put it down!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed Death at the Dress Rehearsal. It is a solid mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the reveal at the end. With the exception of a tantalizing chapter from the victim’s perspective at the start, the story is told between John and Edward’s POVs. This really allows their opposite personalities and odd couple-esque dynamic to truly shine. Edward is serious and gruff, while John is charming and affable. These traits help them as they investigate crime scenes and interview possible suspects. There are a large number of side characters introduced between those working with them on the set of their show, suspects and witnesses, and the locals of the village where they are filming. As such, it does get a bit difficult to keep track of some of those that pop up less often. A standout was the young, bumbling local policeman, Primrose. He is initially the only member of law enforcement willing to entertain the possibility of foul play and assists Edward and John throughout their investigation. The pacing is great, with the twists and reveals spaced out enough to keep you interested and keep any sections from feeling like a slog. This is longer than most of the mysteries I typically am drawn to, but it felt like just as quick a read and I did not want to put it down!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 3, 2024
3.5 stars.
Death at the Dress Rehearsal is a clever light mystery set in the 1970s with a lot going for it. The book's duo of detectives, Edward Lowe and John Le Breton, are two older actors filming their TV show on location, who team up to solve the murder of Alice Burke. Though the victim is first assumed to be a hiker who died of an unfortunate accident, the two amateur sleuths are quick to suspect that Alice's death is anything but a misadventure and are determined to prove this. The setting, both within the TV production and the countryside, serves as a great backdrop. The gentlemen themselves are fun and suitably quirky. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns, and I believe that there is a good audience for this kind of book. It's a quick read and a good story to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.
However, I feel the book was lacking in a few important ways. Most importantly, the original victim seems irrelevant - we know nearly nothing about Alice, and she seems to become an afterthought when further complications and potential victims become part of the story. It also takes quite a long time to get to a point where Edward or John display much urgency to solve the mystery, and, at times, it feels like it's just a convenient diversion from the set, with seemingly no stakes for either of the actors until rather deep into the book.
I will be interested in reading the second in the series, Death at the Playhouses when it is released in 2025. Death at the Dress Rehearsal is a solid start for a series and I'll be checking it out for sure.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Death at the Dress Rehearsal is a clever light mystery set in the 1970s with a lot going for it. The book's duo of detectives, Edward Lowe and John Le Breton, are two older actors filming their TV show on location, who team up to solve the murder of Alice Burke. Though the victim is first assumed to be a hiker who died of an unfortunate accident, the two amateur sleuths are quick to suspect that Alice's death is anything but a misadventure and are determined to prove this. The setting, both within the TV production and the countryside, serves as a great backdrop. The gentlemen themselves are fun and suitably quirky. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns, and I believe that there is a good audience for this kind of book. It's a quick read and a good story to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.
However, I feel the book was lacking in a few important ways. Most importantly, the original victim seems irrelevant - we know nearly nothing about Alice, and she seems to become an afterthought when further complications and potential victims become part of the story. It also takes quite a long time to get to a point where Edward or John display much urgency to solve the mystery, and, at times, it feels like it's just a convenient diversion from the set, with seemingly no stakes for either of the actors until rather deep into the book.
I will be interested in reading the second in the series, Death at the Playhouses when it is released in 2025. Death at the Dress Rehearsal is a solid start for a series and I'll be checking it out for sure.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2024
Crime fiction has existed for hundreds of years, and likely as long as human history when you count things like verbal stories in which tales of murder and mayhem would be passed on in the form of gossip and campfire stories. Humans are drawn to the world of crime because it's something so alien to many of us; especially murder. After all, the kind of people who commit murders are so unusual, so against the norm that it becomes fascinating, and we want to understand why it happens.
But not everyone is drawn to real world stories of murder, and instead choose to indulge this fascination via the medium of fiction because at least then you know no one actually got hurt. Cosy crime fiction is a sub genre that has long been popular, where the sex and violence happen off screen, and with the events happening in the quieter, more rural settings. And more often that not, those solving the crimes aren't police, instead being amateur detectives, or people who happen to get pulled into the mystery. It's the kind of crime story that you expect to find on television on a Sunday evening that all the members of the family can watch together. Death of the Dress Rehearsal not only fits into the genre, but feels like both a love letter to it, and a pitch for a TV series.
