Dollycas’s Thoughts

Libby Klein has penned another terrific mystery filled with laugh-out-loud humor that makes this book impossible to put down.

“Aunt Ginny was somewhere in her eighties, but somehow the feisty redhead got into more trouble than a five-year-old on a sugar binge.”

Yes, Poppy has her hands full again this time. The Senior Center is doing its version of Mamma Mia and all of “the biddies” including Aunt Ginny are involved. The director has persuaded Ginny’s high school flame, now a retired Broadway actor, to play a leading role. Why a successful man would lower himself to a local musical is unknown but everyone is excited to take part or see the show.

Opening night has been set for Friday, February 13 and it does seem the production is truly cursed. Props have gone missing, scenery panels have been vandalized and a death threat has been issued. The director tries to keep the play on course but when a cast member dies suspiciously – did he fall or was he pushed from the catwalk? the players get justifiably nervous. With a “the show must go on” attitude Poppy, Ginny and their friends push ahead while at the same time trying to reel in the killer before another murder brings down the house.

I fell hard for Poppy and Ginny reading the first book in this series, Class Reunions Are Murder, and every subsequent book just cements my feelings. Poppy is getting stronger and stronger. She is trying to get the B & B up and running amidst someone fraudulently posting bad reviews, doing some gluten-free baking on the side to bring in some cash, dealing with feelings for two men, (my mind is already made up) all while trying to keep Ginny and “the biddies” out of trouble and trying to do the job she was roped into for the play. The last thing she needed was a dead body! But she takes it all on.

The supporting cast is also stellar. All Aunt Ginny’s friends, Tim and Gia, Amber and even one very pretty Persian named Figaro. They are all very fleshed out and realistic. Their dialogues are true and sometimes pretty funny. The personalities of the new characters introduced in this story evolve as the drama unfolds. Blanche aka Moira also grew up in Cape May and she has a history with Ginny. I loved the passive way Ginny stuck it to Moira on a daily basis. There are two very quirky/creepy characters too. While not my faves, they sure did add to the story.

The murder mystery was very well plotted and all the subplots flowed well within it. The victim was someone beloved by many and his death was hard to take, His death was misunderstood at first which was a little maddening for everyone involved. As the story unfolds the suspect list expands and the motive gets murky. Several red herrings really twist things up. Having more than one mystery to solve is always fun. I loved all the secrets uncovered and the big reveals.

The Mamma Mia theme was a delight. The Abba music was playing in my head at every rehearsal. Senior citizens playing the parts was a hoot!!

Ooh, you can dance, you can jive
Having the time of your life
Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene
Digging the dancing queen…

We are also treated to seven of Poppy’s recipes at the end of the book!

Theater Nights are Murder is a Perfect Escape. I have loved this entire series! Be prepared to have your funny bone seriously tickled and enjoy. I sure did!

Libby Klein has done it again. She has a knack for writing witty, cozy mysteries with endearing characters and delicious recipes - what is there not to love. She did not disappoint in her fourth book in 2 years (!!!). There is a love triangle, a murder, the enduring power of friendship, and Abba.

Ms. Klein is a writing machine and I'm already looking forward to the next installment.

Not just Theater Nights are Murder, all the rigmarole around choosing among two boyfriends is murdering my interest in this series. And that’s despite being gluten-free myself for years. Maybe Poppy should investigate polyamory relationships so she can stick with both guys. You don’t see that in cozy mysteries!

Seriously, I enjoyed the dynamic between Aunt Ginny, the old biddies, and Poppy. They make a good, possibly borderline dysfunctional but hilarious, team. I also enjoyed Figaro the cat’s antics.

There are seven gluten-free recipes included at the end of Theater Nights are Murder. If you are gluten-free, this is one of the few times that you are better off than your bread-eating companions and can try out recipes from the book. The mystery was good and the humor was on point. However, it is the characters that will make you return to the series. Now if only Poppy could make up her mind. What a problem to have! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars!

