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litzie132's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a very slow mystery by numbers with a serious lack of character development and an odd tendency to switch perspectives without warning or vaguely migrate into an omniscient perspective. It is in general very distant third person, mainly from the perspective of Bertie, a playwright and amateur detective, with occasional bits from the perspective of Hugh, a police detective.
The mystery was Agatha Christie reminiscent but not at that level. I read it because queer historical detectives is exactly in my wheelhouse, but whilst Bertie’s queerness was fairly established, the idea of a romantic relationship between the two detectives was only barely hinted at, likely not realised even off page tho it’s impossible to be sure, and very little was said out loud between the two about anything, leaving me frustrated and wondering what the point of the book was! We barely learn anything about either man, and even less about their history as friends and/or something more. The plot wasn’t compelling enough to make up for it. Overall I wouldn’t recommend (tho I’ve gone on to read the sequel, don’t ask me.)
The mystery was Agatha Christie reminiscent but not at that level. I read it because queer historical detectives is exactly in my wheelhouse, but whilst Bertie’s queerness was fairly established, the idea of a romantic relationship between the two detectives was only barely hinted at, likely not realised even off page tho it’s impossible to be sure, and very little was said out loud between the two about anything, leaving me frustrated and wondering what the point of the book was! We barely learn anything about either man, and even less about their history as friends and/or something more. The plot wasn’t compelling enough to make up for it. Overall I wouldn’t recommend (tho I’ve gone on to read the sequel, don’t ask me.)
jenbarry_84's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Brabinger Publishing for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.
A playwright goes to watch a production of one of his lesser known whodunit plays. While there, one of the deaths in the play unfortunately turns out to be not just really good acting, but an actual murder. Who better to assist the detective investigating than the man who knows the story best. So together the detective and the playwright try to solve the crime.
This is an old fashioned style of murder mystery so I loved it. I'm a big fan of this genre so I found it really enjoyable and familiar. There was a nice amount of personal back story mixed in the main storyline. I really liked the way the two men worked together as well. They complimented each other nicely.
I'm hoping this is the beginning of a series because I would definitely love to read more.
A playwright goes to watch a production of one of his lesser known whodunit plays. While there, one of the deaths in the play unfortunately turns out to be not just really good acting, but an actual murder. Who better to assist the detective investigating than the man who knows the story best. So together the detective and the playwright try to solve the crime.
This is an old fashioned style of murder mystery so I loved it. I'm a big fan of this genre so I found it really enjoyable and familiar. There was a nice amount of personal back story mixed in the main storyline. I really liked the way the two men worked together as well. They complimented each other nicely.
I'm hoping this is the beginning of a series because I would definitely love to read more.
fysitbooks's review
4.0
Read as an ARC for NetGalley. Very clever murder mystery set in a theatre. The pacing is good, the characters are memorable, the murder investigation left you guessing. Offers an insight to the theatre world which I, as someone who enjoys going to plays, enjoyed.
laurag22's review
5.0
this was a wonderful period crime mystery set in 1930s. Bertie Carroll’s last minute decision to see a very small production of one of his lesser known plays at The Palace Theatre causes him to be witness and then investigator to a real life murder. I loved the cast of characters among the play’s actors as well as our main protagonist Bertie and his friend Chief Inspector Chapman. The setting was wonderful and I learned so much about theatre and the tricks and magic of early twentieth centre staging. This book really scratched my cosy crime itch and I cannot wait to read Bertie’s next escapade when it is released.
essilles's review
3.0
3½ stars.
an entertaining, cosy murder mystery with a fairly predictable solution. (the how was cleverly done, i thought, but the who and why were pretty obvious once you got halfway through the book – not that that's necessarily a bad thing, since the whole point was that the reader gets the same clues the main character does.)
i really enjoyed the theatre setting, and i'm looking forward to the next one, but i do hope the second book undergoes one more round of proofreading, since this one had surprisingly many typos and errors.
(also i was kind of holding out hope for bertie and hugh, but alas. maybe in the next one!)
an entertaining, cosy murder mystery with a fairly predictable solution. (the how was cleverly done, i thought, but the who and why were pretty obvious once you got halfway through the book – not that that's necessarily a bad thing, since the whole point was that the reader gets the same clues the main character does.)
i really enjoyed the theatre setting, and i'm looking forward to the next one, but i do hope the second book undergoes one more round of proofreading, since this one had surprisingly many typos and errors.
(also i was kind of holding out hope for bertie and hugh, but alas. maybe in the next one!)
saltydogreads's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
booknerdzara's review
5.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.
The curtain rises and murder mystery playwright Bertie Carroll is in the audience of The Palace Pier Theatre in Brighton, for the opening night of one of his plays.
But as an unsuspecting audience watches on, an actress is shot during the play and killed onstage in front of them.
This causes the playwright, normally used to writing about murder mysteries, to turn detective to help solve a real one. Together with his old school friend, Chief Detective Inspector Hugh Chapman, they team up to find out who killed former Hollywood star, Celia Hamilton.
After chatting to the author Jamie West at a book party, I was really looking forward to reading his book and requested it as soon as it came onto Netgalley.
This is a cosy mystery set in the 1930s with lots of quirky, well-crafted, engaging characters. All of the characters have their little secrets, especially Bertie and Hugh. There is a hint of homosexuality there, but it's very understated, due to the era the book is set in. The book is the first in a series, and I am intrigued by how their friendship will develop in the rest of the series.
As a theatre lover, I absolutely loved the atmospheric setting of The Palace Pier Theatre. One of the lost theatres that no longer exists, it was great to hear it described in detail.
The author, Jamie West, works in theatre, and his knowledge comes across in his writing with lots of details about how productions are staged and the day-to-day of theatre life.
I love the investigation by Bertie and Hugh and felt it was very original with a hint of Agatha Christie and lots of red herrings to keep me guessing.
This is a brilliant debut, and I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
The curtain rises and murder mystery playwright Bertie Carroll is in the audience of The Palace Pier Theatre in Brighton, for the opening night of one of his plays.
But as an unsuspecting audience watches on, an actress is shot during the play and killed onstage in front of them.
This causes the playwright, normally used to writing about murder mysteries, to turn detective to help solve a real one. Together with his old school friend, Chief Detective Inspector Hugh Chapman, they team up to find out who killed former Hollywood star, Celia Hamilton.
After chatting to the author Jamie West at a book party, I was really looking forward to reading his book and requested it as soon as it came onto Netgalley.
This is a cosy mystery set in the 1930s with lots of quirky, well-crafted, engaging characters. All of the characters have their little secrets, especially Bertie and Hugh. There is a hint of homosexuality there, but it's very understated, due to the era the book is set in. The book is the first in a series, and I am intrigued by how their friendship will develop in the rest of the series.
As a theatre lover, I absolutely loved the atmospheric setting of The Palace Pier Theatre. One of the lost theatres that no longer exists, it was great to hear it described in detail.
The author, Jamie West, works in theatre, and his knowledge comes across in his writing with lots of details about how productions are staged and the day-to-day of theatre life.
I love the investigation by Bertie and Hugh and felt it was very original with a hint of Agatha Christie and lots of red herrings to keep me guessing.
This is a brilliant debut, and I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
final_maks's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a really fun read and I was hooked on it.
I loved the Bertie/Hugh dynamic so much.
My only gripe is that it really needed to be longer, but I still very much loved it. There just wasn't enough time actually spent with the suspects and learning their motivations or lack thereof.
I loved the Bertie/Hugh dynamic so much.
My only gripe is that it really needed to be longer, but I still very much loved it. There just wasn't enough time actually spent with the suspects and learning their motivations or lack thereof.
x_miss_mcrae_x's review
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, Murder, and Abandonment
paradise_library's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Books and theatre are my two favourite things. I love it when my worlds collide and I get to read about show business – which as we all know can be murder – especially when it’s set in such a wonderfully, vibrant city like Brighton.
Death on the Pier is a delightful read. The magic and mayhem of opening night, combined with murder and mystery, all set in the glorious 1930s, which adds to the richness of the story because of the colourful glamour of the costumes.
Characters were well drawn and interesting – each of them had a strong personality and a motive, ensuring it wasn’t too easy to figure out whodunnit.
All the references to theatre were lovely touches that enhanced the plot (and led to the answer if you’re a stagey type) – it’s a fabulous debut and start to a series.
Books and theatre are my two favourite things. I love it when my worlds collide and I get to read about show business – which as we all know can be murder – especially when it’s set in such a wonderfully, vibrant city like Brighton.
Death on the Pier is a delightful read. The magic and mayhem of opening night, combined with murder and mystery, all set in the glorious 1930s, which adds to the richness of the story because of the colourful glamour of the costumes.
Characters were well drawn and interesting – each of them had a strong personality and a motive, ensuring it wasn’t too easy to figure out whodunnit.
All the references to theatre were lovely touches that enhanced the plot (and led to the answer if you’re a stagey type) – it’s a fabulous debut and start to a series.