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Musical Murder Mystery #1
The Sound of Murder
How do you solve a problem like... a murder?
Ruby Ecco has been a chorus girl her whole life. “You have a great voice and such a pretty face, but we don’t have a leading role for someone your size,” is what casting directors have always told her.
But she’s finally landed a nice gig, touring with a traveling theatre troupe. Being in the chorus affords her the opportunity to sightsee in every town they visit....and to shine in a brand-new role when one of her castmates turns up dead.
Can Ruby solve the mystery of what happened to Mother Superior in their production of The Sound of Music? Would someone actually murder a woman who was in town to play a NUN?!
Ruby intends to climb every mountain on her quest to bring the murderer to justice...or else it might be so long, farewell for our favorite chorus girl!
Ruby Ecco has been a chorus girl her whole life. “You have a great voice and such a pretty face, but we don’t have a leading role for someone your size,” is what casting directors have always told her.
But she’s finally landed a nice gig, touring with a traveling theatre troupe. Being in the chorus affords her the opportunity to sightsee in every town they visit....and to shine in a brand-new role when one of her castmates turns up dead.
Can Ruby solve the mystery of what happened to Mother Superior in their production of The Sound of Music? Would someone actually murder a woman who was in town to play a NUN?!
Ruby intends to climb every mountain on her quest to bring the murderer to justice...or else it might be so long, farewell for our favorite chorus girl!
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2022
177 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Montgomery
39 books229 followersK.L. Montgomery writes #bodypositive sweet romance and romcom. A librarian in a former life, she now works as an editor and runs the 5000-member Indie Author Support group on Facebook in addition to publishing under two names.
Though she remains a Hoosier at heart, K.L. shares her coastal Delaware home with some furry creatures and her husband, who is on the furry side as well. She has an undying love for her three sons, Broadway musicals, the beach, Seinfeld, the color teal, IU basketball, paisleys, and dark chocolate.
Visit K.L.'s website at www.klmontgomery.com and sign up for her newsletter. You can follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreenCastles, Twitter (@KLMontgomery8) or Instagram (k.l.montgomery)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 7, 2022
Ruby just doesn't seem to have much luck. As a plus-sized girl, she's always looked over for leading roles and it seems like people die around her. What's a girl to do?
This book is full of action and adventure, with lots of great musical throwbacks. I'm a theater junkie myself and have been in roles but always felt a little like Ruby. When Diane is murdered during this tour, Ruby puts on her sleuthing hat and decides to get to the bottom of who took her out. Along the way, Ruby befriends Nova who is just as eager to help her out.
I love how Ruby put her clues to a song!! I sang it every time as I read it! I also love how the author chose a very realistic character in Ruby. She's not the leading lady or the most beautiful, fit girl. However, Ruby is a very fantastic character and one that is easy to fall in love with!
I look forward to more books in this series. I understand that there is a prequel to this book but I didn't feel lost in any details. Many of the previous book's information was shared to give a reader enough background without ruining that previous story.
This book is full of action and adventure, with lots of great musical throwbacks. I'm a theater junkie myself and have been in roles but always felt a little like Ruby. When Diane is murdered during this tour, Ruby puts on her sleuthing hat and decides to get to the bottom of who took her out. Along the way, Ruby befriends Nova who is just as eager to help her out.
I love how Ruby put her clues to a song!! I sang it every time as I read it! I also love how the author chose a very realistic character in Ruby. She's not the leading lady or the most beautiful, fit girl. However, Ruby is a very fantastic character and one that is easy to fall in love with!
I look forward to more books in this series. I understand that there is a prequel to this book but I didn't feel lost in any details. Many of the previous book's information was shared to give a reader enough background without ruining that previous story.
April 7, 2022
This was a great read! It was short, funny, packed full of adventure. This is a cozy mystery novel, so it doesn't get too upsurd or out of hand. I laughed, was on the edge of my seat, and at the end I cried. This had such a happy ending and was very positive for a murder mystery story. I felt off at the beginning, because there's a prequel that apparently happens before the events of this novel, but even without that I wasn't too confused. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to read the next installment of this series!
March 24, 2022
Who Killed Diane ? . . .
Ruby Ecco has been plagued by not getting a leading role based on her body type. But she doesn’t let “their” problems sidetrack her as the executive director, artistic director, and musical director offer her time off after she witnessed a murder she was framed for, helped the police find the real murderers, and took over for the murdered castmate in the musical. She is hopeful she has finally found her place for success on tour with Melody Street Players, a traveling theater troupe. So she thanked them but said she preferred to continue working.
On a morning run, she arrives at a small bridge crossing the creek in the local park and stops to catch her breath for a moment as she listens to the relaxing sounds of the water below. She sees something large in the water and finds Diane Beaufort, a fellow actress who had just joined the show, who is now dead. The police took Ruby back to the hotel and she heard the radio report that the victim had a single gunshot wound, apparently the cause of death. Arriving at the hotel, she again had to tell them her story of what happened and the three people she had seen Diane leaving with the night before. It almost had sounded like one of them, Hattie Queen, the theater’s manager, may have known Diane from somewhere else as the two of them were arguing.
Ruby teams up with Nova Warrick, another actress from the show, and they become begin to look for clues to solve the crime. To remember the clues, Ruby puts together a memorable song to keep herself organized. Will she and Nova be able to find Diane’s murderers?
This is a new fun and clever series based on a traveling theater troupe that visits global cities to present stage musicals that everyone will most likely recognize. Of course murder is part of the event, but Ruby is there to make sure justice is achieved as she finds the guilty party. Looking ahead to upcoming titles listed in the blurb has me eager for the next story!
Ruby Ecco has been plagued by not getting a leading role based on her body type. But she doesn’t let “their” problems sidetrack her as the executive director, artistic director, and musical director offer her time off after she witnessed a murder she was framed for, helped the police find the real murderers, and took over for the murdered castmate in the musical. She is hopeful she has finally found her place for success on tour with Melody Street Players, a traveling theater troupe. So she thanked them but said she preferred to continue working.
On a morning run, she arrives at a small bridge crossing the creek in the local park and stops to catch her breath for a moment as she listens to the relaxing sounds of the water below. She sees something large in the water and finds Diane Beaufort, a fellow actress who had just joined the show, who is now dead. The police took Ruby back to the hotel and she heard the radio report that the victim had a single gunshot wound, apparently the cause of death. Arriving at the hotel, she again had to tell them her story of what happened and the three people she had seen Diane leaving with the night before. It almost had sounded like one of them, Hattie Queen, the theater’s manager, may have known Diane from somewhere else as the two of them were arguing.
Ruby teams up with Nova Warrick, another actress from the show, and they become begin to look for clues to solve the crime. To remember the clues, Ruby puts together a memorable song to keep herself organized. Will she and Nova be able to find Diane’s murderers?
This is a new fun and clever series based on a traveling theater troupe that visits global cities to present stage musicals that everyone will most likely recognize. Of course murder is part of the event, but Ruby is there to make sure justice is achieved as she finds the guilty party. Looking ahead to upcoming titles listed in the blurb has me eager for the next story!
April 7, 2022
This book had me excited from the cover alone! You immediately think murder mystery theater mixed with Oktoberfest. I could not get enough of Ruby. She was sweet, talented, and down to earth. When a member of her theater cast is murdered eyebrows are raised and questions are had. Ruby immediately dives in to figure out the mystery and the case begins. This book was fun, funny, had a delightful group of characters, and of course an amazing MC. This mystery is a perfect companion to a cozy chair and hot cup of tea.
May 24, 2022
Entertaining read with interesting heroine.
A nice clean murder mystery with interesting characters and a strong plot. Ruby is still getting over the murder of her friend when a new friend is killed before opening night of their new show, and Ruby finds the body.
The police effort doesn"t meet with her expectations , so with the help of her new friend Nova inspecting they do go.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A nice clean murder mystery with interesting characters and a strong plot. Ruby is still getting over the murder of her friend when a new friend is killed before opening night of their new show, and Ruby finds the body.
The police effort doesn"t meet with her expectations , so with the help of her new friend Nova inspecting they do go.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2022
Such fun! A plus-sized MC (hooray!), in a production of The Sound of Music. Only, one of the cast is murdered. And it's happened before!
Can/should Ruby solve this case before the cops?
There's a whole host of colourful characters in this whodunnit. And I love the song she makes up as she goes along!
Death, Ruby must solve,
This book, a great read for all.
Can/should Ruby solve this case before the cops?
There's a whole host of colourful characters in this whodunnit. And I love the song she makes up as she goes along!
Death, Ruby must solve,
This book, a great read for all.
September 5, 2023
I enjoyed this fun cozy mystery. Ruby and Nova as a duo teaming up to solve the murder were great together. Can’t wait to read more about Ruby.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2025
it was enjoyable enough, but really wish that dialogue just had the characters swearing rather than staying "used the real word" after, kind of ruined the punch it seemed like the author was going for and took me out of the story a bit every time.
September 20, 2022
This was a good concept for the series.
There're somewhat defined characters and a decent plotline.
Even though this is the first book in the series.
Ruby Ecco is a member of a traveling cast of actors putting on The Sound of Music.
I kept wanting to go back and read the first book in the series as there were multiple references to another murder that happened approximately 3 months prior.
I still don't have a good understanding of what happened with that one.
Only that Ruby was traumatized by it.
There are way too many instances where Ruby puts her thoughts out in the form of some of the songs from The Sound of Music.
This was the first of three books in this set I received.
I will not be reading the rest of the series.
There're somewhat defined characters and a decent plotline.
Even though this is the first book in the series.
Ruby Ecco is a member of a traveling cast of actors putting on The Sound of Music.
I kept wanting to go back and read the first book in the series as there were multiple references to another murder that happened approximately 3 months prior.
I still don't have a good understanding of what happened with that one.
Only that Ruby was traumatized by it.
There are way too many instances where Ruby puts her thoughts out in the form of some of the songs from The Sound of Music.
This was the first of three books in this set I received.
I will not be reading the rest of the series.
July 14, 2023
The Sound Of Murder was a fun, quick-paced cozy mystery. Broadway fans will appreciate this title more than others as there are many musical theatre references sprinkled throughout the story. While I enjoyed reading this one, I probably will not continue with the series. The writing was subpar and the dialogue was a little cheesy at times. Cozy mysteries have a special place in my heart and have been a form of escapism for me this year.
June 1, 2024
2,5 stars
I'll start by saying that I don't think I'm the target audience for this book. I think this is sort of a murder mystery for people who love romance novels? It was also incredibly millenial in every aspect from the prose to the characters, which also isn't to my taste, but is obviously absolutely fine.
One of the things that annoyed me to no end was the author's insistence on over explaining things. And when I say things I mean absolutely everything from jokes to clues to random internal dialogue about pancakes! Overall, the prose was good, or at least had potential. Usually I'd assume some of the weaker bits were due to inexperience, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.
Even that wasn't what really kept me from enjoying the book, though. The biggest issues were that the murder mystery was not compelling at all, and all the ways the main characters went about solving it made zero sense. They just seemed to be incredibly stupid! And reckless! There were also simply too few characters, which made it incredibly easy to figure out what had happened.
Every character other than the protagonist also seemed quite shallow, and the whole thing about Nova's husband was totally unnecessary and honestly kinda weird.
I'll start by saying that I don't think I'm the target audience for this book. I think this is sort of a murder mystery for people who love romance novels? It was also incredibly millenial in every aspect from the prose to the characters, which also isn't to my taste, but is obviously absolutely fine.
One of the things that annoyed me to no end was the author's insistence on over explaining things. And when I say things I mean absolutely everything from jokes to clues to random internal dialogue about pancakes! Overall, the prose was good, or at least had potential. Usually I'd assume some of the weaker bits were due to inexperience, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.
Even that wasn't what really kept me from enjoying the book, though. The biggest issues were that the murder mystery was not compelling at all, and all the ways the main characters went about solving it made zero sense. They just seemed to be incredibly stupid! And reckless! There were also simply too few characters, which made it incredibly easy to figure out what had happened.
Every character other than the protagonist also seemed quite shallow, and the whole thing about Nova's husband was totally unnecessary and honestly kinda weird.
Read
April 7, 2022The Sound of Murder is the first book in the Musical Murder Mystery series. It’s a spin off from another series by this author – Dangerous Curves. Panic at the Playhouse, the 8th Dangerous Curves book, introduces Ruby Ecco, who is the heroine of the Musical Murder Mystery series. You don’t have to have read Panic at the Playhouse to enjoy The Sound of Murder, but if you plan to read both I would recommend starting with the earlier book to avoid spoilers.
This is a very enjoyable read! If you can cope with having the songs from The Sound of Music going round your head relentlessly while you read it, you’ll get caught up in an intriguing case. After a castmate is found dead, Ruby is concerned local police aren’t taking the case seriously. She’s got plenty of clues (and a song she’s made up about them) but needs to piece these together to find out the truth.
I love musicals, and enjoy a cozy mystery. If you’re like me, this series will not disappoint! I would recommend reading in a setting where you won’t be embarrassed if you find yourself humming “Do-Re-Mi”…
The Sound of Murder gets a solid five stars from me, and I can’t wait to read West Side Murder when it comes out!
This is a very enjoyable read! If you can cope with having the songs from The Sound of Music going round your head relentlessly while you read it, you’ll get caught up in an intriguing case. After a castmate is found dead, Ruby is concerned local police aren’t taking the case seriously. She’s got plenty of clues (and a song she’s made up about them) but needs to piece these together to find out the truth.
I love musicals, and enjoy a cozy mystery. If you’re like me, this series will not disappoint! I would recommend reading in a setting where you won’t be embarrassed if you find yourself humming “Do-Re-Mi”…
The Sound of Murder gets a solid five stars from me, and I can’t wait to read West Side Murder when it comes out!
March 28, 2022
An enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery, featuring a great heroine in main character, chorus girl, Ruby Ecco. As a member of the traveling theatre troupe she gets to travel all over the world, staging musicals. However, everywhere the troupe goes, murder and mayhem seem to follow, but luckily Ruby is a keen amateur sleuth. As a plus size girl, Ruby has been told she’s not leading lady material, despite her, great voice and pretty face. Ruby is happy as a chorus girl and enjoys her new gig, touring different cities and getting to explore them, as well as learning new roles for the musicals. When one of her cast-mates turns up dead, Ruby is determined to solve the mystery and bring the murderer to justice. After all who would murder a women playing the Mother Abbess in the production of The Sound of Music. I loved Ruby and felt as though I was alongside her investigating the murder. The characters and the setting were brought to life by the descriptive narrative, making me feel immersed in the story. I look forward to future books featuring Ruby and the travelling theatre troupe.
March 18, 2022
Ruby is a member of the Melody Street Players traveling theater group. Her first production with them was The Wizard of Oz. Things didn't go so well for Ruby then. Luckily for her, Sunshine Baker, YA Librarian and amateur sleuth, was there to help her out. If you're curious, read Panic at the Playhouse!
Ruby and the Melody Street Players are now onto their next production, The Sound of Music. Everyone is excited to see their first location, Ashville, NC. Ruby has been cast in a few smaller parts and likes having free time to explore. She is also working on making friends with some of her castmates. While out running she spots one of them, but it's not a good situation.
I think anyone who took high school drama or has been involved with a community theater will enjoy reading this book.
I really liked reading the ongoing dialogue that Ruby has in her thoughts!. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ruby and the Melody Street Players are now onto their next production, The Sound of Music. Everyone is excited to see their first location, Ashville, NC. Ruby has been cast in a few smaller parts and likes having free time to explore. She is also working on making friends with some of her castmates. While out running she spots one of them, but it's not a good situation.
I think anyone who took high school drama or has been involved with a community theater will enjoy reading this book.
I really liked reading the ongoing dialogue that Ruby has in her thoughts!. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2022
5 stars!
Very fun murder mystery. I kept thinking I knew who did it, but I was always proved wrong. Ruby seems like a sweet and talented woman, I am so glad she found a good friend in Nova and Sunshine. It seemed that she couldn’t catch a break with her being a witness to 2 dead bodies, and having a hard time making friends, but in this book she really blossomed from beginning to end. The story is easy to follow along with, and it was very unique and genius to me, how the characters were related and the way Ruby and Nova solve the murder without the cops. Watching them go out of their way to find their own evidence and sift through all the details is a treat to watch. The ending wrapped up nicely and I hope to see more of Rudy. This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the prequel first, it would have been nice if I had known how Ruby met Sunshine and where she comes in. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Very fun murder mystery. I kept thinking I knew who did it, but I was always proved wrong. Ruby seems like a sweet and talented woman, I am so glad she found a good friend in Nova and Sunshine. It seemed that she couldn’t catch a break with her being a witness to 2 dead bodies, and having a hard time making friends, but in this book she really blossomed from beginning to end. The story is easy to follow along with, and it was very unique and genius to me, how the characters were related and the way Ruby and Nova solve the murder without the cops. Watching them go out of their way to find their own evidence and sift through all the details is a treat to watch. The ending wrapped up nicely and I hope to see more of Rudy. This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the prequel first, it would have been nice if I had known how Ruby met Sunshine and where she comes in. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
April 4, 2022
Ruby is a quirky actress who trades whimsical alternatives for curse words, sings song lyrics in her head - and sometimes aloud - as they apply to her everyday life, and struggles to figure out who she truly is among all the characters she takes on. When she lands a chorus part in her traveling theater company's latest production, she's disappointed, a little bored, and still working to fit in with her cast mates, even while coping with the loss of her mentor only a few short months ago. When she stumbles upon the body of a new cast mate while jogging in a park at their first tour stop in Asheville, she decides to spend her free time helping to get to the bottom of the mystery of why anyone would want to murder the kind older woman and who is behind it all. Forging a friendship with another cast mate, Nova, the pair clumsily make their way through an investigation that isn't always as clandestine, nor safe, as they expect. It's an entertaining and offbeat whodunit.
August 20, 2025
Ruby is our girl to solve this mystery, but what looms entwined is her search for her own identity. Struggling to find a place she doesn't have to force her way into, I get the feeling Ruby just needs the rest of the world to shut up more, instead of trying to talk over her. To come into her own, and find confidence becomes as worthy a catch as discovering the killer.
She is loveable for her strengths as well as her perceived weaknesses, and the methods she uses to collect her way to the final reveal don't feel extra, or random, which is a huge pet peeve of mine in books like this.
Cleverly written with a character that is likeable and witty, but moreover real in mannerism and voice. The inward wince at her own double thumbs up is an example of her awareness of self, delivered in a light and refreshing way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She is loveable for her strengths as well as her perceived weaknesses, and the methods she uses to collect her way to the final reveal don't feel extra, or random, which is a huge pet peeve of mine in books like this.
Cleverly written with a character that is likeable and witty, but moreover real in mannerism and voice. The inward wince at her own double thumbs up is an example of her awareness of self, delivered in a light and refreshing way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2022
This is a spin off of another of this author’s series. I have not read that series and did not get confused or lost so I feel like this book can certainly be read as a stand alone if you, like me, have yet to read her other books. However, I will warn you once you read this book you will want to go back and read more of her work. She is an unusually creative author. I truly enjoyed the little details she adds to her story that makes not only the story, but the characters, the places, the happenings and the emotional all come to life as if you are watching them on the big screen.
Ruby is a great character and I love that she isn’t the epitome of perfection. She uses those imperfections to her advantage to help solve this gruesome murder of her cast mate. I thoroughly appreciated this authors talent in making a story come to life and look forward to book two!
Ruby is a great character and I love that she isn’t the epitome of perfection. She uses those imperfections to her advantage to help solve this gruesome murder of her cast mate. I thoroughly appreciated this authors talent in making a story come to life and look forward to book two!
March 28, 2022
I could not help myself but fall in love over and over again with this remarkable book. The adventure of this read, is fun and light hearted, and there was no dull moment for me. The characters really lit up the stage in the most positive way It was full of entertainment as well!
Ruby was written amazing. She was a fun character for sure, but had tat quest for life personality. I loved how much of a mystery solver she was, especially along the lines of murder! I ha a lot of fun reading of her and her adventure in this one. Her wit truly was delightful. I loved how things seemed to build the more I read, as said the entertainment bar was high, and it very much kept me interested!
Wonderful and engaging read. Highly recommends this book if you have not have had a chance to pick it up as of yet. Well wroth a read and I do say you will surely enjoy it with all your heart!
Ruby was written amazing. She was a fun character for sure, but had tat quest for life personality. I loved how much of a mystery solver she was, especially along the lines of murder! I ha a lot of fun reading of her and her adventure in this one. Her wit truly was delightful. I loved how things seemed to build the more I read, as said the entertainment bar was high, and it very much kept me interested!
Wonderful and engaging read. Highly recommends this book if you have not have had a chance to pick it up as of yet. Well wroth a read and I do say you will surely enjoy it with all your heart!
March 28, 2022
I have really enjoyed this book. It is a really good cosy mystery and I love the mixture of murder, mystery and also musicals. As our sleuth trys to solve the murder we are treated to glimpses of the sound of music and I will admit I was singing along in my head. I especially love the song that Ruby makes up to remember the clues they find
Ruby hasn't had much luck. As part of the Melody Street Players her last show was one to remember but not for the performance but for a murder. Surely bad luck like that couldn't strike twice right?
So imagine Ruby's horror when she finds a member of her group dead from a gun shot wound. Now it's a race against time to find the killer. With the help of a fellow actress they aim to solve this murder before the finger of suspicion is pointed at Ruby again.
Ruby hasn't had much luck. As part of the Melody Street Players her last show was one to remember but not for the performance but for a murder. Surely bad luck like that couldn't strike twice right?
So imagine Ruby's horror when she finds a member of her group dead from a gun shot wound. Now it's a race against time to find the killer. With the help of a fellow actress they aim to solve this murder before the finger of suspicion is pointed at Ruby again.
October 14, 2022
Ruby was traveling with Melody Street Players troupe to Asheville, North Carolina for the performance of Sound of Music. She had recently lost Celeste a friend to murder so she was still upset. Most of the performers totally ignored her and some of the girls were down right nasty to her. But luckily she found a friend in Nova.
Ruby was a curvy girl and a little big but she was an avid runner and as she was running she came upon a body in the park. It was Diane from the troupe and she was going to try to figure out who the murderer was. Nova and her get into some situations that made me wonder if they were going to come out alive. I loved the part where they dressed up as biker chicks to go to the bar. Also, Ruby making up songs to go with the clues.
I received this ARC for free from Booksprouts, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ruby was a curvy girl and a little big but she was an avid runner and as she was running she came upon a body in the park. It was Diane from the troupe and she was going to try to figure out who the murderer was. Nova and her get into some situations that made me wonder if they were going to come out alive. I loved the part where they dressed up as biker chicks to go to the bar. Also, Ruby making up songs to go with the clues.
I received this ARC for free from Booksprouts, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2022
A cute book to end 2022.
After my previous reading material, I decided a quick and positive cozy mystery was the best way to cap the year. This book suited that bill perfectly. Combining my love for Cozy Mysteries, and my love of the theater, KL Montgomery’s tale was a quick and charming (if a bit trite) dalliance into the world of a touring company’s ill-met production of “The Sound of Music” and the murder of the Mother Abbess. Ruby comes to the rescue with her new found friends and cast mate Nova, to help solve this whodunnit.
This wouldn’t be my first choice in a series, as the writing felt very safe and formulaic. But I am fortunate that I was in a perfect state of mind for this type of read, and it scratched the necessary itch.
I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t want anything too heavy, dark or complex. It’s the perfect antidote to a dark mood.
After my previous reading material, I decided a quick and positive cozy mystery was the best way to cap the year. This book suited that bill perfectly. Combining my love for Cozy Mysteries, and my love of the theater, KL Montgomery’s tale was a quick and charming (if a bit trite) dalliance into the world of a touring company’s ill-met production of “The Sound of Music” and the murder of the Mother Abbess. Ruby comes to the rescue with her new found friends and cast mate Nova, to help solve this whodunnit.
This wouldn’t be my first choice in a series, as the writing felt very safe and formulaic. But I am fortunate that I was in a perfect state of mind for this type of read, and it scratched the necessary itch.
I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t want anything too heavy, dark or complex. It’s the perfect antidote to a dark mood.
September 10, 2024
Ruby is a plus-sized chorus girl traveling with a musical troupe performing The Sound of Music when Mother Superior ends up dead. It's up to Ruby and her friend Nova to find out who offed the head nun. This was a quick, cozy mystery that hat plenty of twists and turns leading to its solution. However, there were some issues with the book. First, it feels as though this is the second book in a series and not the first. Second, the main character seems to be too naive for a 35 year old. Third, there appears to be quite a bit of repetition in the story as well as a lot of instances where Ruby expresses her thoughts in the form of songs from the play itself. Overall, it was an okay, cozy mystery but could use some improvement.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2022
This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up by her. This is one of my favorites by her. This is a cozy mystery that was fun and entertaining to read. This is a well written story about Ruby and her travels. The thing about her is that chaos and murder seem to follow her where ever she goes. Will she find the murderer before it ends her first? I enjoyed the character and Ruby was my favorite. The story was brought to life on each page by the author’s attention to details. It is a fast paced story that pulls you in from the beginning. An engaging story that has great growth throughout. This is a great story that filled my afternoon with a few laughs and mystery. I highly recommend this book and this author.
April 7, 2022
The Sound of Murder is the first book in the Musical Murder Mystery series. For a good part of the book, I thought there was for sure another book before it... There is a lot of references to past events and a previous murder Ruby was part of. After some research, I found that it is part of another series, by the same author, and now Ruby is getting her own series. I am curious to read the other book, as there is a lot of references to it and its main character Sunshine. This book made me laugh a lot, which I did not expect. The characters Ruby and Nova are great, and I could really envision them. Ruby is very quirky and not your typical lead character, but I loved her even more for it! I look forward to reading the next book, as well as the prequel.
April 7, 2022
I just have to start by saying that this was such a light read, despite the subject matter. Haha! It almost reminded me of the Heather Wells Mysteries series by Meg Cabot. I loved how all of Ruby's friends have very similarly themed names (Celeste, Sunshine, Nova). However, my favorite part is just how punny Ruby's inner monologs were. (I'm a sucker for a good pun!) It took a few pages to get into the story (especially when it kept vaguely referring to the story of a prior murder from a different series), but it ended up being a by the book cozy murder mystery that had me turning the page just to read more. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I won't get too much more specific than I have already.
February 9, 2024
Somewhat formulaic -- bungling/incompetent/uninvolved police force, immediate new best friend, nebby main character -- for a cozy mystery. Not bad, though, with its Asheville descriptors and "fake it til you make it" actor mentality.
I, a musical theater lover, felt the comparisons were overdone, so you know they're wild.
We're told more than a dozen times about Celeste's murder, which is the back story to this series. After about three mentions, I was muttering "yeah, I get it already."
Nova's reactions to mentions of Noah are confusing. Having spent over 30 years with military and military families, I don't think I ever met a spouse whose reactions were so scattered.
Still, it's an interesting read, and not bad for a lazy afternoon.
I, a musical theater lover, felt the comparisons were overdone, so you know they're wild.
We're told more than a dozen times about Celeste's murder, which is the back story to this series. After about three mentions, I was muttering "yeah, I get it already."
Nova's reactions to mentions of Noah are confusing. Having spent over 30 years with military and military families, I don't think I ever met a spouse whose reactions were so scattered.
Still, it's an interesting read, and not bad for a lazy afternoon.
March 17, 2022
This story was a page turner full of suspense and adventure. I read it in a few hours. Ruby arrives in Asheville, NC with her theatrical group to perform the musical, Sound of Music. On a morning run, she stumbles upon a dead body in the local park and discovers a fellow actress has been shot to death. She teams up with another actress and they become amateur sleuths looking for clues to solve the crime. Ruby uses her musical talent to develop a song to remember all the clues. I can’t get that tune out of my head. K. L. Montgomery delivers another fun mystery full of wit, new friendships and wild adventure. I look forward to reading more books in the series.
March 28, 2022
KL gives us a cosy mystery set around a musical theatre. It is the first book in this clever new series which is actually a spin off from one of her other series. We see new characters and friends from previous books This adventure is full of fun, wit and suspense.
This whodunnit is well written and will entertain and delight so grab a coffee, find a quiet spot and settle in.
Ruby sees something she never could have imagined which now leaves her as the prime suspect. She is being framed for a murder she stumbled across. Now she needs to prove her innocence and the only way to do that is to find the real killer.
This whodunnit is well written and will entertain and delight so grab a coffee, find a quiet spot and settle in.
Ruby sees something she never could have imagined which now leaves her as the prime suspect. She is being framed for a murder she stumbled across. Now she needs to prove her innocence and the only way to do that is to find the real killer.
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April 7, 2022The Sound of Murder is the first book in the Musical Murder Mystery Book series. I was excited to find this new series by the author. I always enjoy her books and this did not disappoint. Ruby is part of a traveling theatre troupe and murder is afoot. Will Ruby find the culprit?
I love the theatrics of the theatre troupe and what this brings to the story. Also, I liked the character of Ruby. She really wants to succeed but seems to get overlooked often. It is a mixed bag when she gets to step up and take on a larger role. I look forward to reading more in this series and catching the prequel story that I had missed.
I love the theatrics of the theatre troupe and what this brings to the story. Also, I liked the character of Ruby. She really wants to succeed but seems to get overlooked often. It is a mixed bag when she gets to step up and take on a larger role. I look forward to reading more in this series and catching the prequel story that I had missed.
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