This is the 4th in the series and I have enjoyed every one of them. My only issue with this one is that it too long to produce the corpse. Almost at the one third mark and, for me, that's a bit too long. All of Poppy's issues with which boyfriend will be the one for her overshadowed the beginning. But, overall, that was a minor point unless you don't like romance in your mystery. Poppy's quirky Aunt Ginny is also having issues in the romance department and it culminates in the senior citizen production of Mama Mia! when her high school heart throb has retired from the theater and has come back to town to star in the show. Aunt Ginny wants the staring role but that isn't happening. What is happening? Various acts of sabotage happen and then a man falls to his death from the catwalk. On top of catching a killer, Poppy's trying to track down the troll who is posting negative reviews on line about their B&B, a real killer for business.
There is lots going on in this mystery and it kept me turning the pages and laughing at the antics of Aunt Ginny and the Biddies. A very funny group of ladies. I have liked each book in this series and the next one will easily find its place on my must read list.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This fourth book in Libby Klein's Poppy McAllister series was so hard to put down! Though it takes place in Cape May's off season, Poppy is keeping busy making baked goods for Gia's coffee shop, Tim's restaurant and her B&B, hosting two couples for their Valentine getaway, and helping with the senior center's production of Mamma Mia. Of course you can't have a mystery without a whodunit, and this book is bursting with them. Strange accidents, a suspicious suicide, and Poppy's housekeeper accusing two of the B&B's guests with theft all kept me eagerly reading and guessing. I was completely blown away by the culprit reveals and a surprise ending to Mamma Mia's opening night. The characters in this series are well developed and full of personality. I so appreciate Poppy's sarcasm and sense of humor and Figaro, Aunt Ginny, and the biddies are such a hoot! And I'm so glad to not be in Poppy's place, trying to decide whether to date Gia or Tim.

I hope this will be a long running series, because it's definitely one of my favorites!

I received an advance copy of this book. This honest review contains my own thoughts and opinions.

I enjoyed this book just like the rest on this series. I love Poppy. she is some sleuth. The things she gets herself into because of her aunt and her friends. Looking forward to the next one in this series.

I felt like this series could have been a lot shorter and this book could have been cut by at least 100 pages if not more. I felt that it started dragging along and the murder took forever and the romance just didn't pan out for me. I just wanted more but with less pages.

I love this series and always read the story as fast as could. This means I had high expectations for this instalment and started reading this ARC as soon as I get it.
Even if it's quite entertaining and there's plenty of fun moments I struggle to keep on reading as the love triangle overshadowed the rest of the plot.
I think the Poppy's love life situation is becoming a bit stale and the love triangle needs to be solved to help the character development and the story.
The mystery was solid, the cast of characters are as likeable as usual (Figaro and and Aunt Ginny are great characters) and I laughed a lot.
It could have been a 4* but due to the love triangle issue I don't feel I can give more than 3 stars.
I look forward to reading the next instalment as I really love this series.
It can be recommended even with the above mentioned weakness.
Many thanks to the Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Theater Nights Are Murder
(A Poppy McAllister Mystery #4)
by Libby Klein

Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: December 31st 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation


Goodreads 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!

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein.

Poppy McAllister has a problem. She is in love with two men! And she can’t decide which to pursue. So, she relents and joins the crew of the new Mamma Mia musical happening in their local theater. A veteran actor returns to town to appear in the starring role. Poppy’s Aunt Ginny is perfect for the role of Donna but gets kicked back to costumes due to some theater politics. When the retired police officer who wanted them put on his self-written play dies, everyone realizes that all these accidents just might not be accidents at all.

This book really keeps your attention the entire way through. Everyone seems to have double motivations to have done the deed. Since I participated in a lot of theater in high school, this gave me all the warm feelings and transported me back to those fun theater days. Just when you think the murder is about to be solved, something else happens to further complicate things. It all seems so straightforward in the beginning and by the end what we are left with is a complicated mess. (A mess for the characters, that is.) So many lies and secrets are uncovered they could start their own soap opera without any problem.

Great book! I plan to read more by this author very soon!

If you love a good cozy mystery that gives you all the feels, definitely pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Theater Nights Are Murder is the fourth book in the delightful Poppy McAllister Mystery series by cozy author Libby Klein. I have read the entire series and each book is great cozy mystery fun. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. My review opinions are my own. I highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment.
I look forward to each new release in this fun series. In this next in series we return to Poppy and her feisty Aunt Ginny who run the Butterfly Wings Bed & Breakfast Inn. Aunt Ginny is a great charcter of humor and antics that always make me wish I had a Aunt Ginny. I love Poppy and how savvy she is as she juggles working at the Bed & Breakfast with her busy side business of baking desserts for restaurants. She is balancing two love interests and I look forward to where the author takes them in the future. Poppy is very realistically portrayed as she struggles to lose weight, stay on her exercise plan , care for her Aunt and run her businesses.

When Aunt Ginny is involved in a local senior center theater production of Mamma Mia Poppy volunteers to help out. Soon she is involved in Aunt Ginny's own love life and a mystery as a murder occurs that leaves the police considering the death as a suicide. Aunt Ginny,, her group of friends and Poppy suspect murder. Poppy has solved her share of murders and jumps into the investigation. Soon suspects abound and Poppy may be danger as she is on track to identify the killer. She has the help of a able group of seniors and her Aunt with antics that had me laughing out loud.

I loved this next in series. The mystery was well crafted and kept me guessing to conclusion. I love the way the author portrays the charcters as funny, smart and capable . The setting of New Jersey is done to perfection with all the culture and fun of New Jersey that is endearing. I always appreciate when seniors are featured in cozies and portrayed as a valuable; part of the narrative. There is a funny feline Persian that is a great part of these books and pure catnip for cozy cat lovers. Very well done to the author ! Every reader will appreciate the many receipes included that are mouth watering . This is the perfect cozy series for foodies and those who love cozy mysteries with fun charcters that are humorous .and a great sleuth. I look forward to the next in series.

I really like this series, but the one didn't seem as up to par as the others. I don't remember Libby calling her aunt and friends "biddies" throughout the other books. It became so much that it was annoying to read after while. I do like the characters. I hope that Libby figures out her love life soon, because it's turning into a Hannah Swensen situation. I do look forward to the next book.

In the fourth installment of Libby Klein's A Poppy McAllister Mystery series Poppy and the biddies face yet another mystery that needs solving.

I have read all the books in this series and really enjoyed them but for some reason I just could't get into this one.

I truly found the love triangle off putting. First of all I don't like it so much in a cozy mystery and secondly I think it has already been stretched for far too long. It seems doubtful to me that she can't make her mind between two man in her life and that she likes them equally.
The love angle was dominant through the book and overshadowed mystery. I found it hard to follow the plot. At moments it was quite engaging as Aunt Ginny has reconnected with her first love.
They are putting on Mama Mia in a local senior center and everyone is very excited especially as a famous Broadway actor decides to star in it, He also happens to be Aunt Ginny former boyfriend who got snatched from her by her nemesis, who is also taking part in a play.

Really nice set of characters with a lot of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Nicely presented mystery.
Well developed and realistic characters.
It could have been a fabulous cozy but those few things truly spoiled it for me.

I enjoy this series. Poppy, Aunt Ginny and the biddies are highly entertaining. There is a lot going on in this book. Murder or is it suicide? Bad online reviews of the Bed and Breakfast. And the love triangle that I hope is resolved soon. All in all the book is enjoyable and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Theater Nights are Murder is the fourth book in Libby Klein’s Poppy McAllister cozy mystery series. The story begins exactly where Restaurant Weeks are Murder leaves off. Poppy just finished off restaurant week where she was on Tim, her ex’s cooking team and her other love interest was on another team. Talk about tense. Poppy is also going to be working for both men; in Tim’s restaurant and Gia’s coffeeshop. It will be nice when Poppy picks a side. I’m not one for long-term love triangles. Theater Nights are Murder takes a turn and we find Poppy’s not the only one with a conundrum of the male type.

Aunt Ginny suddenly learns her old high school boyfriend has retired and is on his way back to New Jersey. It seems he will be playing the male lead in the senior center production of Mamma Mia. The town is abuzz about the return of Royce and the play. Only, as the rehearsals begin, the trouble also starts. Strange happenings, sabotage, and theft are just the beginning as one of the cast members falls from the catwalk to his death, the thought of murder rears its ugly head.

Book four is just as wonderful as the rest of the books in the series. Theater Nights are Murder pulled me in and kept me engaged from the very beginning. The author put a lot of thought into this book concerning Poppy’s life, the life of her Aunt Ginny, and the romantic entanglements of both. Poppy is a wonderful main character. She’s not perfect, not supermodel thin, yet has a personality that is awesome. She’s a very realistic character and funny. This book is full of wit, snark, and humor. Poppy’s Aunt Ginny is a such a quirky character, too. I love her antics.

The strong character development and world building continues in Theater Nights are Murder. The book is written with realism that I could feel. I love how the author continues to develop Poppy. She uprooted herself from where she lived with her late husband and took on the caretaker role for Aunt Ginny – who is healthy and spry but needs a little bit of looking after. She changes her diet, meets a new flame and reunites with an old flame, and begins new business ventures. The author takes these themes and combines them into fantastic books in a terrific series. I have devoured each and every book in the Poppy McAllister series. I look forward to book five!

Poppy McAllister is busy baking her gluten-free goodies and having to choose between her chef ex-lover Tim and the smoldering Italian cafe owner Gio for her affections. Meanwhile, her Aunt Ginny gets a surprise when her former high-school beau, retired Broadway actor Royce Hanson returns to Cape May and has agreed to star in a Senior Center staging of Mamma Mia. Aunt Ginny and her band of aging friends all try out for parts in the musical and end up in the production or working behind the scenes. But the problem-plagued Mamma Mia is cursed with stolen props, sabotage, and even a death threat sent to Royce. But when cast member and ex-cop Duke plunges to his death from the catwalk, it's up to Poppy, Aunt Ginny, and her friends to catch the killer.

Poppy also has to deal with online trolls who are giving fake 1-star reviews about their stay at her newly opened B&B.

I have enjoyed the previous books in the series but this one seemed a bit off for me. The murder happens well into the book and the usual laughs in the story were not there. Hopefully, the next book in the series will be back to the fun-filled standard I expect.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Kensington with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Poppy has a lot on her plate- she's busy baking gluten free desserts, she helps her Aunt Ginny run their B&B, she's wavering between two guys, and she's trying to lose weight by sticking to a paleo diet. Oh, and she's trying to figure out who is writing not nice reviews of the B&B. AND then, Aunt Ginny's old boyfriend shows up to participate in a local performance of Mamma Mia. AND then, one of the cast either commits suicide or is murdered. I've been a fan of this series because it's set in a real place, the characters (including Aunt Ginny's pals the "biddies") are good (also like Figaro the cat), and because it's always been a classic cozy. This installment has a lot going on AND it has a theater element ( not my favorite in cozys) but it's still a nice read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. AND, there are recipes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this complimentary copy. This is a cute series, but I did not enjoy this title as much as the preceding books.

I am a little tired of this series. I do not care for the love triangle that seems to be getting no where.. In fact I am not sure if I will finish the book. Poppy seems like a spineless woman and she cannot more on without the adoration of a man. Not a good role model. I enjoyed the earlier books, but this triangle has dragged on far too long. Choose one or dump them both.

Although not a book I would purchase in my professional life, it is one that I will be recommending in my volunteer life. I started this series because it was set in one of my favorite vacation spots, but I keep reading because I adore the characters. I am a bit worried about the love triangle, though, as a reader that has stopped reading Stephanie Plum!

