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Don't Upstage the Body: A Mystery (Christian Series Level II
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.
500 pages, Library Binding
First published June 1, 2026
About the author
Naomi Stephens
5 books343 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 183 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.
September 23, 2026
If you were a dying earl whom no one liked in the 1950s, what would you do to ensure that someone would attend your funeral? Well, you might hire professional mourners. That's where Hippolyta Halfpenny comes in. She's posing as Ethel Jones, the earl's third cousin twice removed. Her father, older sister, and older and younger brothers are also part of the troupe of mourners and have been since their mother had died in a car accident when Hippolyta was nine.
"The first body was exactly where it was supposed to be." The second one is the problem. Hippolyta finds it in the process of dying in the library. The undertaker was not supposed to be drinking a glass of gin in the library, but dying was a rather harsh penalty for snitching a glass of gin. Crispin, the new Lord Montfort, finds her at the dying man's side, which is a little awkward since she can't tell him the truth about who she is. It's worse when the inspector and a constable arrive in the pouring rain. The inspector suspects her, but Lord Montfort provides her an alibi, which tangles her in more lies. Then her family leans on her about not breaking her father's rules, the most important one being "Don't upstage the body."
As the inspector accompanies the coroner, leaving the numbskull constable behind, the situation worsens. Now not only are the guests not allowed to leave, but the roads are flooded so they can't leave. And one of them is a murderer. Crispen entices Hippolyta, aka Ethel, to assist him in discovering the murder on threat of turning her over to the inspector.
I picked this up at the library, expecting it to be rather bland. Instead, it was delightful and funny. I couldn't read fast enough.
The characters are unique. Hippolyta is the odd one in her family, obeying the mourning rules though her heart isn't in it. She wants to take her godmother's offer to come take care of her chickens and inherit her cottage, but she doesn't want to hurt her father. Herbert Halfpenny, her father, a former actor, has been mourning her mother's death all the years since the car accident which took her life. He usually poses as a gentleman. Her older sister Cordelia enjoys the acting and wants to marry Clark Gable or some other star. She is a great weeper and sometimes throws herself on the casket, though not this time because it's raining. Her older brother Horatio poses as a young gentleman and gives her advice while her younger brother Tybalt acts the role of an orphan helped by the deceased. And that's just the family!
These guests didn't commit the crime, Hippolyta knows. Then there's the valet, the widow, the handsome young Lord Montfort, who has a wild reputation, the vicar, the newspaperman, Lord Basil's old schoolmate, the American sister-in-law, the groundskeeper, the butler, two footmen, and three maids, all trapped at the estate. Someone tries to cast suspicion on her family and then tries to attack Hippolyta. She's getting too close to someone. Is it the murderer or Crispin? Or maybe both?
"The first body was exactly where it was supposed to be." The second one is the problem. Hippolyta finds it in the process of dying in the library. The undertaker was not supposed to be drinking a glass of gin in the library, but dying was a rather harsh penalty for snitching a glass of gin. Crispin, the new Lord Montfort, finds her at the dying man's side, which is a little awkward since she can't tell him the truth about who she is. It's worse when the inspector and a constable arrive in the pouring rain. The inspector suspects her, but Lord Montfort provides her an alibi, which tangles her in more lies. Then her family leans on her about not breaking her father's rules, the most important one being "Don't upstage the body."
As the inspector accompanies the coroner, leaving the numbskull constable behind, the situation worsens. Now not only are the guests not allowed to leave, but the roads are flooded so they can't leave. And one of them is a murderer. Crispen entices Hippolyta, aka Ethel, to assist him in discovering the murder on threat of turning her over to the inspector.
I picked this up at the library, expecting it to be rather bland. Instead, it was delightful and funny. I couldn't read fast enough.
The characters are unique. Hippolyta is the odd one in her family, obeying the mourning rules though her heart isn't in it. She wants to take her godmother's offer to come take care of her chickens and inherit her cottage, but she doesn't want to hurt her father. Herbert Halfpenny, her father, a former actor, has been mourning her mother's death all the years since the car accident which took her life. He usually poses as a gentleman. Her older sister Cordelia enjoys the acting and wants to marry Clark Gable or some other star. She is a great weeper and sometimes throws herself on the casket, though not this time because it's raining. Her older brother Horatio poses as a young gentleman and gives her advice while her younger brother Tybalt acts the role of an orphan helped by the deceased. And that's just the family!
These guests didn't commit the crime, Hippolyta knows. Then there's the valet, the widow, the handsome young Lord Montfort, who has a wild reputation, the vicar, the newspaperman, Lord Basil's old schoolmate, the American sister-in-law, the groundskeeper, the butler, two footmen, and three maids, all trapped at the estate. Someone tries to cast suspicion on her family and then tries to attack Hippolyta. She's getting too close to someone. Is it the murderer or Crispin? Or maybe both?
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.
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
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A rollicking romp of a whodunit with the requisite twist at the end! Utterly enjoyable for everyone except the poor undertaker.
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.
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.
October 13, 2026
This story was truly delightful! The writing is crisp and I enjoyed the mystery, the characters and the banter. A favorite 2026 read for me!
October 18, 2026
I loved this book! I'm especially drawn to cozy British murder mysteries and I loved all of the Shakespeare references.
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.
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*
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!
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.
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 😍
September 27, 2026
So enjoyable! It was easy to suspend my disbelief for this light-hearted manor house, Agatha Christie style mystery. The characters were interesting & likable & their interactions seemed genuinely warm & natural. The dialogue & banter were spot on. The mystery quickly established enough personal stakes for the hero & heroine to keep me wondering whodunnit. Plus, a talented, familiar narrator (Amy Scanlon) brought the story to life. Naomi Stephens has become one of my favorite authors. (Wish she had more books out there!)
October 12, 2026
"Don't Upstage the Body" by Naomi Stephens is a charming, manor house whodunnit perfectly suited for fans of Masterpiece Mystery!
Set in 1950's England, this cozy murder mystery with a dash of romance features colorful characters that made me smile, sparkling wit that made me laugh out loud, and surprising plot twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
If you fancy amateur sleuths that parry banter as they hunt for clues, Don't Upstage the Body is sure to be your cup of tea!
Set in 1950's England, this cozy murder mystery with a dash of romance features colorful characters that made me smile, sparkling wit that made me laugh out loud, and surprising plot twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
If you fancy amateur sleuths that parry banter as they hunt for clues, Don't Upstage the Body is sure to be your cup of tea!
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 🩷
September 29, 2026
3.5 stars
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 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 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 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.
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