Murder in the Theater

Cold Creek #4

by Christa Nardi

The drama program has never been so dramatic.
It’d be the season to be jolly if only someone hadn’t set the stage for murder. When a student is arrested for the crime, Professor Sheridan Hendley is cast in the role of amateur sleuth. Tensions run high, friendships are strained, and the college administration is beginning to panic. As the plot thickens Sheridan is yet again drawn deeper into danger. Will she find the truth before the final curtain call?
Cold Creek Series Book 4, Murder in the Theater by Christa Nardi, is another great cozy mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2016

About the author

From childhood, as a fan of Nancy Drew, Dana Girls, Perry Mason, and the Hardy Boys, it was inevitable that Christa Nardi would continue her love of books and particularly mysteries. With a career in technical/nonfiction writing (under real name), it is not surprising that her love of mystery transformed into not only reading but writing mysteries. Christa combines her love for reading and writing on her blog.

Reviews

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in the Theater offers a complicated in awesome tale set against the backdrop of the theater as well as Cold Creek College. The newest murder investigation moves close to home when Marty's nephew becomes prime suspect! Each book seems even better than the last and this one tops the list. This time Marty turns to Kim for help, but of course that pulls in Sheridan who can't just advise. Finding the murderer of a woman reviled by all may be one tough assignment and Marty is too close to the case to be much help. The investigation competes with family stress as Thanksgiving nears. I love that Sheridan's personal life as well a her job flow through the investigation helping to maintain a balance for the reader and greater insight into our protagonist.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Ms. Nardi's writing style of murder mysteries. I am never able to figure out who the killer is until it is revealed. To me that is a good mystery where I am not able to guess. The cast of characters are great. This is another worthwhile book listening to by the talents of Alyssa Baumann, narrator.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember me? I am a retired professor from a relatively small college, and I re-lived all the college politics along with Sheridan. As with the murder at her college, it didn’t help me. However. Sheridan did help me. I now have a list of all the phone numbers from my phone. Thank you, Sher! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The author has created a character that seems right for any occasion be it investigating a murder, dealing with demanding boss's, counselling students or giving advice to friends. Sheridan is the one. I also like her friends and the man in her life. The mystery was interesting with all the different avenues that needed to be investigated and I might have been able to guess at who the killer would be but it would have been a guess because other characters were just as plausible. I nice mystery in a fun series and with this being book four I hope it continues and I can't wait for the next.
The college is on high alert after the news of a suicide in the next town over but it gets even worse when it turns out to be murder and one of there students is arrested. It's even worse Sheridan as the boy arrested is the nephew of one of her friends. Willing helping him investigating cause problems in her own life as the lead detective is her boyfriend. The dead man wasn't liked by anybody who knew him and the suspect pool is large and with most of them involved in the drama group she will have to weed out the bad actors if she wants to find the killer.
I like the narrator. She makes the time just fly bye and makes it entertaining while doing so.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntary left this review.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the subject matter of this book is interesting, it lacked a spark to me.

There is tension, motive,opportunity, etc. but the plot centers on one suspect with no real evidence except a thumb print on a gun every male knew about and some had held.

Most of the people talked to as they try amassing something substantial resulted in hostility, anger, or evasion making many seem as if they were hiding something. Well Priscilla is gone from the college and now there is another who is just as verbally hostile as she was. Hum...a theme hear perhaps?

I persisted to the end just to find out who the murderer actually was. I was surprised as it was not a person I though could be deadly but in fact this person definitely was. The attorney’s motion which is to be presented on arraignment is for a lesser sentence. His motion explaining why his client did what they did is far fetched to me. However we did not find out if he.succeeded as the book stops before the arraignment and just after the former suspect is released with a clear record.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in the Theater
Cold Creek Mysteries, Book 4

By: Christa Nardi
Narrated by: Alyssa Baumann

Fantastic, Believable, Engrossing, & Enjoyable!

Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 12-03-23

A beautifully drawn, believable plot and well designed, beautifully defined characters combine to make “Murder in the Theater” a thoroughly engrossing, and completely enjoyable listen! As a delightful bonus, a few main character-driven subplots artfully weave their way through the story, subplots that have this listener wanting more, and wanting it NOW, hint, hint, dear author! The dialogue flows smoothly, naturally, and is not only compelling, but completely believable! I really love that our author takes the time to make sure there are no loose ends, or unanswered questions, when all is said and done! Every aspect of the story has a proper finish! The narration that brought our authors vision to life is fantastic! I really loved everything about “Murder in the Theater” and I can’t wait for more! Five fabulous stars!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own kindle & Audible version of this book. I found the audio version to be well narrated.
Marty’s nephew becomes the prime suspect in a death involving the college’s theater community and Sheridan becomes involved in trying to determine who really did the murder. Sheridan has an over zealous and politically board supervisor. He needs to a get a grip on reality and quit putting her in a tight spot.

The police could have figured this out but of course, Sheridan is more entrenched as it affects people she knows if the incorrect person is prosecuted for the murder.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I enjoyed book 4 of the "Cold Creek Mysteries" series. Sheridan Hendley and Marty were friends. After Marty's nephew was accused of murder, Sheridan's skills as an amateur sleuth were needed to discover the truth. I was entertained by the twisted mystery presented in this story. I enjoyed the interactions of the characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Alyssa Baumann's narration was fine, and her performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the way that Christa Nardi writes and it just involves me into Sheridan's life (who cannot just leave things alone and has to get involved). Her personal, professional and amateur investigations also blend and I am looking forward to how her relationships develop.

The narration also works and gets me involved

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining, well written cozy mystery. The murder of an unpopular theatre director involves Sheridan and Brett in another case, with an involving story and strong well described characters this is an ideal cozy mystery for a quite night in. Narration by Alyssa Baumann is excellent. I received a complimentary copy of the audio from the author and am leaving a honest voluntary review.

[Debby]

I had it wrong! The killer in this book was not who I expected and for me to be surprised is unusual. That being said, it means the author did it right. Another enjoyable read in the Cold Creek Mysteries.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I am binge reading the series and enjoy not only the murder mystery, but also the interactions between the characters and the character development. You can read the synopsis for yourself. I am off to grab book 5.

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

As always this is a well written cozy mystery with fleshed out characters and well developed plot. I look forward to the next book.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

a book where a woman who is a professor at a small college .this a series a out her and her friends

[Brenda Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Christa Nardi is a great writer.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered this new author and I love her books! 5 star read. A great mystery and sweet romance.

[Robyn K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like they focus way too much on the relationships and frivolous tasks than the actual murder

only reading this to finish the series

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good series.

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story - but lacked excitement.

[Debbie Ganaden-Mattes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the series but I thought this one was a little slow, took awhile to get the investigation going

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed all of the books in the Cold Creek series, and this one was especially good. Sheridan and Kim don their investigating caps again as they try to clear a Cold Creek College student of murder charges in the death of the director of the Altavista theater. It is so enjoyable seeing the two of them put their heads together, and Sheridan is a great protagonist. I was especially interested in how she handled all the interactions with the College Administration, as well as her every day routine as a professor of psychology. I am even starting to get a soft spot for her colleague, Max, and it was great to see Brett and Sheridan's relationship move forward as well.

Although this book is the fourth in the Cold Creek series, it can stand on its own, but you really shouldn't miss all the other books in the series, which I highly recommend.

I received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

The romance continues as Psychologist/Professor Sheridan and State Police Homicide Detective, Brett find themselves embroiled with a murder at a Community theater. Sheridan's friend and co-worker, Kim are shocked when Kim's boyfriend, an attorney, Marty announces that it is his nephew Isaac who is arrested for the killing.

This series is a solid murder mystery series, however, the gentle romances that have bloomed within it's tales are enjoyable and equally attractive to the cozy genre reader.

I don't want to say too much about the plot other than it is well-developed, the dialog is strong, and the ending is satisfying in many ways.

This series is more than worth a read from volume one to the next one Book 5! Enjoy!

[Celia Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Murder in the Theater by Christa Nardi a delightful read. As I started reading, I realized there were other books that came before this one, but that was no problem. Anything needed to be known from the previous books was explained with no interruption to the flow of the story. I found the lead character very sympathetic, and could easily fall in with her feelings and her objective detecting. I liked the number of suspects, so it kept the mystery moving as the investigations proceeded. I liked the interactions of the various characters, the good friends and the suspects. I was a bit surprised by the ending, but not disappointed, and I can easily recommend this book and I would think this series.
Celia Martin

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many suspects, yet the police arrest the first one they can think of. All the evidence is circumstantial and easily explained away when the most hated man at the theatre is found dead.
The bulk of the book is about interrogation and theorizing.
It is fascinating to look into Sher's mind as she tries to solve a murder and get the university admin off her back.
Thanksgiving family dysfunction and teenage angst fill in the rest. We learn more about each of the characters.

I am glad I never worked at a college as crazed as this one.

I did receive this book for review purposes.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The professor and the detective and another professor and the lawyer whose nephew is accused of murdering a truly obnoxious yet unqualified director of the local community theater. Too many suspects to count combined with personal family issues make for a lot of sleuthing and an absorbing read!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great who done it! Characters are well rounded. I loved reading this murder mystery! I look forward to the next book!!

Well done, Christa Nardi!