This is a very well written novel with engaging characters and a twisty mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very shocking end. I highly recommend.

I was torn when rating this between 3 and 4 stars, in the end I went with 4 as I think the ending of the book provided a twist and some much needed excitement. I enjoyed this book, the plot is simple and easy to follow and the characters are interesting and provided moments of humour. For me, there was just something missing, particularly in the first 3/4 of the book. In the latter stages, Douglas throws in some surprising twists that caught my attention and injected adrenaline into the plot. I think this might have needed something a bit earlier.
Still this was an enjoyable read and I liked the central characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advance copy.

In 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom 'Floggit and Leggit', leading man Edward Lowe stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. But there's something about her that rings the faintest of bells in Edward's head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star John le Breton to investigate further. Crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the War. As the body count mounts, Edward and John face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer. This was a very clever and witty mystery. The characters were a hoot and I can easily see this as a tv series but at the very least, a long running book series. Highly recommend!

A good old fashioned whodunit! Loved every twist and turn along the way. This was so much fun to reas and you will adore the main characters!

Edward Lowe is an actor working on a BBC programme and currently on location, whilst filming is held up he heads outside for a walk to get some fresh air, he then stumbles over the dead body of a young woman, whose death is decreed to be an accident.

Edward doesn't believe this and he encourages his fellow actor, John LeBreton to help him solve the crime.

After some investigating and a link with a person from Edward's wartime activities, they realise the murder is related to a killing from World War 2.

This had me engaged the whole time, and I did not see the twist at the end.

This is just not another cosy crime mystery, it was a great read which kept you guessing until the very end.

Highly recommended and look forward to the next one.

Very well written and cleverly plotted, this is the first in the Lowe and Le Breton mysteries series involving two nicely contrasted ageing actors, Edward and John. As the body count mounts, they face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer. The plot really kept me on my toes and I must have changed my mind several times about who the killer was. I would definitely recommend.

Edward stumbles upon a body while filming for a sitcom he thinks is beneath his talent. Frustrated with the police ruling the death an accident, Edward and his costar John decide to investigate on their own.

Murder at the Dress Rehearsal seemed to be pitched as a cozy mystery, but it fell short of my expectations. The premise was intriguing, but the ending and the description of the murders detracted from the cozy feel I was anticipating. The book was marketed for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, but it lacked the cleverness and charm that I love about that series.

My experience was likely impacted by the description that set me up with different expectations. Additionally, the frequent flashbacks to the characters' 'glory days' during the war felt overdone.

Overall, Murder at the Dress Rehearsal had potential with a solid plot line for the mystery itself, but didn't quite hit the mark for me. Give it a try though if you enjoy twisty plot, older sleuths, war time plots, and a solid writing style by the author. I've seen reference to Dad's Army with this book, which I have not seen - so if you liked that, this may be for you also!

Thanks to NetGalley, for gifting me an Advanced Readers copy!

This was a new author to me and also a brand new series called the Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries. This series brought what I love about BritBox right to my hands. The feel of this whole book is BritBox mixed with a thriller vibe. I loved how the Prologue to this read like a piece you would find in a Thriller book.

This book is about Two actors, Edward Lowe and James Le Breton who help the police in solving a murder on their remote set. Edward was out for a walk to cool down his annoyance and stumbled upon a body. The police deem it as an accident but Edward feels like it is murder. Edward presses forward in doing his own investigation in which he asks James to go along with him. James has the manners and Edward has a gut feeling which propels them forward. As they go along in their investigation they learn to grow on each other and almost consider each other friends but we shall see.

This book kept my attention from the Prologue to the very end. Just like when I watch BritBox I think I know who the murderer is but then it turns out to be totally wrong. Usually in books I can see who the murderer is but not in this one.... it through me for a good loop. I can't wait for the second book to come out as it will be an immediate read for me.

In 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom 'Floggit and Leggit', leading man Edward Lowe stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. But there's something about her that rings the faintest of bells in Edward's head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star John le Breton to investigate further. Crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the War. As the body count mounts, Edward and John face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer...
As a huge Doctor Who fan the name Stuart Douglas is not an unknown one to me as he owns and runs Obverse Books, so I have read some of his Iris Wildthyme books, and that was one of the reasons I as keen to read this, the first of a new series of humourous cozy crime fiction.
I suppose the first thing to say is that this is obviously a play on John Le Mesurier and Arthur Lowe and Dad’s Army so part of the fun was trying to see who was who, though that wasn’t too tricky! I love crime fiction but sometimes that makes me a bit harder to please but I have to say I enjoyed this from the off. The writing has the right mix of humour but also a certain amount of pathos and I really liked the relationship between the 2 main characters, each with their own sadnesses and insecurity about themselves and each other.
The story has enough twists and turns to make it interesting but also has a nice cozy slowness about it. I thought that I had sussed out whodunit quite early and still thought I had it until towards the end – I won’t say who I thought did it for spoilers but I thought I knew it, and then the plot slowly unraveled my theory!
I really enjoyed this and read though it over 2 evenings, I would recommend it to anyone who loves a nice gentle cozy crime read, it’s funny in all the right places and the writing made it an easy read, the characters, because they are cleverly so based on people we think we know are therefore instantly, recognizable. Definitely give this series a chance and can’t wait for the next one!

Edward Lowe believes that Floggit and Leggit might just be where his career dies. If anything, being a the lead in a slightly vulgar situation comedy bodes ill for the 1970s. He knows he shouldn't complain, he's the lead and he's employed, but it's not where he thought he'd be at his age. He's always faced an uphill battle; he doesn't look like a leading man, a short northerner without the right education or connections. That would be his costar, John Le Breton. Which is why their downmarket show is popular. The intrinsic humor of Edward Lowe as George Wetherby, the self-important owner of a provincial antique shop, being John Le Breton's boss? Comedy gold. They're currently out on location which means that Edward Lowe is subjected to his fellow cast members continually. Do they not understand that a raised newspaper or a seperate table means he doesn't want to interact? And they all want to talk to him after he discovers a body. They were getting ready to film the testing of some vintage diving gear at the local reservoir, the episode "wittily" titled "That Sinking Feeling," when Edward stumbled on the body of a woman. Not only did this put the day's filming into disarray, who knew when they could finally film at the reservoir now that it's a crime scene. Constable Primrose tells Edward and the others that it's best if they forget what happened and get back to making people laugh. Which didn't instill Edward with much hope for the case, the constable seems to be their target audience. Meaning it was Edward's job to investigate the death of Mrs. Alice Burke. Because she sure as hell didn't die accidentally. Plus what else is there to do with filming shut down for a few days? Which is exactly what John thinks when he weasels his way into the investigation. The two of them track down Alice's father and Edward is in for a shock. Back during the war there was a suspicious death of a women with several men involved. One was named Lowell Edwardsson. If it wasn't for the fact his name was almost the reverse of Edward Lowe Edward would never have paid attention. But Lowell Edwardsson is Alice's father. That can't be a coincidence. Especially when another body with ties to that long ago case appears. Again looking like an accident. It's up to Edward and his Watson to solve the case before another woman dies. If only Watson would get the clue he's not needed...

Just like the seventies, we are once again in the Golden Era of quirky detectives. Columbo, Jim Rockford, and Kojak could easily hang out with the likes of Charlie Cale, Benoit Blanc, and the members of The Thursday Murder Club. As could Lowe and Le Breton. They fit the bill. They tick both of the boxes, being quirky and set in the seventies. Here Stuart Douglas is able to offer up a pastiche of Dad's Army while creating two memorable characters who come to really care that justice is served. Two characters who each have a unique voice, a feat not many authors can pull off. In most cases the inner monologues are much the same, the authorial voice thinly veiled. But not many authors are Stuart Douglas. Edward Lowe and John Le Breton are two of the most unique and disparate crime solvers you could find. Actors as unalike in their dispositions as their methods. Which leads to some interesting crime solving methodology as well as acting methods. Just their interactions create a tension that propels the narrative forward. Edward is dedicated and far more traditional in his ideas of what a detective should be. Whereas John is there for a laugh. Well, not a laugh, as that would be insensitive to the dead, but he's there because he thinks it would be a diversion, a fun way to spend his downtime versus chasing skirt. And while this leads to much butting of heads, as anyone who reads or watches enough shows with a dead body or two in the hedgerow will know, sometimes the best partnerships are made of oil and vinegar. And Lowe and Le Breton are the best partnership, something even John concedes by the end, wondering if more adventures would really be so bad? As a reader, the answer is hell no. I need this infusion of nostalgic crime solving because no book has so encapsulated the Sundays of my childhood spent on my grandparents' farm as Death at the Dress Rehearsal. With my grandfather watching old BBC comedies and my mother and her sisters running their own murder mystery lending library over the dining room table. There's even a beloved collie! My grandfather's collie was named Jenny if you were interested and he favored Are You Being Served? over Dad's Army. But those are just the specifics of my life, I'm sure this will bring out different memories in you. I entreat you to spend a nostalgic Sunday afternoon with Lowe and Le Breton. You won't regret it.

Edward Lowe and John Le Breton are two actors who aren't exactly in the first flush of youth.

It's 1970, and on the set of the less than highbrow sitcom Floggit and Leggit, Edward comes across the body of a woman who has allegedly drowned.

But he's not satisfied, because it's reminded him of something...

So he ropes his co-star John in, and soon their suspicions are proved right - but it's not the only death

A wonderfully fun new entry in the delightful “Odd Couple Murder Investigation” genre, Death at the Dress Rehearsal is a bit too thrilling to be strictly “cozy” and a bit too warm to be straight-up mystery/thriller. Let’s call it’s “comfy” or “snug”. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was happy at the peek behind the cameras of 1970s British tv. I had a great time and will happily recommend this book to friends and family.

An enjoyable if rote murder mystery, the cosy vintage vibes of this classic-TV-era whodunit is charming enough, with a likeable pair of leads and a wry streak of humour throughout.

The plot
In the 1970’s, whilst filming a TV series, two actors, getting on in years, find themselves trying to stop a serial killer. Edward Lowe stumbles over the body of a young woman whilst out on a walk and enlists his friend , John Le Breton to solve the case. They soon find that the murder eerily links back to events surrounding a local woman in World War Two. I did think from the cover of this that it was going to be a cosy crime where the action was based around a TV show. However, the acting world wasn’t the focus of the investigation. Instead our amateur sleuth’s, Edward and John, travelled up and down the country and put together this jigsaw puzzle of plot with skilful reasoning.
Their attitudes to solving crime, put me in mind of a Sherlock Holmes story. Edward was like Sherlock, with the same deductive reasoning and John reminded me of Dr Watson with a more romantic view of life, a traditional English gentleman who not only aides his friend, but is unafraid to get caught up in danger.
I tagged along easily for the ride with our sleuth’s easily imagining myself a fly on the wall during the investigation. Edward and John literally and figuratively went right around the houses trying to solve this one. I must have changed my mind several times about who the killer was, needless to say, I was impressed with the plot twists. It wasn’t until very near the end that it dawned on me who the killer was – the plot really kept me on my toes.
The police as usually in this genre are mostly presented as being incompetent, but in this novel, they were also extremely misogynist. Their keenness to close cases involving women victims without any real investigation was frankly disturbing. Yes, it is fiction and we have to remember this was the 1970’s, though surely you would have thought they’d do the bare minimal of checks. I had high hopes for the local policeman, but even he had to be led by the nose during the investigation.
Overall, whilst the novel did have elements of being a cosy crime, it also had a much darker side with some gritty murder detail that brought it over to traditional detective fiction genre. I did think the novel would have worked equally well without the prologue as we heard no other victims voices during the novel. I’m sure I could read this one again and see more details in it. 4.5 stars.

A really good book, with hopefully more to come. Lowe and Le Breton are two actors working on a sitcom for the BBC when Lowe happens upon a dead body, and from there their investigation begins. Not happy with the policies explanation of how the victim died, Lowe and Le Breton start looking into what Lowe suspects is a suspicious death.

Halfway through the book I thought I'd spotted who had done it, but I'm pleased to say I was wrong. It did remind me a little of Agatha Christie and books from the golden age of detective novels, with the focus more on working out who had done what, rather than the violence of the crime.

If you enjoy the more cost style of murder mystery, then this is a book well worth reading.

Crime fiction has existed for hundreds of years, and likely as long as human history when you count things like verbal stories in which tales of murder and mayhem would be passed on in the form of gossip and campfire stories. Humans are drawn to the world of crime because it's something so alien to many of us; especially murder. After all, the kind of people who commit murders are so unusual, so against the norm that it becomes fascinating, and we want to understand why it happens.

But not everyone is drawn to real world stories of murder, and instead choose to indulge this fascination via the medium of fiction because at least then you know no one actually got hurt. Cosy crime fiction is a sub genre that has long been popular, where the sex and violence happen off screen, and with the events happening in the quieter, more rural settings. And more often that not, those solving the crimes aren't police, instead being amateur detectives, or people who happen to get pulled into the mystery. It's the kind of crime story that you expect to find on television on a Sunday evening that all the members of the family can watch together. Death of the Dress Rehearsal not only fits into the genre, but feels like both a love letter to it, and a pitch for a TV series.

The story takes place in the 1970's, where the stars of a sitcom television series are on location to film their latest episode. The show, which follows a duo of antique store owners and the various antics they get up to with the local villagers, feels very much like something you've seen on TV before, and the older cast and laid back attitude the show seems to have is very reminiscent of Last of the Summer Wine. Things begin with a murder, told through the eyes of a victim, a young woman running through the dark countryside, trying desperately to escape from the person chasing them to their deaths. Sadly, she fails in her escape, and thus begins our mystery, as the next day actor Edward Lowe stumbles upon her body whilst on a location shoot.

Whilst the local police are happy to rule this as a tragic accident, claiming that the woman simply died whilst drunk, there's something about it that doesn't sit right with Lowe, and he can't just let things be. Accompanied by his dashing co-star, John le Breton, he begins looking into the woman. Soon, the two of them become certain that this was not only no accident, but that they have a killer on their hands. As they try to investigate further, more bodies begin to mount. Can the two of them solve the case before the killer claims any more victims, or before they themselves fall victim too?

One of the things that I liked the most about the book is that Stuart Douglas has a very easy writing style, and I found myself getting lost in the story very quickly. It's the kind of read that sucks you in, where you've read several chapters when you only mean to read the one, and you realise that finishing the book is going to be more of a fight to pace yourself than a struggle to get to the end. Cosy mystery is often used to describe the setting and the characters, but it can very much be used to describe the writing style too, as it it just a very comfortable read. I read it in a cabin in the woods, with a log fire and a thick blanket, and it was honestly one of the best ways to read this. It's the kind of book that you can curl up with in the winter with a hot drink and lose yourself in, or the kind of novel you can take to the beach or the pool and devour whilst laying back soaking up the sun. It's relaxing, despite the heavy nature of the material; which is no small feat.

The other thing that I really loved about the book were the lead characters. I was told before starting it that they were loosely based upon Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier from Dad's Army, but even without that little tip is became immediately obvious that's who our lead characters were. Yes, the names were definitely a big hint, but the way in which Douglas absolutely captures their essence from that show and puts it into his lead characters is nothing short of frightening. I was imagining the two of them with almost no effort, hearing their voices and their intonation during the dialogue. This is why the book felt in a lot of ways like the perfect material to make into a TV series, because it felt like it already was one. It had its two lead actors, and they were doing fantastic in every scene. I'd honestly love to see this book adapted for the screen, but if it was it definitely needs the best impersonators for Loew and Le Mesurier because I just would not accept anyone else in these roles.

Douglas paces the story incredibly well, and there are several twists and turns and sudden surprises in the narrative that will keep the end of the book hidden for the longest time; and I genuinely didn't see the ending coming. He's able to create a story that not only fills its pages to the brim, but leaves you wishing there was even more despite the fact that it's already four hundred pages long. I'm really hoping that the book finds its audience, that it gets the praise that it deserves, and becomes popular enough that we end up getting several sequels (or even more if Douglas has the desire to make one of those twenty plus mystery book series).

Before I finish my review of Death at the Dress Rehearsal, the first entry in the Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries series, I do want to make something of an admission. I was sent an advance copy of the book to review a few months ago, which in itself isn't too unusual for reviewers such as myself. However, this wasn't the regular review process, as I was asked if I wanted to blurb for the book. I accepted, excited for my first opportunity to do it, and as the book happened to arrive the day before I went away for a small week break I took it with me, thinking that I would perhaps get started on it. I read the entire thing in two nights as I couldn't put it down.

I genuinely loved reading the book, and have since loaned my copy of the ARC to my mother, insisting that she needs to read it. So, if you happen to pick up a copy of the book and notice my blog's name on the inside, singing its praises please be assured that whilst I was sent a free copy from the publisher it in no way coloured my opinion on the book, and it has earned its spot as my favourite read of the year entirely on its own merits. It's the kind of mystery story that I'll happily read again and again, and I'll be eagerly awaiting the news of the next one in the series.

3.5 stars.

Death at the Dress Rehearsal is a clever light mystery set in the 1970s with a lot going for it. The book's duo of detectives, Edward Lowe and John Le Breton, are two older actors filming their TV show on location, who team up to solve the murder of Alice Burke. Though the victim is first assumed to be a hiker who died of an unfortunate accident, the two amateur sleuths are quick to suspect that Alice's death is anything but a misadventure and are determined to prove this. The setting, both within the TV production and the countryside, serves as a great backdrop. The gentlemen themselves are fun and suitably quirky. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns, and I believe that there is a good audience for this kind of book. It's a quick read and a good story to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.

However, I feel the book was lacking in a few important ways. Most importantly, the original victim seems irrelevant - we know nearly nothing about Alice, and she seems to become an afterthought when further complications and potential victims become part of the story. It also takes quite a long time to get to a point where Edward or John display much urgency to solve the mystery, and, at times, it feels like it's just a convenient diversion from the set, with seemingly no stakes for either of the actors until rather deep into the book.

I will be interested in reading the second in the series, Death at the Playhouses when it is released in 2025. Death at the Dress Rehearsal is a solid start for a series and I'll be checking it out for sure.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I will be fully honest I couldn’t help but picture Edward and John being played by Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Partick Stewart but even without that I would have enjoyed this one. It’s like Miss Maple mixed with a bit of Sherlock Holmes and a little bit of the TV show Vicious set in the 70s. I’m not sure what more you could want. I also liked the slight references to Dad’s Army which is one of my favourites. Basically it was written for me I think!

The mystery and crime side itself is engaging and well passed that keeps you hooked and guessing. This is aided by the writing which is easy to read and follow along. It was peppered with slight humour and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and hooked. I will certainly be following this series and cannot wait for the next instalment.

As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is honest and truthful.

I had high hopes for this series opener, the premise of a mystery investigated by two ageing actors sounded right up my alley but unfortunately I didn’t find myself connecting with any of the characters and I struggled with the writing style. My not taking to the book was absolutely a me problem though as I can easily see people enjoying it if they find themselves relating more to the characters. I think I’d still be interested in Stuart Douglas’ Sherlock Holmes stories though, it was just this series that isn’t for me.

After stumbling upon a dead body near the set where his sitcom is filming, Edward Lowe is unconvinced by the police’s ruling that it is only a tragic accident. Determined to discover if his hunch of foul play is correct, he convinces his co-star, John Le Breton, to join him in an investigation that takes them across the countryside. Uncovering connections to an unfortunate death during World War II, Edward and John must race against time and a mounting body count to stop a serial killer in their tracks.

I really enjoyed Death at the Dress Rehearsal. It is a solid mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the reveal at the end. With the exception of a tantalizing chapter from the victim’s perspective at the start, the story is told between John and Edward’s POVs. This really allows their opposite personalities and odd couple-esque dynamic to truly shine. Edward is serious and gruff, while John is charming and affable. These traits help them as they investigate crime scenes and interview possible suspects. There are a large number of side characters introduced between those working with them on the set of their show, suspects and witnesses, and the locals of the village where they are filming. As such, it does get a bit difficult to keep track of some of those that pop up less often. A standout was the young, bumbling local policeman, Primrose. He is initially the only member of law enforcement willing to entertain the possibility of foul play and assists Edward and John throughout their investigation. The pacing is great, with the twists and reveals spaced out enough to keep you interested and keep any sections from feeling like a slog. This is longer than most of the mysteries I typically am drawn to, but it felt like just as quick a read and I did not want to put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!