The Three Dahlias are fast becoming one of my favourite cosy mystery series and the arrival of a new book on the shelves is a reason to celebrate.
A Deadly Night At The Theatre is the fifth addition to the series and will be published this summer on 10th July. The Dahlias are no longer novices to solving murders but when a colleagues of Caro's is murdered, the stakes are higher this time around as Posy is accused of his murder!
With our trio divided more than ever, Posy is struggling to prove her innocence to the police and facing a trial by social media.
This is probably by favourite book of the series so far and I enjoyed seeing how our trio were divided and yet trying to work together. I found myself frustrated with Caro on occasion but then, understanding her perspective and it was great to have the background to Posy's younger years.
As always the J'accuse scene is fun and the Dahlias are relying on their instincts as much as actual evidence much the scene is fun to imagine and I particularly all of the theatre references and information scattered throughout the storyline.

Another mystery for the Three Dahlias – Posy, Caro and Rosalind – each of whom have played a fictional detective on stage and screen. However, it’s a tiny bit closer to home in this instance, as Posy is suspected of murder, someone from her past whom she very clearly wanted to stay there, and someone whom Caro was convinced had changed. Posy and Caro, starring in adjoining theatres in different plays, find the theatre world closes ranks after the fatality, and while there’s some who don’t want to believe Posy is responsible, others aren’t so sure. The three friends must investigate their hearts out to find out the culprit… it’s just a pity that their suspect pool is full of actors, people who are professionally brilliant at bewitching their audiences…

Another fantastic three dahlia murder. This time murder comes to the west end. Two dahlia’s are working in the west end when Posy finds a body in her dressing room. The problem is, the body is of a supposedly reformed friend from Posy’s past. With Posy as the prime suspect, can they discover the true killer? As the dahlias work to clear Posy’s name, their fractured friendship is also tested.

I really enjoyed this, as I do with all the Dahlia murders. It’s a super easy read that I finished it in a day. I love the London setting as I’m London based and love to see familiar iconic landmarks in books.

Though this book centres on Posy’s past, Posy’s POV is probably the one we get the least. I really empathised with the character, especially as Posy is my favourite Dahlia. I thought the unraveling of the victims character was really nicely done, it really makes the reader question what the truth is and nicely shows how victims often blame themselves.

I feel like there’s a lot of off page development in this book, more so than the others, especially with Caro and Posy’s disagreement. But as we follow Rosalind who also haven’t been present , the slightly removed angle does work.

Really enjoyed this book, a great addition to the Dahlia series.

The Three Dahlias are in the West End. Posy and Caro are both starring indiffernet plays, and Rosalind is there for their opening weeks.

But there's tension between Posy and Caro. Caro is friends with her co-star Luke Burrows, and he has history with Posy.

And then Luke is found dead. In Posy's dressing room. With Posy standing over him. And she's covered in his blood...

Another brilliant addition to this always excellent series

A Deadly Night at the Theatre is the latest book in the Three Dahlias’s murder mystery series. After solving murders in Scottish castles and quaint English towns, our three favourite sleuths now take to the stage. But death is waiting for them in the wings…

That is a very dramatic way of saying that this murder mystery is about all things theatre. Posy and Caro are in two different plays when we start the book and things are a bit tense between them. Unfortunately, someone from Posy’s chequered past is acting in Caro’s play. He seems to have won everyone but Posy over. So, when he dies in her dressing room everyone is pointing the finger at her.

I love the set up of this book because it allows for a bit more character development between the three Dahlia’s. We know that Rosalind, Caro and Posy make a great team but there are always arguments and disagreements to be had. Not only do they have to work to solve a murder, but they also have to work to rebuild trust and their friendship.

I think that the actual mystery in this book was also really good. There are so many secrets to be uncovered and I loved how we slowly learnt more and more about who Luke, the victim, truly was. The dramatic reveal at the end was also the most theatrical (pun intended) reveal to date. I liked how the plot came together, but if I had one complaint it would be that this reveal was a little long winded. Granted, it was a very complicated murder. But, it took pages and pages for the Dahlia’s to explain exactly what happened on the night of the murder.

I have loved this series since it came out in 2022. These cosy mysteries are always fun to read and I love the way that we learn more about each character with each new novel. I can’t wait to see what happens to the Three Dahlia’s next!