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Don't Upstage the Body
Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family of professional mourners have perfected the theatrical art of grief. When the reclusive Lord Basil Monfort engages her family's services for his own funeral, she vows it will be her last performance as she's tired of the disguise. Then she discovers the undertaker's body in the library and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an undercover investigation.
Rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta must navigate a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.
Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be the role of Hippolyta's life, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls.
With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery where no one is who they seem.
Rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta must navigate a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.
Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be the role of Hippolyta's life, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls.
With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery where no one is who they seem.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2026
About the author
Naomi Stephens
5 books334 followersNaomi Stephens is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. She received a B.A. in English from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, and an M.A. in English from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
In bookstores, Naomi gravitates towards 19th-century British novels—the broodier the better (i.e., Jane Eyre)—but she can also be found perusing the young adult, mystery, and fantasy sections. Anything that keeps her turning pages past midnight.
Though she has called many places home over the years, she currently lives in Ohio with her husband, her two children, and a rascal of a dog named Sherlock. When not writing or having adventures with her family, she can be found drinking tea, practicing photography, and pining for London.
In bookstores, Naomi gravitates towards 19th-century British novels—the broodier the better (i.e., Jane Eyre)—but she can also be found perusing the young adult, mystery, and fantasy sections. Anything that keeps her turning pages past midnight.
Though she has called many places home over the years, she currently lives in Ohio with her husband, her two children, and a rascal of a dog named Sherlock. When not writing or having adventures with her family, she can be found drinking tea, practicing photography, and pining for London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
July 16, 2026
3.5 stars ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Historical Murder Mystery
About this book:
“Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family of professional mourners have perfected the theatrical art of grief. When the reclusive Lord Basil Monfort engages her family's services for his own funeral, she vows it will be her last performance as she's tired of the disguise. Then she discovers the undertaker's body in the library and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an undercover investigation.
Rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta must navigate a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.
Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be the role of Hippolyta's life, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls.”
Series: No, it seems to be a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Colossians 1:18 at the beginning; A Scripture is mentioned; Prayers & a blessing over food; Prayers from ‘The Book of Common Prayer’ are read at a funeral; Going to a chapel & seeing crosses and a stained-glass window; Talks about God, Jesus, & grief; ’H’s are capital when referring to God and Jesus; Mentions of God & Jesus Christ; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches/chapels, vicars and other clergymen, & services; Mentions of confessions & repenting; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of Heaven; A few mentions of church fathers & saints; A couple mentions of being blessed; A mention of someone crossing himself at the end of a prayer; A mention of a young boy trying to see if he could walk on water; A mention of a guardian angel;
*Note: Religious exclamations such as a ‘for heaven’s sake’, a ‘for Pete’s sake’, a ‘heavens to Betsy’, a ‘the devil’ (instead of ‘the heck’ or stronger), two ‘merciful heavens’, three ‘heavens’, three ‘thank heavens’, and three forms of ‘what/how the devil’ are all said; Hippolyta imagines a swirling lake being stirred by three witches (a reference to Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’); A scene is described as if everyone at the dinner table was congregated for a “midnight séance” and waiting for a “ghoulish figure” to rise; The love interest is described as having a “devil’s grin” when teasing Hippolyta; He tells another man to tell someone to “go to the devil”; Mentions of a superstitious man & his many superstitions about death (despite being a devout Christian); Mentions of luck & bad luck; A few mentions of ghosts (said as a phrase or examples, not seriously meant); A couple mentions of things being called “unholy” (such as bad weather); A mention of someone being hell-bent on finding out the murderer; A mention of jinxing something.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blazes’, a ‘bloody’, a ‘dash it’, a ‘how in thunder’, a form of ‘shut up’, a ‘what the blazes’, two ‘blimey’s, two forms of ‘darn’, two ‘idiot’s, two ‘stupid’s, and three forms of ‘blast/blasted’; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Hippolyta and her family lie often due to their roles (which she feels bad about); Hippolyta also eavesdrops (mostly while snooping to figure out the murderer); Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Finding a dying body & seeing the person pass away (from poison; also remembering seeing the body; all up to semi-detailed); Being held at gun-point, Being Threatened, Almost drowning, Gunshots, & Fainting (up to semi-detailed); Grief & Seeing others grieve (up to semi-detailed); Hippolyta and the love interest trick a police officer to be able to search the house without him bothering them; Many mentions of funerals, grief, & deaths (including Hippolyta for her mother & her father’s major grief over the death of his wife, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of murder, poison, someone being poisoned and killed, & the murderer; Many mentions of robberies/burglaries, thieves, pickpockets, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of a car crash, injuries, & death (Hippolyta’s mother); Mentions of a physically abusive brother; Mentions of wars, bombings, & injuries; Mentions of gunshots & pistols being aimed and used to threaten others; Mentions of arrests & prisons/jails; Mentions of a woman who disappeared; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, drunks, & hangovers; Mentions of cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, & smoking; Mentions of gambling & gamblers; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of fights & fighting; A few mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of throwing up; A mention of a man stabbing another; A mention of wild parties; A mention of a vampire; A mention of a dog running away;
*Note: Mentions of actors/actresses, movies, plays, authors, & fictional characters (Vincent Price, David Niven, Laurence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren, Joan Crawford, Hedy Lamarr, Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, Hitchcock films, Sherlock Holmes, ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’, Shakespeare, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘The Winter’s Tale’, ‘Othello’, ‘The Prince of the Pagodas’, & ‘Frankenstein’; Some are also quoted as well); Mentions of brand names (Coca-Cola, Guerlain Shalimar perfume, Zenith player, & Pond’s Cold Cream); Mentions of songs & singers (‘A Pocketful of Dreams’, ‘Jambalaya’ by Hank Williams, ‘Dance to the Duke!’ by Duke Ellington, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, & Big Bill Broonzy); Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of BBC & a newscaster (Richard Baker); A few mentions of artists (Rembrandt, Edward Hopper, & Vermeer); A few mentions of Socrates; A couple mentions of authors & books (Oscar Wilde & Aldo Nadi); A mention of a TV show (Picture Parade).
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, an almost kiss (up to semi-detailed), and a semi-detailed kiss; Staring at lips; Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); When investigating the murder, Hippolyta and the love interest are alone in his bedroom (nothing sexual happens); A couple implications of an unmarried man and woman sharing a room and bed (they do not get married, though the man wanted to marry her); Mentions of possible illegitimate children & affairs; A few mentions of a man wanting his sister to become a mistress to a rich man & her accusing him of turning his own sister into a prostitute; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A few mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a man probably being used to being caught in “embarrassing situations” with young ladies; A mention of a man possibly having ill intentions when around a maid; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Hippolyta Halfpenny
P.O.V. of Hippolyta
Set in 1957
304 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
Well, that was a very interesting murder mystery! I haven’t read a lot of murder mysteries lately because they can often feel dark, depressing, and just overall sad, but I was curious about this one due to it being set in 1950s. It was very reminiscent of Clue with the people being trapped in a house after a funeral and then a murder happens. Just the concept of Hippolyta and her family being professional mourners was an interesting element to the book, but I was curious about how everything was connected and would end in regards to the mystery.
I didn’t love the love interest as he was rude and demanding for most of the book—he very much had a “devil may care” kind of attitude that didn’t endear him to me. That said, by the end, he had grown on me at least a little bit and even made me laugh with the unexpected humor throughout the book. They definitely aren’t my favorite couple—and I would have preferred to see some faith discussions between the two of them besides a comment about him confessing to the vicar, so I could believe they were a little more equally yoked.
I don’t recall this in the author’s previous book, but there were many times that dialogue wasn’t written as dialogue. Instead, it was written in a paragraph with actions or other comments. I had to pay close attention because the dialogue wasn’t always easily noticeable and could be missed when reading.
Overall, I personally enjoyed this book more than “The Burning of Rosemont Abbey” by Naomi Stephens (though that one was hard to read personally because of the topic of sibling loss). I would suggest Older High School teens and above due to the murder content and romance threads.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family of professional mourners have perfected the theatrical art of grief. When the reclusive Lord Basil Monfort engages her family's services for his own funeral, she vows it will be her last performance as she's tired of the disguise. Then she discovers the undertaker's body in the library and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an undercover investigation.
Rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta must navigate a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.
Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be the role of Hippolyta's life, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls.”
Series: No, it seems to be a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Colossians 1:18 at the beginning; A Scripture is mentioned; Prayers & a blessing over food; Prayers from ‘The Book of Common Prayer’ are read at a funeral; Going to a chapel & seeing crosses and a stained-glass window; Talks about God, Jesus, & grief; ’H’s are capital when referring to God and Jesus; Mentions of God & Jesus Christ; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches/chapels, vicars and other clergymen, & services; Mentions of confessions & repenting; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of Heaven; A few mentions of church fathers & saints; A couple mentions of being blessed; A mention of someone crossing himself at the end of a prayer; A mention of a young boy trying to see if he could walk on water; A mention of a guardian angel;
*Note: Religious exclamations such as a ‘for heaven’s sake’, a ‘for Pete’s sake’, a ‘heavens to Betsy’, a ‘the devil’ (instead of ‘the heck’ or stronger), two ‘merciful heavens’, three ‘heavens’, three ‘thank heavens’, and three forms of ‘what/how the devil’ are all said; Hippolyta imagines a swirling lake being stirred by three witches (a reference to Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’); A scene is described as if everyone at the dinner table was congregated for a “midnight séance” and waiting for a “ghoulish figure” to rise; The love interest is described as having a “devil’s grin” when teasing Hippolyta; He tells another man to tell someone to “go to the devil”; Mentions of a superstitious man & his many superstitions about death (despite being a devout Christian); Mentions of luck & bad luck; A few mentions of ghosts (said as a phrase or examples, not seriously meant); A couple mentions of things being called “unholy” (such as bad weather); A mention of someone being hell-bent on finding out the murderer; A mention of jinxing something.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blazes’, a ‘bloody’, a ‘dash it’, a ‘how in thunder’, a form of ‘shut up’, a ‘what the blazes’, two ‘blimey’s, two forms of ‘darn’, two ‘idiot’s, two ‘stupid’s, and three forms of ‘blast/blasted’; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Hippolyta and her family lie often due to their roles (which she feels bad about); Hippolyta also eavesdrops (mostly while snooping to figure out the murderer); Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Finding a dying body & seeing the person pass away (from poison; also remembering seeing the body; all up to semi-detailed); Being held at gun-point, Being Threatened, Almost drowning, Gunshots, & Fainting (up to semi-detailed); Grief & Seeing others grieve (up to semi-detailed); Hippolyta and the love interest trick a police officer to be able to search the house without him bothering them; Many mentions of funerals, grief, & deaths (including Hippolyta for her mother & her father’s major grief over the death of his wife, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of murder, poison, someone being poisoned and killed, & the murderer; Many mentions of robberies/burglaries, thieves, pickpockets, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of a car crash, injuries, & death (Hippolyta’s mother); Mentions of a physically abusive brother; Mentions of wars, bombings, & injuries; Mentions of gunshots & pistols being aimed and used to threaten others; Mentions of arrests & prisons/jails; Mentions of a woman who disappeared; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, drunks, & hangovers; Mentions of cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, & smoking; Mentions of gambling & gamblers; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of fights & fighting; A few mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of throwing up; A mention of a man stabbing another; A mention of wild parties; A mention of a vampire; A mention of a dog running away;
*Note: Mentions of actors/actresses, movies, plays, authors, & fictional characters (Vincent Price, David Niven, Laurence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren, Joan Crawford, Hedy Lamarr, Marlon Brando, Grace Kelly, Hitchcock films, Sherlock Holmes, ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’, Shakespeare, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘The Winter’s Tale’, ‘Othello’, ‘The Prince of the Pagodas’, & ‘Frankenstein’; Some are also quoted as well); Mentions of brand names (Coca-Cola, Guerlain Shalimar perfume, Zenith player, & Pond’s Cold Cream); Mentions of songs & singers (‘A Pocketful of Dreams’, ‘Jambalaya’ by Hank Williams, ‘Dance to the Duke!’ by Duke Ellington, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, & Big Bill Broonzy); Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of BBC & a newscaster (Richard Baker); A few mentions of artists (Rembrandt, Edward Hopper, & Vermeer); A few mentions of Socrates; A couple mentions of authors & books (Oscar Wilde & Aldo Nadi); A mention of a TV show (Picture Parade).
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, an almost kiss (up to semi-detailed), and a semi-detailed kiss; Staring at lips; Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); When investigating the murder, Hippolyta and the love interest are alone in his bedroom (nothing sexual happens); A couple implications of an unmarried man and woman sharing a room and bed (they do not get married, though the man wanted to marry her); Mentions of possible illegitimate children & affairs; A few mentions of a man wanting his sister to become a mistress to a rich man & her accusing him of turning his own sister into a prostitute; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A few mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a man probably being used to being caught in “embarrassing situations” with young ladies; A mention of a man possibly having ill intentions when around a maid; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Hippolyta Halfpenny
P.O.V. of Hippolyta
Set in 1957
304 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
Well, that was a very interesting murder mystery! I haven’t read a lot of murder mysteries lately because they can often feel dark, depressing, and just overall sad, but I was curious about this one due to it being set in 1950s. It was very reminiscent of Clue with the people being trapped in a house after a funeral and then a murder happens. Just the concept of Hippolyta and her family being professional mourners was an interesting element to the book, but I was curious about how everything was connected and would end in regards to the mystery.
I didn’t love the love interest as he was rude and demanding for most of the book—he very much had a “devil may care” kind of attitude that didn’t endear him to me. That said, by the end, he had grown on me at least a little bit and even made me laugh with the unexpected humor throughout the book. They definitely aren’t my favorite couple—and I would have preferred to see some faith discussions between the two of them besides a comment about him confessing to the vicar, so I could believe they were a little more equally yoked.
I don’t recall this in the author’s previous book, but there were many times that dialogue wasn’t written as dialogue. Instead, it was written in a paragraph with actions or other comments. I had to pay close attention because the dialogue wasn’t always easily noticeable and could be missed when reading.
Overall, I personally enjoyed this book more than “The Burning of Rosemont Abbey” by Naomi Stephens (though that one was hard to read personally because of the topic of sibling loss). I would suggest Older High School teens and above due to the murder content and romance threads.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
May 28, 2026
I LOVED this book so much! It’s what I would label a cozy mystery, with lighter tones and great humor. I loved these characters! Especially our two main characters. Hippolyta (I have no idea how to pronounce her name) is just wonderful! I love her! She is so determined to solve the mystery. She is a professional mourner so she uses a fake persona, Ethel Jones. Crispin is the son of the deceased Lord Basil Montfort (the most recent funeral is for) and he instantly likes Hippolyta but is suspicious of her hiding something, especially of her name being Ethel. They meet when she finds the undertaker dead. And so we have a whodunnit mystery! I loved watching the interactions between Hippolyta and Crispin and them working to solve the mystery. I also liked Tula, she is a fun character. This story is filled with great humor and mystery and a little romance. There is also great Christian content. Overall, a fantastic story and I recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
June 24, 2026
Wowwowwow!!! I have found a new-to-me author that I wish I'd've read from her beginnings!
This book is not only a cozy mystery-which I usually don't even care for, by the way, but it also made me giggle a number of times with its irreverent humor and banter.
Speaking of banter, Crispin is delightful! The way he interacted with...EVERYONE just tickled me!
Hippolyta's family business is wonderful, but also has depth to it. And her father, Lord love him-wait. The guy's fictional. So I'm not sure that really applies here. Anyway, her father really touched me.
I couldn't read this book in a day-too many responsibilities right now-but I definitely would have been able to. I did NOT want to put this one down! It was just fabulous.
And now I need to read Naomi Stephens' entire backlist!
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
Edited to add audio review:
I read this book with my eyes and loved it so much that I HAD to listen to the audiobook too.
I was reminded how delightfully irreverent this book is, and I loved it just as much the second time around.
Amy Scanlon did a BEAUTIFUL job narrating. I could listen to this book over and over and not get tired of it.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
This book is not only a cozy mystery-which I usually don't even care for, by the way, but it also made me giggle a number of times with its irreverent humor and banter.
Speaking of banter, Crispin is delightful! The way he interacted with...EVERYONE just tickled me!
Hippolyta's family business is wonderful, but also has depth to it. And her father, Lord love him-wait. The guy's fictional. So I'm not sure that really applies here. Anyway, her father really touched me.
I couldn't read this book in a day-too many responsibilities right now-but I definitely would have been able to. I did NOT want to put this one down! It was just fabulous.
And now I need to read Naomi Stephens' entire backlist!
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
Edited to add audio review:
I read this book with my eyes and loved it so much that I HAD to listen to the audiobook too.
I was reminded how delightfully irreverent this book is, and I loved it just as much the second time around.
Amy Scanlon did a BEAUTIFUL job narrating. I could listen to this book over and over and not get tired of it.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
June 25, 2026
This book is so fun! It’s like being a part of a murder mystery dinner theater. And Noami is such a fantastic and clever writer. Thoroughly enjoyed.
June 29, 2026
Boohooo!! I don’t want to be done—I want this to go on forever. 😂 Seriously, this has all the things I love in genre fiction: a mystery, a country house, a romance, and humor. The faith element is woven in beautifully too. I love Hippolyta’s family and the Shakespeare/theater bits are so clever and fun. Tula was delightful, and I’m hopeful for her (iykyk). Hippolyta is a lovely heroine. I like that she feels mildly out of place in her family and their career, but she still loves them immensely. The mystery was lots of fun, and I always love a good closed circle mystery. And Crispin!! Such a dear. It’s a book that makes me immediately want to flip back to page one and start all over again.
June 21, 2026
This story hooked me from the very first page. I read a majority of this book in less than 48 hours.
The premise of this story is so unique--I didn't even know "hired mourners" were real but loved how that played a part in the satisfying conclusion of this book.
There was a light faith thread that wove into the story naturally and I very much enjoyed that piece of it.
Even though the majority of the story spanned less than 48 hours, the romance was believable, and made the stakes deliciously high.
Naomi Stephens is an author I will be following closely from now on because her mysteries are top notch!
RATINGS:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
16+
💋
✝️
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
The premise of this story is so unique--I didn't even know "hired mourners" were real but loved how that played a part in the satisfying conclusion of this book.
There was a light faith thread that wove into the story naturally and I very much enjoyed that piece of it.
Even though the majority of the story spanned less than 48 hours, the romance was believable, and made the stakes deliciously high.
Naomi Stephens is an author I will be following closely from now on because her mysteries are top notch!
RATINGS:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
16+
💋
✝️
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
June 17, 2026
When a disguised professional mourner stumbles across a body (no, not the one in the grave), she finds her careful life turned upside down as she reluctantly investigates the murder with a man suspicious about her secrets. Naomi Stephens is a new to me author, but I was all kinds of eager to try her Christie-eseque 1950’s era country house murder mystery.
Hippolyta Halfpenny is part of a thespian family and she the only non-actor among them. After grieving her mother’s death, her father came up with the new business venture of taking the family acting skills into a new occupation. He, her brothers and sister are now discreet, professional mourners. People hire the Halfpennys for various reasons and her father made rules to do the service right. Hippolyta finds herself breaking several of the rules meant to protect the family reputation which will be destroyed if word ever gets out they are fake funeral mourners.
Lord Montfort, the deceased, hired them and didn’t want even his nearest and dearest to know. Hippolyta is not keen on the subterfuge like the rest of her colorful family are, but she really feels the weight of the secrets when she is stuck in her role as a distant relation after she discovers the dead undertaker, the new Lord Montfort finds her near the body, and the police have lots of questions for all the family and funeral guests in the house. She has no choice, but to partner with young man about town and now Earl of Montfort, particularly when her own eccentric relations are looking pretty good as suspects to the police.
Don’t Upstage the Body was a historical cozy mystery in tone. There is a good balance of suspense and development and without too much description, one gets a feel for the setting and circumstances. The mystery takes some time to unfold and I liked the few twists and surprises even while there is a strong feeling of unease wondering when someone will expose the Halfpennys.
Hippolyta is the central figure and the sole narrator of the book. I liked her from the start. She is different from the rest of her family and is ambivalent about the family career. But, once she realizes the man was murdered, her clever thinking and attention for detail stands her well and she starts investigating even though she told the rude, arrogant, gadabout, Crispin Montfort, that she won’t do any detecting with him. Slowly, they get to know each other and see beyond the public personas they both wear for different reasons and turn into quite the detecting pair with their opposite personalities bringing different strengths to the case and a reluctant attraction for her part.
I was well satisfied with this engaging cozy- the witty dialogue, colorful characters, and plot with intriguing layers. I’ve eagerly added Naomi Stephen’s backlist to my stack and hope for more from her pen. An entertaining historical charmer that readers should exit stage left and make all haste to add to the stack.
I rec'd a print copy from Bethany House Fiction and Great Reads Book Promo to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink on 8.13.26.
Hippolyta Halfpenny is part of a thespian family and she the only non-actor among them. After grieving her mother’s death, her father came up with the new business venture of taking the family acting skills into a new occupation. He, her brothers and sister are now discreet, professional mourners. People hire the Halfpennys for various reasons and her father made rules to do the service right. Hippolyta finds herself breaking several of the rules meant to protect the family reputation which will be destroyed if word ever gets out they are fake funeral mourners.
Lord Montfort, the deceased, hired them and didn’t want even his nearest and dearest to know. Hippolyta is not keen on the subterfuge like the rest of her colorful family are, but she really feels the weight of the secrets when she is stuck in her role as a distant relation after she discovers the dead undertaker, the new Lord Montfort finds her near the body, and the police have lots of questions for all the family and funeral guests in the house. She has no choice, but to partner with young man about town and now Earl of Montfort, particularly when her own eccentric relations are looking pretty good as suspects to the police.
Don’t Upstage the Body was a historical cozy mystery in tone. There is a good balance of suspense and development and without too much description, one gets a feel for the setting and circumstances. The mystery takes some time to unfold and I liked the few twists and surprises even while there is a strong feeling of unease wondering when someone will expose the Halfpennys.
Hippolyta is the central figure and the sole narrator of the book. I liked her from the start. She is different from the rest of her family and is ambivalent about the family career. But, once she realizes the man was murdered, her clever thinking and attention for detail stands her well and she starts investigating even though she told the rude, arrogant, gadabout, Crispin Montfort, that she won’t do any detecting with him. Slowly, they get to know each other and see beyond the public personas they both wear for different reasons and turn into quite the detecting pair with their opposite personalities bringing different strengths to the case and a reluctant attraction for her part.
I was well satisfied with this engaging cozy- the witty dialogue, colorful characters, and plot with intriguing layers. I’ve eagerly added Naomi Stephen’s backlist to my stack and hope for more from her pen. An entertaining historical charmer that readers should exit stage left and make all haste to add to the stack.
I rec'd a print copy from Bethany House Fiction and Great Reads Book Promo to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink on 8.13.26.
September 8, 2026
“She’d certainly never met Lord Basil Montfort, the poor bloke in the casket, although if anyone asked, she’d claim to be his third cousin twice removed. She was always the third cousin twice removed.”
What a delightful read in every way! From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Don’t Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens. Which came as no surprise to me because her previous 1950s British murder mystery – The Burning of Rosemont Abbey – grabbed my attention just as quickly. The characters, the witty banter, the light romance thread (that manages to still be thoroughly swoony even though it’s tucked away as a subplot), and the mystery itself all claimed space in my heart and kept me immensely entertained. Not to mention the author’s writing voice, which was just perfection for this story. Even though I don’t believe this author is British, she has nevertheless nailed the deliciously droll, this-begs-to-be-read-aloud cadence I love so much in British literature.
“Don’t upstage the body.” Out of the ever-increasing list of rules Hippolyta Halfpenny’s father has established for their family business of professional mourners, this is chief among them. All very well and good for a body that’s where it’s supposed to be (as is Lord Basil Montfort when our story begins), but Hippolyta has never been instructed on what to do when she finds a body where there shouldn’t be one. Unfortunately for her – but fortunately for readers – she’s about to get a crash course in this very scenario when she stumbles on the undertaker’s body in the library of Lord Montfort’s estate. She might still have had a chance of fading into the woodwork if Crispin Montfort (the new and very much alive Earl) hadn’t stumbled across her and the body shortly thereafter. Or if the roads hadn’t flooded, keeping them all stuck at the manor house with a murderer in their midst, along with several people who aren’t who they say they are (Hippolyta’s family included). What follows is a cleverly written, humorous, and layered investigation that would do Agatha Christie’s amateur sleuths, or even her most famed professional detective, proud.
The very idea of a family of professional mourners, led by their thespian father, who all assume different identities and pretend not to know one another struck me as being highly amusing, especially if one were observing them from the sidelines as we’re blessed to do. Adding that rather eccentric dynamic to a murder investigation made it all the more comical to me, but in a very endearing sense, thanks to the way Stephens also weaves in such touching emotions and heartfelt character growth. I loved getting to know their different personalities, as well as Crispin’s (swoon!) and his aunt Tula, and I really loved watching Crispin steadily fall for the woman he doesn’t for one second believe is really Ethel Jones, dental secretary. Ah yes, Hippolyta’s alias and ‘cover story’ certainly complicate the romantic feelings that are developing between her and the late Earl’s son, not to mention the murder investigation. As we move from one act to the next (and oh how I adored that plot device, my favorite being ‘Act 5 – In Which Loose Ends are Made Less Loose’), we are fully immersed in every scene and growing more attached to these characters by the minute. So much so, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye when I reached the last word.
Bottom Line: Don’t Upstage the Body is proof that a murder mystery can be clever, swoony, heartwarming, and delightfully witty all at the same time. Naomi Stephens has assembled a cast of characters I would happily follow into another dozen adventures, from the endearingly eccentric Halfpennys (including, of course, Hippolyta) to the thoroughly charming Crispin and several side characters in between. This wonderfully cozy and immersive story embodied everything I love about a British manor house mystery plus the much appreciated addition of gentle faith notes that were tucked naturally into the character development. Don’t Upstage the Body was such fun to read, from curtain rise to final bow, and it would make a great next read for fans of Agatha Christie, Jen Turano, and atmospheric whodunits that balance humor, heart, and suspense with a dash of romance too!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
What a delightful read in every way! From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Don’t Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens. Which came as no surprise to me because her previous 1950s British murder mystery – The Burning of Rosemont Abbey – grabbed my attention just as quickly. The characters, the witty banter, the light romance thread (that manages to still be thoroughly swoony even though it’s tucked away as a subplot), and the mystery itself all claimed space in my heart and kept me immensely entertained. Not to mention the author’s writing voice, which was just perfection for this story. Even though I don’t believe this author is British, she has nevertheless nailed the deliciously droll, this-begs-to-be-read-aloud cadence I love so much in British literature.
“Don’t upstage the body.” Out of the ever-increasing list of rules Hippolyta Halfpenny’s father has established for their family business of professional mourners, this is chief among them. All very well and good for a body that’s where it’s supposed to be (as is Lord Basil Montfort when our story begins), but Hippolyta has never been instructed on what to do when she finds a body where there shouldn’t be one. Unfortunately for her – but fortunately for readers – she’s about to get a crash course in this very scenario when she stumbles on the undertaker’s body in the library of Lord Montfort’s estate. She might still have had a chance of fading into the woodwork if Crispin Montfort (the new and very much alive Earl) hadn’t stumbled across her and the body shortly thereafter. Or if the roads hadn’t flooded, keeping them all stuck at the manor house with a murderer in their midst, along with several people who aren’t who they say they are (Hippolyta’s family included). What follows is a cleverly written, humorous, and layered investigation that would do Agatha Christie’s amateur sleuths, or even her most famed professional detective, proud.
The very idea of a family of professional mourners, led by their thespian father, who all assume different identities and pretend not to know one another struck me as being highly amusing, especially if one were observing them from the sidelines as we’re blessed to do. Adding that rather eccentric dynamic to a murder investigation made it all the more comical to me, but in a very endearing sense, thanks to the way Stephens also weaves in such touching emotions and heartfelt character growth. I loved getting to know their different personalities, as well as Crispin’s (swoon!) and his aunt Tula, and I really loved watching Crispin steadily fall for the woman he doesn’t for one second believe is really Ethel Jones, dental secretary. Ah yes, Hippolyta’s alias and ‘cover story’ certainly complicate the romantic feelings that are developing between her and the late Earl’s son, not to mention the murder investigation. As we move from one act to the next (and oh how I adored that plot device, my favorite being ‘Act 5 – In Which Loose Ends are Made Less Loose’), we are fully immersed in every scene and growing more attached to these characters by the minute. So much so, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye when I reached the last word.
Bottom Line: Don’t Upstage the Body is proof that a murder mystery can be clever, swoony, heartwarming, and delightfully witty all at the same time. Naomi Stephens has assembled a cast of characters I would happily follow into another dozen adventures, from the endearingly eccentric Halfpennys (including, of course, Hippolyta) to the thoroughly charming Crispin and several side characters in between. This wonderfully cozy and immersive story embodied everything I love about a British manor house mystery plus the much appreciated addition of gentle faith notes that were tucked naturally into the character development. Don’t Upstage the Body was such fun to read, from curtain rise to final bow, and it would make a great next read for fans of Agatha Christie, Jen Turano, and atmospheric whodunits that balance humor, heart, and suspense with a dash of romance too!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 18, 2026
Naomi Stephens is fast becoming a new favorite historical mystery author for me. If Agatha Christie wrote nowadays, it would be like this.
1950s setting, a great cast of characters and a mysterious body shows up at a funeral? Who did it?
I really loved the setting of the story, the mystery and surprises kept showing up. And the unique line of work our main character was involved in.
4.5⭐
*Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary book, all thoughts are always my own.
1950s setting, a great cast of characters and a mysterious body shows up at a funeral? Who did it?
I really loved the setting of the story, the mystery and surprises kept showing up. And the unique line of work our main character was involved in.
4.5⭐
*Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary book, all thoughts are always my own.
June 29, 2026
OVERALL STAR RATING: 5/5
CLEAN RATING: 5/5
Gifted by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Picked this up for the amazing title and cover art and proceeded to be floored by the incredibly witty dialogue and immersive experience of a manor house murder mystery. Have you ever wanted to read a book that would make you feel as though you were stepping inside of a black-and-white film? Well, this one will absolutely do the trick! This gave major CLUE and Agatha Christie vibes. A classic whodunnit set in the 1950s with the most intriguing of plots. This kept me guessing from start to finish and I simply couldn’t stop smiling at every encounter between the MMC and FMC.
Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family are in quite an interesting line of business – they are seat fillers at funerals so to speak - hired to stand in and fake grievances when a family is worried about a poor turn out for their dearly beloved whom has passed away. Now, if that alone doesn’t pique your interest, I’m not sure what will! Lol When I say this story is going to suck you in right from the start, buckle up because the intrigue in this plot is beyond gripping.
Hippolyta’s family is “mourning” at the famous Lord Basil Montfort’s service when an unexpectedly intense storm hits and prevents attendees from leaving the estate. As if one dead body wasn’t enough, Hippolyta stumbles across another – an apparent murder victim. So ensues an incredible investigation with twists, turns, humor and chaos. All the while, Hippolyta and her family must continue to conceal their identity as nobody is supposed to know that they were professionally hired mourners. Things…get…sticky!!!
@authornaomistephens was a new-to-me author, and I was very impressed by her writing skills. This book flowed so seamlessly. I don’t think this is set to become a series, but I would love to read more stories featuring this fun and quirky cast of characters.
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
CLEAN RATING: 5/5
Gifted by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Picked this up for the amazing title and cover art and proceeded to be floored by the incredibly witty dialogue and immersive experience of a manor house murder mystery. Have you ever wanted to read a book that would make you feel as though you were stepping inside of a black-and-white film? Well, this one will absolutely do the trick! This gave major CLUE and Agatha Christie vibes. A classic whodunnit set in the 1950s with the most intriguing of plots. This kept me guessing from start to finish and I simply couldn’t stop smiling at every encounter between the MMC and FMC.
Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family are in quite an interesting line of business – they are seat fillers at funerals so to speak - hired to stand in and fake grievances when a family is worried about a poor turn out for their dearly beloved whom has passed away. Now, if that alone doesn’t pique your interest, I’m not sure what will! Lol When I say this story is going to suck you in right from the start, buckle up because the intrigue in this plot is beyond gripping.
Hippolyta’s family is “mourning” at the famous Lord Basil Montfort’s service when an unexpectedly intense storm hits and prevents attendees from leaving the estate. As if one dead body wasn’t enough, Hippolyta stumbles across another – an apparent murder victim. So ensues an incredible investigation with twists, turns, humor and chaos. All the while, Hippolyta and her family must continue to conceal their identity as nobody is supposed to know that they were professionally hired mourners. Things…get…sticky!!!
@authornaomistephens was a new-to-me author, and I was very impressed by her writing skills. This book flowed so seamlessly. I don’t think this is set to become a series, but I would love to read more stories featuring this fun and quirky cast of characters.
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
July 25, 2026
A really fun premise and a strong beginning, followed by a fairly run-of-the-mill mystery. I liked the pace, the mix of quirkiness and sincerity, and the characters. Would read more by this author.
May 3, 2026
This one has a lighter more cozy mystery feel to it than the author’s previous book, but I was here for it. The mystery is satisfying and the characters are endearing. I had to consult the list of characters at the beginning of the book frequently to try to remember who each person was pretending to be so that definitely paused my reading flow at times. However, I got the hang of it in time and still managed to fly through this one over the weekend. If you love 1950s era mysteries, you’ll want to pick this one up. Thank you, Bethany House for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication!
July 12, 2026
(4.5 stars)
“The first body was exactly where it was supposed to be.”
Now that’s how you open a mystery.
If you’ve ever wondered about the lives of professional mourners—or simply love a clever, clean whodunit—Don’t Upstage the Body is one to add to your list.
After loving The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, I couldn’t wait to dive into Naomi Stephens’ newest novel, and it did not disappoint. Hippolyta Halfpenny and her eccentric family of professional mourners were an absolute delight. Add in Aunt Tula, the charming Earl Crispin, and a manor house full of secrets, and I was hooked from the very first page.
Naomi Stephens has a wonderful gift for crafting mysteries that invite you to play detective alongside the characters while also giving them genuine emotional depth. Every new clue had me second-guessing my theories, and I loved the unexpected twists—including the delightfully humorous speculation that the murderer must either enjoy lobster curry or be the one snoring! Just when I thought I had it figured out, the real culprit completely caught me off guard.
Broken into theatrical acts and sprinkled with light threads of faith, this 1950s historical mystery is equal parts clever, cozy, and heartwarming. It’s the perfect summer mystery, but I can already picture myself recommending it all autumn long with a cozy blanket and a warm drink.
Bravo, @authornaomistephens 👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you @bethanyhousefiction for my copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
“The first body was exactly where it was supposed to be.”
Now that’s how you open a mystery.
If you’ve ever wondered about the lives of professional mourners—or simply love a clever, clean whodunit—Don’t Upstage the Body is one to add to your list.
After loving The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, I couldn’t wait to dive into Naomi Stephens’ newest novel, and it did not disappoint. Hippolyta Halfpenny and her eccentric family of professional mourners were an absolute delight. Add in Aunt Tula, the charming Earl Crispin, and a manor house full of secrets, and I was hooked from the very first page.
Naomi Stephens has a wonderful gift for crafting mysteries that invite you to play detective alongside the characters while also giving them genuine emotional depth. Every new clue had me second-guessing my theories, and I loved the unexpected twists—including the delightfully humorous speculation that the murderer must either enjoy lobster curry or be the one snoring! Just when I thought I had it figured out, the real culprit completely caught me off guard.
Broken into theatrical acts and sprinkled with light threads of faith, this 1950s historical mystery is equal parts clever, cozy, and heartwarming. It’s the perfect summer mystery, but I can already picture myself recommending it all autumn long with a cozy blanket and a warm drink.
Bravo, @authornaomistephens 👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you @bethanyhousefiction for my copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
June 23, 2026
1957 London
What a fun and clever historical mystery! This novel got more engaging with each chapter.
The Halfpenny family makes a living by serving as professional mourners. When it looks like there won't be enough mourners to honor a deceased loved one, the Halfpenny family shows up. They behave as strangers at the funerals and have their backstory/relationship to the deceased locked down. What they don't expect is to be held hostage at one of these funerals when a murder takes place at the meal following the burial.
Enter my favorite characters Crispin and Tula...so much fun! Hippolyta Halfpenny and Crispin partner together to try and figure out who murdered the undertaker.
My gratitude to the author and publisher (Bethany House) for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
What a fun and clever historical mystery! This novel got more engaging with each chapter.
The Halfpenny family makes a living by serving as professional mourners. When it looks like there won't be enough mourners to honor a deceased loved one, the Halfpenny family shows up. They behave as strangers at the funerals and have their backstory/relationship to the deceased locked down. What they don't expect is to be held hostage at one of these funerals when a murder takes place at the meal following the burial.
Enter my favorite characters Crispin and Tula...so much fun! Hippolyta Halfpenny and Crispin partner together to try and figure out who murdered the undertaker.
My gratitude to the author and publisher (Bethany House) for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
July 7, 2026
Naomi Stephens is a new-to-me author and I am a big fan! I was pleasantly surprised at how invested I was from the very first line, but the way this unique cozy mystery is set up really caught my interest. Hippolytha Halfpenny and her father and siblings are professional mourners, hired by families to attend and mourn at funerals–which means they are actors. With a cast of characters and set up in acts, it is easy to visualize as a play on stage.
In a style slightly reminiscent of Agatha Christie, but infused with wit and humor, this delightful mystery is so easy to devour and I loved every twist and turn, casting my suspicions on various cast members, only to have them struck down. The plot and cast, as well as the setting, combine into an amazing story that I absolutely loved and couldn’t put down.
Cleverly written and easy to get lost in, this one is the perfect mystery story for those who love a whodunit set in a manor with wisps of romance along the way.
⚠️non-descriptive death; mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
In a style slightly reminiscent of Agatha Christie, but infused with wit and humor, this delightful mystery is so easy to devour and I loved every twist and turn, casting my suspicions on various cast members, only to have them struck down. The plot and cast, as well as the setting, combine into an amazing story that I absolutely loved and couldn’t put down.
Cleverly written and easy to get lost in, this one is the perfect mystery story for those who love a whodunit set in a manor with wisps of romance along the way.
⚠️non-descriptive death; mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
August 15, 2026
Cute, cozy mystery. I’m excited to chat about this one with my book club this month!
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was really good. I did listen at 1.3 speed because the narrator spoke a bit slow, but otherwise I thought it was great.
The characters were well done! Crispin is my favorite character here. The whole premise of paid mourners was interesting! I guess I just never thought that would be a profession.
If you’re looking for a cozy, whodunnit, murder mystery look no further.
The romance is also very sweet. I love the ending 😍
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was really good. I did listen at 1.3 speed because the narrator spoke a bit slow, but otherwise I thought it was great.
The characters were well done! Crispin is my favorite character here. The whole premise of paid mourners was interesting! I guess I just never thought that would be a profession.
If you’re looking for a cozy, whodunnit, murder mystery look no further.
The romance is also very sweet. I love the ending 😍
July 9, 2026
oh this was an absolute delight. everyone is keeping secrets and that makes the drama oh so fun. I believe it's funnier than the author's previous work, but I'm very curious to read more from her! 5 stars!
July 13, 2026
Audiobook (and one of the best narrators I've ever listened to).
This book was 👌. Probably my favorite read of the year so far. It had it all- hidden identities, whodunnit, chemistry, humor- all done with perfect pacing. Highly recommend, esp the audiobook.
This book was 👌. Probably my favorite read of the year so far. It had it all- hidden identities, whodunnit, chemistry, humor- all done with perfect pacing. Highly recommend, esp the audiobook.
July 7, 2026
Review to come 🩷
July 5, 2026
I've been waiting for this one since finishing The Burning of Rosemont Abbey. I really think Stephens has found her sweet spot. She's becoming a master of characterization and fun, twisty whodunnits.
First up, Hippolyta is a genius character--good at what she does (it helps when you've brought up to be an actress), but she has limits to her ability to maintain her role (because no one is on the stage 24/7!!!). That makes her believable.
But honestly, Crispin stole the show. I loved how into the mystery he got, how he accepted her knowing full well she wasn't who she said she was, and I didn't figure it out. I had a whole different idea going on.
The faith elements weren't too on the nose but were solid and true. And once again, I loved a character who too often ends up being a caricature rather than a real person- a villain when heroism fts better.
i want more. I need more. PLEASE GIVE US MORE!
First up, Hippolyta is a genius character--good at what she does (it helps when you've brought up to be an actress), but she has limits to her ability to maintain her role (because no one is on the stage 24/7!!!). That makes her believable.
But honestly, Crispin stole the show. I loved how into the mystery he got, how he accepted her knowing full well she wasn't who she said she was, and I didn't figure it out. I had a whole different idea going on.
The faith elements weren't too on the nose but were solid and true. And once again, I loved a character who too often ends up being a caricature rather than a real person- a villain when heroism fts better.
i want more. I need more. PLEASE GIVE US MORE!
July 14, 2026
Don’t Upstage the Body
Author: Naomi Stephens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Review:
I saw this book making the rounds on Bookstagram and picked it up on a whim, and I am so glad I did! What an absolute delight this was. This was my first book by Naomi Stephens, and after enjoying this one so much, I already can’t wait to read more of her books.
Don’t Upstage the Body follows a family of professional mourners who find themselves swept into a murder investigation when the undertaker at Lord Basil Montfort’s funeral is found murdered. After Hippolyta discovers the dying man, she unexpectedly becomes an amateur sleuth, going undercover in hopes of uncovering the truth.
From the very first pages, I was completely charmed. The cozy mystery atmosphere, the dry humor, and the delightfully theatrical cast made this such a joy to read. It felt like stepping into a game of Clue or attending a wonderfully entertaining murder mystery dinner, and I loved trying to unravel the mystery alongside the characters.
Hippolyta and Crispin completely stole the show for me. Their wit, dramatic flair, and determination to uncover the truth made every scene they shared sparkle. The entire cast was wonderfully eccentric, bringing so much life, heart, and humor to the story.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery itself, it was the characters and their relationships that made this book truly memorable. I found myself smiling often, laughing out loud more than once, and wishing I could spend just a little more time with this quirky cast by the time I reached the final page.
If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries with lovable characters, plenty of humor, and an engaging whodunit, I can’t recommend this one enough. It was charming from beginning to end, and I closed the book already looking forward to returning to Naomi Stephens’ world.
Author: Naomi Stephens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Review:
I saw this book making the rounds on Bookstagram and picked it up on a whim, and I am so glad I did! What an absolute delight this was. This was my first book by Naomi Stephens, and after enjoying this one so much, I already can’t wait to read more of her books.
Don’t Upstage the Body follows a family of professional mourners who find themselves swept into a murder investigation when the undertaker at Lord Basil Montfort’s funeral is found murdered. After Hippolyta discovers the dying man, she unexpectedly becomes an amateur sleuth, going undercover in hopes of uncovering the truth.
From the very first pages, I was completely charmed. The cozy mystery atmosphere, the dry humor, and the delightfully theatrical cast made this such a joy to read. It felt like stepping into a game of Clue or attending a wonderfully entertaining murder mystery dinner, and I loved trying to unravel the mystery alongside the characters.
Hippolyta and Crispin completely stole the show for me. Their wit, dramatic flair, and determination to uncover the truth made every scene they shared sparkle. The entire cast was wonderfully eccentric, bringing so much life, heart, and humor to the story.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery itself, it was the characters and their relationships that made this book truly memorable. I found myself smiling often, laughing out loud more than once, and wishing I could spend just a little more time with this quirky cast by the time I reached the final page.
If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries with lovable characters, plenty of humor, and an engaging whodunit, I can’t recommend this one enough. It was charming from beginning to end, and I closed the book already looking forward to returning to Naomi Stephens’ world.
July 31, 2026
From the moment you look at the cover of Don't Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens and learn that "Professional Mourners" are at the heart of the story, you are drawn in from the very beginning. This cozy mystery takes place in 1957 England at Montfort Manor Estate, where the funeral of Lord Basil Montfort is underway. Little did the professional mourners know that what should have been a quick job would turn into a long, drawn-out stay. Another dead body shows up at the estate, and it is not the one that was just eulogized.
This novel is full of mystery, suspense, and suspicious characters around every corner, offering a whodunnit that will keep you guessing throughout. The many red herrings dropped along the way made me work hard to piece the clues together and guess the killer's identity.
A cast of colorful characters keeps you thoroughly entertained. These include the serious Hippolyta Halfpenny, who stumbles upon the body; the new earl, Crispin Montfort, who takes a liking to Hippolyta and forms a connection with her; and the saucy American southerner, Aunt Tula. Witty banter is prominent throughout the story, keeping the humor high. While the grand reveal at the end is surprising, there are plenty of other fun secrets uncovered alongside the culprit. This book will keep you engaged from the very first page to the last.
This novel is full of mystery, suspense, and suspicious characters around every corner, offering a whodunnit that will keep you guessing throughout. The many red herrings dropped along the way made me work hard to piece the clues together and guess the killer's identity.
A cast of colorful characters keeps you thoroughly entertained. These include the serious Hippolyta Halfpenny, who stumbles upon the body; the new earl, Crispin Montfort, who takes a liking to Hippolyta and forms a connection with her; and the saucy American southerner, Aunt Tula. Witty banter is prominent throughout the story, keeping the humor high. While the grand reveal at the end is surprising, there are plenty of other fun secrets uncovered alongside the culprit. This book will keep you engaged from the very first page to the last.
July 30, 2026
It’s very rare for me to pick up fiction that’s not at least 50 years old, but this one looked intriguing and my library had it so I gave it a chance. I’m glad I did!
It’s a cozy British mystery set in the 1950s, and it’s chock full of Shakespeare references, which was fun. It was well-written while still easy to read, and the mystery was suspenseful but not overly intricate.
I thought the opening sentence was brilliant: “The first body was exactly where it was supposed to be.”
My criticism is that the plot would have benefited from being stretched over a longer period of time so that the reader could spend more time getting to know the characters before the mystery was revealed. There wasn’t quite enough depth to make me have strong suspicions in any one direction.
It’s a cozy British mystery set in the 1950s, and it’s chock full of Shakespeare references, which was fun. It was well-written while still easy to read, and the mystery was suspenseful but not overly intricate.
I thought the opening sentence was brilliant: “The first body was exactly where it was supposed to be.”
My criticism is that the plot would have benefited from being stretched over a longer period of time so that the reader could spend more time getting to know the characters before the mystery was revealed. There wasn’t quite enough depth to make me have strong suspicions in any one direction.
August 8, 2026
Chef's kiss. Five out of five stars. Beautiful, wholesome story.
Not the most complicated mystery, and I did predict a few plot twists, but it was still phenomenal and got me out of my reading slump. I will be revisiting this one in a while. Definitely worth the re-read.
Super sweet ending, although cliché, but books and movies like this just restore my faith in humanity a bit. Not everything is doom and gloom and murder.
Not the most complicated mystery, and I did predict a few plot twists, but it was still phenomenal and got me out of my reading slump. I will be revisiting this one in a while. Definitely worth the re-read.
Super sweet ending, although cliché, but books and movies like this just restore my faith in humanity a bit. Not everything is doom and gloom and murder.
June 24, 2026
A perfect summer cozy mystery! It fit the bill for quirky characters, quaint setting, and a fun plot. (And yes this is the book that survived swim class - albeit a tad worse for the wear 😂).
This is my first book to read of this author I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have her The Burning of Rosemont Abbey to get to as well.
𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘣: “𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝟷𝟿𝟻𝟽, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘢 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵
𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨:
· 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡—𝙣𝙤𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜.
· 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚.
· 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙨.
· 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙪𝙥𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮.”
𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
This is my first book to read of this author I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have her The Burning of Rosemont Abbey to get to as well.
𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘣: “𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝟷𝟿𝟻𝟽, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘢 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵
𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨:
· 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡—𝙣𝙤𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜.
· 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚.
· 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙨.
· 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙪𝙥𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮.”
𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
June 24, 2026
RULES FOR PROFESSIONAL MOURNERS:
☑️Plan your aliases well--no improvising.
☑️Wear proper mourning attire.
☑️Maintain discretion at all costs.
◼️ Don't upstage the body.
🪦My Thoughts:
I had Don’t Upstage the Body on my most-anticipated list for 2026, and it completely delivered! 🎉 Naomi Stephens has given us another delightful whodunit English murder mystery. It all begins at a funeral....
Follow along with Hippolyta's sleuthing antics as everyone gets locked in with the killer at the funeral after party! I adored Hippolyta’s fierce determination and personal growth - she refuses to back down even when things become chilling. The side characters are fabulous - especially Aunt Tula, the American! *gasp* (I had to stop myself from reading her lines out loud in a full Southern drawl.😂) The ending was genius! I truly didn’t see it coming and just sat back in delighted shock. 😮
5/5 ⭐️ Perfect for readers who want a rollicking, not-too-scary mystery with plenty of heart.
🪦Read If You Like:
•Agatha Christie meets Downtown Abbey vibes
•1950's English Manor setting
•Cozy whodunit mysteries
•Clue style twists and reveals
•Memorable side characters
•Unique Family relationships
•Forced proximity tropes
☑️Plan your aliases well--no improvising.
☑️Wear proper mourning attire.
☑️Maintain discretion at all costs.
◼️ Don't upstage the body.
🪦My Thoughts:
I had Don’t Upstage the Body on my most-anticipated list for 2026, and it completely delivered! 🎉 Naomi Stephens has given us another delightful whodunit English murder mystery. It all begins at a funeral....
Follow along with Hippolyta's sleuthing antics as everyone gets locked in with the killer at the funeral after party! I adored Hippolyta’s fierce determination and personal growth - she refuses to back down even when things become chilling. The side characters are fabulous - especially Aunt Tula, the American! *gasp* (I had to stop myself from reading her lines out loud in a full Southern drawl.😂) The ending was genius! I truly didn’t see it coming and just sat back in delighted shock. 😮
5/5 ⭐️ Perfect for readers who want a rollicking, not-too-scary mystery with plenty of heart.
🪦Read If You Like:
•Agatha Christie meets Downtown Abbey vibes
•1950's English Manor setting
•Cozy whodunit mysteries
•Clue style twists and reveals
•Memorable side characters
•Unique Family relationships
•Forced proximity tropes
September 16, 2026
This was a quick, low-demand read, which is precisely what I was in the mood for.
I do not think I am quite the target audience for this book. I kept thinking, "oh, that's a cultural reference. I wonder who/what that is. Perhaps I should go look him up." Usually I just told myself "No! Focus!” and kept reading. I did end up googling Buddy Holly. This is the only reason I am able to tell you with certainty that this book was set in the 1950s. It's possible there were signs. But the mannerisms, modes of speech, and fashion descriptions seemed to range from the 30s-60s. Rita Hayworth is a wildcard. So are women's tweed trousers. So is...England? I don't know, the setting just felt confusing to me.
Also, as someone who had to unlearn "Hermy-ownie" after approximately 3.5 books, I hedged my bets with "Hippolyta" by rotating between possible pronunciations. What's more, I've recently read The Idiot and consequently kept thinking of Hippolyte (not THE Idiot, but, like many of the characters in that book, AN idiot). Anyway, the audiobook's pronunciation of "Hippolyte" may explain why I tend to favor "Ee-poleeta" here.
But these are side quests, and I don't think they serve the story. I was pulled out of the narrative in a way that made it hard to care about the characters, see the plot as plausible, or appreciate the aspects that really shone.
And do let me mention some positives:
1) Very clear and Biblical treatment of topics like forgiveness, death, and resurrection
2) In this universe, every level of the social strata has examples of devout and serious Christians, as well as the opposite.
3) The Halfpenny family is quirky, to say the least, but it is also warm, loving, and supportive.
4) While the romance was a whirlwind (I think we got about 12 hours into the relationship before somebody started talking about marriage), the story made an effort to show that the foundations of the relationship were solid.
5) Competent clergy are always appreciated
6) Inspector Bramble was generally good for a chuckle any time he was on the page
7) The play format and drama allusions should bring joy to any theater kid
8) There is some interesting treatment of the nature of affection, how it is given and how it is received.
A suggestion for further reading: If you enjoyed the "historical fiction mystery featuring a spunky roll-playing plebian female falling for a morally ambiguous yet fabulously wealthy and devastatingly handsome nobleman" schtick, you will probably get a real kick out of the Miss Dark's Apparitions series by Susannah Rowntree.
I do not think I am quite the target audience for this book. I kept thinking, "oh, that's a cultural reference. I wonder who/what that is. Perhaps I should go look him up." Usually I just told myself "No! Focus!” and kept reading. I did end up googling Buddy Holly. This is the only reason I am able to tell you with certainty that this book was set in the 1950s. It's possible there were signs. But the mannerisms, modes of speech, and fashion descriptions seemed to range from the 30s-60s. Rita Hayworth is a wildcard. So are women's tweed trousers. So is...England? I don't know, the setting just felt confusing to me.
Also, as someone who had to unlearn "Hermy-ownie" after approximately 3.5 books, I hedged my bets with "Hippolyta" by rotating between possible pronunciations. What's more, I've recently read The Idiot and consequently kept thinking of Hippolyte (not THE Idiot, but, like many of the characters in that book, AN idiot). Anyway, the audiobook's pronunciation of "Hippolyte" may explain why I tend to favor "Ee-poleeta" here.
But these are side quests, and I don't think they serve the story. I was pulled out of the narrative in a way that made it hard to care about the characters, see the plot as plausible, or appreciate the aspects that really shone.
And do let me mention some positives:
1) Very clear and Biblical treatment of topics like forgiveness, death, and resurrection
2) In this universe, every level of the social strata has examples of devout and serious Christians, as well as the opposite.
3) The Halfpenny family is quirky, to say the least, but it is also warm, loving, and supportive.
4) While the romance was a whirlwind (I think we got about 12 hours into the relationship before somebody started talking about marriage), the story made an effort to show that the foundations of the relationship were solid.
5) Competent clergy are always appreciated
6) Inspector Bramble was generally good for a chuckle any time he was on the page
7) The play format and drama allusions should bring joy to any theater kid
8) There is some interesting treatment of the nature of affection, how it is given and how it is received.
A suggestion for further reading: If you enjoyed the "historical fiction mystery featuring a spunky roll-playing plebian female falling for a morally ambiguous yet fabulously wealthy and devastatingly handsome nobleman" schtick, you will probably get a real kick out of the Miss Dark's Apparitions series by Susannah Rowntree.
July 9, 2026
This book was so much fun! A family of professional mourners is hired to attend Lord Montfort's funeral, but little do they know a murder will ruin their evening plans! A quirky and quick-witted cozy mystery that moves fast and kept me guessing at every turn, this was an absolute pleasure to read!
It takes place in 1957 and has all the poignant moments and feel of my favorite movie series of all time, The Thin Man! Both Crispin Montfort and Hippolyta Halfpenny give and take in this masterful mystery where a man is found dead in the Montfort Estate and Hippolyta finds the body. She's a clever actress, only pretending to be there for the funeral, as her family are paid funeral attendees. But she doesn't want Crispin to know this and blow their entire family business.
Not to mention that she's fully ready to leave the business, but would never embarrass her family in such a way. She holds on as long as she can, but Crispin's utter enjoyment at teasing her and trying to guess who she really is, brings her around to realizing that he can accept her as she is.
But their immediate attraction to one another and equally interested snooping personalities, take them on a wild adventure trying to figure out who the murderer is before they strike again. As they find clues, it continues to make less and less sense and they start to struggle to put it all together. Their hard work starts to pay off though and then Hippolyta is in danger, which really irks Crispin. He loves having her as his partner in crime, but also doesn't want her in danger.
I truly can't say enough good things about this book because it was absolute perfection and ended far too quickly for me. I loved every moment of the story and fell in love with all of the characters. The banter was amazing and the teasing and jokes between the two main characters really kept it funny and light.
A huge thanks to Bethany House Fiction for sending me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. I'd highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a great historical cozy mystery!
It takes place in 1957 and has all the poignant moments and feel of my favorite movie series of all time, The Thin Man! Both Crispin Montfort and Hippolyta Halfpenny give and take in this masterful mystery where a man is found dead in the Montfort Estate and Hippolyta finds the body. She's a clever actress, only pretending to be there for the funeral, as her family are paid funeral attendees. But she doesn't want Crispin to know this and blow their entire family business.
Not to mention that she's fully ready to leave the business, but would never embarrass her family in such a way. She holds on as long as she can, but Crispin's utter enjoyment at teasing her and trying to guess who she really is, brings her around to realizing that he can accept her as she is.
But their immediate attraction to one another and equally interested snooping personalities, take them on a wild adventure trying to figure out who the murderer is before they strike again. As they find clues, it continues to make less and less sense and they start to struggle to put it all together. Their hard work starts to pay off though and then Hippolyta is in danger, which really irks Crispin. He loves having her as his partner in crime, but also doesn't want her in danger.
I truly can't say enough good things about this book because it was absolute perfection and ended far too quickly for me. I loved every moment of the story and fell in love with all of the characters. The banter was amazing and the teasing and jokes between the two main characters really kept it funny and light.
A huge thanks to Bethany House Fiction for sending me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. I'd highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a great historical cozy mystery!
June 2, 2026
(I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.)
From the publisher/Goodreads: “With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery where no one is who they seem.”
One of my absolute FAVORITE books of the year so far! I loved it so much.
This story is the perfect cozy mystery, and the witty banter throughout was ON POINT. I loved the historical setting and the fact that the entire mystery and story took place in one location: a 1950’s manor house in which everyone is forced to stay put, until the murderer among them is identified. Truly, no one is who they seem!
The mystery kept me guessing, the romance was sweet and fun, and the light faith elements were well done.
I smiled the whole way through this book and did not want to put it down.
If you like cozy mysteries with a whole cast of eclectic, charming characters, you simply must read “Don’t Upstage the Body.”
Highly recommend!
From the publisher/Goodreads: “With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery where no one is who they seem.”
One of my absolute FAVORITE books of the year so far! I loved it so much.
This story is the perfect cozy mystery, and the witty banter throughout was ON POINT. I loved the historical setting and the fact that the entire mystery and story took place in one location: a 1950’s manor house in which everyone is forced to stay put, until the murderer among them is identified. Truly, no one is who they seem!
The mystery kept me guessing, the romance was sweet and fun, and the light faith elements were well done.
I smiled the whole way through this book and did not want to put it down.
If you like cozy mysteries with a whole cast of eclectic, charming characters, you simply must read “Don’t Upstage the Body.”
Highly recommend!
July 13, 2026
As someone who really enjoyed The Burning of Rosemont Abbey this novel was a pleasure to read. If you are someone who enjoys reading mystery novels then Don't Upstage The Body is a novel you definitely need to consider checking out. I absolutely adored the 1950's setting because it takes us away from drama of the past wars and puts us in a more stable time period even though there is a huge dramatic mystery going on. I enjoyed every page and the plot and characters had me begging for more!
We are introduced to Hippolyta (great name by the way) who comes from a long line of professional mourners. Although this career is starting to put a drag on her and she vows that this funeral she is currently attending will be her last. However, things become complicated when the undertaker is discovered dead at the funeral. Hippolyta then decides that before hanging up her offical role that she will solve the mystery of the undertaker's death no matter what the cost will be.
We are introduced to Hippolyta (great name by the way) who comes from a long line of professional mourners. Although this career is starting to put a drag on her and she vows that this funeral she is currently attending will be her last. However, things become complicated when the undertaker is discovered dead at the funeral. Hippolyta then decides that before hanging up her offical role that she will solve the mystery of the undertaker's death no matter what the cost will be.
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