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Rapier Wit
When an extra body turns up backstage, Quanah High School’s production of Romeo and Juliet is in trouble. Small-town high school teacher Regina Murphy has to stop directing and muster up her amateur sleuthing skills to find out who killed stern math teacher Robert Slayton, an ex-military man whose classroom demeanor has made him the center of conflicts with students, parents, and other faculty. Against the advice of Sheriff Mac Snyder, Reggie balances her day job initiating students into the mysteries of the dangling participle, explaining why stage right is the audience’s left, and confronting plagiarists to protect her students and make sure the curtain goes up on time.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2021
7 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Oakley Denslow
2 books42 followersJennifer Oakley Denslow, the author of Rapier Wit, a new cozy mystery, and the historical novel An Ignorance of Means, started reading before she started kindergarten and has been mesmerized by stories ever since.
Denslow lives with her husband in northeast Oklahoma in a house with over 5,000 books, plenty of reading lamps, and all the accessories necessary for enjoying a good read.
Denslow lives with her husband in northeast Oklahoma in a house with over 5,000 books, plenty of reading lamps, and all the accessories necessary for enjoying a good read.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 3, 2022
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, fun read. I can't wait to read more from this author!
March 13, 2021
As a successful debate/drama coach, author Jennifer Denslow has first-hand knowledge of the inner social and political landscape that’s embedded in every high school setting. She uses that information to create this wonderful cozy mystery, while also sharing with readers the heart she has for her students. The eccentric characters, references to Romeo & Juliet, and the teacher’s relationship with the sheriff presses the reader toward solving the case and bringing everything to a satisfying conclusion. This is an objective review based on an Advanced Reader Copy from the author.
March 21, 2021
Goodreads giveaway
Great read for a rainy day. We are taken into a high school and get wrapped up in hidden past lives and murder.
Great read for a rainy day. We are taken into a high school and get wrapped up in hidden past lives and murder.
March 16, 2021
This was Good
A very quick Read for moore. It's likeable and paced well. I liked the main character. A nice way to spend some time.
A very quick Read for moore. It's likeable and paced well. I liked the main character. A nice way to spend some time.
August 30, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Rapier Wit by Jennifer Oakley Denslow is a new cozy mystery that is well-written.
Will Regina be able to figure out who killed Colonel Slayton?
Regina Murphy
Regina Murphy is our sleuth who's in her early thirties and is an English and Drama teacher. She is putting on the play Romeo and Juliet when during rehearsals, they find a dead body. To save a student who she knows is innocent, Regina has to solve the crime. Well, more like she has to gather clues to help the sheriff, who she has a crush on, to let go of the student as a suspect. She doesn't think of it as sleuthing as they aren't in a mystery novel. Regina seems like a good teacher as she tries to be there for her students. I don't really know about her sleuthing skills, though.
Colonel Slayton
Colonel Slayton is our victim, but he was a terrible guy before he got killed. He was in the National Guard for a long time. When he got out, Colonel Slayton got his teaching credentials and has been teaching since then. Except he isn't a good teacher, not even in his Geometry class. Colonel Slayton approached the classroom and his home life as if he is still in the military with a strict firm hand. He rubbed many students, their parents, and other teachers the wrong way with the way he teaches. Sadly, he died in the one place where Colonel Slayton didn't want to be. The murderer lures him backstage while Reg, the sleuth, was focused on the students. Sure he probably didn't deserve to die, but it is funny that he died in the auditorium where he didn't want his son to be.
Three Stars
Rapier Wit by Jennifer Oakley Denslow seemed like an okay book when you first start it, but I didn't get enough of a chance to see Regina being either flirty with the sheriff and being a teacher to really snoop. I know that being a teacher is her job, but maybe during her own block periods that are the same as one of the other teachers, she could have talked to them. I also spotted the murderer pretty quickly as well. Ms. Denslow did a good job for her first cozy mystery, but it wasn't for me. I am giving it three stars and recommending it to people who want to give it a try.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Rapier Wit by Jennifer Oakley Denslow.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
Victim/Toe Tag: Colonel Slayton
Beachcomber Weapons: Letter Opener
Beachcomber Crime Scene: School
Detectives: Regina Murphy (R)
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Will Regina be able to figure out who killed Colonel Slayton?
Regina Murphy
Regina Murphy is our sleuth who's in her early thirties and is an English and Drama teacher. She is putting on the play Romeo and Juliet when during rehearsals, they find a dead body. To save a student who she knows is innocent, Regina has to solve the crime. Well, more like she has to gather clues to help the sheriff, who she has a crush on, to let go of the student as a suspect. She doesn't think of it as sleuthing as they aren't in a mystery novel. Regina seems like a good teacher as she tries to be there for her students. I don't really know about her sleuthing skills, though.
Colonel Slayton
Colonel Slayton is our victim, but he was a terrible guy before he got killed. He was in the National Guard for a long time. When he got out, Colonel Slayton got his teaching credentials and has been teaching since then. Except he isn't a good teacher, not even in his Geometry class. Colonel Slayton approached the classroom and his home life as if he is still in the military with a strict firm hand. He rubbed many students, their parents, and other teachers the wrong way with the way he teaches. Sadly, he died in the one place where Colonel Slayton didn't want to be. The murderer lures him backstage while Reg, the sleuth, was focused on the students. Sure he probably didn't deserve to die, but it is funny that he died in the auditorium where he didn't want his son to be.
Three Stars
Rapier Wit by Jennifer Oakley Denslow seemed like an okay book when you first start it, but I didn't get enough of a chance to see Regina being either flirty with the sheriff and being a teacher to really snoop. I know that being a teacher is her job, but maybe during her own block periods that are the same as one of the other teachers, she could have talked to them. I also spotted the murderer pretty quickly as well. Ms. Denslow did a good job for her first cozy mystery, but it wasn't for me. I am giving it three stars and recommending it to people who want to give it a try.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Rapier Wit by Jennifer Oakley Denslow.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
Victim/Toe Tag: Colonel Slayton
Beachcomber Weapons: Letter Opener
Beachcomber Crime Scene: School
Detectives: Regina Murphy (R)
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
April 7, 2021
my thoughts are very scattered about this book.
first, the positives! this was my very first arc & I’m so happy to be reading and reviewing professionally now :’)
- the idea behind the murder mystery was one everyone has heard of before - take high school musical and pretty little liars and blend them together. together, they make this book. and yet, that was exactly the way I wanted to read this! it was easy and quick and kept my interest from start to finish.
- the way the teachers were crafted was beautifully written. my favorite part was learning about the teacher’s backstories!!!
- THE DEVILED EGG RECIPE made me screech I can’t wait to make them omg
- also whoever designed the cover for this book should win some award because once you’ve read the book, you’re going to look back at this cover and be like son of a - they really did that. meow.
and the not so positives.
- I felt very spoon fed the entire time. instead of allowing the readers to come to conclusions and leaving little hints for the readers to find before the protagonist, the protagonist instead explained her findings in detail every chapter to a new character. I would have appreciated the concept more if I was allowed to see the facts before the conclusion was shoved in my face.
- the end result was not well blended into the story in the slightest. it felt super out of left field and not at all related to the majority of the story at hand.
- also the unnecessary romance? why can’t we have a book without someone falling head over heels for the wrong person at the wrong time?
I really really wanted to like this because it was just the soapy murder mystery young adult book I was craving to read. however, I wish it would have allowed the reader more freedom to imagine and speculate the details instead of being spoon fed the appropriate response.
thank you for the arc, hidden gems, and allowing me to honestly review this book in exchange for a free copy :’)
2.5/5 stars
first, the positives! this was my very first arc & I’m so happy to be reading and reviewing professionally now :’)
- the idea behind the murder mystery was one everyone has heard of before - take high school musical and pretty little liars and blend them together. together, they make this book. and yet, that was exactly the way I wanted to read this! it was easy and quick and kept my interest from start to finish.
- the way the teachers were crafted was beautifully written. my favorite part was learning about the teacher’s backstories!!!
- THE DEVILED EGG RECIPE made me screech I can’t wait to make them omg
- also whoever designed the cover for this book should win some award because once you’ve read the book, you’re going to look back at this cover and be like son of a - they really did that. meow.
and the not so positives.
- I felt very spoon fed the entire time. instead of allowing the readers to come to conclusions and leaving little hints for the readers to find before the protagonist, the protagonist instead explained her findings in detail every chapter to a new character. I would have appreciated the concept more if I was allowed to see the facts before the conclusion was shoved in my face.
- the end result was not well blended into the story in the slightest. it felt super out of left field and not at all related to the majority of the story at hand.
- also the unnecessary romance? why can’t we have a book without someone falling head over heels for the wrong person at the wrong time?
I really really wanted to like this because it was just the soapy murder mystery young adult book I was craving to read. however, I wish it would have allowed the reader more freedom to imagine and speculate the details instead of being spoon fed the appropriate response.
thank you for the arc, hidden gems, and allowing me to honestly review this book in exchange for a free copy :’)
2.5/5 stars
June 27, 2021
In Rapier Wit by Jennifer Oakley Denslow main character Regina Murphy has a pretty good life. She has a job she loves as a high school drama teacher at Quanah High School, has some close friends, a crush on the Sheriff and a sometimes loving cat to come home to. But all that changes when a dead body is found back stage after rehearsals one day.....
Regina's drama class is rehearsing for their Romeo and Juliet production when she finds out that Chris, the student playing Romeo, is being taken out of the play by his very strict ex-military father who is also a teacher at Quanah High School. Unfortunately before Regina can talk to his father to try to talk him out of taking Chris out of the play, he is found murdered back stage.
Regina and her friend Lenore who is also a teacher do some sluething of their own but when another person is found dead at the school, and Regina is threatened by a student, they don't know what to do. They want to stop whoever is behind the murders and make their school and students safe again but they also don't want to meet the murderer face to face. However when the Sheriff arrests Chris for the murder of his father, Regina knows he did not do it but proving it will be difficult......
Readers cannot help but fall in love with Rapier Wit instantly. The characters are so relatable and the storyline will grab your attention instantly. Readers will feel like they are back in high school roaming the halls trying to get to class on time.....hopefully the only difference from your own experience and the story is the murders....
Regina's drama class is rehearsing for their Romeo and Juliet production when she finds out that Chris, the student playing Romeo, is being taken out of the play by his very strict ex-military father who is also a teacher at Quanah High School. Unfortunately before Regina can talk to his father to try to talk him out of taking Chris out of the play, he is found murdered back stage.
Regina and her friend Lenore who is also a teacher do some sluething of their own but when another person is found dead at the school, and Regina is threatened by a student, they don't know what to do. They want to stop whoever is behind the murders and make their school and students safe again but they also don't want to meet the murderer face to face. However when the Sheriff arrests Chris for the murder of his father, Regina knows he did not do it but proving it will be difficult......
Readers cannot help but fall in love with Rapier Wit instantly. The characters are so relatable and the storyline will grab your attention instantly. Readers will feel like they are back in high school roaming the halls trying to get to class on time.....hopefully the only difference from your own experience and the story is the murders....
June 5, 2021
Many thanks to Goodreads for this kindle copy of Rapier Wit received via giveaway. I am working through quite the backlog of books right now as I took a small hiatus to study (still am just less intense right now). This cute thriller is a quick read as it comes in under 200 pages, but it’s a fun ride.
The story is told through Regina’s view. Regina is a theater and English teach in the small town of Quanah. As she is preparing for the annual play, Romeo and Juliet, a fellow teacher turns up dead backstage. The deceased is militant and not well liked, but the shockwave of his death affects many of the students.
Shortly after, the well liked, yet gossipy secretary also winds up dead. Who could be committing these murders? Surely not a student, or could it be another teacher?
I enjoyed the book and was quite surprised to see a hint of romance built in. I am a sucker for a romance story line mixed in with a thriller.
I recommend picking up this book for a nice break from other more serious books, or for a quick read. I give this book 4/5 stars. Check it out!
The story is told through Regina’s view. Regina is a theater and English teach in the small town of Quanah. As she is preparing for the annual play, Romeo and Juliet, a fellow teacher turns up dead backstage. The deceased is militant and not well liked, but the shockwave of his death affects many of the students.
Shortly after, the well liked, yet gossipy secretary also winds up dead. Who could be committing these murders? Surely not a student, or could it be another teacher?
I enjoyed the book and was quite surprised to see a hint of romance built in. I am a sucker for a romance story line mixed in with a thriller.
I recommend picking up this book for a nice break from other more serious books, or for a quick read. I give this book 4/5 stars. Check it out!
May 4, 2021
I liked this book which was well-written with lots of interesting characters. Regina has a lot of respect and affection for her students. When one is accused of murder, she believes he is innocent and will not rest until the murder is solved and he is out of jail. All the characters are well-developed which is important to me in a book. Teens will enjoy this clean mystery also.
May 15, 2021
Interesting story but I felt the proof of the killer and the reveal was too rushed and almost felt like the author added the backstory and reveal at that point simply in order to have a logical killer (none of the backstory had been previously mentioned in the book).
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
June 1, 2021
An entertaining cozy mystery that lovers of Shakespeare, or even high school drama clubs, will enjoy. The main character isn't the usual cozy protagonist so from the beginning you are getting a unique and clever set up to a well-planned mystery. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author.
March 27, 2021
Loved it
Very enjoyable read. The story & characters captured my attention from the beginning. So good, I read it all in one day.
Very enjoyable read. The story & characters captured my attention from the beginning. So good, I read it all in one day.
August 29, 2021
Good quick read!
November 14, 2025
Can I say "what a fun book!" about a book with murders? I finished this more than a month ago but continue to think about it. The setting of a high school - specifically the drama department - was a great connection for me as a former high school teacher, although is relatable for most people (well, most people on Goodreads). I still picture the school and stage that I created in my head.
The characters had depth, and the book had some interesting subplots.
As an aside, I've never had to look up so many words in a cozy mystery before! While not at all hard to follow, numerous times I caught myself wanting to look up a word I couldn't define. So thanks for helping my vocabulary!
The characters had depth, and the book had some interesting subplots.
As an aside, I've never had to look up so many words in a cozy mystery before! While not at all hard to follow, numerous times I caught myself wanting to look up a word I couldn't define. So thanks for helping my vocabulary!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews