The Mystery of the Village Theatre: A cozy crime mystery set in an English village

The Antique Shop Mysteries #5

by Judith Cutler

Warm-hearted novice antique dealer Lina Townend has a talent for sniffing out trouble — but even she doesn’t expect the local village play to turn deadly!
Things aren’t looking bright for Lina. A flashy new antique centre has opened in the Kentish village of Bredeham, stealing her customers and threatening the future of her beloved shop.
At least her dear friend and mentor, Griff Tripp, has something to smile about — he’s been cast as the lead in Curtain Call, a local amateur play. But when Lina reluctantly agrees to help behind the scenes, she quickly realises that something’s rotten in the oast-house theatre.
Tyres are slashed. Nasty messages appear. Someone hides a dead fish in a heating venting. And when a cast member collapses and dies mid-rehearsal, Lina knows this is more than harmless backstage drama.
Convinced Griff is in danger, she starts her own investigation, stepping into the spotlight — and straight into danger. Because behind the greasepaint and gossip lurks a killer. And u

Genres: Mystery

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2026

About the author

Judith Cutler was born and bred in the Midlands, and revels in using her birthplace, with its rich cultural life, as a background for her novels. After a long stint as an English lecturer at a run-down college of further education, Judith, a prize-winning short-story writer, has taught Creative Writing at Birmingham University, has run occasional writing course elsewhere (from a maximum security prison to an idyltic Greek island) and ministered to needy colleagues in her role as Secretary of the Crime Writers' Association.

Reviews

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

Griff is asked to perform in a play, something he loves to do. Lina encourages him because he seems distracted; what is he hiding?

I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in this story. Told from Lina's point of view, it's funny and poignant and realistic. Both Lina and Griff are fabulous characters and make these stories brilliant. However, I am not sure about Lena's relationship with Morris.

Of course, there were villains...

Plenty of action, an intriguing plot and great characters made this a fantastic read.

Well-written and engaging.

Highly recommended.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series and intend to keep on reading it. The three star rating is due to the way the book ends - not the solution. I think it's a cheap writing ploy to end a mystery in a way that requires a reader to pick up the next book to see how a temporary situation plays out. It's supposed to be a series, not a serial. Still recommended, but I am holding a grudge in the meantime.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

Not the best in the series. You definitely need to read some previous ones to know the characters. More about the lives and relationships of the characters with a mystery intertwined.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloak and Dagger

Another brilliant adventure about Lina and Griff. Again I couldn't out it down. The twist and turns were more dramatic than dodging the potholes up to Lina's father's home.

[Joanne Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I have enjoyed each of the books in this series. They have been my judt before bed reads to wind down. I am invested heavily into Lina & Griff's lives now. I hope there are more in the series. Looking forward to #6.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars