Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read early for an honest review. I’ve read the first book in this series and was excited for another chance to hang out with Bertie and Hugh.

This one starts with a good hook - an advert says a real murder will occur in act three. When Bertie tries to lend his support to his friend Alice, he ends up in the middle of another murder mystery. This one had some good misdirection and plenty of suspects. Also, the background of the historical theater is always entertaining. I’m not sure why Bertie gets so much leeway to help Hugh solve these mysteries, but it was a solidly enjoyable mystery.

This is the second book in the Bertie Carroll mysteries. It does stand alone but I do think the reader may find it a bit more enjoyable having read the first as there is a background which is mentioned often. If you’ve not thought, then it is still enjoyable on its own.

I was really anticipating this second book as I loved the first, and Jamie does not let us down. We meet new characters, a new theatre (!!), old friends are reacquainted, and murder is afoot!

Loved this, and I did not have a clue who did it!

Another triumph by Jamie

My thanks to Netgalley and Brabinger Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've not read the first book in this series, but I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery! The West End is always a killer setting for me (pun intended), and I think it allows for many layers to a mystery. Bertie is a great protagonist and I will be watching for further books in the series to see if his story/world expands. The ending was slightly expected, but that's okay with me- I don't expect every single mystery I read to catch me entirely off-guard.

2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery set in England 1934 in which a renowned murder mystery playwright turns sleuth to help a rival playwright after the star of her play's found murdered.

5/5 stars: This is the second entry in West's Bertie Carroll Mysteries series which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Historical Mystery set in 1934 England and features a renowned murder mystery playwright who's asked by a rival playwright to uncover who killed the star of her play. He's once again thrown together with his old school friend and inspector as two work to find who's behind the devious murder. With plenty of twists and turns, West has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, West's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Bertie's a total joy and I love catching back up with him and the world of golden-age theatreland. I also really like seeing how Bertie and Hugh deal with their very complicated friendship. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Death on the Pier.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Brabinger Publishing | Brabinger in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Firstly, Thanks to Netgally, Jamie and Brabinger books for allowing me read this in advance. I absolutely loved this second instalment of the classic detective mystery. I read this in less than 24 hours. We follow Bertie, the murder mystery playwright and his detective inspector friend Hugh on another murder mystery play turning in a. real life murder mystery. Bertie always seems to end up in this situation! His love for writing the murder mystery, his clever ideas and unique view allows him to help Hugh discover the truth of the real life murder.

I would class this as a "cosy murder mystery". The way Jamie writes the endings when all the clues and evidence is presented in front of all involved creates great tension and suspense.

If you are a fan of a classic whodunnit, Murder at the Matinee is just for you.

This is the second book in the Bertie Carroll series by Jamie West. I was fortunate to receive the first book 'Death on the Pier' through Netgalley two years ago (my very first book review on social media), and now have been equally fortunate to receive Murder at the Matinee. I would describe this series as Cosy Crime, on the background of theatreland. Set in the Golden Age of theatre, Bertie is a playwright who finds himself entangled in murders. Is he a bad omen, or a lucky charm? I like this series as they are well written and easy to read. The characters are likeable, and they keep you guessing about who the culprit is. I like that Jamie also includes a lot about the theatre scene, on stage, backstage, and after hours. Can't wait for book 3!

I would probably describe this as a cozy mystery murder.
Set in the Gaiety theatre where a play written by Alice is coming to the end of its run
An announcement in the press that a murder will take place makes Alice reach out to Bertie, a friend and playwright who has helped solved cases before
Several relationships are revealed and plenty of past history
Hugh, an old school friend of Berties is the investigating Officer, they have worked together in the past
Enjoyed reading could see it as a tv series

As an aficionado of 1920s and 1930s crime novels I was looking forward to reading this book and it didn't disappoint. Bertie Carroll is an affable playwright who is trying to help out Alice his friendly rival playwright as her play has the spectre of murder looming over it. Using both his knowledge of the world of theatre and previous connections with the police, Bertie works to uncover the truth before further danger occurs.

I liked this book and thought it was well paced with some good twists along the way. I liked the description of contemporary London and the haunts of the theatre crowd as fun little details. Sometimes the wisecracking of the characters was a bit jarring (e.g. when they're reenacting the crime scene) but overall it fit with the light-hearted tone of the writing which doesn't take itself too seriously. There were also a couple of loose ends that weren't quite wrapped up but I'm not sure if that is a deliberate choice for inclusion in future books in the series.

One caveat is that I haven't read the first book yet and unlike similar detective books I think it probably does matter if you read them in order. There are a lot of references to the first book as part of the character building so I'd recommend reading chronologically (unlike myself!). I'll now be seeking out the first one so I'm more prepared for future books :)

A fun read with an enjoyable setting. I didn’t realise it was part of a series but it’s quite possible to read and enjoy as a one-off. Well paced.

Murder at the Matinee by Jamie West


Firstly, my thanks to NetGalley, Brabinger Publishing and the author Jamie West for the advanced reading copy of this book in return for an honest review! This book is expected to be published on 5 September 2024.

This book is the 2nd in a series of whodunnits with Bertie Carroll, a gay playwright and is set in the West End Theatre scene in the 1930’s.

The writing is good, a nice flow, somewhat Agatha Christie style, with interesting characters. I enjoyed the subtlety of his male relationships and was hoping he would find love.

I was racing through it but, unfortunately, I worked out whodunnit and how very early on. Such a pity because it managed to evoke the 1930’s and the feel of theatre land - I could almost smell the greasepaint!

A good read! Given I’d worked it out I can only give it 3 stars!

Three stars!

This book will be reviewed on Goodreads, Facebook and Amazon UK!

Well about all I can say is it was a nice book. Set in the 1930’s it was written in that style too I’m sure if you like that sort of book you’ll enjoy it, I found in uninspiring

An enjoyable whodunnit set in an interesting time and curious detectives as the main characters.
If you love stories where several suspects have subjective justifications to have committed the crime, this is a good, quick read for you.
4/5 for the setting. 3.5 for the plot and the characterisation.
3/5 for the prose.

Following on from Death on the Pier we again meet up with gay playwright Bertie but this time set in London’ s theatre land in the 1930’s. A fellow playwright calls him in to help out over an advert that’s been placed saying there’s going to be a murder! Inspector Chapman also returns when a victim is discovered. I love this series and can’t wait for the next one.

Maybe a good, easy holiday read. but quite simplistic, and easy to guess the ending. Enjoyed the first one, but probably won't be back for the third.

A new author to me but as the story is set in pre-war London, I chose it. I am very familiar with that area of the city. If you like Agatha Christie, then you will like this. A very genteel background to murder in the theatre. There are hints at a potential relationship between Bertie and Hugh, we shall wait and see. Lots of suspects, lots of changes of scenery as you would expect in the theatre. Easy and quick read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC

This book starts when playwright Bertie Carroll is called by his friend and rival playwright Alice Crawford, worried about an advert for her current play in The Era telling people to watch that day's matinee as there will be a murder in act three of her play. Except that's not part of the script. What ensues is a whodunit with many suspects, from cast members, those behind the scenes, journalists, and others in the profession, including Bertie himself. All have alibis, only some have a motive. Bertie is also reunited with his old school friend Inspector Hugh Chapman for only the second time since they left school (yes, the first time also involved a murder).

This is the second in a series, I haven't read the first, but it could absolutely be read as a standalone. What I particularly enjoyed about this book, as well as the mystery, was the setting of 1930s West End London, when 'the talkies' were in their infancy, and the theatre, and theatre actors, were massive. I also liked the little details, the things you don't even think about when you watch a play. I could tell just how much the theatre means to the author (he has had a long career workingin London's West End).

Another important aspect is this was a time when homosexuality was still illegal and punishable by imprisonment in the UK. There's clearly chemistry between Bertie and Hugh, but they can't act on it, especially given that Hugh is a police officer. But it's handled with complete discretion, it's hinted at massively but never mentioned explicitly, which really evokes the era and secrecy around sexuality then.

I really like Jamie West's writing, and there are some brilliant lines. My favourite quote was about one of the suspects: "She was determined to answer on her own two feet." To take a well-known expression and turn it into something new, I thought it was brilliant. I recommend reading this upon publication in September, and I intend on getting my hands on the first book and giving it a go.

This was the second in the series about the playwright Bertie Carroll and his policeman friend, DCI Hugh Chapman.
I enjoyed it as I love anything to do with the theatre; old and new and you can tell that the author has a passion for the theatre. It does have a few similarities to some Agatha Christie Poirot novels (announcement, typewriter, secretary, gathering at the end, etc. etc.) but it has a good mix of characters and “old school” detective work.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

A newspaper advert says that there will be a murder at a theatre in the West End of London, and murder mystery playwright Bertie Carroll is unavoidably caught up in it when a rival playwright calls and asks for his help.
Bertie is thrown together with old friend inspector Hugo Chapman as they work to find the killer.
All is not as it seems and everyone and anyone could be the murderer, even Bertie himself.
A fairly easy read, along the lines of Richard Osman.
Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC

‘death on the pier’ was in fact the first netgalley arc i was approved for in 2022 so getting approved for this felt like a very nice full circle moment.

‘murder at the matinee’ is for the cozy crime lovers and the theatre fans and i’m both so i very much enjoyed this, with it’s detailed and clear descriptions of 1930s london and the theatre scene at the time. bertie carroll is a great main character and the time spent with the eclectic and varied side characters made the story remain interesting. i will definitely be reading the next one.

Was hoping for good things from this with so many people saying it resembled Agatha Christie for me it did not resemble Agatha Christie I found the writing style too simplistic. I didn’t really get a good Sense of place or character which Agatha Christie is so good at doing so all in all this was not the book for me please see below for an example of the writing style
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC


An ominous twilight hung over the scene as they departed in the police car. Bertie insisted he was dropped off at the nearest underground station even though Hugh had offered to drive him all the way home. He was taking a late night visit to the fingerprint bureau at Scotland Yard to see if he could get the note tested for what he kept calling latent impressions .