What do you think?
Rate this book
The Comedian Cozy Mystery #1
Murder in the Green Room: The Comedian Cozy Mystery Series
Gwen Harper never planned on becoming a stand-up comedian at fifty-three. She planned on growing old with her husband, watching her kids find their way, and living quietly in their small Kansas town. But Tom is gone, and the one promise she made him—to finally chase the dream she'd always talked about—is the thing keeping her moving forward.
So Gwen drives two hours to open mic nights at questionable venues, clutches a notebook full of uncertain jokes, and tells herself the nerves mean she cares. It's a strange kind of life for a widow with a grown daughter living over her garage, a mortgage still on the books, and a complicated estrangement from her oldest child. But on stage, under the harsh lights, she is simply Gwen—and that feels like something worth holding onto.
When she arrives at The Rusty Nail for a Friday night open mic, she's surprised and delighted to find Tessa Ray there—a fellow comic and one of the few people who ever made Gwen believe she could do this. Their reunion is warm, easy, and full of the kind of laughter that makes a difficult evening feel like a gift. Then Tessa walks down the hall to the green room to meet someone, and never comes back.
When Gwen finds her friend's body, she's plunged into something far outside her quiet, carefully managed life. The police have questions. So does Gwen—and hers don't stop when the detective's do. Everyone in that bar that night had access to that hallway. One of them is a killer. And Gwen, who has spent the last few years learning to trust her instincts on stage, is starting to realize she might be able to trust them off it, too. Particularly as it applies to the undercover FBI agent!
So Gwen drives two hours to open mic nights at questionable venues, clutches a notebook full of uncertain jokes, and tells herself the nerves mean she cares. It's a strange kind of life for a widow with a grown daughter living over her garage, a mortgage still on the books, and a complicated estrangement from her oldest child. But on stage, under the harsh lights, she is simply Gwen—and that feels like something worth holding onto.
When she arrives at The Rusty Nail for a Friday night open mic, she's surprised and delighted to find Tessa Ray there—a fellow comic and one of the few people who ever made Gwen believe she could do this. Their reunion is warm, easy, and full of the kind of laughter that makes a difficult evening feel like a gift. Then Tessa walks down the hall to the green room to meet someone, and never comes back.
When Gwen finds her friend's body, she's plunged into something far outside her quiet, carefully managed life. The police have questions. So does Gwen—and hers don't stop when the detective's do. Everyone in that bar that night had access to that hallway. One of them is a killer. And Gwen, who has spent the last few years learning to trust her instincts on stage, is starting to realize she might be able to trust them off it, too. Particularly as it applies to the undercover FBI agent!
- GenresMystery
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2026
34 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 30, 2026
A Great Start to a New Series!
Mrs. Harman is one of my favorite authors. I have read the majority of her books across the many different series that she so skillfully creates. They never disappoint. Always well written with finely drawn realistic characters that keep you engaged and entertained.
This first book in a new series begins with a widow who is full filling a promise she made to her deceased husband to pursue her dream of being a stand up comedian. Going to open mic nights at local clubs she is slowly establishing herself. She is appearing at a venue she hasn't visited in awhile where she runs into an old friend. But the night ends in tragedy and Gwen realizes that she knew practically nothing about her friend, just what she had learned in casual conversation. She is determined to get answers for her own peace of mind.
Enjoyable and entertaining, I was instantly engaged and can't wait for the next book. There is more back story regarding her three grown children to be explored as well as a possible new friendship.
Kudos to the author...🎉🎉👋👋🌟🌟📚💞💞
Mrs. Harman is one of my favorite authors. I have read the majority of her books across the many different series that she so skillfully creates. They never disappoint. Always well written with finely drawn realistic characters that keep you engaged and entertained.
This first book in a new series begins with a widow who is full filling a promise she made to her deceased husband to pursue her dream of being a stand up comedian. Going to open mic nights at local clubs she is slowly establishing herself. She is appearing at a venue she hasn't visited in awhile where she runs into an old friend. But the night ends in tragedy and Gwen realizes that she knew practically nothing about her friend, just what she had learned in casual conversation. She is determined to get answers for her own peace of mind.
Enjoyable and entertaining, I was instantly engaged and can't wait for the next book. There is more back story regarding her three grown children to be explored as well as a possible new friendship.
Kudos to the author...🎉🎉👋👋🌟🌟📚💞💞
April 1, 2026
This was an okay read, but it didn’t fully deliver. I'm rounding up to 3 stars. The story had potential, but it needed stronger editing—there was quite a bit of repetition that pulled me out of the story thinking, "didn't we already say that?" too many times and made parts feel redundant.
I also found myself wanting more substance overall. The premise was very interesting, but it never quite developed into something as engaging or layered as it COULD have been. As in, Point A is inciting incident and Z is the murderer reveal -- but there wasn't very much of B through Y to get to Z. There just wasn’t enough “there” there and I wanted there to be.
I also found myself wanting more substance overall. The premise was very interesting, but it never quite developed into something as engaging or layered as it COULD have been. As in, Point A is inciting incident and Z is the murderer reveal -- but there wasn't very much of B through Y to get to Z. There just wasn’t enough “there” there and I wanted there to be.
April 1, 2026
A Good Cozy Mystery
I enjoyed book one in this new series. I like that there was not too many characters keep track of. I also enjoyed book one in the other new series that just came out.
Robert E
I enjoyed book one in this new series. I like that there was not too many characters keep track of. I also enjoyed book one in the other new series that just came out.
Robert E
March 31, 2026
If the whole series is going to be like this one, this will be a SUPER series. I really enjoyed reading this one, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Can't wait to see where the relationship goes and how far the comedy gig goes too! Can not wiat for the next one.
March 31, 2026
Romance in mysteries is still unnecessary. It would have been better without.
April 7, 2026
Another great mystery
I think I have read all of Dianne Hanson's books and have enjoyed all of them. I look forward to more of the comedian series.
I think I have read all of Dianne Hanson's books and have enjoyed all of them. I look forward to more of the comedian series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews