The moment I saw the cover for Murder in the Dressing Room, I knew I had to read it. This combines a murder mystery AND drag queens. Sold! This debut novel by Holly Star, was a fun cozy mystery. In it, the famous drag queen Lady Lady, is found dead at the local bar surrounded by other drag queens and kings. With the local PD being no help, and her friends starting to suspect each other; it’s up to Misty Divine, Lady’s drag daughter, to figure out what really happened. I loved the references to CSI and how that helped her figure out things, I feel like that’s something I would do lol The drag scene is described quite well and I could picture all this happening vividly. Misty is such a great character, she’s written well and there are some good comedic scenes. I loved seeing her background as a performer and her rise to now, I’d totally go watch her show! I found it important that the way drag queens or queer people as whole are treated quite realistic. This includes the good and the bad, I appreciated that Holly was not afraid to call things out. The mystery itself was pretty straightforward, everything happened in a linear format so I didn’t really feel any suspense or grand reveal (which is fine). I did find plots points to be repetitive, as Misty would recount a lot lot “what we know so far” several times. This was a pretty quick read but did feel like a few places were dragged out (pun intended). All that said, I had a good time reading this, and I would definitely tune in for more of Misty’s Mysteries (Hey Holly that should be the series name lol).

This will be available next week 1/14/25!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Joe decided upon waking that they were going to go to Lady Lady’s will reading in drag. It’s what Lady Lady would have done, and what she would have wanted…

But what to wear? Would it be too much to go full grieving widow? Black veil and all?

“Yes, definitely too much,” said Miles. Joe opted for a black suit trouser with a shiny silver blazer. Smart, professional, but still drag. Respectful drag.” Respectful drag I can’t 🤣🤣.

This book is exactly how I would imagine the amateur sleuth murder investigation of a Drag Queen by one of their own to unfold. There is plenty of humor, a lot of focus on the importance of a proper wig and a good pair of shoes, and owning who you are under any circumstance. Even a murder investigation!

Narrated by Holly Stars, the Drag Queen author herself, this audiobook was so fun! It’s funny, light, and so entertaining.

Thank you @PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook and to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a cozy mystery, and this one was such a fun, hilarious, campy ride. Joe, an accountant by day and fabulous drag star Misty Divine by night, is thrown into a dramatic murder mystery when they find Lady Lady, their beloved drag mother, dead in her dressing room.

This book was a delightful change of pace for me. It was cozy, campy, and packed with twists and turns that kept me entertained and guessing. It also had a tremendous amount of heart. I loved reading about how empowered Joe felt when they took on the role of Misty Divine. Misty is an absolute force to be reckoned with—no one is going to stand in Misty’s way of solving this case.

This book was brimming with sass and hilarious one-liners. I’m excited to see where the author takes us with the next installments. This was such an enjoyable, fun read. Solid four-star book! You should read this book if you love:

•Cozy Campy Vibes
•Mystery with an Amateur Detective
•Non-Binary Main Character
•Light Blub Moment
•LGBTQIA+ Mystery

For me, this mystery fell flat. While I can appreciate the queer and non-binary representation, the substance to this book was lacking. Mystery books have to have a true investigation element and the only investigation element of this book was really the main character asking people were they the murderer. About 60% into this book, I realized that the only thing that had happened was that our MC has asked a few people were they the killer. Also for people who don't consume LGBTQIA+ often, they switching of pronouns and names of the MC when they are and aren't outside of drag or depending if they are in drag but the MC BF was speaking to them may be confusing for a new reader of the genre. Lot of potential to improve upon for the next book in the series.

✨ Review ✨ Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars

Thanks to Berkley and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This book is full of Drag Queen joy (even the funeral in the book had a theme!), and it's stuffed with dresses and makeup and drag galore.

Drag queen Misty Divine turns detective after her drag mother Lady Lady is murdered. After she realizes it must be someone she knew that poisoned her, she decides to start investigating. From Lady Lady's club Lady's Bar to a dress store for the wealthy and seedy bars, Misty searches for the killer.

I don't read a lot of mysteries because they seem to venerate police or investigative processes (even often with citizen investigators), but I appreciated that this called into question the police motives and tactics throughout the book. I also appreciated the ways the author made drag inclusive (including queens, kings, and nonbinary folks throughout!).

Overall, it's a little repetitive in the reminders of clues and what we already know. It feels like Misty is constantly repeating back what she knows, and I wish the book had a little less handholding. But, I still thought this was so. much. fun.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: mystery
Setting: London
Reminds me of: Drag Race meets Agatha Christie
Pub Date: Jan 7, 2025

Keep an eye out for:
⭕️ sparkling tiny dresses, big hair, and very tall heels
⭕️ poisoned chocolate
⭕️ drag artistry
⭕️ a curious and stubborn queen

A cozy type of mystery set in the drag scene. It was cute, I love Misty and Miles. This type of book is just a little too cute and cozy for my taste. But it was written very well and all the characters were really great. I absolutely love the world of drag and I am so happy that this book exists.

3.5/5

Though I was really intrigued by the premise, it took me a little while to get into this one. I ended up switching to audio, which is read by the author, and enjoyed it in that format more. The plot line was unique for sure, and it was super fun to follow the drag queen scene in this way. The mystery itself was not super memorable; I found myself uninterested in guessing who might’ve done it, and semi-disengaged from the plot in general. I think some people will really like this one, but I tend to stay away from cozy, character driven mysteries like this. I enjoyed listening to it and I’m glad I read it, but I don’t think it will stand out in the long run.

I thought this was an interesting setting for a cozy mystery book, and as a fan of Ru Paul's drag race, I really wanted to love it. In the beginning, as we meet Misty Divine and the body of Lady Lady is found I was picturing the scene as the TV show skit done on the show and I think it increased my enjoyment of the story, at least for those first few chapters. While I did enjoy following Misty as they investigated the murder, at times the story was repetitive, and I just didn't click with the characters like I wanted.
Since this is the first book in the series I would be interested in reading the next one to see if I connect with the characters or plot better the second time around.

You know I love my drag queens, so of course, I jumped at a chance to read an advance copy of this book. I will admit that I picked this up expecting a campy, over-the-top drag queen murder mystery filled with sass and humor, and I was surprised to find a more grounded and serious tone. This tonal shift threw me at first, and I was a little disappointed. That said, this isn't a flaw - this is the book the author intended to write, and I can't expect them to cater to my expectations.

The story centers on Joe, a reserved, non-binary hotel accountant who transforms at night into Misty Divine, a rising star in London's drag scene. Joe's dual life takes a dark turn when their mentor and drag mother, the fabulous Lady Lady, is found poisoned in her dressing room. The police are quick to cast suspicion on Misty and her fellow performers, dismissing their concerns, pronouns, and identities with an unsettling air of disdain. Frustrated by the systemic lack of care from law enforcement, Misty decides to investigate the murder herself, channeling skills gleaned from her time spent binge-watching CSI with her husband, Miles.

The strongest aspect of this book lies in its characters, especially Misty Divine. The author - a drag queen herself - does a wonderful job capturing the nuance of a character like Joe, who is caught between their reserved daytime self and their bold, unapologetic drag persona. Misty's transformation from a performer grieving the loss of her mentor to an amateur sleuth was fun to watch. The novel's depiction of the LGBTQIA+ community's struggles with institutional bias adds an emotional weight to the story, highlighting how queer individuals are often dismissed or disrespected by those in positions of power. The author doesn't shy away from depicting these moments, which makes the novel feel authentic and resonant.

That said, while I appreciated the novel's themes and character work, the pacing left something to be desired. For a murder mystery, the plot felt straightforward and, at times, predictable. While there's nothing inherently wrong with a classic approach to the genre, I felt the narrative dragged (pardon the pun) in several places, slowing the momentum of the investigation. I also felt that the writing leaned heavily on exposition, often telling rather than showing, which sometimes made it difficult to feel fully immersed in the story.

Despite these critiques, there's plenty to admire here. The blend of the vibrant drag world with a murder mystery is a unique premise, and the story's exploration of identity, resilience, and systemic injustice elevates it beyond a simple whodunit. Misty Divine is a character who stays with you - her humor, insecurities, determination, and vulnerability shine even when the story struggles a bit.

While I didn't love it, I liked it well enough, and I'm curious to see what Holly Stars writes next. Misty Divine certainly has the potential to become a beloved amateur sleuth, and I'd love to see her in another case (which the ending alludes to) - perhaps one with a bit more camp and sparkle to match her vibrant stage presence. If you're looking for a mystery that offers more than just a clever plot - one that delves into the challenges of queer existence while celebrating the strength of chosen family - this book is worth your time.

Def a wild concept. Thrillers/mysteries aren’t my go to genre. There was a lot of repetition that was unnecessary. It got too much for me. I think there needs to be more trust in the reader that we are following.

A fabulous mystery that fully pulled me in to the investigation. I felt like I was right there running around London with Misty/Joe trying to put the pieces all together. Every character had so much depth and was clearly made with love. A must read mystery this new year!

The author's passion shines through in this book. The characters were really fun. I just didn’t connect with it like I wanted to and that's on me not the book. I wanted to give a more cozy mystery a try and I'm glad I did! It has great potential to appeal to other mystery thriller readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

(4.5⭐️) What a debut! This murder mystery was tense, campy, cozy, and twisty.

I really loved the main character Misty, and appreciated how layered her character was. The exploration of her identity and the differences between Misty and Joe was interesting, and the growth in their confidence as Joe was heartwarming. I also loved the chemistry between them and Miles, and how supportive they were of one another. The other characters added so much to the book as well, and I enjoyed how distinctive each person was.

The mystery plot of this story had a bit of a slow start, but then had me turning pages as quickly as I could. There were so many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting, and this felt like one of those cases where anyone was a suspect. Every time I thought I had something worked out, the story would change course and I’d be back to having no idea. The ending leaves off on a perfect cliff hanger for the sequel, and I already can’t wait to read it!

This novel brings a new meaning to Slay I absolutely loved it. Cozy mysterious are my favorite genre of book to read and they can be so hard to do. Holly Stars takes their experience and brings the cozy mystery to a world I love, which is the world of drag!

As a queer person it can be so hard to find queer media that isn't in a niche (mostly masculine) format. So it a genre that should be about all outsiders, it typically only focuses on a certain demographic. This was such a fun break from the typical queer and even typical cozy mystery setting. I need a 10 book series starring Misty immediately.

I was laughing out loud in some moments and getting teary eyed in others. In our current political climate, this was exactly what I was needing.

Murder Mystery
Drag Community
London LGBTQ Community
Nonbinary rep
LGBTQIA+
This cozy mystery had me locked in from the beginning! You get a good feel of the characters & the reality of a regular person trying to solve a murder. Misty was not undercover at all but she got the information she needed! It was really fun to follow along to attempt* to solve the murder before Misty did!
Misty had my heart! Another reality you’ll see is how the police don’t treat the drag community like human beings. This was a topic that was frustrating to read because of how true it is. DI Davies and some strangers blatantly showed their distaste towards Misty. The case was not looked into properly and the priority was NOT the murder. However, it was refreshing to see Misty’s partner, Miles, be supportive through all of this. Not only Miles but both of their families as well are supportive. This is also a good read for those who aren’t familiar with the drag community! You’ll learn a bit about the behind the scenes of their shows, what drag means to them, and how dear they hold each other. For Misty, drag allowed them to be daring, to do things they normally wouldn’t do. Outside of drag, Misty becomes Joe and you see the difference and change drag does for Joe.

Finally, a cozy mystery that I actually liked! Drag queens, murder, black mail, burglary, decade long feuds! The only thing missing from this tale is the overly sappy and unsolvable element that I LOATHE in a mystery. Stars portrays moments of genuine sentimentality without trying to milk the audience for sympathy points, and the mystery can be solved if you're reading closely enough, but it isn't obvious either. Stars has found an impossible balance, and I'll be a fan forever because of it. I cannot wait to read the sequel, and every book that follows. I'd recommend this to cozy mystery readers and anyone looking for more queer representation in the mystery section.

Joe is a thirty something year old accountant by day, but at night he transforms into Misty Divine, who is a rising star in the London drag community. His mentor, Lady Lady, runs the club that Misty works at and had taken him under her wing to show him the ins and outs of the drag world. But when Lady Lady is found dead in her dressing room, Misty and the other drag queens (and kings) find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation as the prime suspects. The police are not taking the investigation seriously, so Misty decides to look into what happened to her beloved mentor herself.
This was campy and simple and while there was lots of insight into the behind the scenes of the drag world, it also felt repetitive at times with some of the plot points being reinforced more than necessary which messed with the pacing.
Overall though, if you’re looking for a LGBTQ murder mystery, this is the book for you.

Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars is a dazzling and suspenseful whodunit set against the glamorous backdrop of London’s drag scene. By day, Joe leads a quiet life as a hotel accountant, but by night, they transform into Misty Divine, a fabulous performer caught in a murder mystery when their beloved drag mother, Lady Lady, is found poisoned. With sharp wit, glittering performances, and the bonds of chosen family at its core, the story balances humor and heartbreak while unraveling a gripping mystery. Misty’s determination to uncover the truth exposes both the beauty and dangers of life under the spotlight. This vibrant and twisty tale is a must-read for fans of clever, character-driven mysteries.

3.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for the ARC!

Murder in the Dressing Room is a murder mystery led by a drag queen, Misty Divine.
I loved the drag culture in this book. The author—a drag artist themself—showed so much love for the industry. Basic concepts were explained well, and never in a way that felt like an awkward exposition dump.
I also enjoyed the gender exploration within the book. Out of drag, Misty Divine (aka Joe), is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, while also using she/her pronouns in drag.
However, the actual mystery investigation in the story was extremely annoying to me. Misty/Joe rarely stops to think rationally about the investigation, instead jumping from one vague hint to another without thinking about how the dots might connect. There were so many obvious red herrings, but the characters never stopped to question them.
They act solely on impulse and don’t consider consequences (or face them, for that matter). One would think that chasing a strange man down a dark alley would be terrible idea, and it ground my gears that no one made a bigger deal out of it. Also, how the hell was Misty investigating in full drag and not getting more attention?
This book could’ve been much shorter if Misty/Joe had actually used some common sense. It was slow paced and there were some repetitive parts that didn’t feel necessary (i.e. the same thing happening multiple times but never really affecting the story).
A final issue that I had with this book was the lack of grief over the murder that Misty/Joe is investigating. They lose their mentor, their drag mother, but never show any major emotion. I would’ve liked to see a little more of the emotional effects while Misty/Joe was hunting down the killer.
The drag aspect was the main thing that made this book worth it. But it was not my favorite mystery.

CW: murder; death; queerphobia; misgendering; stalking

While I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book, I won't be submitting feedback. I like the characters and the drag theme is one I haven't encountered before, however, I'm struggling with the writing style. I know there's an audience for this book out there, but it's not for me. Thank you again for granting me an ARC, even if it wasn't for me.