Murder Unscripted

The Shepton Rise Murders #1

by D.R. Johnson, Dave Johnson

When murder strikes, Ginny’s not behind the scenes—she’s centre stage.

Theatrical agent Ginny Fellows never expected to swap casting calls for crime scenes, but when a local murder hits too close to home, she turns to her most unusual four actors best known for being killed off on TV. Their talent for disguise—and flair for drama—helps Ginny uncover what the police can’t. With her best friend Adam steadying her through panic attacks, a cat named Tuxie at her side, and insider tips from a young cop with a difficult boss, Ginny starts pulling the threads. But in this case, the lies run deep, and the truth won’t wait for an encore.

If you love smart, funny mysteries with heart and theatrical charm, Murder Unscripted is your next great read.

Buy Murder Unscripted today—because solving a murder takes real character.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2025

About the author

Pen name of Dave Johnson

Reviews

[Chad James · Rating 4 out of 5]

D R Johnson’s “Murder Unscripted”



Murder Unscripted is the first book in a new mystery series that promises to captivate readers. The story revolves around Ginny Fellows, a theatrical agent, and her team of four actors and friends. These individuals are known for their exceptional disguises and their unfortunate fate of being killed off on TV. However, they also possess a flair for drama that seems to follow them wherever they go.


When a murder occurs, Ginny and her team of mismatched friends embark on a thrilling journey to unravel the truth. They meticulously piece together the clues, confronting lies and uncovering hidden secrets until the final thread of truth is revealed, leading them to the discovery of the killer. This new series has the potential to captivate readers with its promise of heart, intrigue, and a captivating storyline. I eagerly anticipate the author’s plans for this intriguing group of characters.


“Murder Unscripted” sets a promising tone with its theatrical elements and compelling narrative. Readers who enjoy mystery and drama will find this book to be an engaging and entertaining read. Don’t miss out on this captivating story; it’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and have written an honest review.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.This is the first time that this author had branched out to write a cozy mystery and I certainly hope it won't be his last. The idea was an unusual one in the fact that the main character is a house bound acting agent and after one of her stars is killed, she has her other clients do the running around and investigate the case for her. This does mean the story jumps around, sometimes following the other actors and others times we aren't privy to the interview and just get a round up of what they learned. This works well and keeps the story moving along quickly. I did think with them called the dead actor's the story was going to be a paranormal story and we were talking about ghosts but that is not the case and there are a few sections when it goes back in time to explain. I liked the different characters and the skills they employed to solve the mystery. It had a Miss Marple type feel to the story with a Death in paradise round up for ending.The mystery itself was good and cleverly crafted, making it full of clues for you to solve the murder yourself. I can't wait for the next book.
When reclusive acting agent Ginny opens the door to the police, it's to find one of her clients has died falling down the stairs after taking a concoction of drugs. Simon was a fitness fanatic, fitting the star of action movies and even at the start of his career his preformed in an anti drug advert, so there was no way he died due to drugs. With the police happy to put the death down to an accident, Ginny turns to the people she knows best to help her, her other clients. Can they use there acting skills and uncover a killer?
I was given this free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review

[Kim Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun little cosy mystery set, of course, in an idyllic storybook English town, Shepton Rise.

Cosy mysteries rely on memorable characters, and Murder Unscripted had them in spades. Ginny, our MC and main sleuth, doesn’t like to leave her home. She’s a talent agent, some of whose clientele has followed her to Shepton Rise. They call themselves The Dead Actors, but no, this is not a paranormal cosy mystery with ghosts helping her solve murders, they have all been killed off on screen. They’re a fun group that love fast-paced quips, and love Ginny.

When the death of one of them is at first deemed accidental, Ginny enlists the help of the Dead Actors to help her prove it was murder.

Like all good cosy mysteries, this story concludes — like many Agatha Christie novels — with all the ‘players’ gathered in a room while the murderer is exposed.

Highly recommend for a cosy weekend read.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Unscripted was such an easy, enjoyable read. I was hooked by the premise right away — a theatrical agent representing actors famous for dying on screen? That alone made me smile. Add a suspicious death and a nosy (but lovable) amateur sleuth, and I was in.

Ginny is a really refreshing main character. She’s smart, funny, and flawed in a very human way, and I appreciated how her anxiety was handled with care instead of being brushed aside. The “Dead Actors” were a delight — quirky without being over-the-top — and they added a lot of humor and creativity to the investigation.

Overall, this was a charming start to a new series. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with humor, heart, and a slightly different angle, this one is well worth the read. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story checked all the cozy mystery boxes. The cast of characters was endearing and just a little bit quirky. I loved the Dead Actors and felt their characters were spot on. I was confused, just a little, with the interludes when the scenes were actually of the actors playing their roles, but I believe that was because it was an audiobook. It did not diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. I also enjoyed the fact that the characters were mostly of a more seasoned age. All in all, it satisfied my need for a cozy mystery fix.
Thank you to the author and BookSprout for the chance to review this audiobook, a copy of which I received for free. I am voluntarily leaving a review; however, I have since purchased and listened to (and enjoyed) the second book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Genesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ginny, a theatrical agent and the Dead Actors, a group of actors she presented, are roped into investigating the death of Simon, one of the Dead Actors. With so many suspects, including Ella the cleaning lady, Flynn, one of Simon's rivals, James the real estate agent, Joey the gym owner, and Mandy, the owner of Cape Key-Alamity, it wasn't easy to unravel the mystery. But, in the end, Ginny and her fellow sleuths came through. I liked the characters; they are funny and can be serious at times, when required. The writing style is easy to read, making the book a page-turner worth reading. The book is entertaining throughout, and I recommend it to all cozy mystery fans.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I enjoyed this cozy mystery. I was entertained by the notion that the author created a protagonist, Ginny Fellows, who suffered from agoraphobia and yet when one of her clients died under mysterious circumstances, she was driven to undercover the truth about his death. I liked the quirky characters. I appreciated the humorous dialogue and cultural quips which were sprinkled throughout the story. I enjoyed Rachel Laurence's narration as her performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[Kim C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. “The Dead Actors” are a group of actors who were killed off their respective long running series. They bring tricks from their previous roles to solve the murder of one of their fellow actors. The lynchpin of the group is their agoraphobic talent agent who keeps them on track. Johnson weaves the characters pasts into the recent situation so well, allowing character development for the individuals and the group. I loved the interactions and the growth! If you enjoy a mystery with plenty of twists, and fun characters who may be “dead” but haven’t given up the ghost, you’re going to love this!

[BookwormSally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny, light-hearted cozy mystery set in a little UK town called Shepton Rise. The main character Ginny is a theatrical agent who moved to the village from London after losing her husband. Since then, some of Ginny’s clients have also moved to the village and are known locally as ‘The Dead Actors’. When they’re not working, they gather in Ginny’s dining room to solve local murders. I can highly recommend the audio version of this book as I think that Rachel’s well-spoken voice is perfect for the image I have in my head for Ginny.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of The Shepton Rise Murders series. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'Murder Unscripted is a witty, heartwarming cozy mystery, brimming with quirky characters, English small-town charm, and an irresistible blend of humor and intrigue—perfect for fans of of offbeat whodunits.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and mysterious. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder unscripted was a fun cozy mystery with some laugh out loud moments. The dead actors were a fun group - led by their agent Ginny. When one of their own is found dead, and the police rule it not suspicious, Ginny and the dead actors take it upon themselves to try and determine what really happened.
Some fun endured when the actors had to play parts to investigate various paths. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the mystery to be solved. It was great to witness Ginny’s personal growth. A quick, entertaining read.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery had the perfect amount of twists and turns! I honestly didn’t see that ending coming! I love when I can’t figure out who the true villain is and I can honestly say that this story had me stumped. The group of “dead” actors were nothing short of original, and I would love to join them for tea sometime. Although the story started off a bit slow, the unique characters, splendid world building, and humorous dialogue will have me coming back for more!

[Vanessa Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Dead Actors series. It was a fun murdery mystery to read. The author kept you guessing throughout the tale until the end. Loved the characters. I liked that the main character Ginny is not perfect and suffers from phobias. That she finds away to solve the murder and deal with her own issues.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great easy read, lighthearted but with enough twists and turns to keep you reading to the end. You start to get into each of the ‘Dead actors’ characters as their individual stories are told. I especially liked the ‘who done it’ reveal at the end. I’m intrigued to see what the next ‘murder’ could be & how they all pull together to solve it!

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ginny Fellows  a theatrical agent is plunged into a murder mystery when her client Simon Glenn is found dead at his home.  There is a lot going on than meets the eye with secrets, blackmail and murders .   Some quirky characters and lots of humour in the read. An intriguing read with a nail-biting finish. I received this ARC copy and leave a honest review.  I recommend this book to other readers.

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting whodunit with surprises and red herrings to keep you guessing. I appreciated the individual flashbacks to how the Dead Actors came to be but I felt the placements took me out of the story a bit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Samsboeken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. It has the banter, the suspense, the cosy feeling of a small town and a group that call themselves the dead actors. It's a bit chaotic, but that is also part of the charm.

The characters are very lovable and you can summon your inner Sherlock to join the party. At times a bit bit slow, but overall medium paced - just like this book needs.

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginny, our MC and main sleuth, doesn’t like to leave her home and that just made her so relatable to me. So how do you solve a death from home? Grab this book and find out. For anyone who enjoys a mystery with twists, fun characters, and a feel-good ending.

[Debbie Wiggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of the Thursday Murder Club, you’ll love this book too. Plenty of twists and turns and quirky characters keep it interesting. I listened to it on Audible and the narrator was spot on!

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this story. I loved the characters and storyline. I couldn't put it down. Y'all are gonna love it too.

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Mr Johnson's other series' of books in the past, I was delighted to discover the Dead Actors books.

A house-bound theatrical agent uses her client list of actors who live nearby to investigate the murder of one of their own.

This incorporates the author's usual witty style into the cozy mystery genre and I found it easy to read and very entertaining. I loved the background flashbacks into the the stories of the 'Dead Actors' and the book has the usual array of suspects and red herrings that you'd expect to find.

A good blend of mystery and the main characters personal lives.