The Importance of Being Murdered

by Debbie Young

The BRAND NEW page-turning cozy mystery from Debbie Young, perfect for fans of Fiona Leitch, Faith Martin and Agatha Christie 🎭🩸🔍 ONE VILLAGE. TEN SUSPECTS. ONE DEADLY PERFORMANCE.

The curtain is about to rise on the Bunbury Players' latest production, Oscar Wilde's classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.

But moments before the show starts, the leading man, retired star of stage and screen Bertram Manchester, is found dead in his dressing room.

As rumours spread throughout the Cotswold village community, Detective Constable Windermere seizes her chance to catch a killer and secure the promotion she craves.

The trouble is, every member of the cast has something to hide.

Will her front-row seat to murder enable DC Windermere to uncover the truth ... or will she be the next person taking their last bow?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 26, 2026

About the author

Hello dear readers!

I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels, a new standalone mystery, plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.

NOVELS

My latest book is "The Importance of Being Murdered", which launches on 26th March 2026.

In my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series, which begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.

My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",

My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.

All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.

SHORT FICTION

My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!

My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,

Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".

PLAYS

I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025 ,and I've now turned it into a novel. My second play, "Murder at the Office", will be premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2026. I plan to publish both play scripts for amateur drama groups to enjoy all over the world.

AWARDS

The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021. My short story "The Alchemy of Chocolate", from "Quick Change", was a winning entrant to the April 2015 Stroud Short Stories competition, and as a result I was later invited to read it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

FREE EBOOK

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Reviews

[Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer)]

PUBLISH DATE: March 26, 2026
The Importance of Being Murdered by Debbie Young

This was a fun and entertaining cozy mystery that kept me guessing the entire time. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story shifted and made me question everyone again. A quick, enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries!

PUBLISHER: Boldwood Books
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 258
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Local theatre has always been popular in the Costwold village of Bunbury but add a popular star of stage and screen, albeit retired, to the cast and the excitement is palpable! Everything changes on opening night however, when a body is discovered! Who had reason to want the victim dead? Quite a few people apparently! Can the police discover whodunit before the curtain falls on more than one Bunbury Player?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. Right from the start I was totally absorbed and invested in this book and loved everything about it! The internal thoughts were wonderful, and worked brilliantly. The author's notes were fascinating and added extra insight into her inspiration and clever detailing. This is a standalone unfortunately, as I would love to know what happened next to the Bunbury Players. Highly recommended.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chaos, gossip, fragile egos, and a suspiciously dramatic death… honestly, if you’ve ever spent time around amateur theatre, you know things are always one rehearsal away from disaster. The Importance of Being Murdered by Debbie Young quickly proves that small villages and amateur theatre might just be the most dangerously entertaining combination imaginable. This book is published by Boldwood Books, and many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Set in the charmingly gossipy Cotswold village of Bunbury, the story centers on the Bunbury Players, a local amateur dramatic society preparing to stage Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest. In a village where rumors travel faster than the church bells ring, the arrival of a retired star of stage and screen already has everyone buzzing. Bertram Manchester may be well past his prime, but his reputation still carries weight, and the village theatre troupe is thrilled to have a touch of celebrity in their midst.

But excitement turns to shock when Bertram is found dead in his dressing room just before opening night.

Suddenly the production is overshadowed by a far more serious drama, and the cozy rhythm of village life starts to unravel. Every cast member seems to be hiding something, old grudges begin surfacing, and whispers spread through Bunbury faster than anyone can keep track of them. What starts as a charming small-town theatre production quickly becomes a tangled web of secrets, motives, and simmering tensions that have clearly been brewing long before the curtain was supposed to rise.

Reading this felt a bit like sitting in the front row of a chaotic rehearsal where everyone is slightly dramatic, slightly suspicious, and just a little too invested in everyone else’s business. The story leans heavily into the personalities and relationships between the characters, and that’s where the real charm lies. The Bunbury Players are a wonderfully eccentric group, full of big personalities, bruised egos, and the kind of awkward dynamics that feel incredibly believable if you’ve ever been involved in a community theatre production.

One of the things that makes this mystery fun is how many potential suspects there are. Nearly everyone has a reason to dislike Bertram, and as the story unfolds, the layers of village life and personal history start peeling back one by one. Friendships, rivalries, ambitions, and long-held resentments all come into play, making it nearly impossible not to start mentally pointing fingers at everyone involved.

DC Windermere steps into the middle of this theatrical chaos hoping to solve the mystery and prove herself professionally. Watching her navigate the egos and secrets of the Bunbury Players adds a nice investigative thread to the story, especially when paired with the village’s tendency to speculate wildly about everything.

The book also carries a playful theatrical tone that fits perfectly with the setting. The entire story almost feels like watching a stage production unfold behind the scenes, where the drama happening offstage becomes far more interesting than the play itself.

One line that really captures the spirit of the story is: “In a village like Bunbury, secrets don’t stay buried for long… especially when someone ends up dead.” That slightly cheeky humor runs throughout the book and keeps the tone light even when the mystery deepens.

What stood out most while reading was how character-driven the story is. Instead of rushing straight into the crime, the book takes its time introducing the people of Bunbury and their complicated connections to one another. For readers who enjoy cozy mysteries that focus on personalities, relationships, and village life as much as the investigation itself, that approach works really well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

This felt like settling in for a cozy evening mystery with a cast of quirky characters, plenty of gossip, and just enough twists to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of story that feels warm, slightly mischievous, and very rooted in its small-town setting.

If you love cozy mysteries with theatrical flair, charming English villages, and character-driven plots filled with secrets and suspicious neighbors, this book will absolutely be for you. Readers who enjoy authors like Agatha Christie or classic village whodunits will likely find themselves right at home among the Bunbury Players.

And honestly, after spending time in this story, one question keeps lingering: if you were part of a small village theatre troupe where someone suddenly turned up murdered, would you be trying to solve the mystery… or quietly wondering which of your fellow actors might be hiding something?

#TheImportanceofBeingMurdered #DebbieYoung #CozyMystery #CozyCrime #BookReview #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks #MysteryReaders #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #MysteryBooks #CozyMysteryReads #BookCommunity

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

Seriously, I was about half convinced that this was going to be a book where everyone was guilty. I was initially jotting down clues to help me solve it before the sleuths but, wait a minute, there really weren't any amateur sleuths. The book opens with a chapter introducing us to DC Windermeir who is basically cruising around looking for a house for her and her new husband, artist Darius, to buy. Next chapter, poof, no Windermeir but, oh, my, what a cast of characters, all of whom, it turns out, are basically the cast and crew of the local theatre's upcoming production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest". Save yourself from note taking as you're going to get to know these people well, very well, even before the murder and much, much better afterward. Given my love of character driven cozies, this was not just perfect but, as noted, oh, my, what a group. You'll get to know their personal quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and even better, the various connections, infatuations, and relationships between them. Add aged former star Bertram Manchester to the mix and, well, it's going to get even more interesting.

Set in the small town of Bunbury, population 1,000, you'll also see how quickly gossip can explode and rumors spread. That was quite funny, with various unlikely celebrity names spread as the latest resident. I was never quite sure how Hugh Grant's name emerged given the initial chatter, but it made all the sense to those excited at the idea of a celebrity in their midst. I'm definitely not going to detail the cast except to say that at one time or the other I wound up sympathizing and liking most, then the next finding them terrible bores and selfish, even sad and obnoxious. In other words, you know, the sort of people you might encounter anywhere and find you blow hot and cold with them. And, yes, I pretty much had each pegged as the killer at one point or the other. It wasn't even frustrating as, quite frankly, I was enjoying my read immensely. Do make sure you read the author's explanation of how/why she wrote the book this way at the end. It added to the fun and understanding. You may feel you're caught in some virtual game of Clue at some point but, hey, that's part of the fun, too.

Bottom line, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book this much. It's supposedly a one-off book but I sort of hope the author somehow brings back some of these characters in a series. You get to hear their inner thoughts as the plot moves along, too, which may or may not help you figure things out before the big reveal. Let's just say, it didn't really help me. Grin. The senior police officer, DI Whistler, in a hurry to solve the case so he and his wife can head off for a long planned vacation, is definitely fun to "hear" thinking, especially in conjunction with DC Windermeir who finally reappears about half-way when the murder (or was it murder) occurs. Again, makes all the sense in the world as you read, so don't let my rambling review confuse you. Opt for being intrigued instead as I'm leaning toward thinking fans of cozy mysteries with humor that are most definitely character driven will love this one. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me this early peek at what was a fun, great read.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Importance of Being Murdered is a charmingly twisty cozy mystery with all the ingredients you want from a village whodunnit: a dramatic death, a colourful cast, and a community buzzing with gossip before the curtain has even gone up. It has that light, conversational tone you enjoy—warm, witty, and just a little mischievous—while still delivering a satisfying puzzle at its heart.

The setup is irresistible: the Bunbury Players are moments away from performing The Importance of Being Earnest when their leading man is found dead in his dressing room. From there, the story unfolds with a lovely blend of theatrical flair and small‑village intrigue. Every cast member seems to be hiding something, and the backstage tensions give the mystery a fun, slightly chaotic energy.

DC Windermere is a great anchor for the story—ambitious, observant, and quietly determined to prove herself. Watching her navigate the egos, secrets, and simmering rivalries of the troupe is half the pleasure. The other half comes from the setting itself: the Cotswolds rendered with warmth and humour, full of people who know far too much about each other and yet still manage to surprise.

The mystery is paced with a gentle confidence, offering enough clues to keep you engaged without ever feeling heavy. It’s playful, clever, and delightfully theatrical, with a final reveal that feels both satisfying and true to the spirit of the genre.

A cozy, character‑rich mystery perfect for readers who love their crime with charm, wit, and a touch of backstage drama.

With thanks to Debbie Young, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Importance Of Being Murdered by Debbie Young is a fun cozy mystery with the colorful cast and a quirky twist I didn’t see coming. millie is the owner of the Bunberry local village shop and she learns all the new gossip that is why when Violet tells her that her mom has a new job with the actor that moved in the old cottage house Millie mistakenly guesses it’s Benedict Cumberbatch but unfortunately she is sadly wrong because the actor it is is no Benedict Cumberbatch. this is why after Work Millie goes to the old cottage house to invite the handsome actor to join the local Bunberry players an amateur theater group. Who she finds instead of the handsome actor is Bernard Cunningham an elderly theater actor very well passed his prime but this doesn’t stop him from showing up to be a part of the amateur theater group. The only problem is he will be found dead and when all the dust is settled they will learn he had a dark past with more than one person in the group. I know this is a slight summary but OMG just know this book is funny I loved violet and Cherry and their mom but I think my favorite was DCI Windemere‘s boss whose name I forget he seemed like such a nice person but always was clueless but really believed he was on top of it all I just love him so much. Either way if this would become a series I would be its biggest fan no joke I love this book so much it would be so down to read others in the series. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie Young is known mainly for her several different cozy series that she writes. “The Importance of Being Murdered” is a standalone cozy with a pretty cool story behind it.

As the author explains, she wrote this as a play for the local theater. And much like the movie “Clue”, they had more than one ending so people that saw the play would not be able to ruin it for others. She has turned it into a novel and chosen her favorite of the two endings for this book.

Oh, by the way, I think this may be my favorite cozy mystery ever.

It is witty, the characters are unforgettable, and it is just a fun reading experience. And unlike some current cozy mysteries, the mystery is really good. I kept thinking through all the interviews and statements made by the suspects just trying to find the culprit.

The first initial scene of interviews as a group had me laughing. DI Whistler was too funny. The scene was so funny that I think the author needs to consider making this a series. I want to visit this group again.

I don’t mind reading a cozy from time to time, but it is not my preferred mystery style. If you feel the same way, let me encourage you to give this one a shot. It will be worth your time.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Emily Pankhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley Review

The writing was light and entertaining. The whole book was full of humour which made me smile. I was intrigued as to how we were going to get to the answer. In the end it was tied up nicely.

The chapters were fairly short and snappy which gave a good, fast pace to the book. This was needed as a couple of characters would go off on tangents (which I found amusing), so you needed something to keep the story on track and moving.

Each of the chapters had one or two word titles which gave you an indication of what you were about to read next.

There was a good flow between the chapters and I quite happily sat and read the story for long periods of time.

The characters were excellent. All of them were suspicious and I suspected most of them at one point or another in the story. There was a good mix of personalities which all came together well to make an interesting story. I liked that we got to hear a couple of the characters' thought processes dotted throughout the story. They were from random characters, but it gave a nice extra layer to the story.

Lastly the settings. This was mainly a character focused story, but there were some nice details which enabled us to get a bit of an insight into the Theatre world.

Overall an entertaining read.

[Harriet Pasco · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was classic cosy crime - light-hearted, village-set, and filled with theatrical drama and small-town gossip. The tone leans more towards witty and charming than dark or gritty, making it an easy Sunday afternoon read.

The short chapters make it very bingeable (I read it in one sitting), and the amateur dramatics setting adds a fun, slightly tongue-in-cheek layer to the mystery. It definitely delivers that comforting “Midsomer-esque” vibe where murder feels more curious than chilling.

That said, I did find the ending a little rushed. I was left wanting a bit more clarity around how everything came together, and the resolution felt slightly quick after the build-up.

Overall, it’s a gentle, entertaining whodunnit - perfect if you’re in the mood for something cosy and undemanding to kill a few hours (no pun intended). Not a standout for me personally, but still an enjoyable, easy read.

[Katie Brunecz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars Rounded Up!

A lovely cozy murder mystery among a small town theater troupe!

I love a good murder mystery, and also adore The Importance of Being Earnest, so this was an immediate read for me. I found the setting, characters, and overall plot delightful. The characters are all unique, realistic, and well-drawn, with fantastically funny dialogue. Even the detectives were a cutely campy pair. The murder mystery setup is great, with nearly every character having a solid motive. The only drawbacks were that the murder didn't happen until over 50% of the way through the book, and the investigation was subsequently rushed. I would have liked a little more clue gathering, tracking suspects movements, and time to piece together a theory.

I recommend this to readers of cozy murder mysteries who like small-town slice of life stories, and don't care as much for the crime-solving aspect!

*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Tiffany Killian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a fan cozy mysteries, especially when they’re set in cute little towns in England with names I can never remember but generally think are fancy, so I went into this prepared to be a fan. Which I sorta was but then sorta wasn’t. For me the pacing just moved way too slow and at one point I was like but where is the mystery?!?

The characters all had their good & bad traits. Took me a bit to realize that Peach was prob in like her 40s and not 23 moving back home to help her parents out. Other than that I didn’t feel like anything was too memorable. The end reveal wasn’t a super a-ha moment but it was still tied up nicely.

Overall a good read if not a bit slow in the pacing.

Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy, warm-hearted Cotswolds murder mystery. The Bunbury Players, a local theater group, have managed to get Bertram Manchester, a former massive star both on the stage and in film, to star in their newest show, The Importance of Being Earnest. But soon, he's found dead, and the inspectors, more notably DC Windermere, have to try to untangle the surprisingly dense web of motives and secrets in this local theater crew.

The characters will really make you interested, especially with how much the perspectives switch and give you a chance to read from all of their perspectives. The ending reveal was fantastic and quite logical, while in general the setting was effective too. Totally engrossing. 5 stars. Thanks to Boldwood and Netgalley for the E-ARC.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a cute murder mystery. Having worked in "community theatre" myself, I can vouch for the accuracy of the inner workings of a small theatre group. In fact my brother and his wife have a 40-year history similar to the couple in the book.

The author has supplied an interesting cross-section of characters, including the local police, and does a great job fleshing out each one. There is lots of humor and (ahem) a whole cast of suspects!

This is the first book I have read by this author, and she has a easy style which puts the book solidly in the "cozy" mystery genre.

Recommended especially if you've ever been involved in the theatre!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for an advance copy.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying I usually love Debbie’s writing but for some reason I struggled to relate to the characters and kept putting the book down. This could totally just be a me thing.

“The Importance of Being Murdered” is a standalone cozy, as the author explains, she wrote this as a play for the local theater. And much like the movie “Clue”, they had more than one ending so people that saw the play would not be able to ruin it for others. She has turned it into a novel and chosen her favorite of the two endings for this book.

I requested and received a advance readers copy from Boldwood and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Suzan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting this book finished. I struggled with the way each chapter took on a different POV from a different character. I could not get interested in any of the characters enough to want to read more. The actual murder took place much further into the story, and that added to my not really being interested. All this is just my interpretation of the way things need to go. Others obviously thought differently, as the book has many high reviews. So give it a go and make up your own mind.
I was given an ARC from Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my honest opinion.

[CrinM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful. I love The Importance of Being Ernest and this story falls right in line with the witty banter and cheek of the play. I want to be friends with the Bunbury Players. It was honestly written to feel like it was a stage play unfolding. Enjoyed the characters inner dialogue they had concerning other people. I didn’t pick the baddie but I thought the reasoning for committing the crime was hilarious and just corny irony the victim’s actual name.