The third in the Edie York mysteries - I haven't read the first two but this reads well as a standalone, and I enjoyed this enough to want to read the other two.

The book is set in Manchester in the second world war; the research has clearly been done well (and drip-fed rather than info-dumped!) and you really do get a feel for the era and the surroundings.

When one of the actors from the ENSA troupe dies on stage, the police think it's from natural causes. But then another actor goes missing - and young obituary writer Edie (who wants to be a crime journalist) is determined to find out the truth.

Loved the camaderie of the actors and the landladies at their digs. Edie's very level-headed, a warm and bright character who's a good foil to irascible DI Lou Brennan.

Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

missing-persons, bombing, local-law-enforcement, murder, investigations, journalist, obituary-writer, amateur-sleuth, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, cozy-mystery, multiple-murder, secrets, relationship-issues, relationships, domestic-violence, 1941, England, theatre, actors

A veteran actor dies onstage but there is no need for suspicion, but the leading lady disappears without her major personal effects on the same night. Obituary writer Edie York becomes involved with the cast and more even as new crises arise. DCI Louis Brennan becomes her contact on The Force and the work well together even as the drama becomes more and more complicated. The characters are realistic and the plot becomes rather twisty in a good way.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you

Edie is a trainee reporter on a newspaper writing the obituary column. She would however prefer to be doing the crime page as this is where her passion lies. This is 1941 and life is very different in the war era for everyone. There is a theatre group in town and mid performance one of the actors dies on stage and the next day one of the actresses goes missing. Edie gets on well with the local detective and is given pretty much free rein to investigate. Who is against the group and why?

This is a wonderful, entertaining, easy read and one with a smile. It is one of a series (the third) but happily stands alone. One to immerse the reader in wartime, good old fashioned detective work with none of the trappings of modern life. Edie has a steely determination and a good pair of eyes and ears which often works well in her favour whilst being a delightful character . A cozy type mystery to bring a smile and keep the pages more than happily turning. I look forward to the next one.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter (X) or Threads @nickisbookblog
----------------------------------------------------------

Third book in this historical series. This is the latest in this very enjoyable series set in WWII Manchester and is a treat for those who like historical mysteries. I didn’t guess which is always nice and really enjoyed the storytelling as well as the mystery.

I have been a big fan of Flic Everett’s journalism for a long time. She’s honest, sparky and witty. This book falls into an ever-growing cosy crime drama. Set in 1940’s Manchester, it is the third in the Edie York series, set in wartime Manchester. In this adventure, our intrepid Mancunian journalist heroine investigates the murder of an actor during an ENSA tour at a theatre.

It’s a well-researched book, which slightly takes it out of what is becoming a slightly cliched genre. Where it falls down is the clanking gears of the plot, which aren’t really more than peaks of infodumping. Plus, it’s cheeky enough to reference Agatha Christie (there’s even a dog named after one of her characters).

But the murder itself references a very famous murder from one of the books; plus the over ends on a deus ex machina as the villain is taken in. Which is a shame, as the characters are well-written, there’s witty dialogue, a touch of romance… but it all seems a little too referential. It’s published by Bookoutre on 18th June and I thank them for a preview copy. #murderonstage,

This book was an absolute joy to read. I was so happy to be back in Edie York’s world again! The main characters already feel like old friends, and Marie was a fun addition to the cast who gave us a new insight into Lou’s character. I hope she becomes a regular part of the gang!

There was an intriguing mystery and I loved the theatrical element and the eccentric group of suspects. But I find there’s so much more to these books than the crime. It’s fascinating to read about Manchester during the war, and makes such a refreshing change from the London based stories. The historic detail is woven into the story with such lightness of touch; the book feels fast-paced and modern while being firmly rooted in the past.

The star of the show is Edie, of course. She’s an incredibly relatable heroine, funny, feisty and full of true northern spirit. I love her relationship with Lou; every scene between them sizzles. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes them! This really is an utterly addictive series and I hope there are many more books to come.

This was my first book in the Edie York mysteries and it was a hugely enjoyable read. Edie is an obituary reporter on a newspaper in Manchester during the Second World War, but works closely (and quietly) with a police detective to look into crimes. This one centres around mysterious deaths in a touring theatre troupe.

The setting is very nicely done and the wartime background is interesting, especially as it’s unusual for that to be set in the north. I enjoyed the plot and the characters and I’ll certainly read more in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Another very enjoyable outing for Edie York, the obituary writer who longs to be a crime reporter. When veteran actor Leonard Lessiter dies (literally) on stage, no one is suspicious. When his fellow thespian, the lovely young Ginny, disappears, though, more questions are asked. Where can she have gone? And why? Everyone in the cast agrees she was a dedicated member of their little troupe. Edie soon finds out you get plenty of intrigue with theatricals, and she manages to infuriate irritable DI Lou Brennan on several occasions. This is a very nicely constructed mystery, with good period details, and I look forward to the next one.

Another enjoyable instalment of the Edie York mysteries. It was good to be back with the gang and to see the war from a northern perspective. The mystery was well done and I didn’t guess what happened until just before it was revealed which is always pleasing!

The latest in this very enjoyable series set in WWII Manchester is a treat for those who like historical mysteries. Edie and friends get involved in several mysteries when things go wrong with a visiting theater troupe. There are murders, disappearances, and family secrets, all complicated by German bombing raids. As always with this series, the mystery is well done and believable, and the main characters feel very real. There are some developments in personal relationships, and I look forward to the next one!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.