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Libby Sarjeant #16
Murder Dancing
The sixteenth in the acclaimed Libby Sarjeant murder mystery series by Lesley Cookman.
Max Tobin brings his all-male dance company to Steeple Martin, with his new ballet Pendle, based on the infamous Pendle Witch Trials, due to be performed at the Oast Theatre. There have been unpleasant incidents during rehearsals in London, and Max asks Libby Sarjeant and her friend Fran Wolfe to look into them. To everyone’s surprise, the seriousness of the incidents escalates until, inevitably, someone is murdered.
While the police look into the murder, Libby and Fran wonder why someone seemed so set against the ballet. Were occult forces at work, or was there a more worldly, personal motive?
Max Tobin brings his all-male dance company to Steeple Martin, with his new ballet Pendle, based on the infamous Pendle Witch Trials, due to be performed at the Oast Theatre. There have been unpleasant incidents during rehearsals in London, and Max asks Libby Sarjeant and her friend Fran Wolfe to look into them. To everyone’s surprise, the seriousness of the incidents escalates until, inevitably, someone is murdered.
While the police look into the murder, Libby and Fran wonder why someone seemed so set against the ballet. Were occult forces at work, or was there a more worldly, personal motive?
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2016
48 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 12, 2016
This is the sixteenth book in this well written and entertaining series of mysteries. Max Tobin has brought his dance company to the Oast Theatre to try and get away from some very unpleasant incidents which have involved various members of the cast.
It is a modern interpretation of the story of the witches of Pendle. When it seems as though the incidents have followed them to Kent and a murder is committed opinions are divided as to whether the production should actually be put on. Does someone have a grudge against the company or is it more personal?
I found the background to this mystery interesting and I liked the way the group of dancers interacted - I thought that was very realistic. The way the tensions mount between them and opinions are divided about whether or not the production should continue is very well done.
I found I had to keep reading to find out what happened and the revelation of the murderer at the end was a total shock to me though when I looked back on it the clues were there and I had misinterpreted them. If you like your crime stories with little on the page violence and bad language and with interesting characters then you will probably enjoy this book and this series. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
It is a modern interpretation of the story of the witches of Pendle. When it seems as though the incidents have followed them to Kent and a murder is committed opinions are divided as to whether the production should actually be put on. Does someone have a grudge against the company or is it more personal?
I found the background to this mystery interesting and I liked the way the group of dancers interacted - I thought that was very realistic. The way the tensions mount between them and opinions are divided about whether or not the production should continue is very well done.
I found I had to keep reading to find out what happened and the revelation of the murderer at the end was a total shock to me though when I looked back on it the clues were there and I had misinterpreted them. If you like your crime stories with little on the page violence and bad language and with interesting characters then you will probably enjoy this book and this series. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 12, 2025
2.5 stars
-my first book read in this series
-odd insistence that “the show must go on” despite the evident dangers
-questionable detective skills
-not very exciting
-my first book read in this series
-odd insistence that “the show must go on” despite the evident dangers
-questionable detective skills
-not very exciting
November 25, 2022
No
Yet again Fran trying to take the glory. She is nasty, boring, thinks she is superior to Libby, and puts her down constantly. So proud married but no empathy that Lovely Libby does not want a dictator. Tells Lib all the time to ask Ben, why?
Fran is a superior bitch
who really does not like Lib and is jealous of her relationship with Ian and Ben . Grant babe is very insecure and takes it out on Kib.
Yet again Fran trying to take the glory. She is nasty, boring, thinks she is superior to Libby, and puts her down constantly. So proud married but no empathy that Lovely Libby does not want a dictator. Tells Lib all the time to ask Ben, why?
Fran is a superior bitch
who really does not like Lib and is jealous of her relationship with Ian and Ben . Grant babe is very insecure and takes it out on Kib.
September 6, 2017
Great story
I enjoyed this installment in the Libby Sarjaent series. I wonder if and hope that there will be another book at some point. I've grown quite fond of the characters and will miss reading about them and their adventures.
I enjoyed this installment in the Libby Sarjaent series. I wonder if and hope that there will be another book at some point. I've grown quite fond of the characters and will miss reading about them and their adventures.
August 27, 2018
i have to say this is my first book by this author and its book sixteen in the libby sarjeant series and it was very good. i got straight into the book and was engrossed as i kept reading, set in a dance theatre, i just loved everything about it
March 27, 2018
Love this series so much
May 11, 2020
Recomend listening to the audio book.
April 26, 2016
This is my first venture into the world of Libby Sarjeant and the colorful cast of characters in her world. I must say, how has it gotten to 16 books and I have never heard of this series before? Well that is rectified now, and I can tell you I will be going back to the beginning to see this whole world unfold before my eyes. Having said that, this book can be read as a standalone, but like myself you will want to devour this entire series as well!
The plot itself is well written and well developed, and I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a lot of fun reading about an entirely different world. Not just a different country, but the world of ballet and on-stage performance! The ending had a great twist and I didn’t see it coming! And can we talk about the cast of characters? At first I was intimidated because I couldn’t keep them straight, but I found the list of characters in the front of the book, which helped me keep things straight until my brain caught up! You will laugh out loud with some of these guys, and I found myself enamored with them.
Overall, Murder Dancing was a fun read with great writing enhanced by an enjoyable story line, wonderfully descriptive scenes and a whole cast of colorful and enjoyable characters!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
The plot itself is well written and well developed, and I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a lot of fun reading about an entirely different world. Not just a different country, but the world of ballet and on-stage performance! The ending had a great twist and I didn’t see it coming! And can we talk about the cast of characters? At first I was intimidated because I couldn’t keep them straight, but I found the list of characters in the front of the book, which helped me keep things straight until my brain caught up! You will laugh out loud with some of these guys, and I found myself enamored with them.
Overall, Murder Dancing was a fun read with great writing enhanced by an enjoyable story line, wonderfully descriptive scenes and a whole cast of colorful and enjoyable characters!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2016
Brilient
The best one yet. I have read all of the books in this series and this was one of the best. It had me guessing right up to the end. I love the characters, they have become like friends to me I feel I know them so well. I cannot wait for the next book. Brilliant writing excellent plots believable characters, what more could you want. I highly recommend all the books in this series. Well done Lesley Cookman.
The best one yet. I have read all of the books in this series and this was one of the best. It had me guessing right up to the end. I love the characters, they have become like friends to me I feel I know them so well. I cannot wait for the next book. Brilliant writing excellent plots believable characters, what more could you want. I highly recommend all the books in this series. Well done Lesley Cookman.
April 1, 2016
Yet again A great book in the Libby Serjeant series by Lesley Cookman. Set solely in Steeple Martin centered around the theatre and Manor House. Hetty plays a bigger part this time which was good to see. I have read all the books in this series in the order they were written and I can honestly say I have enjoyed each one. Again I didn't know who the perpetrator was until the end of the story when it was revealed by the DCI. I sincerely hope there will be another one soon.
August 28, 2016
This series is getting tired. The interaction between Libby and Fran was a big part of past stories but lately it is all Libby with little Fran. I figured out "who done it" almost immediately once the dance troupe arrived. This one just seemed half-hearted.
August 13, 2016
Although I've enjoyed the previous books about Libby and her friends, this one didn't do anything for me. It was almost all dialogue and left me feeling irritated.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews