The gowns. The makeup. The drama! There’s no cozy in this mystery, hunny. It’s all campy fun!

It was like any other night in the dressing room as everyone glammed up for their turn on stage. Drinks. Gossip. Chocolate. But when Misty Divine found her mentor unalived while wearing a dress that was once owned by Judy Garland, drama ensues, and the show quickly came to an end.

If you’ve ever seen details of an actual police investigation and thought, “That’s not how they do it on Criminal Minds,” then Misty Devine is just the investigator you’ve been waiting for!

With a vibrant cast of drag queens and kings, this mystery oozed joy and charisma. The storyline was zany and oh-so-entertaining, and the representation was well done.

Getting to know the complexities of our MC, Joe/Misty, was an impactful part of the story. By day, Joe was quiet and shy. But Misty Divine, their drag counterpart, was confident and bold. This dichotomy added a depth to the storyline, and I think it will feel very relatable to many.

This book is the first in a series, and Murd3r in the Dressing Room ends with another mystery already brewing. I’ll be eager to see how Misty unravels the next one!

🎧 If you’re looking for the full drag queen experience with this read, grab the audiobook. It’s narrated by none other than drag sensation Holly Stars herself, and her performance oozes personality and vibrance.

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book. #berkleypartner #berkleybookstagram

I just finished Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars, and what a fabulous whirlwind of mystery and wit! Holly Stars delivers a sharp, fast-paced whodunit that keeps you guessing while sprinkling in moments of humor and campy fun.

The characters leap off the page, each with their own quirks and secrets, making it impossible to figure out who to trust. The setting—a chaotic dressing room full of drama—was the perfect backdrop for this clever and entertaining story.

If you love a mystery that’s equal parts suspenseful and laugh-out-loud funny, this one’s for you. Holly Stars absolutely nails the balance between intrigue and charm, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work!

This was a fun, cozy mystery that I read in a single day! I mostly read this via audiobook and I definitely recommend reading it this way. The author Holly Stars narrates and the story was told with passion and intrigue!!

Not only did I enjoy the murder mystery but also Stars commentary on the power and vulnerabilities of drag artists. I loved the power Misty felt when she was present and the strength that she gave to Joe to help power forward! And I was happy to hear that there will be more mysteries ahead for Misty Divine as more books in this series are planned!

Talk about picking the right book at the right time. This has been a rough couple of weeks for various reasons and I desperately needed a cozy mystery to get lost in. Enter Murder in the Dressing Room by @hollywstars. A murder mystery where the MC is the epitome of non-binary finery aka a glamorous and talented drag queen named Misty Devine. As a huge fan of Drag Race I will happily devour any story where a drag queen is running the show. Hello happy heart!!

Misty Devine is devastated when she discovers the body of her boss, mentor, and drag mother, the legendary Lady Lady. When the cops seem more interested in a potentially connected robbery than Lady’s murder, Misty finds herself investigating and gathering evidence. Unfortunately the cops think Misty is to blame and the clock is ticking for her to prove them wrong.

I loved this story so much. I couldn’t get enough of Misty’s badass drag persona or Joe’s more mild mannered, timid persona. Together they made such a fantastic MC! I loved seeing Joe’s relationship with Miles, couldn’t get enough of the behind the scenes tidbits about drag, and was totally bewildered by the murderous whodunnit. I also didn’t expect to tear up, which I totally did when a certain beloved drag queen who recently passed away was mentioned in a cute moment in the book. This was such a needed piece of light in this month.

I loved this book! The murder mystery was intriguing from the start in the description. I felt as though I couldn’t put this book down. The pacing of the story and the twists and turns were great. It was easy to read and follow. The setting in London made me long to be back there. The characters are well developed as were the descriptions of their clothes. The story felt realistic in a sense that if a loved one died that one would want to investigate it. I loved the references to Criminal Minds and a certain gorgeous intellectual. I don’t want to spoil the book, but it definitely keeps you on your toes. I highly recommend this book. Give Holly Stars all the stars for this book. I cannot wait to see what she writes next. As always grab it from your local library or bookstore.

Misty Divine (her/they) is a drag queen who’s been the protege of Lady Lady at her cabaret, Lady’s Bar, for the past five years. Her alter ego, Joe (they/them), is a hotel accountant and hates that soul-sucking life. Misty finds Lady Lady dead in her dressing room at the end of a Wednesday night show, and now all the performers are suspects. Though, honestly, Misty doesn’t believe the (seemingly homophobic) police are really taking solving the murder very seriously. So, Misty decides she must help unmask Lady Lady’s killer.

I just adored this story. Misty/Joe is such an empathetic character. Misty’s so fierce in her drag persona, compared with Joe’s timidness. It’s a winding and twisty experience, interviewing Lady Lady’s current stable of performers, as well as her current, and former, business partners. One suspect, Auntie Susan, is clearly mixed up in some shady business–and may have been blackmailing Lady Lady. Things become even more twisted when it’s discovered that Lady Lady was wearing a priceless Judy Garland gown at the time of her murder–one that had been stolen from a dress boutique by the Kensington Catburglar. While investigating, Misty discovers seedy folks staking out her flat, and dangerous-looking people following her around London. She’s at risk of physical harm–and even becomes a primary suspect. Misty is sure that Lady Lady couldn’t have been the famed Catburglar, but the Metro police are more concerned that Misty herself could have been.