Theater Nights are Murder is the fourth installment in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series featuring Poppy and her Aunt Ginny, co-owners of the Butterfly Wings Bed and Breakfast located in Cape May, NJ. Poppy has been busy getting the B&B up and running and cooking desserts for her ex boyfriend Tim's restaurant and for the Italian Barista, Gia.

The local Senior center is going to be putting on a production of Mamma Mia and Aunt Ginny and her friends "the biddies" are all looking forward to being a part of the play. The problem is that Aunt Ginny's high school boyfriend turned Broadway actor Royce Hansen has come back to town and will be in the leading role. Unfortunately, the woman who broke up Ginny and Royce in high school, Moira Finkelbaum aka Blanche Carrigan, is also back living in town and she's determined to keep Royce and Ginny apart.

Strange things start happening on set and when one of the actors is found dead beneath the catwalk
the police think it's suicide, but Poppy, Ginny and the ladies think it was murder. Plenty of suspects including Royce's agent and the two goons who've taken up residence in the front row keep the ladies busy investigating.

While I have really enjoyed this series so far, the main characters and their zany adventures, I absolutely despise the love triangle in any series. Unfortunately in this addition to the series the author seems to focus more on the triangle than on the murder and that was pretty disappointing. I seriously hope that the author wraps up Poppy's romance soon or I will probably have to abandon Poppy, Aunt Ginny, Figaro and the biddies.

I received an advanced copy of Theater Nights are Murder from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I have been a fan of this series from the beginning and I have loved reading the 1st 3 books in the series.
It pains me to write this but, I couldn’t get through this book no matter how hard I tried. The book focused too much on Aunt Ginny and her friends and at 27% into the book, still there was no murder to solve.
I wish the author, publisher, and all those promoting this book much success and connections with the right readers.

THEATER NIGHTS ARE MURDER, the fourth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is a zany romp with memorable characters that kept me turning pages to find out what happens next. The protagonist, Poppy McAllister, lives with her 80-something-year-old Aunt Ginny, and runs the Butterfly Wings Bed & Breakfast they just opened in Aunt Ginny’s Grand Victorian. Not only does Poppy have her hands full with the B & B, she’s been roped into helping her aunt and senior citizens with their upcoming play. She’s also busy baking gluten-free treats for the dreamy Italian barista, Gia, along with desserts for her ex-boyfriend’s restaurant. Poppy (along with another character) express at the beginning of the book that “nobody likes a love triangle”. I have to wholeheartedly agree and I had high hopes as I waited for the author to write a decision for Poppy. Alas, it didn’t happen and instead drags on even longer, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story.

Other than that, I thoroughly loved the zippy dialog penned along with highly descriptive language that makes you feel like you’re right there. Each of the characters surrounding Poppy, including her Persian cat, Figaro (aka Sir Figaro Newton) are well-developed and I was especially enamored with Aunt Ginny. A red-headed hoot, Poppy describes her aunt as getting into ‘more trouble than a 5-year-old on a sugar binge’. Ms. Klein knows how to tell an appealing story with plenty of laugh out loud moments throughout the story. There’s also non-stop action from the very first page and she weaves in several subplots into the main murder mystery that keeps the reader engaged no matter what the characters are involved in. With an edge-of-your-seat reveal, the clues are pulled together into an entertaining read that keeps fans coming back for more.

Poppy keeps Gia’s coffee house stocked with gluten-free treats and Ms. Klein has included several recipes at the back of the book to whet the reader’s appetite. Even if you don’t have to eat gluten-free, these all sound delicious enough to try.

Theater Nights Are Murder is the latest mystery by Libby Klein. It is cute and quick. Nothing exceptional in this reviewer's opinion and in fact I found the murder almost uninteresting, instead finding Poppy's love triangle with Gia and Tim the best part of the plot. Still, readers of the "cozy" will probably enjoy the book. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!