Love this Series!
Dollycas's Thoughts
Libby Klein has penned another terrific mystery filled with laugh-out-loud humor that makes this book impossible to put down.
"Aunt Ginny was somewhere in her eighties, but somehow the feisty redhead got into more trouble than a five-year-old on a sugar binge."
Yes, Poppy has her hands full again this time. The Senior Center is doing its version of Mamma Mia and all of "the biddies" including Aunt Ginny are involved. The director has persuaded Ginny's high school flame, now a retired Broadway actor, to play a leading role. Why a successful man would lower himself to a local musical is unknown but everyone is excited to take part or see the show.
Opening night has been set for Friday, February 13 and it does seem the production is truly cursed. Props have gone missing, scenery panels have been vandalized and a death threat has been issued. The director tries to keep the play on course but when a cast member dies suspiciously - did he fall or was he pushed from the catwalk? the players get justifiably nervous. With a "the show must go on" attitude Poppy, Ginny and their friends push ahead while at the same time trying to reel in the killer before another murder brings down the house.
I fell hard for Poppy and Ginny reading the first book in this series, Class Reunions Are Murder, and every subsequent book just cements my feelings. Poppy is getting stronger and stronger. She is trying to get the B & B up and running amidst someone fraudulently posting bad reviews, doing some gluten-free baking on the side to bring in some cash, dealing with feelings for two men, (my mind is already made up) all while trying to keep Ginny and "the biddies" out of trouble and trying to do the job she was roped into for the play. The last thing she needed was a dead body! But she takes it all on.
The supporting cast is also stellar. All Aunt Ginny's friends, Tim and Gia, Amber and even one very pretty Persian named Figaro. They are all very fleshed out and realistic. Their dialogues are true and sometimes pretty funny. The personalities of the new characters introduced in this story evolve as the drama unfolds. Blanche aka Moira also grew up in Cape May and she has a history with Ginny. I loved the passive way Ginny stuck it to Moira on a daily basis. There are two very quirky/creepy characters too. While not my faves, they sure did add to the story.
The murder mystery was very well plotted and all the subplots flowed well within it. The victim was someone beloved by many and his death was hard to take, His death was misunderstood at first which was a little maddening for everyone involved. As the story unfolds the suspect list expands and the motive gets murky. Several red herrings really twist things up. Having more than one mystery to solve is always fun. I loved all the secrets uncovered and the big reveals.
The Mamma Mia theme was a delight. The Abba music was playing in my head at every rehearsal. Senior citizens playing the parts was a hoot!!
Ooh, you can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Digging the dancing queen...
We are also treated to seven of Poppy's recipes at the end of the book!
Theater Nights are Murder is a Perfect Escape. I have loved this entire series! Be prepared to have your funny bone seriously tickled and enjoy. I sure did!