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Cherringham #9
Playing Dead
Cosy crime series. Episode 9 of 12:
When Cherringham Drama Society invite a local TV celebrity to direct their Christmas show, they get more publicity than they bargained for. Someone's out to sabotage the event, and rehearsals spin into chaos. Jack and Sarah are asked to investigate and soon discover that there's a darker mystery taking place behind the scenes ...
-- Cherringham is serial novel à la Charles Dickens, with a new mystery thriller released each month. Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo: English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack. Thrilling and deadly - but with a spot of tea - it's like Rosamunde Pilcher meets Inspector Barnaby. Each of the 12 self-contained episodes is a quick read for the morning commute, while waiting for the doctor, or when curling up with a hot cuppa.
-- For fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series, Caroline Graham's Midsomer Murders, and the American TV series Murder She Wrote, starring Angela Lansbury.
-- Co-authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), are known for their script work on major computer games. The Cherringham crime series is their first fictional transatlantic collaboration.
When Cherringham Drama Society invite a local TV celebrity to direct their Christmas show, they get more publicity than they bargained for. Someone's out to sabotage the event, and rehearsals spin into chaos. Jack and Sarah are asked to investigate and soon discover that there's a darker mystery taking place behind the scenes ...
-- Cherringham is serial novel à la Charles Dickens, with a new mystery thriller released each month. Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo: English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack. Thrilling and deadly - but with a spot of tea - it's like Rosamunde Pilcher meets Inspector Barnaby. Each of the 12 self-contained episodes is a quick read for the morning commute, while waiting for the doctor, or when curling up with a hot cuppa.
-- For fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series, Caroline Graham's Midsomer Murders, and the American TV series Murder She Wrote, starring Angela Lansbury.
-- Co-authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), are known for their script work on major computer games. The Cherringham crime series is their first fictional transatlantic collaboration.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2014
64 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 18, 2024
Die Theatergruppe von Cherringham möchte zu Weihnachten ein Stück aufführen, doch während der Proben passieren immer wieder Unfälle. Die gehäuften Unfälle können kein Zufall mehr sein, und so nehmen sich Jack und Sarah der Sache an. Was steckt hinter den seltsamen Vorfällen?
💜 Es ist der neunte Band dieser Reihe und er hat mich gut unterhalten können. Ich mag die Reihe! Die einzelnen Folgen sind nur kurz und schnell gelesen oder auch gehört, aber sie sind unterhaltsam und auch durchaus spannend und geheimnisvoll.
💜 Es ist der neunte Band dieser Reihe und er hat mich gut unterhalten können. Ich mag die Reihe! Die einzelnen Folgen sind nur kurz und schnell gelesen oder auch gehört, aber sie sind unterhaltsam und auch durchaus spannend und geheimnisvoll.
May 11, 2018
When your Christmas show rehearsals become the scene of way too many "accidents", this word won't be describing these events anymore, that's why Helen, Sarah's mum, asked her and Jack to get involved. Great unfolding, culprit easily identified!
March 11, 2021
Hat mir dieses Mal wieder gut gefallen.
February 6, 2018
When a series of accidents befall the new home for the local theatre group, Sarah's mother is concerned enough to ask Sarah and Jack to find out if they're really accidents or are they attempts to destroy the group's chances of success in their lovely new theatre. Our detectives end up involved with the company on stage (Sarah) and behind-the-scenes (Jack) as they sift through the suspects and their potential motives, the primary motive looking like the builder who gets the land if the theatre fails. But there's also the smug director who's so full of himself and his abilities that most of the cast hates him. Then there is the former director of the group who's been set aside and now is only a performer in the play. Tensions are high as the rehearsals go forward with one accident after another. Will Jack and Sarah figure it out before someone ends up dead?
I'm really enjoying these short mysteries. Sarah and Jack are great characters who grow a bit more in each episode.
I'm really enjoying these short mysteries. Sarah and Jack are great characters who grow a bit more in each episode.
December 30, 2024
Další skvělý detektivní příběh mé oblíbené dvojice.:) A dokonce asi první kniha přečtena za 1 den, 2:22:50,22.:)
March 15, 2025
This is the 9th book in Cherringham serie and it is set in theatre where new play is being prepared for reopening of the municipal theatre. And there occur some very strange accidents which may not be accidents at all. Sarah and Jack becomes a part of theatre group and tries to investigate it. I like the atmosphere of the theatre, it adds a special charm to the book. The book is light and cozy. Looking forward to read next book in this nice serie.
January 25, 2025
Před pár dny jsem četla předchozí díl a řekla bych, že tento se mi líbil víc. Ráda se do Cherringhamu vracím a pořád si říkám, že je škoda, jak krátké jsou to knihy. Hlavní postavy by si zasloužily více prostoru. Divadelní zápletka mě bavila a už se těším na další díl.
June 27, 2021
I can’t emphasize enough how perfect these short novellas are when you can’t quite decide what you want to read next but know a small break and revisit to Cherringham will fill the reading gap.
When it came to this story, I am pretty sure I stopped focusing on the mystery itself and more on the budding attraction between Jack and Sarah. Barely a third of the way through this series; their relationship has become the center of my focus. Would it be so bad? Sure, there is an age gap in which one or both might not see their way around, but they work so well together.
But back to the story and the twist, I didn’t see coming. I’m not sure if others had since they will certainly focus on other things, but I liked how it snuck up on me and perfectly tied everything together.
When it came to this story, I am pretty sure I stopped focusing on the mystery itself and more on the budding attraction between Jack and Sarah. Barely a third of the way through this series; their relationship has become the center of my focus. Would it be so bad? Sure, there is an age gap in which one or both might not see their way around, but they work so well together.
But back to the story and the twist, I didn’t see coming. I’m not sure if others had since they will certainly focus on other things, but I liked how it snuck up on me and perfectly tied everything together.
March 29, 2022
Love this idea of a series given in short bursts that are just the right size as well as so much more flexible than a whole novel!
This episode involves suspicious goings on at the local live theatre that really don't add up as mere accidents. Let the sleuthing begin!
The ongoing sleuthing involves a retired and widowed older NYPD homicide cop who is finding life in the English countryside a fair antidote to his mourning, and a local recently divorced woman who has returned to her hometown with her children. They make a good sleuthing pair.
Voice actor Neil Dudgeon has been an asset to my listening pleasure while I do mindless things.
This episode involves suspicious goings on at the local live theatre that really don't add up as mere accidents. Let the sleuthing begin!
The ongoing sleuthing involves a retired and widowed older NYPD homicide cop who is finding life in the English countryside a fair antidote to his mourning, and a local recently divorced woman who has returned to her hometown with her children. They make a good sleuthing pair.
Voice actor Neil Dudgeon has been an asset to my listening pleasure while I do mindless things.
January 15, 2020
While not predictable, these stories have gotten to be a bit too convenient in their wrap up. The answer seems to tumble right into the laps of our protagonists at the the right moment without much "investigation" or even ridiculous levels of computer hacking or lock picking. That being said, it was still a cozy little story, but maybe not a mystery.
March 31, 2018
The mysterious sabotages behind the scenes of Christmas show were tense and interesting. Sarah mother Helen, asked Jack and Sarah to investigate criminal intent behind the scenes. I enjoy every episode till now and will gladly continue. Amazing work by Matthew Costello!
October 1, 2023
The Show Must go on.
Jack and Sarah are at it again. This time, they are looking for clues to ring out if all the accidents happening at the newly rebuilt theater are truly accidents or are they acts of revenge. Couldn't lay it down. Read
Jack and Sarah are at it again. This time, they are looking for clues to ring out if all the accidents happening at the newly rebuilt theater are truly accidents or are they acts of revenge. Couldn't lay it down. Read
February 2, 2025
Can’t get enough of these Cherringham mysteries by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards. (Lucky for me, there are still another 39 of them to read!) I especially like the narration by Neil Dudgeon. Great job!
The ninth /Cherringham story is a good twist on the murder mystery — because there’s no murder — just almost one. The local drama society is holding rehearsals for a play called “The Purloined Pearl.” It seems that someone is trying to sabotage the production. Several accidents happen, but are they really accidents? Panic and chaos ensue, but Jack and Sarah are on the scene and suspect that something sinister is afoot behind the scenes. But my favorite part is the gently developing relationship between Sarah and Jack. There’s an age difference, but I keep hoping they’ll recognize that they’re true soul mates. We’ll see.
The ninth /Cherringham story is a good twist on the murder mystery — because there’s no murder — just almost one. The local drama society is holding rehearsals for a play called “The Purloined Pearl.” It seems that someone is trying to sabotage the production. Several accidents happen, but are they really accidents? Panic and chaos ensue, but Jack and Sarah are on the scene and suspect that something sinister is afoot behind the scenes. But my favorite part is the gently developing relationship between Sarah and Jack. There’s an age difference, but I keep hoping they’ll recognize that they’re true soul mates. We’ll see.
May 24, 2025
I have to say, I really enjoy this series. The books may be short, but they are straight to the point. And no recap of the previous books, which is great if you are reading them out of order based on which one you find in your local library. Currently on a third one and enjoying it.
This one, I really liked. It was rather interesting to see who the intended victim was and why someone was so much after him. And I really enjoyed the few twists and turns, which the author managed to put into such a short book.
I also liked Sarah and Jack as characters, although they can be bit nosy. But how else can you get the truth, if you do not ask the questions? It is not like they could get the official police investigations, although in this case, there wasn't really any. Since it started with the accidents. Or were those accidents?
Personally, I can recommend this book.
This one, I really liked. It was rather interesting to see who the intended victim was and why someone was so much after him. And I really enjoyed the few twists and turns, which the author managed to put into such a short book.
I also liked Sarah and Jack as characters, although they can be bit nosy. But how else can you get the truth, if you do not ask the questions? It is not like they could get the official police investigations, although in this case, there wasn't really any. Since it started with the accidents. Or were those accidents?
Personally, I can recommend this book.
February 13, 2022
I think this is the best one so far.
The motive of the villain was excellent and the progression of the characters were also really good. This one has been the most Agatha Christie-esque, and it shows that the plot and the story are carried so well. I hope they can continue to be of this excellent murder mystery quality.
I know these are only short stories, but I find them really engaging and I sit listening to them while playing video games.
Onto the next one.
The motive of the villain was excellent and the progression of the characters were also really good. This one has been the most Agatha Christie-esque, and it shows that the plot and the story are carried so well. I hope they can continue to be of this excellent murder mystery quality.
I know these are only short stories, but I find them really engaging and I sit listening to them while playing video games.
Onto the next one.
September 3, 2025
Der er dømt total råhygge, når man læser denne krimiserie. Hver fortælling, er hurtigt læst. Men til gengæld er der mange bøger i serien. Så jeg har lang vej igen. Og heldigvis for det.
Jeg elsker en god krimi, og det får jeg også i denne roman. I første omgang, er der måske ikke rigtigt sket noget kriminelt - eller er der? Det får Sara og Jack til opgave at finde ud af. Og heldigvis for det, for selvfølgelig er der sket noget kriminelt.
Jeg elsker en god krimi, og det får jeg også i denne roman. I første omgang, er der måske ikke rigtigt sket noget kriminelt - eller er der? Det får Sara og Jack til opgave at finde ud af. Og heldigvis for det, for selvfølgelig er der sket noget kriminelt.
January 15, 2026
Sarah’s mother is the lead actress in Cherringham Player’s theater production. When disturbing things start happening, such as injuries on the set, brand-new equipment breaking, and people getting sick with mysterious maladies, she suspects someone is out to sabotage the show and asks Sarah and Jack to investigate. Jack becomes an assistant stage manager, and Sarah fills in as a maid in the show. I keep wondering when Jack and Sarah are going to go into business together.
December 14, 2025
Oh, this one was good! I love how much Jack's willing to join the village life, to become a part of the community. He's truly thriving in Cherringham. I also love that he's very self-assured when it comes to sleuthing, what with his past experience. No uncertainty or feet shuffling. He knows what he's doing but he isn't arrogant about it, just confident.
July 22, 2025
This is my ninth Cherringham story in a row this year and I enjoyed this story very much. The series itself is engaging and well written. There was no murder as such in this story, but oh so close to one. It just goes to show that the joy of the story is sometimes in the story itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2017
Like the cozy town and getting to know the people there.
December 1, 2017
Another good entry in the series.
December 16, 2017
I just love these stories!
May 13, 2018
Pretty good
July 16, 2018
I'm addicted to listening to these. Love Sara and Jack!
July 31, 2018
#9 ♥️
November 1, 2018
Still very enjoyable
March 19, 2020
Excellent as usual! As a former theater teacher, it was extra fun to have this one focus on a community play. On to the next!
August 28, 2020
The newly re-furbished Cherringham Little Theater is staging an amateur production ... unfortunately it is plagued by accidents ... enter Sarah Edwards and Jack Brennan stage left ... delightful ...
February 5, 2021
Ei nyt vaihteeksi niitä parhaimpia Cherringhameja. Vähän väkinäinen, joskin "motiivi" taas jokseenkin kekseliäs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews