Things are a bit up in the air for the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company when their director quits right before their production of Much Ado About Nothing. Luckily, their featured star, Audrey Ashley, recommends a director she has worked with before, Edmund Albright. Costume designer Charlotte Fairfax is excited to work with the new director and looks forward to the production. But, Albright announces some changes to the play. He wants to modernize it, setting it in Civil War era America. Nearly the entire cast balks at the idea, but there is nothing the theater board can do about it. The contract with Albright gives him complete creative control over the production. There is no way to force him to change his mind, or to fire him. The show must go on.... Just as cast and crew come to terms with the director's ideas, Albright is found dead on his sofa with a gun in his hand. Did Albright commit suicide in such a dramatic fashion? Or was he murdered?

In order to save the production, Charlotte jumps in to help investigate. With all the cast and crew, she has a lot of potential suspects to consider. Who brought the curtain down on the eccentric director with such violence?

Much Ado About Murder is the third book in the Shakespeare in the Catskills mystery series. I enjoyed this book. Charlotte is an interesting and capable main character. The other crew members, actors and the star actress hired for Much Ado all come together to help her investigate. The mystery moves along at the perfect pace with plenty of suspects and twists. The ending wasn't really a surprise, but it was well done so I didn't mind that I guessed the killer's identity. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

Elizabeth J. Duncan also writes the Penny Brannigan series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://elizabethjduncan.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

In Elizabeth J. Duncan's latest installment in the Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery series, Much Ado About Murder, costume designer and amateur sleuth Charlotte Fairfax investigates the troubling death of replacement director, Edmund Albright. The police have ruled his death a suicide but Charlotte and her friend Paula Van Dusen are certain he was murdered. But who amongst the cast of their latest production would have killed him?

Just as rehearsals on the upcoming production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing are about to begin, the company's director abruptly leaves his position. Charlotte and Paula put their heads together and suggest local Wade Radcliffe as their replacement, but lead actress Audrey Ashley wants British director Edmund Albright to direct the play.  Needless to say, neither Charlotte nor Paula are overly excited about Audrey's choice and soon the entire cast is up in arms by Edmund's vision for the play. However, before rehearsals have even begun, Audrey and Charlotte discover Edmund's lifeless body in the director's bungalow. Based on evidence at the scene, the police quickly rule his death a suicide but Charlotte is equally certain someone murdered him. In between rehearsals and designing the costumes, Charlotte searches for evidence to support her theory.

The first person that Charlotte takes a close look at during her investigation is local actress Mattie Lane. Mattie has made no secret that she desires bigger and better roles, but how far would she go to make that happen? Well, since Charlotte knows Mattie has already tried to sway Edmund into recasting her into a more important role, she must consider the budding actress as one of her chief suspects.

Then there is newcomer Audrey Ashley and her sister/manager Maxine Kaminski. Maxine is quite protective of Audrey but would she commit murder to help Audrey's career? Since Audrey suggested Edmund for the director position, what possible motive would she have for killing him? Like most of the cast, Audrey is dismayed by Edmund's vision for their upcoming production but is she upset enough over his interpretation of the play to kill him?

With Paula as her trusty sidekick, Charlotte eagerly begins digging into Edmund's activities after his arrival in town. They quickly uncover some rather intriguing information that warrants a closer look. This tantalizing discovery yields startling revelations that Charlotte knows is somehow linked to Edmund's death, but will she unmask the killer before it is too late?

With the murder not taking place until almost the halfway point, Much Ado About Murder is a low-key mystery with a wonderful cast of characters and a fantastic setting.  Skillfully but slowly setting the stage for Edmund's untimely death, Elizabeth J. Duncan keeps the perpetrator's identity and motive for the murder cleverly concealed until the novel's exciting conclusion. This latest outing in the Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery series will delight old and new fans who enjoy cozy mysteries.
( )

Charlotte Fairfax is an excellent costume designer and works with the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company. This year they are performing Much Ado About Nothing a classic. Famous actress Audrey Ashley arrives to play the lead role. The aging actress has the last word on who the director will be; she picks director Edmund Albright. Unfortunately, someone decides Edmund has to go, and Charlotte has another dead body on her hands.

Edmund insists on doing a new version of the play with the bases in the Civil War. Not a popular choice and one the Catskills Shakespeare Theater cannot get out of. Not everyone is happy with his decision, including Audrey and Charlotte. Out of options, the play progresses forward. It looks as though Edmund has gotten his way whether they like it or not. Edmund is discovered dead on his sofa, holding a gun in his hand. His death is ruled a suicide, but Charlotte doesn’t agree. It's time for her to put her sleuthing cap on and find out what really happened.

Series: A Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery - Book 3
Author: Elizabeth J. Duncan
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

“Much Ado About Murder” is the third installment in the “A Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery” series. The story revolves around a British transplant, Charlotte Fairfax, the costume director for a theater company. Charlotte has some issues with the new director, mainly budget and time. Along with everyone else, Charlotte is looking for a way out. She doesn’t want to design costumes for a play she feels is best left alone and performed in the traditional manner. When the new director is killed, everyone becomes a suspect, and Charlotte ends up smack in the middle of the investigation.

Ms. Duncan is a talented writer and knows how to tell a story without sexual content, violence or inappropriate language. She shows that a book doesn’t have to be over the top to be good. Although “Much Ado About Murder” is not a fast read, the story isn’t ploddingly slow either. The characters are believable if a bit dated at times. The love interest is tame compared to many books of the same type. However, the relationship between Charlotte and Ray is comfortable and easy with none of the usual on-again off-again relationship status that is common in most cozies. There is a momentary concern for the couple when the star of the play seems to take an interest in Ray for more than his police skills. This doesn't last and is soon put to rest when the Audrey realizes that Ray is in a committed relationship with Charlotte. Having an adorable Corgi in a story never hurts, and this one has two.

Paula Van Dusen, the head of the theater board and a wealthy woman is a wonderful character that would be worth reading more about. She has a lovely old time estate with beautiful flower gardens. Although wealthy she does not appear to be pretentious or egotistical. Paula is one of several characters in the book that enhance the enjoyment of the story and plays an important part in the unraveling of the motive and means of the murder.

The characters are memorable; the location could be anywhere in small town USA which is relatable to anyone who has ever lived in a small area or wants to. The writing is smooth and flows well without losing sight of the main plot. The victim is someone the reader will by all accounts, dislike. The “why” of the murder leaves room for twists and turns and plenty of red herrings that will keep the reader wondering right up until the very end.

Overall this is a smile worthy book that doesn’t leave the reader with unanswered questions or a bad taste in their mouth. This book is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys theater, corgis, and flowers as they all play a pivotal role in unmasking the killer. ( )

Ms. Duncan's new book, Much Ado About Murder, is a charming cozy mystery. Her characters are well developed and the story was a fast read. It's the kind of book you pick up when you're having a hectic or bad day and want a little escape.
The only problem I had is that I never read Williams Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing so I was a little lost when the play in the book was being discussed. ( )

This third Shakespeare in the Catskills mystery is another winner in Elizabeth Duncan's highly enjoyable series. From the talented (and British) Ms. Fairfax to her corgi Rupert who jumps into bed with her the second her partner's back is turned, the author has created a strong cast of characters to solve her mysteries, and Much Ado About Murder does have a strong mystery with plenty of suspects to ponder.

I do enjoy the characters and the stories, but I have to admit that another strong draw for me is the theater info which is woven into the narrative with a light, sure hand. While reading these books, I've been learning tidbits about directing, blocking scenes, costumes, budgets-- even ticket sales-- and logistics concerning a Shakespeare play being set during such an unusual time period was enlightening.

Fans of cozy mysteries, colorful characters, and theater should really enjoy Duncan's Shakespeare in the Catskills series. I know I do. ( )