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Acting Can Be Murder
(previously published under the pen name Bobbie Raymond)
The Phrase “Dying On Stage” Takes on a Whole New Meaning
After fleeing a failed relationship in New York, actress Leah Sexton finds herself as the new Executive Director of the Como Lake Players—a small community theater nestled in a sleepy St. Paul neighborhood. The initial calm of this new position is shattered immediately when a local critic—who had just panned the theater’s latest production—is found murdered on the show’s set.
On the heels of this grisly discovery, the show’s lead actress tumbles down a flight of stairs—or was she pushed? To keep the show running and the theater afloat, Leah offers to step into the leading role. The arrival of her ex-boyfriend amid anonymous threats against her and the show require Leah to act as if her life depends on it. Because it does.
The Phrase “Dying On Stage” Takes on a Whole New Meaning
After fleeing a failed relationship in New York, actress Leah Sexton finds herself as the new Executive Director of the Como Lake Players—a small community theater nestled in a sleepy St. Paul neighborhood. The initial calm of this new position is shattered immediately when a local critic—who had just panned the theater’s latest production—is found murdered on the show’s set.
On the heels of this grisly discovery, the show’s lead actress tumbles down a flight of stairs—or was she pushed? To keep the show running and the theater afloat, Leah offers to step into the leading role. The arrival of her ex-boyfriend amid anonymous threats against her and the show require Leah to act as if her life depends on it. Because it does.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2018
10 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
John Gaspard
102 books143 followersJohn is author of the Eli Marks mystery series and the Como Lake Players mystery series. He also has four other stand-alone novels: “The Greyhound of the Baskervilles,” “A Christmas Carl,” “The Sword & Mr. Stone” and “The Ripperologists.”
He hosts two podcasts: "Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast," and "The Occasional Film Podcast."
In real life, John's not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less - that's no small trick. He's also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, those books made more than the films.
John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several greyhounds, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.
He hosts two podcasts: "Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast," and "The Occasional Film Podcast."
In real life, John's not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less - that's no small trick. He's also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, those books made more than the films.
John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several greyhounds, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 15, 2022
Leah Sexton is the new Executive Director of the Como Lake Players, a community theater in the St. Paul area. Leah is in the process of interviewing people for a Director position. The players are currently doing a rendition of "Arsenic and Old Lace." While the play seems to be quite popular, the local critic, Ronald Hatchet, gives nothing but bad reviews!!
During the interview and tour of the theater, the candidate opens the window box and comments on how realistic the props look. When Leah goes to see what he is talking about, she discovers a body in the box. The body is that of Ronald Hatchet and he is very dead!! It seems that there are two detectives working the case, Detective Dietz and Detective Albertson. When the actress playing Aunt Abby falls or is pushed down some stairs, Leah is talked into playing the role. Shortly after taking the role, Leah receives a threatening text message!
Who killed Ronald Hatchet? Was Joan O'Malley pushed or did she simply trip? Are the two incidents related? Who sent the threatening message to Leah? Is this mysterious person trying to sabotage the play? Or is this a personal matter? How can Leah know who to trust? Can Leah figure out what is going on and save the theater?
John Gaspard has created a wonderful mystery with his first installment of the Como Players series. The characters and situations are very realistic. There are plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep the reader engaged throughout!! I am anxiously awaiting more stories in this wonderful series.
During the interview and tour of the theater, the candidate opens the window box and comments on how realistic the props look. When Leah goes to see what he is talking about, she discovers a body in the box. The body is that of Ronald Hatchet and he is very dead!! It seems that there are two detectives working the case, Detective Dietz and Detective Albertson. When the actress playing Aunt Abby falls or is pushed down some stairs, Leah is talked into playing the role. Shortly after taking the role, Leah receives a threatening text message!
Who killed Ronald Hatchet? Was Joan O'Malley pushed or did she simply trip? Are the two incidents related? Who sent the threatening message to Leah? Is this mysterious person trying to sabotage the play? Or is this a personal matter? How can Leah know who to trust? Can Leah figure out what is going on and save the theater?
John Gaspard has created a wonderful mystery with his first installment of the Como Players series. The characters and situations are very realistic. There are plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep the reader engaged throughout!! I am anxiously awaiting more stories in this wonderful series.
September 17, 2022
I have been involved in Community Theatre since before I could read helping my father run his lines when I was really young to being on stage in elementary school, through all schooling and on community theatre stages as a child, young adult and now well into my 50s. I have been back stage, on the sound, spots, ushered, sod 50/50s and I have been on the BOD and served as President of the BOD in Community Theatre. I give you that background because from the very first page, I could relate to everything that John Gaspard wrote. I am not a reviewer who gives spoiler alerts or who reviews the plot or characters. I like to tell people what I liked (or didn't like about the book).
Acting Can Be Murder is told from a perspective that anyone who has any theatre involvement can relate to. You know or knew the characters because you have acted with them, directed them, watched them on stage and applauded them (or groaned at them). I found myself constantly thinking of different people who could play the different roles.
That the book is set in a small community theater surrounding an upcoming production with backstage insight that could only come from someone who has been on and back stage, the story really hits home. It does not hurt that there is a play within the play and the plot twists and turns like all good murder mysteries should ultimately arriving at an ending that "I should have seen coming" but I was ultimately wrong in anticipating.
A great read from first word until the last. I highly recommend this and look forward to reading his next works in the series.
Acting Can Be Murder is told from a perspective that anyone who has any theatre involvement can relate to. You know or knew the characters because you have acted with them, directed them, watched them on stage and applauded them (or groaned at them). I found myself constantly thinking of different people who could play the different roles.
That the book is set in a small community theater surrounding an upcoming production with backstage insight that could only come from someone who has been on and back stage, the story really hits home. It does not hurt that there is a play within the play and the plot twists and turns like all good murder mysteries should ultimately arriving at an ending that "I should have seen coming" but I was ultimately wrong in anticipating.
A great read from first word until the last. I highly recommend this and look forward to reading his next works in the series.
September 15, 2022
I love John Gaspard’s Eli Marks series so when I heard he was starting another series, I was all in. Leah Sexton needs a fresh start and moves from New York to take a job as the executive director of a community theater group in St. Paul. The first thing I noticed was how the author nailed the people and feel of how an arts organization functions. Everyone in my immediate family has worked for, volunteered for, or been on the board of an arts organization. I’ve always wondered if it was just our experience or do all arts organizations attract such quirky people. Apparently it’s universal, and the author captures the characters in all their quirky glory. The behind the scenes controlled chaos before an event was spot on. Leah is the smart, competent, and likable hub of the supporting characters. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. I’ll definitely pick up the second book in the series
September 3, 2022
If you like amateur theater and are familiar with the plays, characters and dialog, then this is the mystery for you. With their most hated theater critic murdered, and an actor on the disabled list, Leah Sexton, Executive Director of the Como Lake Players, has her hands full as she reluctantly takes on the part of Aunt Abby in their current play, Arsenic and Old Lace, while dealing with the police, and ignoring threatening texts from the unknown killer to leave the play.
There wasn’t much amateur sleuthing done in this mystery, if any, and I felt there was too much non-essential dialog. But it’s a pretty good story just the same. Spoiler-Alert: I believe the twist at the end was borrowed from a very famous play, which I won’t mention, but I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out for yourself.
I was given an ARC copy of this novel by the author.
There wasn’t much amateur sleuthing done in this mystery, if any, and I felt there was too much non-essential dialog. But it’s a pretty good story just the same. Spoiler-Alert: I believe the twist at the end was borrowed from a very famous play, which I won’t mention, but I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out for yourself.
I was given an ARC copy of this novel by the author.
September 18, 2022
I'd previously read some of John Gaspard's Eli Marks mysteries that were set in a magic shop and loved them. It seemed clear that he had experience in that world. Then I read "Acting Can Be Murder" and was transported to the world of community theatre. In this book we have Leah who has come from the big city and takes on a community theatre, complete with disrepairs, an almost invisible budget and a "set in their ways" board. These she expected. A body she did not.
The story is a delight to read, complete with a great variety of characters/suspects and a good depth of writing. It is very different than the Eli Marks series and I enjoyed that as well. From the beginning I was pretty sure about the identity of the murderer, at least until I came to the end, and realized I was completely wrong, lol. This book deserves an encore.
The story is a delight to read, complete with a great variety of characters/suspects and a good depth of writing. It is very different than the Eli Marks series and I enjoyed that as well. From the beginning I was pretty sure about the identity of the murderer, at least until I came to the end, and realized I was completely wrong, lol. This book deserves an encore.
August 21, 2022
A great start to a new series. We are given a thorough insight into all the characters and how they react to one another. The main character, Leah, is stretching her wings after walking away from a relationship and adds a touch of sleuthing to her role managing and bringing life (and income) back to a small theatre company. Who would murder the theatre critic Ronald Hatchett? Just about everyone in the company because he always gave them extremely bad reviews! Easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable with a bag (or three) of nibbles and a mug of hot chocolate. The author even managed to sneak in an Eli Marks cameo. It will be interesting to see how this series progresses and what situations occur. Thank you to the author for my ARC. It was well worth waiting for:)
August 10, 2022
When you say there’s a twist no one saw coming that was this book. This book got right down to business with the main character Leah and all the actors she has to deal with. Leah’s background was spread through the first few chapters instead of several chapters later we’re now getting to the story. Very colorful characters who played their part very well. It had you guessing up till the end who might be the killer. Well written and full of surprises. A true murder mystery.
September 15, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of the book and this is my own honest review.
This book is so much more, than a "It's behind you" book about a stage play. It is a write riveting read. With chapter, after chapter, or should I say act after act, of both great characters and narrative. You will be drawn in, showed to your seat and then thrown out at the stage door, with the twists and turns leaving you dizzy. The ending is great.
Highly Recommend.
This book is so much more, than a "It's behind you" book about a stage play. It is a write riveting read. With chapter, after chapter, or should I say act after act, of both great characters and narrative. You will be drawn in, showed to your seat and then thrown out at the stage door, with the twists and turns leaving you dizzy. The ending is great.
Highly Recommend.
January 21, 2024
Felonious Flap in the Footlights
If you've been involved in community theater (as I have) you'll recognize many of the people in this story. Actors (enough about you, let's talk about me!) tech people, backstage volunteers and board members. Even if you haven't, you'll enjoy the antics of this rag-tag group of performers. Witty, charming and a great twist ending. Definitely recommende for cozy lovers or someone in need of a good chuckle.
If you've been involved in community theater (as I have) you'll recognize many of the people in this story. Actors (enough about you, let's talk about me!) tech people, backstage volunteers and board members. Even if you haven't, you'll enjoy the antics of this rag-tag group of performers. Witty, charming and a great twist ending. Definitely recommende for cozy lovers or someone in need of a good chuckle.
August 12, 2022
Really enjoyed reading this book! Has a variety of interesting characters and dialog. Never saw the reveal of the murderer coming. Truly enjoyed the dialog of the reveal and kept you hooked to see if Leah (the main character) would survive or not. Great murder mystery!
August 21, 2022
I loved this book!! This is not a dull read. There is a little humor and plenty of suspense. What I liked is there welre a number of suspects who "could've done it." I highly recommend anything by this author.
September 15, 2022
I have read about 8 books written by John Gaspard and he has a way of making the characters come to life. Having read all John's books with a "magician" theme this first book of this series was a great surprise. Great "whodunit" that kept me interested the whole way.
September 15, 2022
Leah wanting to be on stage has a new job leading tours of the theatre.
When murder happens and she is in deep water. Why did she think she could do this.
Mayhem and murder await in this delightful story
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
When murder happens and she is in deep water. Why did she think she could do this.
Mayhem and murder await in this delightful story
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
August 9, 2022
Book one in this series has all you want and need in a cozy mystery. Delightful characters and a guessing game as to who the culprit really is. Surprise at its best. Recommended.
August 27, 2022
Fast paced mystery. I enjoyed it so much I ordered another one of John Gaspard books.
September 15, 2022
Wonderful mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end!
September 15, 2022
Good story with interesting characters...A good solid mystery with a twist I didn't see coming. Very enjoyable read....Love it.
November 24, 2023
Who killed the critic and why??? Bad reviews??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
January 30, 2024
Fast romp of a read
March 4, 2024
Rounded up for local (to me) references and accurate theater info!
July 27, 2025
Kind of fun especially because it was set here in the Twin Cities. Kristi & Abby Tabby
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews