There's No Murder Like Show Murder is a first in a new series that I thoroughly enjoyed by M. S. Greene.
Like his writing was just fantastic. From beginning to end I was held captive in this intriguing cozy mystery.
Tasha the main character was such a delight to be with.
The characters in this book are great, they are incredibly believable and I adored Tasha.
This book is a real page turner and not easy to put down. I was lifted up and carried off into the story and trying to solve the mystery.
The mystery is interesting and had lots of twists which kept me guessing.
A fun and exciting debut. I honestly can’t wait for the second one and will definitely be keeping my eyes open!

Thank You NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Excellent start to a new series. Main character Tasha Weaver is a smart, detail oriented person whose life seems to center about the Eastbrook Playhouse. Perfectly content to remain out of the spotlight, she is head of the costume shop. Appropriately, the first real action in the story involves a costume flap involving the star of the current production of "Annie Get Your Gun". Having actually acted in that musical, I was definitely drawn to this story. I also spent a great deal of time in my youth in behind-the-scenes roles myself, another plus as I was delighted to see the playhouse play a central role in the story. And, hey, there's even a delightful theater cat, Hilly.

In any case, Tasha, seemingly a peacemaker of sorts, feels some guilt at inadvertently placing Kurt, the egotistical star, in the theater where he is murdered. Nope, not sharing how. You'll just have to read the book. For now, it simply serves to illustrate how important the playhouse and her playhouse family were to Tasha. This is where the story takes off and Tasha emerges as quite the amateur sleuth. The theater itself as it is on shaky financial grounds. It's Tasha's "safe-place", where she feels most at home, reasons for which are revealed smoothly within the story. While she's shaken one of the theatrical family might be a murderer, Tasha remains determined to find the killer and save Eastbrook Playhouse. While a bit disconcerting how quickly Tasha segues into asking questions, even in the presence of police, it shows her natural curiosity and attention to detail once again. In the process, we meet her theater family, including "work husband" Bruno, something that made me chuckle at the comment about "We don't talk about Bruno". Wonder how many of you will get that line? Grin.

Bottom line, I liked Tasha and the playhouse setting, not to mention her circle of friends, many of whom are surely likely regulars. There's even some romance bubbling under the surface for extra fun. Of course there is danger. Wouldn't be a cozy mystery without some danger to our inquisitive amateur sleuth, and lots of red herrings and multiple suspects, including some from Tasha's adopted theater family. Uh, oh. To top it off, you'll learn quite a bit about what goes on behind the scenes of such productions, from those on stage to those working out of the spotlight. Let's face it, there isn't a magical Fairy Godmother backstage waving a wand to create the setting, lights, costumes, and assure that the actors know their lines and "marks". Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks" for the backstage pass to meet Tasha and this new series. It's one I'm looking forward to revisiting.

First book of a new series. After a murder at the local playhouse where she is the head of the costume department. Tasha Weaver decides with the help of her friends, boyfriend and her cat to solve the murder. Good story.

This is the first book in a new series by M.S. Greene and the first that I have read by this author. I initially requested an ARC because I was interested in the premise of the series, the location and the theme. I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed by the story. I found it to be a fun read. The primary reason I love cozy mysteries is because they are, for the most part, primarily character driven. That being said, it's important for me to connect, like or empathize with the main character. Tasha was a really good main character and the rest of the cast is filled with additional quirky characters that added to my enjoyment of this book. The storyline was interesting and the plot moved along and held my interest for the entire book. For as many cozy mysteries as I read you would think I would be as good as Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher in uncovering the identity of the killer. Sadly, that is just not the case. There were plenty of twists that distracted me and I did not guess who was the culprit.

This series has promise and I am looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for the next book.

Title : There’s no murder like show murder
Author : M.S. Greene
Genre : Mystery
Rate : 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks to @netgalley for an early copy of this book (Arc book). This is due to be published on 23rd July 2024.

Tasha Weaver is the head of the costume department at Eastbrook Playhouse. She has seen her fair share of divas come through their doors.
However, their beloved theatre is put at risk when the star of their show is killed.

The whole company is up in arms, is anyone safe, who could be next?

Tasha can’t help herself and starts asking questions to figure out what happened. There are people she has know for years that she can’t believe would have been involved in this, but is she putting her trust in the wrong people?

Tasha must try and find the murderer before the lights of Eastbrook Playhouse will be turned off for good.

I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the theatre side to it and seeing a bit of what goes on behind the scenes.

There was a brilliant ensemble of characters that kept you entertained and guessing throughout.
Tasha was a great lead character, who I routed for and willed her to make the connections and discover the truth.

I’d recommend this is to anyone who likes a bit of mystery but also a bit of lightheartedness.

#books #booksbooksandmorebooks #bookreview #arcreview #netgalley #ebook #bookstagram #irishbookstagram #corkbookstagrammer #booklover #bookreader #bookaddict #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #theresnomurderlikeshowmurder #msgreene #mystery #theatre

Tasha works at a local theater, and when the leading man is found dead she works to solve the case. A good cozy mystery and would be a nice beach read. Would recommend.

Such a cute fun read! Quirky characters. Fun mystery. Lots of red herrings. Good story plot. All makes for a great time! Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I enjoyed this book by M.S. Greene very much! Tasha Weaver is heavily involved in costuming for the local playhouse production of Annie Get Your Gun. The leading man has decided to quit which would devastate the theatre which is financially venerable. Tasha manages to talk him into staying but sadly, he turns up dead on the stage. Tasha reluctantly gets involved in trying to find his killer. She has help from a group of friends including her, “Work husband” Bruno and the theatre cat Hilferty. This is a fun read which keeps you on edge for the duration. I hope to read more adventures of Tasha and friends. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the Advanced Copy. The review is mine.

Love!!!! So so so cute!!! I enjoyed this mystery with an open mind and a mystery solving heart!! I grew up in the theater world and felt transported back in time with this treasure!

First of all the kitty on the cover had me sold right away LOL not going to lie and then throw in a mystery in a theater! I felt as if the book was made for me! The characters were utterly fun! The introduction had me on my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The author has a gift with words and conveying them to the reader I felt as if I was in an Angela Lansbury Murder She Wrote episode LOL

I will start by admitting that I have a soft spot for cozy locations anywhere on the East coast or in the South. While some cozy themes seem redundant or "done to death", this one is very refreshing centered around local, community theater. This was a new author for me and this is the first in a new series. I think it is a great start and I look forward to the next one!

Connecticut, little-theater, actors, amateur-sleuth, local-law-enforcement, investigation, cozy-mystery, small-business, small-town, grieving, aloneness, threats, friction, friendship, frustration, family*****

Tasha Weaver is the costume shop head at the playhouse in town, thirty something, detail oriented, still grieving the loss of her only family member (her mother). Kind of a loner except for all of her friends and coworkers at the somewhat profitable little theater which does attract some names from NYC. Enter a property developer and an unreliable aging star who winds up shot to death. This is her first foray into amateur sleuthing but she does rather a good job of it. I hope that there are more books about her heading my way!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 23 Jul 2024

When an egotistical former Broadway star, Kurt Mozer, agrees to star in the Eastbrook Playhouse's production of Annie Get Your Gun, and then quits, trouble is sure to follow. Tasha Weaver, costume shop head finds herself having to take on a role herself - sleuth. - when Kurt is murdered.

The mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed learning about the inner workings of a regional theatre. This didn't overwhelm the mystery but helped drive the story. An entertaining mystery with a little romance, humor and quirky characters and I loved her feline friend,Hilly.

Tasha is a relatable character and I look forward to reading more of the series!I

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed the setting and the overall theatre vibes, the plot is a bit on the conventional side though, so it wasn't a riveting piece. On the aesthetic front, I really like the style of the cover.

This book really surprised me in the best way. It was fun, Tasha was very relatable, and I absolutely loved the world and learning more about the show business. The mystery itself also kept me on my toes as I went back and forth with Tasha trying to figure out whodunnit. For a first in the series, Greene did a fantastic job getting me to care for the characters quickly and craft a small-town storyworld that was vibrant and one that I fell in love with!

M.S. Greene’s background in the theater is obvious in this excellent debut cozy mystery, There’s No Murder Like Show Murder. He takes us behind-the-scenes with his amateur sleuth, Tasha Weaver, who is the costume shop head at Connecticut’s Eastbrook Playhouse. Tasha knows everyone on stage and backstage, so she’s an excellent sleuth who does try to keep the police in the loop.

No one was happy with Kurt Mozer, the leading man for the theater’s “Annie Get Your Gun”. He and the director were always at odds, and he deliberately ripped a costume in front of Tasha and the entire cast during a tech run through. But, when he abruptly walks out, and rumors start that he quit, Tasha’s desperate to save the theater. She’s grown up there, and it’s her life’s passion. Eastbrook Theater needs Kurt’s name in lights and press releases, even though he’s no longer a Broadway draw. Tasha talks him into continuing in the role, but she regrets it and blames herself when the star is killed in the theater that night. And, she’s afraid one of her friends might be the killer.

Tasha tries to go to the detective in charge of the case. He appears reluctant to listen to her, although she knows all the workings and all the people in the theater. So, Tasha turns sleuth. She’s the fixer for the theater, and Eastbrook Playhouse is the place she loves more than anywhere else. She’s determined “The show must go on.”

As I said, Greene knows his theater. He includes references to other shows, actors, and it’s obvious he’s passionate about the people involved in theater. I hope There’s No Murder Like Show Murder is the first in a series.

This first in a new series by a new to me author. I enjoyed this book a lot.
The book is set in a local community theater which I found interesting and nice change from the regular cozy locations.

Tasha is a costume designer who loves her theatre. When the lead actor of their latest production is murdered Tasha takes it upon herself to solve this who done. If she doesn’t she risks ‘lights out’ her beloved theatre.

5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

As a little girl, Tasha Weaver spent time going to the plays at the Eastbrooke Playhouse, a popular attraction, and years later, is now the costume head there.

Now, years later, the theater is going through tough times with declining attendance and is depending on Kurt Mozer, a Broadway want-to-be to bring it back. When Kurt is gunned down on stage, the hopes for a comeback for the theater are dashed and it looks like one of Tasha's co-workers just might be the culprit.

Can Tasha, her crush, Bruno and friends find the person responsible and save the theater from closing? I enjoyed this book. This is a well crafted mystery and you learn a lot about the goings on behind the stage of theater. There are plenty of red herrings in this first book of a new series that will keep you guessing to the end. I'm looking forward to book 2.

Please note I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

ARC to be published this summer. Tasha Weaver is the manager of the costume department in the Eastbrook Playhouse in Connecticut. Since her mother died when she was a teenager, the playhouse, her coworkers, and the magic of the theater have been the center of her life. The playhouse's next production is Annie Get Your Gun, and Broadway star (although it's waning) Kurt Mozer is on board to play Frank Butler opposite rising star Olivia Grace. But suddenly, Kurt decides to back out of the show, jeopardizing the financial health of the playhouse and possibly setting it up to be closed permanently. Tasha manages to convince Kurt to not leave the show in a lurch, but moments later, Kurt is killed. But by whom? The police are zeroing in on one member of playhouse staff, but Tasha has her doubts as to their guilt. She decides to investigate to prove his innocence, and almost gets murdered herself in the process. The story is pretty goody although the focus on Tasha's stunted emotional growth was a little overdone; to me anyway, and I 'fess up that I'm all about the mystery and less about character development than most readers. I really dislike it when the amateur detective thinks they know better than the detective, and Tasha definitely falls into this category, despite not having ever had any interaction with the police before. I really dislike this ploy to get the character involved in the mystery; it just reads as lazy writing to me. The author provides an interesting backstage look at live theater which I enjoyed, as I did Tasha's interactions with her costume department colleagues. Overall, I'd grade this a slightly better than average debut novel. Although I figured out who had done it early on, I enjoyed most of the characters, the pace is perfect (not too fast and not too slow), and the setting was both unusual and interesting. This is a good vacation book, and I'll probably read the next in the series despite my minor quibbles. I'd give it .5 out of 5 stars, so I rounded up.

The Eastbrook Playhouse has finally scored two big names for their latest production. This may be the break they need to prevent the theater from going under once and for all. As the head of the costume department, Tasha Weaver is a full time employee of the theater and has a vested interest in the theater’s success. So when the male lead decides to quit the show, she talks him into staying….and a short while later he is murdered in the theater.

With the star dead, can Tasha figure out what happened and help save the production and theater? She’s going to give it everything she’s got…and the killer may see that it’s the last thing she does.

This was a really fun and fast moving read for me. A mystery with a hunky love interest, a cute kitty and a nosy parker amateur sleuth with her heart in the right place, this makes for a great cozy series!

I enjoyed this book. It has a lot of details about show biz, the author obviously has been in showbiz or has done a lot of research. I did think it got a bit tendentious in the middle. Lots of guesses who the bad guy was and trying to fit suspects into the role. Going around in circles. I did start to suspect who the killer is, I narrowed it down to 2 people and one of them is the killer. #There’sNoMurderLikeShowMurder #NetGalley