Greene wrote the most perfect of cozy mysteries set in a small town playhouse (fun fact, the setting is in Fairfield County which is where I’m from). I loved the cast of characters but the winner is clearly Tasha, the head of the costume shop, who is trying to figure out who killed their leading man (an annoying PITA to be sure so maybe there were a few suspects?). The rest of the crew was equally charming and made this a fun, light read that I would recommend to anyone, cozy mystery fan or not. Bonus that I was actually surprised by who the murderer was AND their motivation, that doesn’t always happen!

Solid start for a new series (or what I think is supposed to be a new series. As with all first in the series, there is a lot of world building that, while important, takes a bulk of the writing so the mystery is condensed and sometimes easier to figure out. The setting of the theatre is unique but there are a lot of details thrown at you that tend to bog down the text. The characters, and there were a number of them, were interesting but I didn’t really connect with any of them. Curious to see how this develops as the series continues (if it does).

4.2⭐
New series alert and it's a good one. Tasha Weaver's is manager of the costume department of the Eastwood Playhouse. Since her mother's death, it's pretty much become her life too. When a demanding, once-bright Broadway star is shot on the stage, she steps up to investigate... and hopefully save the theater. Good distinct and interesting characters and energetic plot make for an enjoyable read. Looking forward to meeting them again.

Dollycas's Thoughts 

Tasha Weaver grew up working at the Eastbrook Playhouse selling tickets and handing out playbills, now she is head of the costume shop. The current production is Annie Get Your Gun and everyone has high hopes that bringing in former Broadway star Kurt Mozer will bring in the much-needed dollars for the fledging playhouse. But Kurt is not easy to work with. He has tons of complaints. He gets in fights with the artistic leader Arthur Winston and director Marion Mason. Disagreements so fierce Kurt decides to quit the show. Tasha thought she had talked him into staying but before he could make his intention known he was shot at center stage.

The man's death brings in the press from New York which is not good for the playhouse. Tasha takes it upon herself to save her beloved theatre and catch the killer fearing it is someone close to her. No matter what, the show must go on so with a little help from the technical director and her long-time crush Bruno Machado, and assistance from a frisky feline Hilly, Tasha is determined to bring the killer down before the curtains go up.

______

Mr. Greene had the huge task of introducing a large cast of characters and making each unique and memorable as the story continued. It takes a lot of people to put on a theatre performance, on stage, behind the curtains, out front, and in the office. I had trouble keeping some of the characters straight at first, but they became clear as I kept reading. Tasha grows so much from the beginning to the end of this book. She has a great backstory and is connected to all the characters in meaningful ways. The characters all have plenty of room for growth as the series continues.

The problem with the first book in a series, especially those with an abundance of characters, is having the time and pages to develop a complex mystery. There were some well-placed red herrings but I pinned down the guilty party early in the book. I did enjoy following Tasha as she tried to sleuth out the killer and her surprise A-ha moment.

I was delighted by the playhouse theatre theme and observing all that takes place behind the scenes. It is clear that Mr. Greene is a "theatre nerd" and is writing what he knows and is passionate about.

There's No Murder Like Show Murder has given the Backstage Mystery Series a good start with a strong foundation to build on in future stories.

An incredible book with wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. It will keep you guessing until the end.

There's No Murder Like Show Murder is a cozy mystery set at a small regional theater in Connecticut. Tasha Weaver is a costumer, but when the leading man of Annie Get Your Gun is murdered, she also becomes an amateur detective.

I wanted to read this novel because I enjoy cozy mysteries and love theater (especially musical theater). This was a terrific debut novel from M.S. Greene, and a fun read! I hope it is the start of a new series. (If so, I am in for the upcoming books!)

Tasha is a quick-witted amateur detective. I suspected the killer but enjoyed her detecting process. There is a lot to enjoy in this book, including the theater setting (which was very accurate and well drawn), her friends and colleagues, and her kitty friend Hilferty. I recommend There's No Murder Like Show Murder for other fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for anyone who also loves theater.

This was one of the longest short books I have read in a long time [so many words, so little actually said] and I'm sorry to say, I didn't really enjoy it [I did love Hilly the Cat, and that Bruno was from my beloved adopted country of Brazil, AND that the author strove to make sewing/crafting cool - we need more of that. I also loved the narrator of the audiobook, who did her best to try and infuse life into this massive word salad] and by the end [I kept reading in hopes that it would get better for me - *SPOILER ALERT* it did not. ;-) ]I was just bored and glad it was finished [as was my mother who had to listen to me kvetch about this book for a couple of hours].

I knew who the killer was the second they came on the page [AND the why; I kept trying to talk myself out of it, but it really couldn't have been anyone else], the minutiae of theater details were just too much, even for this theater-obsessed person, and the "romance" part bordered on ICK for me [I know I am NOT a romance fan, but I can tolerate some for the sake of the story if it is well-written; this [for me] was not. If I wanted a romance, I'd have just read a romance. Sigh] and it often felt like that was what the book really was genre-wise, rather than a cozy mystery.

Aso, the whole "well you've discovered such amazing clues, so of course you can also be a faux police person and I will share every detail with you, as long as you stay safe" by the police chief just made me roll my eyes [and truly felt so disgenious] EVERY. TIME. IT. WAS. ON. THE. PAGE. [why YES, my eyes are slightly sprained, thanks for asking].

This just didn't [obviously] work for me and I will unfortunately have to skip any future books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, M.S. Greene, and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are starting a new cosy mystery series - and let's be fair it has to be a series to unleash the correct amount of soapy subplots that fulfills this cosiness - identifying a setting that allows enough murder adjacent change is essential. Obviously having a status quo that you can also pun heavily into your titles also helps, and that's where a local theatre comes in for There's No Murder Like Show Murder (which is a very good title). I have enjoyed Simon Brett's Charles Paris novels, which certainly own this area, but this American small-town theater setting offers a slightly different angle on theatrical folk. Not least as our protagonist turned amateur sleuth is a costume designer rather than an actor herself.

The story itself is very much what you might imagine, a widely disliked and conceited Broadway star gets murdered during rehearsal, and our heroine is the last to see him, and this prime suspect. Motives range far and wide from financial to professional and Greene has a lot of fun exploring the logistics of putting on a show on the circuit and the business pressures that also ensue. The sleuth is also appropriately messy and she only triumphs due to being slightly more observant than the police (and more knowledgeable about clothes too - a nice professional touch). Plenty of subplots are set in motion, I am sure to be followed up, but this is a solid start to a series. And there's a cat too.

This appears to be the author's first novel and it is a good one! He also writes plays and lyrics and more.

The story centres around the Eastbrook Playhouse where the cast are in full swing with rehearsals for a production of Annie Get Your Gun. Our main character, Tasha Weaver, is head of the costume department and also a long-time devotee of the Playhouse which is currently struggling with making a profit. Then the leading man is murdered and it looks as though the play will not go on. Tasha decides to help the police find the murderer.

I enjoyed the book and although Tasha was a little interfering, probably a good characteristic for a sleuth, I liked her too. I guessed the murderer despite the author's red herrings, but that did not spoil the book for me at all. All the activity in the Playhouse really rang true. The author knew his subject really well and it showed.

Recommended for all lovers of cosy mysteries. Four stars.

I was eager to read There’s No Murder Like Show Murder by M.S. Greene. I liked the idea of a cozy mystery centered around a theater. We are introduced to a multitude of characters. It is impossible to keep track of all of them. It did seem that there were too many people in charge at the theater (I am surprised they managed to put on a production). Some of the characters lacked subtlety. Tasha Weaver, seamstress extraordinaire, is a protagonist who does not stand out. She is a mousy individual who fades into the background. I appreciate that the author took the time to develop Tasha’s character, but I wish she had not made her such an unexciting individual. Tasha has a good staff who are loyal to her. I can tell the author knows about the theater based on all the details included in the story. Some of it is interesting, but it does become tedious at times (a little goes a long way). The author tried to make the mystery complex, but I should not be able to identify the guilty party before the crime takes place (again, lack of subtlety). There was a part of the reveal that I thought was clever. I felt that the wrap up was incomplete. In the story, there is a lot of telling rather than showing (I want in on the action—not told about it afterward). I liked Hilly, the feline who hung around the theater. She is a clever cat. There’s No Murder Like Show Murder had me ready to leave when the curtains came down.

Had a lot of fun and will surely read the next novel. A good debut, solid mystery and likeable characters
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

There's No Murder Like Show Murder is book #1 in a new series by M. S. Greene.

When a disliked lead actor is killed, it puts the future of the Eastbrook Playhouse in jeopardy. Tasha Weaver is the costume shop head who steps up to investigate and save the theater. I enjoyed the theater setting, the characters, and Tasha’s cat. The investigation kept me guessing about who the guilty party was. I enjoyed this story.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The author of this book is a playwright so readers of this cozy mystery get an authentic look behind the scenes of the theatre. The main character, Tasha Weaver, runs the costume shop at a Connecticut playhouse and searches for a killer when the suspicious death of their star threatens to permanently shutter the theatre. Tasha has the wrong suspect at first, but her costuming knowledge comes in handy to solve the case. I was also surprised when the killer's identity was revealed.

There are some pacing issues, but overall this is a fun cozy with a likable main character and a unique setting. Tasha is smart and hard-working and loves her job and the Eastbrook Playhouse. The case is resolved in a satisfying way and I like the possibility of romance for Tasha in the future. 3.5 stars

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

DNFd at 26%. I was having to semi-force myself to read, catching myself skimming...I simply wasn't connecting with the story. I couldn't even remember the FMCs name! Giving a generous 4 stars because I feel that it would be liked, just not at this time.

This is a fun cozy mystery that follows Tasha head of the wardrobe department at the Eastbrook Theater. When one of the headlining actors is killed she takes it upon herself to investigate.
I enjoyed Tasha as our main character, how much she loves the theater she works for, and her love for the kitty sidekick. I thought the mystery was well-plotted, with plenty of twists and turns, and I didn't figure out who the killer was until it was revealed.
I think this was a great start to a new series, and I look forward to seeing what going to happen next!

3.5/5 ⭐️
The first in a new cozy series about costume designer Tasha. When a renowned actor dies in her theater, Tasha is scared the theater will be shut down permanently. Desperate to save her job (and just her love of the theater), she sets out to find the culprit.

Overall, I thought this was a decent debut. It took a little for the author to really get the groove of Tasha as a protagonist. For example, Tasha was so eager to tell the police everything she found. I feel like normally the set-up is more independent. I think though this is something the author could mellow out in future books. The whodunit was a little obvious for me toward the end, but not so that it detracted from the overall clues and mystery. I will definitely read a second in this series!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tasha Weaver worked the costume department at Eastbrook Playhouse and when the star of the show - Kurt Mozer - had another tizzy fit over the fit of his current costume, rehearsal was postponed for the time. Tasha found Kurt at the nearby cafe and went in to talk some sense into him, which saw him head back to the theatre and go inside. Within moments, when Tasha was outside with other cast members, shots were heard and Kurt was dead. With the show facing financial ruin, Tasha felt the pressure on herself to find the murderer - much to the chagrin of the local police.

Would Tasha discover who had killer Kurt - and why? She knew she had to do it quickly so momentum didn't fail - but it seemed to be heading that way...

There's No Murder Like Show Murder with its catchy title and eye-catching cover was a little disappointing to me. Too wordy and involved, which let the fun out of the cosy for me. Hilly was the best character by far :) Recommended to fans of cozies.

There's No Murder Like Show Murder is M.S. Greene's debut novel that takes you into her world of the Eastbrook Playhouse for a cozy murder mystery. Tasha Weaver is a head of the costume shop who likes being backstage more than center stage, and she is determined to save the Eastbrook Playhouse and uncover the truth. With the help of her friends, Bruno, her long-time crush, and her feline friend, Hilly, are all willing to help her solve the mystery. This was a fast-moving book that had me wanting to read all day. There is a wonderful balance between suspense and humor that helps deminish the tension of the murder investigation. You will be fully immersed in the world of Eastbrook Playhouse and get to know all the amazing characters. I enjoyed M.S. Greene's debut novel and can't wait to see what she has for us next.

This is a cosy, fun and thrilling book that is quite quick and easy to read. A good start to a new series and one that can only get better. The theatre theme is right up my alley so I liked that.

A good book, a fun read and I look forward ro seeing what comes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I had high hopes for this theater themed cozy mystery as I am a huge fan of both musicals and plays alike; hardly a month goes by when I am not taking in a show! There's No Murder like Show Murder didn't quite live up to my expectations, however.

MS Greene truly captures the atmosphere of being in the theater itself as well as the devotion the characters had for the Eastbrook Playhouse. I related to Tasha's love of HER theater and her passion for costumes, but she didn't have that amateur sleuth spark that most cozy mystery main character's have. While I didn't guess whodunit, which is usually a great thing in mystery books, it is because I didn't really care? At no point was I emotionally attached to the victim nor was I invested in any of the suspects.

All that said, I honestly think There's No Murder like Show Murder was a good foundation for a new series. The setting and the cast are unique which is key for a new cozy mystery starter, it just needs a little more razzle dazzle and a lot more pizzazz!