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The mystery in this book is top notch, but I am getting really tired of the love triangle - it's impacting my enjoyment of the series.

There are a lot of mysteries in this one - the sabotage at the play, the dead body, the scathing - and false - reviews of Poppy's business and her desserts at the coffee shop and Tim's restaurant. And I loved digging into each one. Aunt Ginny and the "biddies" are a hoot in their sleuthing and mild cattiness to some of the less agreeable characters. I have come to expect excellent plotting in this series, and I was not disappointed with this book!

But I was disappointed that the love triangle is still a factor. I thought the last book was going to resolve that once and for all, but a final page appeal kept my least favorite suitor in the game. And in this book, I felt like Poppy was finally going to move on this thing. I feel like the solution is SO OBVIOUS - one of the guys is a constant source of encouragement and love and the other is self-absorbed and selfish and only cares about her when it is in his best interest. And then this book ends essentially the same way the last one did. I was irked, and it really cut into my enjoyment of the mystery. I am not a fan of love triangles in series for this very reason - it drags on. I am ready for some resolution and for Poppy to let go of the past and move forward.

If you want a series of shenanigans, this is the series for you. There are several Laugh Out Loud moments. Libby Klein has very detailed plots and characters in her stories. Poppy is a very relatable character for me as I too have felt her struggles with weight, love, and self esteem issues.

In the start of this series, a widowed Poppy McAllister returns to her home town to attend her high school reunion. While there and staying with her whimsical Aunt Ginny, she learns that social services is investigating Aunt Ginny for more than just being a little whimsical. After reconnecting with her high school best friend and realizing Aunt Ginny really can't be on her own anymore, Poppy decides to stay.

In this installment of the series, Aunt Ginny's high school boyfriend has retired from Broadway and is returning home to play the male lead in the senior center's theater production of Mamma Mia. When one too many accidents start happening in the theater, one has to wonder, is someone trying to put a stop to the play or is someone trying to stop a player. Can Poppy and the Biddies get to the bottom of this case before another accident takes center stage?

It was fun to see the biddies investigate more and to see their romantic troubles too. I am not a huge fan of love triangles but I understand that it works here; however, I picked my side early on in this series.

I received an advanced digital copy of the book from NetGalley as well as a print copy from the author and Kensington Books in return for my honest review.

I am looking forward to the next ... Are Murder shenanigans in the future.

I think Libby Klein’s murder plotting skills get stronger and stronger with each installment of the Poppy McAllister Mystery series.

The murder to solve this time around is who killed Duke, a retired cop, active senior centre member and a friend of Aunt Ginny’s. There are several suspects and when possible victim identities get muddled up, the pool of suspects grows even larger. The motives are juicy, the opportunities are circumstantial and the means is intriguing. The clues and red herrings intermix to keep things interesting. All in all, it makes for excellent cozy mystery reading that will keep you guessing and turning the pages.

There are other storylines too and twists and turns abound. There are the plot-lines about lost loves, new loves, secret babies, insidious Yelp reviews and an old town mystery…

Oh, and the baking! The pink champagne cupcakes and raspberry linzer cookies had me salivating and my tummy craving. Some recipes are included at the end!

In terms of the characters, sadly the love triangle continues. I really thought this would be the last of it. The story even starts off leaning heavily towards Gia, as does most of the book, but once again, Tim makes one last grand gesture. I’m definitely team Gia by this point, and really hope that by the end of Book 5 we get some closure on this.

That said, I absolutely adored the snappiness and chemistry of the dialogue between Gia and Poppy when they discussed past loves staying in the past. I could just about feel the tension coming off the page.

Then there are the sleuthing oldies. Aunt Ginny and her gang are hilarious, especially if you’re not the one who has to go running after them and try to keep them out of trouble. With age and experience I suppose comes a certain freedom to act more uninhibited…? Either way these gals brighten up the tale, and the pages where they appear do provide LOL moments.

I love this series more every time I read the newest book and I always think that book is the funniest one so far...only because imho it is! I was laughing out loud at Aunt Ginny and her "biddies'" antics during the senior center's production of Mamma Mia. From going all out spy complete with two-way radios to conning some bikers in a pool game, these ladies while absolutely hilarious were determined to find out how their friend really died during the theater production. And for that I say, "You go, girls!"

Even though I didn't care much for the character of Fiona, I have to admit I got a kick out of her always talking about her precious son Iggy's many master's degrees. It was sort of a running joke through the book (like how Georgina had come up with a bunch of wrong names for Smitty in the previous book). I think Aunt Ginny will always be my favorite character, but we got to know the biddies a lot better in this book and I completely enjoyed that. Even Smitty made a visit. Poppy's friend Sawyer had a sideline mystery going on, and there was another side mystery that completely threw me when I found out who was behind it. I'd never have guessed.

Officer Amber seemed to be mellowing just a little bit. She didn't seem nearly as mean as she was in the first book even though I doubt she'll ever get over getting a little satisfaction out of trying to make Poppy squirm. Poppy gave it right back though--her character has grown a lot since the first book too. As always, I'm anxious for the next in this series!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This is the fourth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery Series. You shouldn’t read it out of order because you would miss so much fun. Actually each mystery does wrap up so you could but you really would be missing out on a lot. There is a love triangle, most likely going to wrap up, at least temporarily, soon. I have confidence in the author to not drag that on. But love is elusive and fickle at times, so who knows if Poppy’s choice works out or not? I’m leaning towards being Team Gia but, still having feelings for my first love..I wouldn’t hate if she chooses Tim. Then there is the relationship that builds with each book between Poppy, her Aunt Ginny and the Biddies. Trust me, you don’t want to miss any of that action. Every book just gets better until we arrive at this one. This book had me cry-laughing. The worst thing is I would wake in the middle of the night and start reading. I have no idea why. I know better. I know Libby Klein is going to get me in trouble. But some things are just worth it. So there I was, trying not to wake a bear, loving my kindle because you can easily read under the covers, tears streaming while I was trying not to laugh out loud. Suddenly, I hear a deep voice say a naughty word followed by which aunt? (I have a similar issue with another book aunt). I answer Aunt Ginny. After a pause, the voice, “why aren’t we listening to it? You act like she’s just your aunt.” Huh? Who knew? So I’ll be investing in the audiobook soon. Whichever form you prefer, be ready for a good time.
There is a bit more going on in this book but I loved it. The surprises, (there were a few), wrap up nicely and, I felt, enhanced the series. Libby Klein has me hooked, (apparently the bear, too). Get the book, (or the four of them), and get hooked. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy. I voluntarily reviewed, and purchased, this book.

Theater Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein is the fourth installment in the cozy A Poppy McAllister Mystery series. Each book of this series has a new mystery to be solved by the main character so they can be read and understood as a standalone if choosing to do so. Of course as with any continuing series there is some character development that would be missed if not reading from the beginning.

In this series readers were introduced to Poppy McAllister who is a forty something widow who moved back to her hometown of Cape May after the death of her husband. Poppy returned to be near her elderly Aunt Ginny and has made a living for herself baking gluten-free goodies to sell and running the bed and breakfast they opened after converting Aunt Ginny’s home.

Now in Theater Nights Are Murder Poppy is still juggling the interest of her two suitors when a man from Aunt Ginny’s past comes back to town. Royce Hanson was Aunt Ginny’s high school sweetheart and the one that got away when he left town to become an actor. Now with his return and taking a part in the local theater Aunt Ginny and her friend also get involved in the play but with accident after accident the play seems to be cursed.

I have followed the A Poppy McAllister Mystery series from the beginning and the first two books of the series are at the top of my absolute favorite cozies list. The characters and story are absolutely hysterical and full of that wonderful quirkiness that I love. However, I’ve lowered my rating for books 3 and 4 simply due to the love triangle going on in the story and I hope that it is resolved soon as the back and forth between suitors takes away from the enjoyment of the series in my opinion. I’ll still definitely return for the laughs and fun mysteries though as Poppy and her aunt Ginny are still favorites of mine.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Synopsis:

The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama--or more murder . . .

Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She's not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny's long-ago high-school beau, Royce Hanson, a retired Broadway actor, has returned to Cape May, New Jersey, to star in a Senior Center staging of Mamma Mia. Leaving Aunt Ginny to wonder: What's his motivation?

Slated to open February 13th, the problem-plagued production seems to be cursed--with stolen props, sabotage, and even a death threat. But when a cast member plunges to his death from a catwalk, it soon becomes clear a murderer is waiting in the wings. Now Poppy, Aunt Ginny, and a supporting cast must take center stage to catch the killer--before it's curtains for someone else . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy's Kitchen!

"Fans of Chopped will have fun juggling the complicated set of suspects and following a romantic triangle that has yet to be resolved."
--Kirkus Reviews on Restaurant Weeks Are Murder (Goodreads)

Review:

I really enjoy the characters, they are funny, quirky and caring. I really enjoy the relationship between Poppy and Aunt Ginny, you can tell how much they love each other. And the biddies add a lot to the story and brought a lot of humor. And I love Figaro, Poppy’s cat, and all of the antics that he pulls. I have to say that I am not a fan of this love triangle and I really hope Poppy makes up her mind in the next book. That is only my opinion and other readers may not agree with me.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and that added so much to the story. Through much of the book I felt like I was right there listening in on conversations and watching all of the action at the theater. There were a few mysteries to solve, which I really enjoyed.

I enjoy this series a lot and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. With plenty of laughs and delightful characters, what’s not to love?

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

This is a fantastic series so I was super excited when Libby asked me to review her book before the release date of 12/31/19. And I'll just let you know (if you haven't read my other reviews in this series) that I am Team Gia.

So much to say about this book - it made me laugh, it kept me guessing regarding the crime, and it had me rooting for Poppy to make a decision regarding who she wants to date between Tim and Gia. (see my note above....GIA!!!)

What I always enjoy about this series - the relationship between Poppy and her Aunt. It is wacky, yet caring, all at the same time. Poppy never expected to be running a B&B but it was the only way to save the family home. Then there are her aunt's friends - the Biddies as they are called in the book. They remind me of the Jewish old lady stereotype that you see in movies and such, they are all in your business, offering advice you may not want, and sometimes just being a nuisance. But at other times they can save your bacon...or your life!

I chuckled at the theater production that is the main focus of this story and where the murder occurs. Imagine a bunch of senior citizens performing Mamma Mia (cue ABBA music). Since I have seen the movie I could picture these people singing and dancing and it is a comical performance. While I won't give away too much, let's just say opening night didn't quite go according to the script.

Besides the usual murder, there are several other sub-plots occurring at the same time. There is the case of who is leaving bad reviews for anything that Poppy touches (her B&B, Gia's coffeeshop, Tim's restaurant). The answer should be obvious but I have to admit I didn't think about this character. You will also meet some guests of the B&B and there is something not quite right. It is a very minor plot but it adds to the dimension of the story. Aunt Ginny reconnects with her first love from high school, an adopted child looking for his birth parents, and Poppy trying to extract herself from a potential relationship with Iggy, the pianist for the musical. All of these bring the story together and provide depth for several characters.

I haven't even touched on the food mentioned throughout the book. Poppy may not have formal training but she is a skilled baker and the recipes leave my mouth watering. I may be ok having gluten, but these recipes intrigue me and I want to try a few of them out. I'm glad the recipes are provided at the end.

There is a love triangle and I am hoping that the next book will have Poppy choosing one of the men interested in her. Both men in this book have demonstrated their feelings for her and she has some clarity at the end regarding their feelings for her. So, Poppy, it's time to choose!

I do want to share this one line that really made me laugh and you won't understand it unless you read the book and then you might have the same reaction as me:

"He said to tell you now you're even for touching his Skywalker. I don't even want to know what that means."

Overall we give this book 5 paws and can't wait to figure out what is in store for the gang.

Today I am reviewing "Theater Nights Are Murder" the 4th instalment in the "Poppy McAllister Mystery" series by Libby Klein. I know I am in for a treat when I pick up a book by Libby Klein her humor always keeps me snickering throughout the entire story especially when the biddies get up to all sorts of antics.

The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama—or more murder ...

Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She’s not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny’s long-ago high-school beau, Royce Hanson, a retired Broadway actor, has returned to Cape May, New Jersey, to star in a Senior Center staging of Mamma Mia. Leaving Aunt Ginny to wonder: What's his motivation?

Slated to open February 13th, the problem-plagued production seems to be cursed—with stolen props, sabotage, and even a death threat. But when a cast member plunges to his death from a catwalk, it soon becomes clear a murderer is waiting in the wings. Now Poppy, Aunt Ginny, and a supporting cast must take center stage to catch the killer—before it's curtains for someone else . . .

Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!

The characters are quirky, well rounded and seem real as I could relate to each of them. I love Poppy's relationship with her Aunt Ginny, and the "Biddies" but lol I would not want to be the one to keep them from getting into mischief! Plus we cant forget about her mischievous cat, Figuro!

I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I look forward to the next installment and finding out which man, Tim or Gia, Poppy will finally give her heart too.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the fourth in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. I am not a fan of the love triangle. I am Team Gia. I couldn’t find it in myself to like Tim at this point.
I do like the relationship between Poppy and her Aunt Ginny. Aunt Ginny has her panties in a twist when Royce shows up. I’m glad she pressed through it and was a part of the production.
I enjoyed the humor, plot and characters in this book.

Looking forward to more from Libby Klein.

I just love the Biddies. What a great group of ladies. Now, saying that, would I want to be the one to keep them out of trouble? Aaaa, no. Poppy has her hands full. It makes for great entertainment for the rest of us though. I do wish I could have been in the theater on opening night. What an adventure they had getting to that point. Some folks never get out of that teenager mentality. I think you may come across some surprises as this story unfolds. I know I did. But that’s what we love about reading, right? I can’t wait to see what decisions Poppy makes. I can’t wait to join these crazy ladies on their next adventure. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own. There are also some yummy recipes included for your enjoyment.

This is the 4th installment of the Poppy McAlister mystery series. In this installment it basically ends up where the last book finished and Tim is trying to get Poppy to go out with him exclusively. They both panic and Poppy ends up working for him by making desserts for his restaurant. She is also still making muffins and desserts for Gia’s coffee house as well as running her B&B with her Aunt Ginny. Poppy is struggling over her two men and finds out Aunt Ginny’s first love is in town to star in a play at the Senior Center. Aunt Ginny and the “biddies” (as Poppy calls her Aunt’s friends and co-horts in trouble) are all set to try out. The play is Mama Mia and the leading man is Royce Hanson who has recently retired from Broadway and is back in town. Aunt Ginny does the best audition for the female lead but loses out to her old rival in high school Moira now Blanche who seems to be calling the shots at the community center. When accidents begin to happen at the theater Ginny is convinced it is Blanche and when one of the seniors Duke is killed everyone begins to wonder what is going on. Poppy, Ginny and the biddies are all convinced Duke did not commit suicide but no one will listen to them. They begin to investigate and other accidents continue to happen. This was a good mystery and I love the antics of Aunt Ginny and all the ladies but really wish the whole love triangle thing would be over..

Theater Nights Are Murder is the fourth book in Libby Klein’s Poppy McAllister Mystery series. The characters are well developed, and the plot and subplots are well thought out. The main character is a realistically portrayed plus-sized woman who struggles with weight and self-esteem, and the cast of supporting characters are interesting and entertaining in this steadily paced book. I’m not a fan of love triangles and hope the one in this series is resolved in the next book. The author’s writing style is descriptive and contains laugh out loud humor revolving around the main character and her conversations with herself and the antics of the secondary characters. There are multiple suspects and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.

