The Phantom of Oz by Cindy Brown is another fun cozy in the Ivy Meadows mystery series. The characters are quirky and it was fun to get back into Ivy’s world.

A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

This is actually book 5 of a series, but my introduction to this author. I’m hooked. Liked the quirky, but never over-the-top characters and the plot/setting. As a Phantom fan and overall book/movie geek, I was delighted by the references to classics sprinkled throughout. Can’t wait to read more!

I really enjoy this series and this one did not disappoint. The Phantom of OZ has come to town and Ivy's best friend Candy is appearing as Glinda. When strange things start happening at the theater Ivy decides to investigate. Then Candy disappears and a reality star is murdered. There is a lot going on in this book and Ivy has her hands full. I really enjoyed the theater setting and the characters. All the mysteries get solved and the solutions make sense. The book does tackle some serious subjects but there is also a lot of humor. Enjoy this fun fast paced cozy mystery.

Part-time actress and part-time private investigator Ivy Meadows (her stage name) gets to work both her jobs when she is hired to determine who or what is causing a number of accidents in the roadshow of Wizard: A Space OZpera, including the dropping of a large chandelier on the Wicked Witch of the East. Ivy goes undercover as the understudy for the company. One of the show's leads is Ivy's best friend Candace (Candy) Moon. But Candy has changed since moving to Los Angeles to make it in showbiz ... she appears to be on an unhealthy diet program and Ivy can't seem to connect with Candy at all to talk about it.

When Candy goes missing Ivy isn't sure if Candy is involved, or if she's a victim.

This is such a fun series. Cindy Brown's theatre mash-up productions are always a delightful riot and in this volume we have Ivy, as understudy, wearing a costume too large or too small (ah...the trials of being an understudy) revealing a little too much of herself while doing some aerial acrobatics. We also have Ivy working in yet a third profession, as an aerial artist at an Exotic Art Phantasmagorical Spectacular ... which everyone around her refers to as the Erotic Art Show. That's not exactly how Ivy wants to build a serious career.
The mystery itself is strong (though slightly contrived) and I really appreciate a book that can be a part of a series but where you don't have to have read all the books in sequence to understand or appreciate what is going on. This works as a stand-alone mystery.

The characters are a delightful combination of laugh-out-loud funny and yet real people (especially if you've spent any time working in or around theatre (especially smaller theatres). The Munchkins are delightful and an oddball group("The munchkins/flying monkeys looked like space-age Oompa Loompas, and creepy monkeys with jet packs...") but the rallying camaraderie of theatre folks is still here. But I did miss Bob Duda of Duda Detectives in this book. He's become a steady fixture for Ivy (and for me), though I recognize that this book was a step in her making it on her own s a detective.

All in all, a lot of fun and a mystery worth reading.

Looking for a good book? The Phantom of Oz by Cindy Brown is a truly delightful cozy mystery full of theatre backstage antics and friendships.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I've missed reading cozy mysteries and took the opportunity of a familiar setting as an excuse to pick The Phantom of Oz up. It's rare to see Phoenix used as a setting. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it but Phoenix had nothing to do it.

Content Warning: Eating Disorder, Kidnapping, Abusive Relationship.

I read this as a stand alone and wasn't lost or confused. It was easy to jump right in. Okay, that little jump in time with the séance was confusing as hell as first TBH, but once the story started it was all good. I am going to put the earlier books on my TBR now to catch up on Ivy.

I was quickly sucked into Ivy Meadow's busy world. And learned a couple of things about where I live. Did you know in Phoenix has great children's theaters and one of them produced Emma Stone? (Ch. 8.) Beyond that Phoenix doesn't really play apart. I wonder how immigration and different political issues will show up and be handled.

My favorite part is Ivy and her brother's relationship. I totally get the guilt and overprotective mothering. I'm impressed with how his disability and group home are portrayed. It's so rare! I honestly can't think of another book with this included.

Ivy's an interesting mix of things. She's got insecurities, she's juggling different jobs and dreams, she's got relationship problems. I like how she fucks up in reasonable ways, that aren't annoying as shit, and fixes them as best she can. Her voice drew me and I was just hooked from the start.

The second best part for me was the subplot with a little munchkin and her mom. Families come in all different arrangements and reading their journey was heartbreaking and heartwarming.

For those looking for romance, it's very chaste with only a little euphemisms by Ivy making her boyfriend blush, which I thought was adorable.

Phantom of Oz is timely with the body positivity, though I wish it wasn't so "Goddess figure" centric. It's not all about hips and thighs. I'm sure all my fellow Apple shapes feel me. But I do love the magical panties spell.

Ivy's attempts at changing her judgmental thoughts towards other women ring true. It's really hard to change your perspective and it's obvious she's still working on it. It's very basic and shallow so far, but I hope to see more of Ivy's feminist evolution and be more than another White Feminist.

Ivy Meadow, actress, PI, sister, girlfriend, niece, and friend. She wears many hats and that is just in this one book alone. Ivy trying to be the best friend possible to her flighty actress friend Candy must not only solve the mystery of her friend's sudden health issues but also of her friend's disappearance. Was it the Lady in White, the resident ghost at the theater that whisked Candy Moon away. What is causing all the accidents on stage, and will someone literally break a leg? Babette, agent to the "IT GIRL" is found dead, filled to the brim with Botox. OH MY! Did I mention that all of this is set during an outer space rendition of the Wizard of Oz? Great character development and I wasn't sure who "done it" until almost the very end. Great story line and the lead character is both believable and loveable as she tries to be the best at each of her different roles, even if she does have a head cold and can't take cold medicines. Looking forward to the next installment and will retrace my steps to find the previous books to catch up.

I had a great time reading Phantom of Oz. It was a book that was full of mystery, drama and intrigue. Once a character goes missing, the tale really took off. It turned into a whodunit from this point forward. I enjoyed trying to guess who was behind it all, yet never would have guessed who it turned out to be. Fans of a good mystery will want to read this book, they are sure to enjoy it.

Actress and part-time P.I., Ivy Meadows (Olive Zeigwart) is excited when she learns that her best friend and fellow actress Candy Moonpie is in town as part of the touring cast of The Wizard of Ozpera. It has been a few months since they have seen one another and when they meet up, things are strained. Candy, now called Candace Moon, has lost a dangerous amount of weight, seems jumpy, doesn't look well or seem like herself. Ivy visits her on set and is caught up in an accident when the chandelier comes crashing down and injures one of the actresses. The producer/director asks Ivy to investigate and well as work as understudy for the show. Ivy finds out that there have been many accidents on this tour. She also comes up against Babette, a nasty woman who has a television show that finds the next "It Girl". When Candy disappears, Ivy not only has to find out about the accidents, but is worried that something bad has happened to Candy. Can Ivy find the answers before someone else gets hurt? Of course Ivy is also dealing with her brother Cody who is being secretive as well as a developing romance with Matt, her brother's previous caregiver.

The book includes a musical that is a mash up of The Wizard of Oz being performed in Space. There are bits from Star Wars, Star Trek and more. There is humor along with the stress of working in the theatre with stage mothers. (The munchkins are child actors) Ivy also discovers a couple of things about herself that she does not like very much and she works hard to change. There is a lot going on in this story and the murder and disappearance happen later in the story. Once that occurs, the climax comes pretty quickly. This was not one of my favorite books in this series, but it was still an enjoyable read.

“The Phantom of Oz” earns 5/5 Crystal Chandeliers…Clever and Entertaining!

I am a newbie turned fan of Cindy Brown’s Ivy Meadows Mystery series, and although I decided to start with the most recent book five, “The Phantom of Oz,” there are enough references to background situations and character connections to keep me engaged. Yes, five books into the series, the situations (some resolved, some ongoing) and characters (some that come, some that go) have evolved, matured, and without spoilers, their personal stories highlighted, but this only encourages me to go back and read from the beginning to enjoy how the characters and storyline got from there to here.

Brown has created Ivy Meadows, a delightful, clever woman, whose strengths and flaws lend credence to some of the “oops” she deals with and a storyline that addresses some important contemporary issues (body image, sexism, making judgments—fair or unfair). Ivy reconnects with her friend Candy who is acting in the The Wizard: A Space OZpera, but creepy accidents have been plaguing the production, and when the chandelier falls on the Wicked Witch, Ivy is asked to help. A paranormal twist has been to this storyline…all old theaters have their stories and legends, so having a “ghost” pop up seemed reasonable, not juvenile hocus-pocus, just fun!

I highly recommend this book, and series, from a clever title with nods to both The Wizard of Oz and The Phantom of the Opera, engaging plot primed for book club discussions on several social issues, clever mystery, and rich characters you enjoy revisiting.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
Actress/PI Ivy must use all of her talents and then some to get to the bottom of a mystery. First, it is the disappearance of her best friend who has changed in ways that makes her almost unrecognizable to Ivy and then the murder of the harridan who seems to be the cause of this unhappy transformation that require much of her.
Are all the mishaps and goings on caused by the legendary White Lady of the theatre. Every theatre worth its salt has a ghost but this one seems to be very active. How much of what is going on is paranormal? Poor Ivy can barely think straight thanks to a wicked head cold. When she is asked to stand-in for her missing friend in this weird adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, it hamstrings what could be her big break. It is almost too much and Ivy takes it out on those closest to her, jeopardizing those relationships.
Needless to say, this is not Ivy’s most stellar week but somehow through the fuzz, she figures out who is responsible for the chaos. It is not whom I thought it would be. I like that it kept me guessing.
Above the entertaining story though there are some difficult issues brought to light, including body image. It also touches on how some humans take advantage of other humans. It adds depth without detracting from good storytelling.
I give this four purrs and two paws up.

I am not wild about stories with paranormal, ghosts and the like. This book flirts with that, but doesn't actually have ghosts in it. Instead the author tackles some issues that are much more likely to be faced by young women today.

The theater where an updated version of the Wizard of Oz set in outer space is being presented is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a woman from years before. When some unexplained things happen, it is assumed that the Lady in White is the answer!

Ivy Meadows is a PI in training and a part time actress. She is thrilled when her childhood friend, who has made it on the stage, is coming to town with the production of "The Wizard: A Space Ozpera." But Candy doesn't seem to be herself and Ivy becomes very worried about her.

Then the chandelier falls and Candy disappears. And so we have a mystery.

Through Candy, Ms. Brown addresses issues that are faced by many young women. Candy is very concerned about her body image, her weight and size. She sadly risks her health to be what others want her to be. As an actress she longs for the approval of others. These same things are often faced by young women today who are not in the entertainment field. This is a serious topic, but it is handled skillfully in this book.

I felt the characters were developed nicely. While I have not read earlier books in this series, I gathered that Candy had appeared in earlier novels. The descriptions of the building were wonderful and I felt like I could find my way around easily if I ever found myself in the Grand Phoenician Theatre.

This book made me want to go back and read the previous books in this series.

I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank them for their generosity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

*thank you to Netgalley and Henery Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

1.5 stars

This simply was not for me. I was thinking it would have been more about the classic 'The Wizard of OZ' But it wasn't. I tried to get into the story anyway but it didn't hold my interest. I think it's just one of those that's right for some, not for others as I don't think there was anything wrong with it.

Actress and part-time PI Ivy Meadows is excited that her best friend Candy is in town performing at the Grand Phoenician Theatre. But Cindy is shocked to see Candy has lost a dramatic amount of weight and is acting strangely. Meanwhile, the roadshow of The Wizard: A Space OZpera has been plagued by a series of accidents. Is it someone in the cast pulling these pranks? What about the Lady in White ghost that is supposed to haunt the theatre? When Candy vanishes, Ivy is hired to be her understudy by the show's director and to find her missing friend.

This is another enjoyable entry in the Ivy Meadows mystery series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Henery Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

What a cool concept, instead of redoing the wizard of oz...players acting in a space version of it are the main characters. I really liked The Phantom of Oz. Kudos!

Ivy is happy to hear from her best friend, Candy. Little does she know that her life will be turned upside down. A phantom is playing havoc with the cast and crew of the show that Candy is starring in. Why is the ghostly Lady in White bedeviling them? Or is someone else responsible? Luckily Ivy Meadows is a PI as well as actress. What happens next is a wild ride filled with a murdered reality star who's hated by everyone, a ghostly presence and missing best friend. I'm glad Ivy is up to the challenge. I liked her. She's a real woman with real problems but she doesn't let that stop her. I also liked Logan, the techie, Madison, the Munchkin but most of all I liked Eden. The message that she deliveres about being comfortable in your body is powerful and timely. Cindy Brown has written a mystery filled with unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. The dialogue is sharp and humorous. I loved the setting. It's in a haunted theater with secret passages. I really enjoy the Ivy Meadows mysteries.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

The fifth book in the cozy mystery of Ivy Meadows and it still hasn't lost its charm. In this book Ivy reunites with her best friend Candy when she's in Phoenix for the production of Wizard of Oz-in space. However, Candy has changed a lot since she went to L.A. and Ivy has a difficult time connecting with Candy. It seems she's fallen under the spell that actresses need to be a size 0. During the production at the theater strange things begin to happen--haunted? Then Candy disappears. Then right after, someone gets murdered. Is Candy involved or is she a victim too? Ivy sets out to discover the truth and to try to find her best friend.

Ivy's skills as a PI is getting stronger but sometimes still bumbles her way through the investigation. I still enjoy Ivy, though, I think she's a very charming character. I like that friendship took a large stage in this one. What it's like to support a friend through difficult situations and the importance of keeping true to yourself. I like that the mystery had a little of the supernatural element, I'm a fan of that angle. Another well done book by Cindy Brown. I look forward to more of Ivy's adventures.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first introduction to not only Ivy Meadows, but also the author, Cindy Brown. I must say I was impressed with not only the story and mystery overall, but also the character development, the setting development and the underlying topic threaded throughout the story. I was very impressed with how the author incorporated the issue of body shaming and body positivity into The Phantom of OZ. Both issues were handled eloquently with an air of sensitivity and absolute seriousness. It was nice to see such hard topics handled so well, wrapped up in a cozy mystery to boot! And a mystery it was! I was left guessing right up until about the time that Ivy figured it out herself. I very much enjoyed my trip into the world of theater life and I gotta say, it is not for the faint of heart. This book is the fifth in the Ivy Meadows mystery series, however it can very much be read as a standalone. However like myself, I can guarantee that if you start with this one you will want to go back and read the rest, so you might as well one-click them all and start at the beginning.

a story about two friends who are actors. a ghost, and sstrange things h appening. Fun to read I really liked it

Once again, Cindy Brown has spun a compelling tale about her likable detective. Ivy is a very human protagonist, with a lot of skills and a fair ability to screw up. I have to admit that her comedy of errors in the theater made me cringe a bit, but it felt like a believable bad week.

The real issue in this book isn't murder, though. It's about relationships, friendship in particular, but also body image, sexism, and being judgemental. If Ivy is stumbling a bit as an actress (thanks in large part to a very ill-timed cold), she is falling all over herself as a friend. And why? In part because she want too badly to help everyone, to make their lives better. But she's also suffering from some serious insecurity due to that bit about body image.

Somehow, Ms. Brown manages to make the serious themes fit perfectly into a light-hearted cozy mystery without weighing it down. Ivy is still a novice detective, but she handles it pretty well this time around. I knew who the perp was well before the end, but here's the thing: so did Ivy. She just wasn't ready to believe it, and it was interesting to watch her work through still more permutations of relationships to get there. She has to take a good hard look at herself before she can do what needs to be done.

Probably my only disappointment here was the ghost. That always bugs me a little, because I don't believe in ghosts. But I'll admit that a ghost kind of works in the theater, since as Ivy notes every theater has its ghost, and theater people love to believe in them. Or "believe" in them. So it's kind of fun to see what comes of this one, and the mixing in of special effects makes it all the more fun.

Recommendation:
This is a great addition to the world of cozies, and in my opinion is a cut above because the author deftly addresses some serious issues without ever losing her grip on the fun of the story. I took about 2 chapters to get wholly gripped, and then read through it in only a few sittings.