This is the 7th book in the series and I've read nearly all the others, it doesn't matter if you haven't as it's still a fun, cosy murder mystery.

I thought this one was more obvious than the others but still enjoyable!

Thanks for the arc

This was another thoroughly enjoyable mystery featuring amateur sleuth and ex-social worker Julia Bird.
In A Village Theatre Murder, Julia is involved with organising props for the local drama group’s latest production which is a very dramatic play culminating in a shooting with a replica gun. Things go horribly wrong at the end of the first night and a man lies dead on the stage. Of course Julia Is present and becomes involved with the investigation although this time, she is actually a potential suspect. The investigation is an interesting one with lots of twists and resulting in a conclusion that is not at all obvious.
I love the Julia Bird mysteries and think that the authors get her character just right. She is curious and friendly enough to gain information without going beyond the bounds of credibility which happens in some mysteries of this genre. Julia makes a good confidant and it feels natural for others to talk to her.
The village of Berrywick forms a good backdrop for the crime with the local café and charity shop making their usual appearances as well as many of the local inhabitants who have appeared in previous books. I enjoyed the way in which Julia’s relationship with the local doctor Sean, continues to develop. Again, this feels very natural and I liked the way she tried to give him space as he dealt with the reappearance in his life of his adult son. Jono was actually one of my favourite characters in this book and I loved his relationship with the two dogs and the resolution of his story line. .
I really enjoyed this latest outing for Julia and it remains one of my favourite cosy crime series. Although this is the 7th book in the series, I feel that it could probably be read as a stand alone however, if you enjoy this genre of crime novels, then I recommend that you read the series from the beginning
My thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love a good Julia Bird Mystery! You can always count on an interesting cast of characters and a murder mystery with lots of suspects. It's been fun watching Hayley slowly comes to terms with the fact that Julia will somehow get caught up in a murder investigation and often has good intel that leads to catching the killer. The murderer here did not come as a complete surprise but it was not until late in the story that I started to suspect that person. What I really enjoyed with this book was Julia and Sean's relationship. There is such a solidness to them that always makes me smile. Adding Sean's troubled son to the mix offered a new dynamic for them that I really liked seeing. It was also interesting to see how Jono changed and came out of his shell once he adjusted to staying with Sean and how their relationship slowly got back on track. I am looking forward to seeing more of Jono in future books.

I have to admit, when I started reading A Village Theatre Murder, I had a little bit of a sinking feeling. I've seen this 'method' of murder so many times before. But, what I was forgetting, was that these Julia Bird Mysteries are very much classic murder mysteries. Who cares if it's been done before? That's almost the point. When it's as well written and entertaining as these books are, they are a joy to read.
In addition to the mystery, there's always the subplot of Julia's life and that of her friends and family. In previous books, we've met significant people from Julia's past, her ex-husband and daughter. This time we get to meet Sean's son Jonno. As a mystery, it doesn't need these extras, but it just adds to the enjoyment and depth of the read.
I was way ahead of Julia on this one, but I will admit that was probably down to a lucky guess on my part. It was still lots of fun to follow Julia's investigation.
I really enjoy this series. I hope that we shall return soon, no doubt there will be yet another murder in this sleeply little village that Julia can get caught up in. She seems to have a nack for it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Julia Bird is helping with the props at the local amateur dramatics play. At the end there's supposed to be a shooting with a prop gun but it turns out there's a real bullet in the gum

Another great cozy mystery by Katie Gayle. I love the characters in this series, and enjoyed the introduction to Sean's son.
This plot involved the death of two members of the community theatre's production of Shakespeare. The book read quickly, all the pieces of the plot flowing nicely into the other. I wish there was a little more of a conclusion, like what happened to the suspect in the end. But overall another great addition to the series.

I enjoyed the characters and the setting. I like how things progress in the character's lives in each book. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo


Title: A Village Theatre Murder
Author: Katie Gayle
Series: Julia Bird Mysteries #7
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 281
Date of Publication: March 11, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

The gun was supposed to be a prop. The actors in an amateur play on stage have delivered their lines with ease. It is the final scene and the lead actor Graham suddenly drops. The gun used in that last scene was real, and Julia Bird is determined how a prop gun became all too real, and who was responsible for Graham’s murder.

The amateur actor Oscar who was holding and shot the gun is beside himself. He has convinced himself that he is now a murderer, and Julia knows that nothing could be further from the truth. Then there is Graham’s wife Jane, devastated by her husband’s murder. But Julia soon sees odd behavior between Oscar and Jane and that gives her pause. Something is amiss and Julia is determined to get to the bottom of it.

The director, naturally saddened by the news, remains resolute in his desire to continue the show and seeks to cast a new male lead. However, the production faces numerous challenges. Despite this, Julia, as always adept at solving crimes, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth and apprehend the guilty culprit.

The reader’s visit to the charming village of Berrywick is a delightful experience. The dynamic between Julia and Dr. Sean O’Connor has evolved, and we are introduced to new supporting characters who enrich the narrative. Katie Gayle’s latest book offers a captivating read, and while these stories can be enjoyed as standalone novels, readers who appreciate continuity, especially after witnessing a woman in her 60s blossom and build a new romantic relationship, may find it more rewarding to read the entire series in order.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Katie Gayle delivers another delightful addition to the Julia Bird Mysteries with A Village Theatre Murder. This time, Julia finds herself immersed in the world of amateur theatre when a shocking murder takes place during the climactic scene of Berrywick’s latest production. What should have been an enjoyable evening of drama turns into a real-life mystery, and Julia’s keen investigative skills are put to the test once more.

The story begins with a gunshot—this one tragically real—leaving one of the lead actors dead and the entire village reeling. As Julia pieces together the puzzle, secrets emerge about the victim’s personal life, rivalries among the cast, and the sinister motivations lurking behind the stage lights. With red herrings aplenty and a second shocking death, the tension steadily mounts, keeping the reader guessing until the very last act.

What makes this book so engaging is the seamless blend of intrigue, humor, and the cozy charm of Berrywick. Julia is as delightful as ever—curious, resourceful, and full of warmth. The supporting characters, from Julia’s boyfriend Sean and his shy son Jono to the theater’s ambitious director and jealous cast members, bring the village to life with their quirks and complexities.

Katie Gayle’s writing is sharp and perfectly paced, weaving twists and turns with just the right amount of lighthearted moments. Even as a later installment in the series, the story is easy to follow for new readers, while longtime fans will enjoy reconnecting with familiar faces.

A Village Theatre Murder is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries who love small-town drama, clever plotting, and a touch of theatrical flair. It’s a captivating whodunit that’s hard to put down, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
As the final curtain falls on Berrywick’s amateur theatre production, a gunshot pierces the air amidst the enthusiastic applause. Julia Bird, curious and concerned, peeks through the curtain only to find lead actor Graham motionless on the stage, while his co-star Oscar stares at his prop gun in disbelief. Julia realizes that Graham has been murdered, and with so many villagers involved in the play, anyone could have tampered with the props. But why would someone target a well-loved family man? Graham’s wife, Jane, crumples in sorrow as Oscar is consoled and escorted away. However, days later, Julia witnesses the seemingly composed Jane sharing a kiss with Oscar, leading her to question whether Jane’s tears were genuine. After all, Graham had served Jane divorce papers on the day of his death—was he silenced before he could reveal her affair and tarnish her pristine image?
In the midst of it all, the aptly named director, Roger Grave, is determined to keep the production alive. The play is in the running for a local award, and this could be Roger’s chance to shine. However, when the aspiring actor Hector is passed over for the lead role he believed was his, tensions rise among the cast. Julia starts to wonder if Hector’s jealousy over the coveted part could have driven him to murder Graham. As if that weren’t enough, another crew member turns up dead, leading Julia to uncover a sinister secret lurking within Berrywick’s local theatre society. But who would go to such lengths to keep it hidden? Can Julia solve the mystery before another life is lost?

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
To start, I want to point out that when I asked to review the book and was approved, I mistakenly thought it was a standalone. That said, I was able to follow the plot without any issues. I devoured the book in one day and had a great time reading it. While I did get a bit confused at times due to the large cast of characters, it didn’t ruin my enjoyment. I spent the whole time trying to solve the mystery, and the ending caught me off guard!
Thank You @Netgally and @Bookouture for allowing me to review this ARC.

Another enjoyable book in this cozy series. Julia is helping her friend with the props for an amateur production that Tabitha wrote herself. But tragedy occurs during the performance when in the final scene of the play, a prop gun shoots a real bullet and kills one of the actors. The man's wife and daughter are distraught and the man who shot the supposedly fake gun is feeling guilty and wants to be arrested for murder. Julia feels she has to help solve the case to give the family peace.

Julia's boyfriend, Sean, hears that his son is having difficulties in London and brings him home to Berrywick. Jono is a shy young man, but good with dogs. Julia makes friends with him.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this novel.

I received a free copy of, A Village Theatre Murder, by Katie Gayle, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book seven of seven, in the Julia Bird Mysteries series. Graham is murdered on screen while doing a play, who could of killed him? So many twists and turns in this enjoyable cozy mystery.

A gunshot at the end of a performance and the curtain closes, but the man does not rise. The prop gun was not supposed to have bullets. Who killed this man and why?

Two of my favorite things—mystery and theatre—come together in A Village Theatre Murder, setting the stage for an incredible read right from the start. Julia Bird is back again, this time caught up in the chaos of a murder that interrupts what should have been an enjoyable night of drama. What begins as a well-executed play quickly unravels when a real gunshot signals something far darker. Before the curtain can fall, Julia finds herself solving yet another death in the charming village of Berrywick.

What stood out for me was the fantastic pacing—the story flowed seamlessly, and I truly couldn’t put it down. Katie Gayle delivers just the right amount of intrigue, twists, and delightful red herrings, keeping me engaged until the very last page. The familiar setting and beloved characters, along with a couple of intriguing new faces, made this seventh installment feel fresh yet comforting.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or new to Julia Bird’s mysteries, this book is a must-read. It’s a perfect balance of suspense, small-town charm, and clever plotting. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a cozy mystery!

Julia Bird had been helping behind the scenes of the South Cotswolds Players' latest production before enjoying the opening night with boyfriend Dr Sean O'Connor and close friend Tabitha who wrote the murder mystery. The play ends, as planned, with a gunshot, but it soon becomes clear something is wrong, and before the evening is over, Julia has another death to investigate. Can she work her way through the clues and discover who was responsible before anyone else dies?

A Village Theatre Murder is another chance to enjoy visiting the residents of Berrywick and separating the clues from the red herrings that once again abound in Katie Gayle's seventh book in this great series. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and there are a couple of new protagonists who I hope will make further appearances in future storylines.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read that is easy to recommend.