I do love Georgina, Doris and Bert, this episode takes them to London as daughter Bea makes her first starring role in Macbeth and Georgia has agreed to take the photos for the production, but as we have gotten to know Georgie nothing every runs smoothly and again there seems to be bodies showing up everywhere and Georgie is back to sleuthing.

First dress rehearsal and one of the main characters is found stabbed, not only that but you gotta love Bert he discovers bones under the floor, there seems to be a few contenders for murderer but one of them is Georgie’s daughter Bea but Georgie knows that is not the case and will go to all lengths to find the killer or could it be killers.

Georgie also has her sidekick Doris on board who is very good at helping uncover old deaths and Georgie is in her element uncovering some things about the victim and the suspects, with Colin not around Georgie is offering her help to the main lead detective but soon Colin has arrived in London.
This one is fast paced with a lot going on, deaths, past mysteries and with so many suspects will the play go on and will Georgie be safe this time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I do really hope that there are more in this series, I am sure there will be lots of deaths for Georgie and I am loving Colin and Georgie.

My thanks to Storm Publishing for my digital copy to read and review via Netgalley.

Georgina Drake is thrilled to have been chosen to take promo photos for a stage production of Macbeth, in which her daughter Bea will play her first starring role. Her anticipation of good things to come for Bea comes crashing down when, during the rehearsal, one of the lead actors, Neil Faulkner, is stabbed to death. She becomes extremely distressed when a spatter of blood is found on Bea’s arm, and she becomes a leading suspect.
Georgina tries to convince the police her daughter is not a murderer. After Bea admits that Neil has been blackmailing her, the investigation takes another turn. The police find out that Neil blackmailed some of the other cast members, and the investigation takes another turn.
Georgina believes that someone in the cast is guilty but her frantic search to find the killer has put her own life in danger

Georgina is in London awaiting to see her daughter in MacBeth. However, before long our Georgina is investigating a current murder within the theater company as well as a cold case when a body is discovered under the stage. Georgina is a delightful heroine--full of questions, kindness and faith in herself. The author does a great job incorporating the history of World War II and the blitz into the story. I also loved that daughter Bea is an amateur genealogist. Don't forget the ghost that accompanies Georgiana as well as the maybe policeman who is falling for her. A good read. Well written and researched. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.

This is book number 3 in the series with Georgina Drake. The setting is the Regency Theater, where a Shakespeare play is being rehearsed. One crime happened, and another one that had happened during World War II. Georgina finds herself involved in the investigation of one of the crimes. Characters from previous books in this series participate in the story. I recommend this book.

Easy reading murder mystery, as this is book 3 in a series I had felt a bit lost in the first few pages but after that enjoyed the story plot and characters.
Georgina Drake is working in a London theatre taking promo photos for the famous Shakespeare play Macbeth! She is very proud of her daughter Bea being involved in the production but when one of the cast is murdered Georgina gets involved with the police in solving the crime. This lady is very good at uncovering mysteries with the help of her dog, her friends in the police and a ghost friend on the other side.
Great history, good plot, an enjoyable entertaining read.
After initially having mixed feelings I’m so glad I persevered! Probably the second half of the book was more intriguing and fun to read than first half.
Good writing good characters good cozy crime! Great holiday read!
Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for the early read!

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I have read the previous books in the series and though it would be possible to read this as a standalone it really would have much more context if one has read the previous books.

I do hope that there will be more adventures for Georgina and 'Doris' as that part of the original story was neatly brought to a conclusion.

If you had told me that I would actively look for books whereby a hearing impaired lady hear a ghosts voice through her hearing aids, I would have thought you mad - ghost stories are not my usual genre by any stretch of the imagination.
But as I have read the 3 books so far I have found that I have become more interested in Doris' story and am pleased that she knows all there is so know now - despite the sadness she encounters in this book.

This book revolves around theatre life in London and Georgina's daughter Bea = its well written and well researched with likeable characters.
As with the previous books there are 2 events in different timelines which may have tenuous connections but are neatly tied up by the efforts of Georgina, Colin and Doris.

Looking forward to more adventures - this one richly deserves it's 5 stars

This series is just lovely; Doris is a remarkable figment of the author’s imagination and adds a different dimension to these cosy mysteries. This book has everything I like in it: a dog, the murder of a horrible person, retribution, a stage play and a romance with a Colin Firth look alike. Perfect.

Georgina Drake was in London, staying with her daughter Bea who was starring in her first role in Macbeth at the theatre. Bert, Georgie's dog, had come with her, as well as Doris who accompanied Georgie everywhere. Georgie was a professional photographer and taking photos of the rehearsals, plus the head shots for advertising. But the first day of rehearsing went badly wrong when one of the actors was discovered, dead, under the stage.

When Georgie discovered the dead actor had been blackmailing Bea, she immediately suspected he wouldn't have only blackmailed one person. In other words, there were a number of people who would have motive. With the London police interviewing everyone, including Georgie, she knew she had to work hard herself to discover the killer. Otherwise they might go after someone else. But could she do it?

The Body Under the Stage is the 3rd in the Georgina Drake Mystery series by Kate Hardy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mystery, intrigue, a touch of ghostly nudging and some great characters make this a series I'm keen to continue. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third Kate Hardy book I have read and another quick and enjoyable book to read. Like Kate I am a lover of theatre, So to combine a book written in my favourite genre with a theatrical theme is a guaranteed winner for me. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I love me some Georgina Drake! She always solves the day! I really enjoy her relationships with all the people in her life, including her favorite ghost! I can't wait to see what they get up to in the next installment!


#TheBodyUndertheStage
#NetGalley

A lovely cozy murder story with a Shakespeare play production. My favourite crime solving ladies - Georgie and Doris in action again to get justice for the new and old murders.

Great read and loveable characters. In this book, I got to read about Doris’s past life. The series is definitely getting better

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publising

Very well written, yet easy to read, which is just what I needed as an escape from real life. Full of twists, which kept me gripped throughout, a real page turner!! The characters are well written, and very relatable. I look forward to reading another title by this author!

This is the third story in this delightful series of cosy murder mysteries. This book is not dependent on having read the earlier ones.

The main character, Georgina Drake, is a professional photographer who has agreed to do publicity photos for a new production of Macbeth in which her daughter, Bea, is playing the role of Lady Macbeth. The production has experienced a string of accidents and Georgina witnesses tensions amongst the cast and theatre team with the lead actor Neil. During the dress rehearsal Neil is stabbed and it quickly transpires that quite a few at the theatre have strong motives for wanting him dead; including Bea who was being blackmailed by him. Georgina has to act quickly to prove Bea innocent and save the future of the theatre.

Georgina is helped in her investigations by Doris, the ghost of a young woman who died some 50 years ago. This quirky relationship provides the basis for an interesting subplot with Georgina and Doris also unravelling the truth surrounding the young woman’s death. Neil’s death also led to the discovery of a skeleton under the stage at the theatre and Georgina uses her skills to track down documentary evidence to prove his identity.

There is a lot happening in this story with the three investigations cleverly interwoven. The characters are well developed and there are plenty of twists and red herrings making this a very enjoyable read. I look forward to further adventures of Georgina and Doris.

I am enjoying this series. I like the characters and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book worked well as a standalone, which is great because I haven’t read the others in this series. Overall, I liked this book. I loved the elements of historical fiction but it felt like there was a lot happening- looking for Harrison, a historical dead body, a present day dead body. I think I would have liked delving more deeply into one or two of these story lines but it felt like a bit much to have all 3.

This series just gets better and better! Three books in Georgina, Colin, Bert (the dog) and, of course, Doris, already feel like old friends, their developing relationships as integral to the books as the mysteries they encounter. And by combining a historical mystery with a modern day one, the plot moves along at a fast pace, adding to an already interesting storyline.
Georgina's daughter Bea has her big break, playing Lady Macbeth at an Islington theatre and Georgina has been asked to come and take the headshots, only for the unpleasant actor playing Banquo to be killed live on stage - and Bea is amongst the suspects. But he's not the only murdered body in the theatre, Doris has detected another ghost, a man killed during the blitz and buried underneath the stage. Can Georgina clear her daughter's name and bring peace to the ghost now his body has been found?
Twisty, fun and fresh, this was a great addition to a must buy series. Highly recommended.

Kate Hardy's The Body Under the Stage, the third installment in the Georgina Drake Mystery series, is a captivating blend of domestic life and amateur sleuthing that will leave fans of cozy mysteries thoroughly satisfied. This engaging novel once again showcases Hardy's knack for crafting intricate plots and memorable characters, making it a standout in the genre.

Set against the backdrop of a dress rehearsal for Macbeth, the story swiftly transitions from theatrical drama to real-life murder when actor Neil Faulkner is found dead. The murder scene is jolting, particularly because it directly implicates Georgina's daughter, Bea, who is making her debut in a starring role. This personal connection raises the stakes considerably, pulling readers deeply into Georgina’s urgent quest to clear her daughter's name.

Hardy’s plot is deftly constructed, with red herrings and surprising twists that keep readers guessing. The initial discovery of the murder weapon and the subsequent revelation of Neil's blackmailing activities provide a solid foundation for the mystery. As Georgina delves into the investigation, she encounters a web of secrets and lies among the theatre company, each clue drawing her closer to the real killer while simultaneously placing her in greater danger.

Character development is one of Hardy's strengths, and The Body Under the Stage is no exception. Georgina is portrayed as a fiercely protective mother and a determined investigator, qualities that endear her to readers. Her relationship with Bea is tender and realistic, highlighting the emotional stakes of the narrative. Bea, grappling with her own fears and the weight of suspicion, adds depth to the story, showcasing the impact of the murder on her young life.

The supporting cast, including the theatre troupe and local police, is well-rounded and adds layers to the narrative. Each character has their own motives and secrets, which Georgina must untangle to uncover the truth. Hardy’s ability to flesh out even minor characters enhances the realism and complexity of the plot.

One of the standout features of The Body Under the Stage is its seamless integration of everyday life with the investigative process. Georgina's role as a photographer and mother is woven into the mystery, adding a relatable dimension to her sleuthing activities. The theatre setting, with its inherent drama and intrigue, serves as a perfect backdrop for the unfolding mystery, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and suspense.

Fans of cozy mysteries will find much to love in Hardy’s latest offering. The blend of domestic concerns, amateur detective work, and theatrical flair makes for a compelling read. Hardy’s attention to detail, from the blood spatter evidence to the intricacies of the theatre world, adds authenticity and depth to the story.

The Body Under the Stage is a testament to Kate Hardy’s skill as a storyteller. It combines a gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and a richly atmospheric setting to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. Readers will be eagerly turning pages to see how Georgina navigates the dangers and deceptions to ultimately reveal the true murderer. This installment solidifies the Georgina Drake Mystery series as a must-read for fans of the genre.

Thanks Storm publishing and Netgalley for this ARC of the Body Under the Stage by Kate hardy.

This arc was kindly sent to me for my fair and honest opinion.

This is Book 3 in the Georgina Drake series, However I read this as a standalone and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Georgina is an amateur photographer and in the Body under the stage she's recruited to be photograph her daughter Bea's stage production of Macbeth. The lead actor is killed and Bea gets implicated in the murder.... Georgina has to step up and play detective . There are lot of plot twists, and whilst I predicted the end... in no way is it predictable and I loved this Cozy mystery which really gave me small town Midsomer Murder vibes.

I have already bought books 1& 2 and can't wait to read them.

First of all I want to thank NetGalley, Storm Publishing and of course Kate Hardy for allowing me to read the ARC of "The Body Under the Stage" in exchange for an honest review.

Shakespeare and murder, probably two of the best things to go together ever since.

It is my first book from the Georgina Drake Series, but that did not really put me off, instead it made me put the other two on my TBR ASAP as I finished this one.

A present time murder and a murder from the past, and Georgina, a photographer who does have a ghostly connection to Doris, the ghost of a girl dead for several decades, amidst of it, albeit all she wanted was to visit her daughter Bea who did land the role of Lady Macbeth.


I will not explain too much of the plot, simply because I think every little detail might be a bit of a spoiler, however, all I can say is, this book was heartwretching. A must for everyone who is a fan of mysterie and personal history, if I am being quite honest.

The writing style was flowing, as was the pace of the book and my absolute favourite part of it? OUR HEROINE IS AN OLDER WOMAN WHO HAS LIVED; LOVED AND LOST. I think she is one of the few women in their 50's that I encountered being the lead of a book and I did absolutely love Georgina and her motherly attitude pairing with her mastermind.

A wonderful read for a cozy day.

Wasn't taken in by the first chapter but carried on and so glad I did. A good steady story with a couple of side stories.