I was sucked into this mystery caper from the first page, which opens on Misty’s grim discovery of Lady Lady. The cadre of performers who could be the killer was wide and interesting. I loved Misty’s sensibility and sensitivity when operating within the London drag scene, having sensitive conversations while wheedling information from her friends/co-workers. As Joe, they struggle to manage, and often rely on their boyfriend Miles for support. However, Misty’s able to chase shady folk all over London and confront would-be stalkers. Of course, most people are shaken upon arrest for murder of a dear friend, and Misty/Joe is no different. She’s equally mortified that any of them might think she’s capable of murder–especially to gain an inheritance she didn’t know about.

For people who enjoy cozy mysteries, Misty is a hoot of an investigator, always thinking back to episodes of Criminal Minds and how TV detectives would handle one thing or another. The pacing was fantastic, always moving the plot forward over the ten days or so that the investigation lasts. It was so fun to exist in Misty’s head, once I got used to the double-names of most of the suspects–and I just adored Miles, who is a constant, and sensible, supporter of Misty/Joe. The climax and ending had just the right amount of twists to keep readers guessing and second-guessing. This story seems ripe for a sequel, and I would absolutely read on, should Misty continue to discover new dramas in the London drag scene.

I am SO looking forward to reading more of this cozy mystery series! Drag performer Misty Stars is stunned when her drag mother is poisoned by a chocolate truffle backstage after a show. It's clear the cops don't understand enough about drag culture to solve the case, so if Misty wants to get to the truth, she'll have to put on her detective heels and figure it out herself. Several of the surprising twists had me gooped and gagged. It's rare for a cozy mystery to keep me guessing up until the 95% mark!

𝙼𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚢 𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙹𝚞𝚍𝚢 𝙶𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍’𝚜 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚖𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑,”

This book was SO fun. I loved the cozy, mystery vibes and the drag culture setting was perfection. I thought I knew for sure who the murderer was but my jaw was on the floor in the final reveal!

I loved the way the main character shifts between being Joe and being Misty. It really put me in their head and I think it’s a really important perspective for people to read because unfortunately people like DI Davies exist (fuck him).

I really loved the way drag and gender were handled in this book. It was the perfect compliment to the murder mystery. And if @berkleypub wants to give us a whole series I will devour them happily!

Perfect for fans of comedy and cozy murder mysteries!

SO. MUCH. FUN. I loved everything about this book. Dynamic and engaging plot? Check. Characters that you are instantly connected to and rooting for? Check. A homey little love story unfurling in the background? Check. Incredible descriptions of drag costumes, makeup, and performances? You bet! The mystery was well plotted and not super obvious and the author deftly inserts multiple red herrings. Misty, Miles, and the other drag queens are so palpable and lovable that you just can't help but get invested. The whole thing just exudes queer joy.

Murder in the Dressing Room is about a character named Misty. She’s living her normal day to day life of working in a hotel during the day and singing on stage at Lady Lady’s bar by night. Until there’s a murder of Lady Lady herself. You follow along Misty’s journey of finding the murderer and bringing Justice to her drag mother. I just love a good mystery that keeps me guessing and what’s even better is that I couldn’t guess AT ALL until Misty found out. I really enjoyed that not only did we get to watch Misty solve this mystery, but we also got to see how she was treated in certain areas for being in drag. It really put things into perspective of how it can affect someone. Overall this book was amazing and really well written.

Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars is a fascinating & fabulous cozy mystery about a drag queen & club’s superstar is found dead in her dressing room. Her mentee, upcoming drag queen star, Misty Divine, is a huge fan of mystery TV & can’t let this case go without sleuthing this one herself. The adventure that follows is an intriguing journey, both on a personal level & an investigative level.

Murder in the Dressing Room is great for those looking to read…
👠 Cozy Mystery
👠 Amateur Sleuth
👠 London Drag Scene Setting

I loved being set in the world of London drag scene. I also loved seeing the different aspects of the main character’s life & watching them gain self confidence. I don’t want to give spoilers away so I will keep this vague. This was a fun & easy to get lost in story.

There is clearly more mystery, drama & mayhem left in this story & I am definitely here to read it! I hope there is another book in this series.

If you are looking for a fresh & intriguing voice in the world of cozy mystery, I highly recommend Murder in the Dressing Room.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Thank you Berkeley for the review e-arc!

Murder in the Dressing Room is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre, offering a fresh perspective through its unique setting and characters. Holly Stars’ debut is both a homage to the drag community and a compelling whodunit that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Misty Divine Mysteries.

Murder in the Dressing Room is exactly what you would expect from a drag queen murder mystery: campy and mysterious.

I love the inside look at how the drags interact and work with one another. I just would have liked for the other drags to have more fleshed out characters, rather than them being represented by how they performed.

The pacing was a bit slow for me, particularly in the first 40%. After that the story really picks up, and i would have loved to see that same pacing for the entirety of the book.

I honestly loved that Misty Divine was so determined to find out who the real killer was, and to give everyone that closure, including Lady Lady. I especially liked the rawness of the police's reaction to the murder and drag in general, because it shows the reality that so many queer folks face with police.

I really enjoyed the writing style, as the tone of voice is very unique. I absolutely loved the way Misty compartmentalized herself between her drag persona and her everyday self, Joe. It was super interesting to learn, and I loved following along with it.

I would personally prefer that a bit more editing would have been done, especially on the day to day descriptions of Misty's life, since the level of detail put into them wasn't extremely necessary, but again, this is not the fully edited version.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a campy murder mystery, with queer relationships and drama woven throughout.

A drag queen mystery?! I’m here for it! This read like an episode of murder she wrote mixed with clue but with drag queens and a Judy garland dress. It was witty and funny and smart. It was also so honest when it comes to the treatment of drag queens in our society. I didn’t know what to expect when I started this, but I’m definitely ready for more Misty Divine mysteries!!

MURDER IN THE DRESSING ROOM by Holly Stars

Wonderful, twisty, totally satisfying mystery, so real and intense that there were moments when I wanted to leap in and help. The descriptions built a vivid picture of places, people, costumes, and action — just begging to be a movie (and there’s a hint of a sequel at the end, yes, please).
Beyond the puzzles and suspense, this book is informative, an honest look at a way of life I didn’t know much about. The dedication, skill and style of drag queens and KINGS (Who knew? Not I) is impressive. Respect! As a retired English teacher, I appreciated reminders of respecting a person’s gender, using preferred names and pronouns. I’m getting more used to singular they, though I wish we’d managed to popularize a gender neutral singular pronoun in the ‘70s, when we brought Ms. into use. Maybe someday.
Meanwhile, travel with Misty Devine through the streets of London, in an outstanding, twisty adventure, searching for cat burglar and murderer, and finding out who their true friends are.
Warning: poison in the chocolate — a true sacrilege to chocolate lovers.

This is a great start to a new cozy mystery series. I loved the behind the scenes look at the drag scene. What really struck me was how the different identities of Misty and Joe manifested in different personalities and confidence levels.

This cover is so fun, I did expect this story to be a bit light hearted and funny, but it was definitely more serious, with moments of tremendous sadness. The disconnect between the cover and the content was surprising.

This was such a fun mystery!

I enjoyed exploring the contrast between Joe and Misty in each of their chapters. There is a shyness to Joe in their chapters that goes away when they are investigating in drag as Misty Divine. So not only did this make for an interesting dichotomy, I also liked going on Joe’s arc as they find confidence in themselves even outside of drag. Another thing I really liked was the exploration of drag culture, from Joe’s process of becoming Misty, to the dynamic between the queens as a whole.

One of my favorite things about the book was Joe’s many references to crime shows that they watch with their boyfriend (love Miles btw, hope we get more of him being the Watson to Misty’s Holmes in the future), especially Criminal Minds, because that’s EXACTLY how I would go about solving a mystery😂 #WhatWouldSpencerReidDo

The mystery itself was compelling, and there were some twists that I was able to predict, and some that I wasn’t, which I alway appreciate. I also liked how this set up the potential for future mysteries.

The only things I struggled with was how, at times, the pacing felt like it dragged a bit (pun unintended), and the killer’s ultimate confession and explanation of their motivation felt a bit rushed.

HOWEVER

I still highly enjoyed this book, and definitely hope we get to see more of Misty Divine in the future!

First thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis: Misty is the drag daughter of lady lady a famous drag star in London raising through the ranks. One night lady lady is murdered and misty is the last person to see her. She needs to solve this mystery before she is accused of it.

What I liked: cozy mystery and drag queens, Berkeley knows the way to my heart. This book was very fun but also good. It has the right balance of camp to seriousness. Joe is a mild manner staff account during the day but misty brings out the fierceness in them. I love how the author made sure the pronouns were correct and describe how drag changed them and gave them the freedom to do things they wouldn’t normally do. The best part is it appears misty has another case coming. I can’t wait to read it.

I loved this book so much! I was already excited about the whole concept. I follow Holly Stars on IG and I am closely involved in the drag culture (not a performer but I "tip kitten" and all of my friends are performers). And I love murder mysteries so I felt like this book was written for me!

It stands on its own as a murder mystery very solidly. It was a fantastic story, just the right amount of suspense, and I couldn't easily figure it all out. Even when I thought I had solved it, there was another twist.

But it equally shines for its representation. This was clearly written by someone in the LGBTQ+ community and the drag scene and it's so carefully and respectfully done, it's clear it was from the POV of someone in our community. This is so refreshing because although we want more representation, Own Voices matter so much. I've read a lot of queer books that talk about things the author clearly hasn't lived themselves (and it shows). That was not the case with Murder in the Dressing Room.

I will be recommending to everyone! I'm also going to review on my blog and socials and I'm telling all my drag friends. A+

A fun start to what I see will be an outrageous and entertaining series! MURDER IN THE DRESSING ROOM is definitely more character driven than plot driven for me.