A hush descends across the theatre. All eyes are on the leading actor, standing in the spotlight as he delivers his final lines… But will this killer performance be his last?

Sarah Vane is happily working on the costumes for the Merstairs production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the local theatre. But when star of the show and well-known local electrician Gavin Scott is crushed by a lighting rig during dress rehearsals, the play turns deadly.

Everyone thinks the disaster was a tragic accident, but when Sarah finds a knife and traces of pink lipstick at the scene, she suspects foul play.

The discovery of a confidential letter, hidden inside a well-thumbed copy of the play, puts Gavin’s ex-wife firmly in the frame, but maybe the spurned stage manager had a score to settle? And just who is plaguing the players with a series of mischievous pranks?

With opening night fast approaching, the show must go on. But before anyone can say ‘break a leg’, a second member of the company breaks their neck. Sarah is taking every cue to keep the rest of the cast and crew safe. Can she uncover the killer before the final curtain falls?

A totally charming and utterly gripping English murder mystery, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, J.R. Ellis and Agatha Christie.

Readers love the Sarah Vane Mysteries:

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‘Wow!… fantastic… I enjoyed every page… I loved the vivid scenery… I was chuckling throughout… unputdownable… Captivated me from the first to the last page.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic… I can't wait for this to come out and for y'all to lose your minds… You're going to want to read this one. I raced through it this weekend… Brilliantly plotted and compelling.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I read this in one day… laugh out loud… I highly recommend this book! More please!!!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Kept me glued to my Kindle! I loved the setting, the writing style. The main characters, and the antics of Hamish the Scottie dog.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A delight… twists and turns from start to finish… brilliant… highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A total delight.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I love this… it’s very easy to get sucked in and read the novel in one sitting.’ Thecosymoose, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