Poppy McAllister recently moved back to Cape May, New Jersey, where she and her cat, Figaro, live with her eccentric aunt, Ginny Frankowski, who needs supervision. Aunt Ginny’s home has been renovated, and they have opened Butterfly House Bed & Breakfast, and Poppy is concerned about some terrible reviews from people she knows haven’t even stayed at the B&B. Two men, Tim Maxwell, her high school sweetheart and ex-fiancé, and Gia Larusso, a sexy Italian coffee shop owner/barista, are still vying for Poppy’s attention. In addition to running the B&B, Poppy bakes gluten-free desserts for Gia and has begun baking deserts for Tim’s restaurant. The Senior Center is performing a musical, Mamma Mia, and Aunt Ginny and her friends, the “biddies” have auditioned and are looking forward to production. Aunt Ginny’s high school boyfriend, Broadway actor Royce Hansen, has been cast to play the lead male role. Props are sabotaged, threats are received, and one of the senior actors, Duke McCready, dies after falling from the catwalk with a suicide note in his pocket, Aunt Ginny and her friends are convinced a murder is on the loose and put on their sleuthing hats. Poppy’s efforts to keep the seniors away from the investigation are unsuccessful.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Theater Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein Is the fourth in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. I have only read the third in the series and was anxiously waiting for number four and was not disappointed!
When Aunt Ginny's high school sweetheart returns to town after retiring from a successful career as an actor on Broadway all eyes are on them, will they rekindle the spark or will he go back to Blanche, who he left town with many years ago.
When the local senior center casts Royce as the lead in a fund raiser play, strange things begin happening. All pretty harmless until another cast member is found dead on the stage. Aunt Ginny and her friends decide to investigate on their own and draw Poppy into the group. Now Poppy is now only investigating the murder, she is baking for Valentines Day, dealing with guests at her Bed and Breakfast, in charge of lighting for the play, bad reviews for the B&B, and being in a love triangle.
This story has plenty of suspects, family love, friendship, great characters, an ornery cat and humor. I laughed out loud numerous times and had tears running down my cheeks. There are also some yummy sounding gluten free recipes included.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington for an honest review.

The fourth in the Poppy McAllister mystery series was a slight disappointment after thoroughly enjoying the first three. While I enjoy some humor in mysteries, I've never been a fan when the humor comes first to the detriment of the mystery and characters. That's just my personal preference. Here much of the book is focused on the "antics" of Aunt Ginny and her friends. The murder doesn't even occur until 1/3 into it. That said, I still enjoy the character of Poppy and I will definitely be back for the next one.

Theater Nights are Murder by Libby Klein is the 4th book in A Poppy McAllister Mystery series, and another fun addition. I rated this book five stars because it made me laugh out loud the whole book. Nothing lifts my spirit more than a funny cozy mystery. Poppy McAllister, her Aunt Ginny, and Ginny friends, the “biddies”, and Poppy's mother in law are always up to something. Libby Klein I love your sense of humor. Aunt Ginny's old high school boyfriend, Royce, a retired Broadway actor, returns to town. The senior center is putting on Mamma Mia, with Royce as the star. All the biddies are involved, and when a murder occurs, they are on the case. Not only is this book funny, it a great mystery too. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love funny cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book/series.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

Reading Libby Klein's Theater Nights Are Murder was an absolutely lovely way to spend an afternoon. I laughed my way through the adventures of Poppy, Aunt Ginny, Sawyer, the biddies, and of course Figaro, all while playing armchair detective, attempting to figure out who was wreaking havoc on the Cape May Senior Center's production of Mamma Mia! and why. Probably not the wisest decision to open a play on Friday the 13th, but Poppy and the gang persevere, dealing with decades old heartbreak, trolling reviewers, secret admirers, and whole slew of other obstacles in their usual comical style - I loved it! A+++