This was a delightful addition to the Phyllida Bright series! Poor Phyllida just can't catch a break, as even her trip to London is filled with murder. We get to learn a bit more about her past in this one, and things with Bradford heat up as well. Yay! The mystery was quite enjoyable, and I loved the alliteration as well as the theater setting. The wit and banter were entertaining as always. I had no idea who the killer was so the reveal was a nice surprise. I'm already looking forward to the next book and I highly recommend this whole series if you haven't read it yet!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC!

Highly recommend this book! This is a murder mystery where Agatha Christie's housekeeper, Phyllida, continues her winning streak of solving crimes, dodging Myrtle's antics (Bradford's dog), and all other idiosyncrasies that take place in the household. I never guessed the killer, it was that good! Great wit along with great storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this early advanced copy!

This was a delightful addition to the Phyllida Bright series with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I enjoyed the plot, and the different setting of London, along with the revelation of the secrets that Phyllida has been keeping from the beginning.

For those of us who have been waiting to see how the Bradford/Phyllida connection develops, you’ll really like this one!

This may be the best one yet, mainly for character development. I can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC. The author is back on form! Book 3 was a blip but i'm very happy to say this book is excellent, i think moving the location to London has helped. The plot was very good and we are finally learning more about Phyllida's past. Hoping it won't be so long for the next installment

I think this my favorite book so far in this excellent series. It’s very well written, with lovely turns of phrase, witty dialogue, and a great sense of characterization. Phyllida and her friend and employer Agatha Christie are in London and involved in the theater in this one, which marks a change of scene and some interesting new points of view. A series of deaths that begin to resemble the, in the book’s timeline, later Christie classic The ABC Murders soon draws Phyllida back into investigating. She takes on more risk in this one as we learn more of her previously mysterious back story. There are some enjoyable personal developments and, as always in this series, some fantastic side characters. I highly recommend the whole series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and given voluntarily.

Here's the thing about the Phyllida Bright mysteries. While the mysteries are fine, what really has kept me hooked on the series is the main character, her mysterious past, and her relationships with other reoccurring characters. Finally we learn more of her backstory. Of course, appearances by Agatha Christie are also enjoyable. Readers who enjoy Rhys Bowen's "Her Royal Spyness" series will enjoy these mysteries as well.

Colleen Cambridge has become a must-read author for. I'm caught up on two of her series and eager to sample some of the others. Historical murder mystery with a twist, where famous writers or chefs or folks people like us (readers who love good gems) can appreciate the time it takes an author to create authentic replicas without ever having known them. Phyllida is lovely, and I want her to succeed in each and every investigation. Tho Agatha Christie appears in a few scenes, she's not the start, and the love interest with Bradford is becoming quite spectacular. Just who is he besides the Christie's new chauffer. In this installment, the West End plays are the setting, and someone's killing off players a la Christie's future (and the inspiration) for the ABC Murders. Great setting. Tons of drama. Strong plot. Must keep up with this series!

historical-figures, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, London, famous-author, class-consciousness, local-law-enforcement, 1930s, investigations, domestic-staff, relationships, cozy-mystery, situational-humor, sly-humor, Scotland Yard, amateur-sleuth, theatre, banter, murders*****

Phyllida Bright is housekeeper to Agatha Christie and her husband Max Mallowan, but she is the one who does the investigating and in her own way at the behest of Agatha herself. The story is well done with wit, humor, good sleuthing, devious plot twists and interesting characters.
This is not an unbiased review as I really enjoyed the first three in series.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#MurderTakesTheStage #NetGalley #PhyllidaBrightMysteries4 #ColleenCambridge Avail Oct 22 2024

3.75 stars

The latest entry in the historical cozy series featuring Agatha Christie's close friend and sort of household manager Phyllida Bright. Christie isn't a main character here, just a means to introduce Bright who is a strong figure with an aptitude for crime solving.

The Christie household has temporarily moved to London due to a theater production so the locale is slightly different. Christie calls Bright in when a couple of suspicious deaths almost certainly appear to be murders. Bright is great at nosing her way in and is a very skilled interviewer. The police don't like her, but they need her. They have something from her past to hold over her head but she is not cowed.

In this outing we see the usual interplay among the staff which is nicely entertaining and a burgeoning relationship between Bright and chauffeur Bradford which is adeptly handled. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Alliterations abound in the 4th Phyllida Bright Mystery from author Colleen Cambridge! Murder Takes the Stage brings us to London's theater district in the West End, where alphabetical murders are being committed one by one. The illustrious Mrs. Bright is asked to investigate, but can she do so without risking the release of secrets from her past?!? Read and find out - I, for one, loved it!!! A+

Murder Takes The Stage, by Colleen Cambridge, is the 4th book in the Phyllida Bright Mystery series. I think it is a standout in this enjoyable historical series. I look forward to each book to see how the characters are progressing, The cameo appearances of Agatha and Max give substance to Phyllida's detecting cases.

I would recommend this charming cozy series to readers who enjoy historical bits in their period mysteries, light banter, and a solid crime or two to solve.

Many thanks to #NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing #KensingtonCozies for allowing me an advanced e-copy to read in consideration of review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#MurderTakesTheStage #NetGalley #PhyllidaBrightMystery #ColleenCambridge

Mrs. Bright (Agatha Christie's housekeeper) reluctantly accompanies the family to London. Her she must deal with a difficult chef, a fear of someone seeing her, and, of course, a murder. Maybe the best yet in this series.

Housekeeper Phyllidia (odd name, liked her nickname Penny better), works for Agatha Christie (not sure why this is part of the story, as it seemed more like a distraction) and she is asked to look into the death of 3 different actors at 3 different theaters. Interesting cozy mystery overall, and liked the budding romance between her and the driver. Would recommend.