The story takes place in the 1970's, where the stars of a sitcom television series are on location to film their latest episode. The show, which follows a duo of antique store owners and the various antics they get up to with the local villagers, feels very much like something you've seen on TV before, and the older cast and laid back attitude the show seems to have is very reminiscent of Last of the Summer Wine. Things begin with a murder, told through the eyes of a victim, a young woman running through the dark countryside, trying desperately to escape from the person chasing them to their deaths. Sadly, she fails in her escape, and thus begins our mystery, as the next day actor Edward Lowe stumbles upon her body whilst on a location shoot.
Whilst the local police are happy to rule this as a tragic accident, claiming that the woman simply died whilst drunk, there's something about it that doesn't sit right with Lowe, and he can't just let things be. Accompanied by his dashing co-star, John le Breton, he begins looking into the woman. Soon, the two of them become certain that this was not only no accident, but that they have a killer on their hands. As they try to investigate further, more bodies begin to mount. Can the two of them solve the case before the killer claims any more victims, or before they themselves fall victim too?
One of the things that I liked the most about the book is that Stuart Douglas has a very easy writing style, and I found myself getting lost in the story very quickly. It's the kind of read that sucks you in, where you've read several chapters when you only mean to read the one, and you realise that finishing the book is going to be more of a fight to pace yourself than a struggle to get to the end. Cosy mystery is often used to describe the setting and the characters, but it can very much be used to describe the writing style too, as it it just a very comfortable read. I read it in a cabin in the woods, with a log fire and a thick blanket, and it was honestly one of the best ways to read this. It's the kind of book that you can curl up with in the winter with a hot drink and lose yourself in, or the kind of novel you can take to the beach or the pool and devour whilst laying back soaking up the sun. It's relaxing, despite the heavy nature of the material; which is no small feat.
The other thing that I really loved about the book were the lead characters. I was told before starting it that they were loosely based upon Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier from Dad's Army, but even without that little tip is became immediately obvious that's who our lead characters were. Yes, the names were definitely a big hint, but the way in which Douglas absolutely captures their essence from that show and puts it into his lead characters is nothing short of frightening. I was imagining the two of them with almost no effort, hearing their voices and their intonation during the dialogue. This is why the book felt in a lot of ways like the perfect material to make into a TV series, because it felt like it already was one. It had its two lead actors, and they were doing fantastic in every scene. I'd honestly love to see this book adapted for the screen, but if it was it definitely needs the best impersonators for Loew and Le Mesurier because I just would not accept anyone else in these roles.
Douglas paces the story incredibly well, and there are several twists and turns and sudden surprises in the narrative that will keep the end of the book hidden for the longest time; and I genuinely didn't see the ending coming. He's able to create a story that not only fills its pages to the brim, but leaves you wishing there was even more despite the fact that it's already four hundred pages long. I'm really hoping that the book finds its audience, that it gets the praise that it deserves, and becomes popular enough that we end up getting several sequels (or even more if Douglas has the desire to make one of those twenty plus mystery book series).
Before I finish my review of Death at the Dress Rehearsal, the first entry in the Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries series, I do want to make something of an admission. I was sent an advance copy of the book to review a few months ago, which in itself isn't too unusual for reviewers such as myself. However, this wasn't the regular review process, as I was asked if I wanted to blurb for the book. I accepted, excited for my first opportunity to do it, and as the book happened to arrive the day before I went away for a small week break I took it with me, thinking that I would perhaps get started on it. I read the entire thing in two nights as I couldn't put it down.
I genuinely loved reading the book, and have since loaned my copy of the ARC to my mother, insisting that she needs to read it. So, if you happen to pick up a copy of the book and notice my blog's name on the inside, singing its praises please be assured that whilst I was sent a free copy from the publisher it in no way coloured my opinion on the book, and it has earned its spot as my favourite read of the year entirely on its own merits. It's the kind of mystery story that I'll happily read again and again, and I'll be eagerly awaiting the news of the next one in the series.
But not everyone is drawn to real world stories of murder, and instead choose to indulge this fascination via the medium of fiction because at least then you know no one actually got hurt. Cosy crime fiction is a sub genre that has long been popular, where the sex and violence happen off screen, and with the events happening in the quieter, more rural settings. And more often that not, those solving the crimes aren't police, instead being amateur detectives, or people who happen to get pulled into the mystery. It's the kind of crime story that you expect to find on television on a Sunday evening that all the members of the family can watch together. Death of the Dress Rehearsal not only fits into the genre, but feels like both a love letter to it, and a pitch for a TV series.
The story takes place in the 1970's, where the stars of a sitcom television series are on location to film their latest episode. The show, which follows a duo of antique store owners and the various antics they get up to with the local villagers, feels very much like something you've seen on TV before, and the older cast and laid back attitude the show seems to have is very reminiscent of Last of the Summer Wine. Things begin with a murder, told through the eyes of a victim, a young woman running through the dark countryside, trying desperately to escape from the person chasing them to their deaths. Sadly, she fails in her escape, and thus begins our mystery, as the next day actor Edward Lowe stumbles upon her body whilst on a location shoot.
Whilst the local police are happy to rule this as a tragic accident, claiming that the woman simply died whilst drunk, there's something about it that doesn't sit right with Lowe, and he can't just let things be. Accompanied by his dashing co-star, John le Breton, he begins looking into the woman. Soon, the two of them become certain that this was not only no accident, but that they have a killer on their hands. As they try to investigate further, more bodies begin to mount. Can the two of them solve the case before the killer claims any more victims, or before they themselves fall victim too?
One of the things that I liked the most about the book is that Stuart Douglas has a very easy writing style, and I found myself getting lost in the story very quickly. It's the kind of read that sucks you in, where you've read several chapters when you only mean to read the one, and you realise that finishing the book is going to be more of a fight to pace yourself than a struggle to get to the end. Cosy mystery is often used to describe the setting and the characters, but it can very much be used to describe the writing style too, as it it just a very comfortable read. I read it in a cabin in the woods, with a log fire and a thick blanket, and it was honestly one of the best ways to read this. It's the kind of book that you can curl up with in the winter with a hot drink and lose yourself in, or the kind of novel you can take to the beach or the pool and devour whilst laying back soaking up the sun. It's relaxing, despite the heavy nature of the material; which is no small feat.
The other thing that I really loved about the book were the lead characters. I was told before starting it that they were loosely based upon Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier from Dad's Army, but even without that little tip is became immediately obvious that's who our lead characters were. Yes, the names were definitely a big hint, but the way in which Douglas absolutely captures their essence from that show and puts it into his lead characters is nothing short of frightening. I was imagining the two of them with almost no effort, hearing their voices and their intonation during the dialogue. This is why the book felt in a lot of ways like the perfect material to make into a TV series, because it felt like it already was one. It had its two lead actors, and they were doing fantastic in every scene. I'd honestly love to see this book adapted for the screen, but if it was it definitely needs the best impersonators for Loew and Le Mesurier because I just would not accept anyone else in these roles.
Douglas paces the story incredibly well, and there are several twists and turns and sudden surprises in the narrative that will keep the end of the book hidden for the longest time; and I genuinely didn't see the ending coming. He's able to create a story that not only fills its pages to the brim, but leaves you wishing there was even more despite the fact that it's already four hundred pages long. I'm really hoping that the book finds its audience, that it gets the praise that it deserves, and becomes popular enough that we end up getting several sequels (or even more if Douglas has the desire to make one of those twenty plus mystery book series).
Before I finish my review of Death at the Dress Rehearsal, the first entry in the Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries series, I do want to make something of an admission. I was sent an advance copy of the book to review a few months ago, which in itself isn't too unusual for reviewers such as myself. However, this wasn't the regular review process, as I was asked if I wanted to blurb for the book. I accepted, excited for my first opportunity to do it, and as the book happened to arrive the day before I went away for a small week break I took it with me, thinking that I would perhaps get started on it. I read the entire thing in two nights as I couldn't put it down.
I genuinely loved reading the book, and have since loaned my copy of the ARC to my mother, insisting that she needs to read it. So, if you happen to pick up a copy of the book and notice my blog's name on the inside, singing its praises please be assured that whilst I was sent a free copy from the publisher it in no way coloured my opinion on the book, and it has earned its spot as my favourite read of the year entirely on its own merits. It's the kind of mystery story that I'll happily read again and again, and I'll be eagerly awaiting the news of the next one in the series.
October 16, 2024
Edward Lowe and John le Breton are actors of an age. The stars of 1970s BBC sitcom Floggit and Leggit, the two are complete opposites both onscreen and in person. But when Lowe discovers the body of a young woman at the reservoir near the show's current filming location, the Northern actor and his posh co-star discover a surprising shared affinity: solving murder mysteries.
The local constabulary are convinced that the death is an unfortunate accident, but Lowe and le Breton are less convinced. In between filming, the two begin chasing down leads in the small town, uncovering a surprising link to a similar death during the War. Even so, everything seems relatively circumstantial—until more young women turn up dead, each with their own familial link to the past death. Now the actors are fighting against the clock, the locals, and occasionally each other to solve this mystery before another life is lost.
Death at the Dress Rehearsal has so many layers, all of them exceptional. The fictional Floggit and Leggit, and the production surrounding it, will be all too familiar to fans of a certain era of Brit-com. The mystery itself is exceptionally handled, with plenty of red herrings but no true dead ends. And if you think you know where the story is going... no you don't. For American readers in particular, this will feel like a dose of nostalgic mid-90s PBS at its best: both the comedy and the mystery. Lowe and le Breton are already shaping up to be the next great detective duo. If they don't get their own TV series, it will be a crime.
The local constabulary are convinced that the death is an unfortunate accident, but Lowe and le Breton are less convinced. In between filming, the two begin chasing down leads in the small town, uncovering a surprising link to a similar death during the War. Even so, everything seems relatively circumstantial—until more young women turn up dead, each with their own familial link to the past death. Now the actors are fighting against the clock, the locals, and occasionally each other to solve this mystery before another life is lost.
Death at the Dress Rehearsal has so many layers, all of them exceptional. The fictional Floggit and Leggit, and the production surrounding it, will be all too familiar to fans of a certain era of Brit-com. The mystery itself is exceptionally handled, with plenty of red herrings but no true dead ends. And if you think you know where the story is going... no you don't. For American readers in particular, this will feel like a dose of nostalgic mid-90s PBS at its best: both the comedy and the mystery. Lowe and le Breton are already shaping up to be the next great detective duo. If they don't get their own TV series, it will be a crime.
May 5, 2025
Short and stout Edward Lowe is teamed with suave sophisticated John Le Breton as the pair of actors play the leads in a budget tv sitcom Floggit and Leggit, a comedy series set around the elderly shopkeepers and their neighbours. The cast and crew have descended upon Ironbridge for filming when Lowe literally stumbles upon the dead body of a woman up by the reservoir. Although deemed a tragic accident, something niggles at Lowe as being not quite right and roping a reluctant Le Breton in to help him, he starts up his own unofficial murder investigation. As the pair delve deeper, it seems that Lowe is really onto something and the trail leads them up and down the country to interview witnesses, unfortunately also discovering a series of not so accidental deaths. But with the CID inspector uninterested in what they find and the only help coming in the form of the keen but inept local Constable Primrose, will this mismatched pair of sleuths unravel the clues in time to save more lives?
I absolutely loved this first story in a new series, well written and beautifully observed. Set in 1970, the backdrop is perfectly painted with much humour both on and off the set, although there is a deadly serious side to the story too. Imagine seeing the lead characters from Dad’s Army playing detective, one pompous and one smooth, and making a hilarious but clever pairing as each brings a different style and approach to the task before them. I liked the way they started off as almost rivals but developed a friendship and loyalty to each other and I am looking forward to reading book 2.
I absolutely loved this first story in a new series, well written and beautifully observed. Set in 1970, the backdrop is perfectly painted with much humour both on and off the set, although there is a deadly serious side to the story too. Imagine seeing the lead characters from Dad’s Army playing detective, one pompous and one smooth, and making a hilarious but clever pairing as each brings a different style and approach to the task before them. I liked the way they started off as almost rivals but developed a friendship and loyalty to each other and I am looking forward to reading book 2.
November 8, 2024
It’s 1970 and Edward Lowe and John Le Breton, two aging actors are on location filming a not very good BBC sitcom called Floggit and Leggit . But when Edward stumbles across a body he’s convinced the death is not the accident the local police think it is and even though they’re not really friends to start with (you could say they tolerate each other) he convinces John to help him investigate. Soon they’re crisscrossing the country in their gaps in filming and the body count starts to mount. Can they figure out who is behind the deaths before the killer strikes again?
Now if you’re anything like me, you’re reading that blurb and thinking hang on, that sounds like Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier solving crimes around the filming of Dad’s Army. And then about ten seconds later I had a sample in my kindle and about 30 seconds after that I’d read enough to decide to buy it. And that is definitely the vibe. It’s a pretty solidly plotted cozy crime novel with plenty of twists and an interesting and slightly fractious duo of aging actors at the centre of it where the dynamic is definitely a mix of Captain Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson and the generally accepted personas of the two actors behind them. The sitcom is more Lovejoy meets open all hours or last of the summer wine but there’s actually not as much action from the set as you might expect. I really enjoyed it – and if I hadn’t been trying to finish Astor before I went away for another few days (and if there had been less action in the F1) I would have finished it yesterday. I haven’t read anything else from Stuart Douglas, but I’m already looking forward to the sequel next year.
Now if you’re anything like me, you’re reading that blurb and thinking hang on, that sounds like Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier solving crimes around the filming of Dad’s Army. And then about ten seconds later I had a sample in my kindle and about 30 seconds after that I’d read enough to decide to buy it. And that is definitely the vibe. It’s a pretty solidly plotted cozy crime novel with plenty of twists and an interesting and slightly fractious duo of aging actors at the centre of it where the dynamic is definitely a mix of Captain Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson and the generally accepted personas of the two actors behind them. The sitcom is more Lovejoy meets open all hours or last of the summer wine but there’s actually not as much action from the set as you might expect. I really enjoyed it – and if I hadn’t been trying to finish Astor before I went away for another few days (and if there had been less action in the F1) I would have finished it yesterday. I haven’t read anything else from Stuart Douglas, but I’m already looking forward to the sequel next year.
May 30, 2025
Taking a break from filming a cheap BBC sitcom, aging actor Edward Lowe stumbles across the body of a young woman in a nearby reservoir. And so begins this 70s-set cosy mystery novel, as Edward's convinced the police are wrong to write this off as an accident and he recruits co-star John Le Breton to delve into the case as amateur sleuths. Soon the bodies start to pile up and our actors realise their days playing detective might be getting out of hand.
This was a fine book I definitely got into more as it went along. At first, it was difficult to invest in Edward as a character, due to his fuddy pompous attitude and the impatient, disdainful way he treats everyone around him. However, the moment I clocked that our protagonists - Edward Lowe and John Le Breton - are quite clearly stand-ins for Dad's Army actors Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier, I had to laugh. The names and spot-on characterisations aren't subtle allusions.
As with all cosy murder mysteries, there were twists and turns along the way - although one big one came out of nowhere and I don't feel it was earned or had been breadcrumbed enough for the reader.
That didn't detract from what was a decently fun read, pretty charming in places, and I'll be following up with the sequel down the line.
This was a fine book I definitely got into more as it went along. At first, it was difficult to invest in Edward as a character, due to his fuddy pompous attitude and the impatient, disdainful way he treats everyone around him. However, the moment I clocked that our protagonists - Edward Lowe and John Le Breton - are quite clearly stand-ins for Dad's Army actors Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier, I had to laugh. The names and spot-on characterisations aren't subtle allusions.
As with all cosy murder mysteries, there were twists and turns along the way - although one big one came out of nowhere and I don't feel it was earned or had been breadcrumbed enough for the reader.
That didn't detract from what was a decently fun read, pretty charming in places, and I'll be following up with the sequel down the line.
November 16, 2025
Death at the Death Rehearsal is the first in a new mystery series. If you are a fan of the Thursday Murder Club series, then this is a good new series to start.
It is set in 1970s England. This made this mystery unique. There weren't the same tools available to investigators back then as now. There were lots of 70s references as well. And so much smoking. The characters would be smoking in the pub, and I had to keep reminding myself it was the 70s.
Our main sleuthers are two older actors who are in town filming for a comedy show they both star in, when one goes out for a walk and stumbles across the body of a young woman.
The two actors are like "chalk and cheese." One is a bit introverted and comes across as a bit stuck up and gruff, while the other is a real charmer. Having these very different characters team up to solve a crime that the police don't even classify as a crime adds some comedic moments to the story.
The mystery in this one was a little dark, and it became very dangerous for our main characters. I had some suspicions about who our killer was, but in the end, the reason why surprised me.
I prefer my mysteries to be a bit on the shorter side. Around 300 pages is good. It keeps the mysteries moving. This one was 400 pages, so my only complaint would be that it was a little long, so it felt like it dragged a bit. Otherwise, this was an interesting mystery with some humorous moments.
It is set in 1970s England. This made this mystery unique. There weren't the same tools available to investigators back then as now. There were lots of 70s references as well. And so much smoking. The characters would be smoking in the pub, and I had to keep reminding myself it was the 70s.
Our main sleuthers are two older actors who are in town filming for a comedy show they both star in, when one goes out for a walk and stumbles across the body of a young woman.
The two actors are like "chalk and cheese." One is a bit introverted and comes across as a bit stuck up and gruff, while the other is a real charmer. Having these very different characters team up to solve a crime that the police don't even classify as a crime adds some comedic moments to the story.
The mystery in this one was a little dark, and it became very dangerous for our main characters. I had some suspicions about who our killer was, but in the end, the reason why surprised me.
I prefer my mysteries to be a bit on the shorter side. Around 300 pages is good. It keeps the mysteries moving. This one was 400 pages, so my only complaint would be that it was a little long, so it felt like it dragged a bit. Otherwise, this was an interesting mystery with some humorous moments.
May 23, 2024
3.5 stars
English cozy series debut featuring two old actors who are a bit of an odd couple as an investigative team. John is affable, charming and upbeat. Edward is a bit of a misanthrope, cranky and suspicious.
Edward stumbles across the body of a dead young woman while on location for a TV show he is cast in. He is convinced from the first that this is no accidental death, but the local coppers don't agree. He and John start sleuthing. They find plenty of clues, but they can't seem to interest anyone in authority to pursue them except for one very junior and inexperienced young cop.
Their search leads them back in time 25 years to World War II and involves some interesting storylines. The duo grudgingly become a kind of friends as Edward softens occasionally and they get to know one another. There is some wry humor along the way and a bit of poignancy at times. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
English cozy series debut featuring two old actors who are a bit of an odd couple as an investigative team. John is affable, charming and upbeat. Edward is a bit of a misanthrope, cranky and suspicious.
Edward stumbles across the body of a dead young woman while on location for a TV show he is cast in. He is convinced from the first that this is no accidental death, but the local coppers don't agree. He and John start sleuthing. They find plenty of clues, but they can't seem to interest anyone in authority to pursue them except for one very junior and inexperienced young cop.
Their search leads them back in time 25 years to World War II and involves some interesting storylines. The duo grudgingly become a kind of friends as Edward softens occasionally and they get to know one another. There is some wry humor along the way and a bit of poignancy at times. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 3, 2024
I will be fully honest I couldn’t help but picture Edward and John being played by Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Partick Stewart but even without that I would have enjoyed this one. It’s like Miss Maple mixed with a bit of Sherlock Holmes and a little bit of the TV show Vicious set in the 70s. I’m not sure what more you could want. I also liked the slight references to Dad’s Army which is one of my favourites. Basically it was written for me I think!
The mystery and crime side itself is engaging and well passed that keeps you hooked and guessing. This is aided by the writing which is easy to read and follow along. It was peppered with slight humour and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and hooked. I will certainly be following this series and cannot wait for the next instalment.
As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is honest and truthful.
The mystery and crime side itself is engaging and well passed that keeps you hooked and guessing. This is aided by the writing which is easy to read and follow along. It was peppered with slight humour and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and hooked. I will certainly be following this series and cannot wait for the next instalment.
As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is honest and truthful.
October 22, 2025
This is the first book in the "Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries" series and it caught my interest while browsing at the library.
I liked the characters and want to see their friendship blossom which is why I'll probably give the second book a try but if the series continues for multiple books and the premises continue to be that the actors are in the wrong place at the wrong time (or is the right place at the right time?) to stumble upon murders, I'll probably tire of it. An ordinary person being constantly surrounded by crime is one of my least favorite things about cozy mysteries but I also acknowledge there wouldn't be a story without it so I read them but also complain about it. I'm a delight.
As far as the mystery they were solving, it moved at a good pace even though the final threads connecting everything felt tenuous and coincidental.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
I liked the characters and want to see their friendship blossom which is why I'll probably give the second book a try but if the series continues for multiple books and the premises continue to be that the actors are in the wrong place at the wrong time (or is the right place at the right time?) to stumble upon murders, I'll probably tire of it. An ordinary person being constantly surrounded by crime is one of my least favorite things about cozy mysteries but I also acknowledge there wouldn't be a story without it so I read them but also complain about it. I'm a delight.
As far as the mystery they were solving, it moved at a good pace even though the final threads connecting everything felt tenuous and coincidental.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
June 18, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, for gifting me an Advanced Readers copy!
This was a new author to me and also a brand new series called the Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries. This series brought what I love about BritBox right to my hands. The feel of this whole book is BritBox mixed with a thriller vibe. I loved how the Prologue to this read like a piece you would find in a Thriller book.
This book is about Two actors, Edward Lowe and James Le Breton who help the police in solving a murder on their remote set. Edward was out for a walk to cool down his annoyance and stumbled upon a body. The police deem it as an accident but Edward feels like it is murder. Edward presses forward in doing his own investigation in which he asks James to go along with him. James has the manners and Edward has a gut feeling which propels them forward. As they go along in their investigation they learn to grow on each other and almost consider each other friends but we shall see.
This book kept my attention from the Prologue to the very end. Just like when I watch BritBox I think I know who the murderer is but then it turns out to be totally wrong. Usually in books I can see who the murderer is but not in this one.... it through me for a good loop. I can't wait for the second book to come out as it will be an immediate read for me.
This was a new author to me and also a brand new series called the Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries. This series brought what I love about BritBox right to my hands. The feel of this whole book is BritBox mixed with a thriller vibe. I loved how the Prologue to this read like a piece you would find in a Thriller book.
This book is about Two actors, Edward Lowe and James Le Breton who help the police in solving a murder on their remote set. Edward was out for a walk to cool down his annoyance and stumbled upon a body. The police deem it as an accident but Edward feels like it is murder. Edward presses forward in doing his own investigation in which he asks James to go along with him. James has the manners and Edward has a gut feeling which propels them forward. As they go along in their investigation they learn to grow on each other and almost consider each other friends but we shall see.
This book kept my attention from the Prologue to the very end. Just like when I watch BritBox I think I know who the murderer is but then it turns out to be totally wrong. Usually in books I can see who the murderer is but not in this one.... it through me for a good loop. I can't wait for the second book to come out as it will be an immediate read for me.
June 4, 2024
I got a copy of this book from Net Valley in return for a review.
A really good book, with hopefully more to come. Lowe and Le Breton are two actors working on a sitcom for the BBC when Lowe happens upon a dead body, and from there their investigation begins. Not happy with the policies explanation of how the victim died, Lowe and Le Breton start looking into what Lowe suspects is a suspicious death.
Halfway through the book I thought I'd spotted who had done it, but I'm pleased to say I was wrong. It did remind me a little of Agatha Christie and books from the golden age of detective novels, with the focus more on working out who had done what, rather than the violence of the crime.
If you enjoy the more cost style of murder mystery, then this is a book well worth reading.
A really good book, with hopefully more to come. Lowe and Le Breton are two actors working on a sitcom for the BBC when Lowe happens upon a dead body, and from there their investigation begins. Not happy with the policies explanation of how the victim died, Lowe and Le Breton start looking into what Lowe suspects is a suspicious death.
Halfway through the book I thought I'd spotted who had done it, but I'm pleased to say I was wrong. It did remind me a little of Agatha Christie and books from the golden age of detective novels, with the focus more on working out who had done what, rather than the violence of the crime.
If you enjoy the more cost style of murder mystery, then this is a book well worth reading.
August 23, 2024
I was torn when rating this between 3 and 4 stars, in the end I went with 4 as I think the ending of the book provided a twist and some much needed excitement. I enjoyed this book, the plot is simple and easy to follow and the characters are interesting and provided moments of humour. For me, there was just something missing, particularly in the first 3/4 of the book. In the latter stages, Douglas throws in some surprising twists that caught my attention and injected adrenaline into the plot. I think this might have needed something a bit earlier.
Still this was an enjoyable read and I liked the central characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advance copy.
Still this was an enjoyable read and I liked the central characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advance copy.
October 9, 2024
Honestly at first, I didn't think too much of this book, I found it hard to get used to the author's style of writing as well as distinguishing between the different characters within the book itself. But at the same time, I found the plot line interesting and full of little twists that I didn't see coming and when I did think that I had worked out who the killer was, I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong.
By the time I had finished the book, I was starting to fall in love with it just a little bit and had started to like the main characters just a little bit more than I had when I first started it.
By the time I had finished the book, I was starting to fall in love with it just a little bit and had started to like the main characters just a little bit more than I had when I first started it.
April 13, 2025
Death at a Dress Rehearsal is a fun read. The characters of Edward Lowe and John Le Breton are older actors in a 1970 's English TV show. Their characters definitely feels a lot like the John Le Mesurier and Arthur Lowe characters from Dad's Army but that is no bad thing.
While filming in Yorkshire and Edward finds a body of a girl who has fallen in the reservoir. He is convinced that a murder has occurred when he finds a shoe that the girl was wearing, a shoe not made for "walking on the moors" as the police believe. They close the case as a tragic accident. This leads Edward and at first a reluctant John, into investigating.
A fun read and I will definitely read the follow-up.
While filming in Yorkshire and Edward finds a body of a girl who has fallen in the reservoir. He is convinced that a murder has occurred when he finds a shoe that the girl was wearing, a shoe not made for "walking on the moors" as the police believe. They close the case as a tragic accident. This leads Edward and at first a reluctant John, into investigating.
A fun read and I will definitely read the follow-up.
May 23, 2024
It seems like elderly sleuths are definitely having a cozy mystery moment these days. This book, about two aging actors turned sleuths, fits that bill.
I liked the book well enough. It wasn't one of my favorites, mainly because I wish it had been funnier. The cozy vibes weren't quite there either. The concept was fun though and I think there's a lot of potential for future adventures.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
I liked the book well enough. It wasn't one of my favorites, mainly because I wish it had been funnier. The cozy vibes weren't quite there either. The concept was fun though and I think there's a lot of potential for future adventures.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.
January 12, 2025
Loved this book. The comedy has a British sarcasm spin on it and there were many points I laughed out loud combined with gasps when the plot thickened. It was a lovely easy read and perfect to grab for a slow weekend morning. The murderer reveal was great and a plot twist post reveal keeps you on your toes right up to the last page! I would put this book up there in the ranks with Thursday Murder Club and Peter James’ Roy Grace series.
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