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.