Julia has signed on to help with props for the Cotswold amateur theatre production. Opening night finds cast and crew excited and nervous. Those emotions quickly turn to shock when one of the actors is fatally shot with a supposedly, blank prop gun. Despite warnings from DI Gibson Julia finds herself once again putting together clues from overheard conversations and village rumors. When the plays director is found dead in his home several days later, Julia is the one who discovers his body. While there had been small disagreements among the cast , no one considered them to be grounds for murder. Julia broadens the search and discovers secrets that may have a bearing on the killings.
This is the seventh in the Julia Bird series and like it's predecessors. it's delightful. Realistic characters, village atmosphere, Julia's chickens and crazy dog, Jake, lighten the darker side . A treat for anyone who enjoys British cozies. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

Another enjoyable book in this series. Great to see the dogs at the heart of the story too with the new addition to the village. Was kept guessing to the end of the story as to who the murderer was.

This is a great cosy murder mystery. Being a similar age to Julia, I felt a real connection with her. I loved the village setting, the high profile of the dogs,, and how the characters continue to develop as the series progresses. I haven’t read all the previous books but I think you get more from this book if you have read a couple of them, for the backstories. I’m looking forward to further investigations by Julia, and to catching up on the books I’ve missed.

Funny, poignant, endearing characters, a good spattering of relatable everyday truths, a few unexpected plot twists . . . everything a good book should be! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This series deserves all of the praise. I'm a huge cozy reader and this is one of the best. It can be a little nerve wracking to dip into the next book in a series you really love, in case it doesn't go as well as you hoped, but this author never let's me down!

4 Stars
One Liner: This was fun!

This seventh book in the series can work as a standalone. The official blurb reveals too much, so don’t read it beyond the first two paragraphs.
The mystery is decent and has quite a few suspects as more truths come out. This keeps the reader guessing, though if you are a fan of this genre, you’ll guess the killer after 50%. Still, there are a few surprising twists.
Things are steady between Julia and Dr. Sean even with the new development. In fact, I like the way Joan’s track progressed. Positive and hopeful.
As if Jake (the adorable bumbling chocolate Lab) and the hens with a bossy Henny Penny weren’t enough, Julia now has a cat named Chaplin. This cat is from the previous book. Though Chaplin doesn’t have much space, he establishes himself very well, in a way only cats can!
There’s a teeny development for Hayley too, though you’ll have to wait to know more. She is overworked as always, what with so many murders happening in the series, lol.
Despite the murder and stuff, the book has quite a few humorous moments. My favorite is the description of Hector’s audition; I really laughed at that one.
Nicky appears a few times since she’s a part of the theatre group but her cutie son Sebby doesn’t show up even once. I miss that kid and his interactions with Jake-y. Jake is his naughty self as always, though this might change a wee bit as he calms down. But where’s the fun in that?
To summarize, A Village Theatre Murder is an enjoyable and short mystery with a few laughs and some thoughtful themes. There will be another book, so I’m excited for it.
Thank you, Sarah Hardy, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I really do love travelling back to Berrywick and into the world of Julia Bird and her friends. Okay, so it always ends up in a murder or two, but isn't that half of the fun. Less fun for Julia this time around admittedly, as she finds herself well and truly listed in the 'suspects' pool after the murder of one of the stars of Berrywick's amateur theatre production. Live. During the opening night performance. Talk a bout putting the dram in am-dram. The reason Julia is a suspect? Well she helped to assemble the props for the show, and was one of the last people to handle the murder weapon, although that information will be a source of some puzzlement to the police, as will be clear when you read the book. But who would want to murder one of the budding thesps, and why? Well, you'll have to read the book and find out for yourself, won't you?

One of the real draws for me in this series has to be Julia herself. A retired social worker, she has a real knack for reading people and situations and has found herself caught up in more than the occasional murder investigation. To be honest, for a sleepy village in the middle of the Shires, Berrywick seems like a terribly dangerous place to live. But it is entertaining too. I love the dynamic between Julia and her livewire dog, Jake who has calmed over the course of the series, but is very much a personality that adds something special to the books. Add in matriarchal chicken, Henny Penny and new resident cat, Chaplin, and you'd think she had her hands full enough without becoming Berrywick's number one amateur Detective. Julia is a brilliant character, kind hearted, determined and really at the heart of village life with connections everywhere. It's hardly surprising she is caught up in it all once again, much to the annoyance of her friend, Detective Inspector Hayley Gibson.

This is a really addictive story, combining the over the top performances of the Am-Dram society with the wonderful mystery I have come to expect from the authors. So many suspects, so many red herrings uncovered in the course of the investigation, that the killer remains wonderfully concealed until nearly the end of the book. Having been around amateur theatre a lot in my formative years, the politics of the production made me chuckle, as did some of the personalities that are portrayed on the pages. Definitely the kind of characters that are easily recognisable. And it is that special blend of humour and intrigue that really ensures the books hit the spot with me. Larger than life characters and that sense of everyone knowing everyone's business add that touch of country life authenticity to the books, whilst the murders have echoes of the dastardly deeds of a Midsomer Murders style investigation.

I tore through this book, loved every minute of it. It's complete and utter entertaining escapism and I look forward to each new book in the series. There is an enduring appeal to Julia Bird and her friends. Long may the series continue. Definitely recommended.

Cotswolds, local-law-enforcement, local-gossip, small-town, dogs, retired, labrador-dog, situational-humor, mild-humor, murder-investigation, twisty, friends, friendship, amateur-sleuth, amateur-theatre, cozy-mystery, small-business, charity-shop, jurisdiction*****

Who put a live bullet in the prop gun AFTER it was checked by a policeman?
Julia Bird is a sixty-something retired social worker now living in a (mostly) friendly village in the Cotswolds. I always enjoy the stories in this series because of the engaging characters and the nicely bendy plots with just enough pleasant humor. Great addition.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you! Avail Mar 11, 2025
#AVillageTheatreMurder by @katie_gayle01 #JuliaBirdMysteriesBk7 @bookouture #NetGalley @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #Cotswolds #whodunnit #cosycrime

I love this series of books and this instalment is not disappointing. The cosy vibe and colourful characters make this a joy to read. Working out ‘who done it’ also gives the grey cells a work out. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley

This is one of my top 3 favorite cozy series, and I'm always sad when each book ends. In this case, I'm extra sad due to the waste of human life. That scene where the killer is revealed...it's replayed in my head several times since finishing the book.

The characterizations are sharp, and the clues are clever, as always. I just really like Julia and her community. The subplot with Sean and his son in this book is really engaging, too. Generally, this title and the others in this series always feel like a story cut from whole cloth, a real village filled with real people. I hate putting down my Kindle at the end. Sigh...

I highly recommend this series!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Katie Gayle does it again in the Julia Bird Mystery series, it had that element that I was looking for from the previous six books. It had that English element that I was looking for and enjoyed the concept of this murder mystery. The characters had that feel that I wanted and enjoyed the way they worked in this universe.

This is the 7th book in the series and I've read nearly all the others, it doesn't matter if you haven't as it's still a fun, cosy murder mystery.

I thought this one was more obvious than the others but still enjoyable!

Thanks for the arc

This was another thoroughly enjoyable mystery featuring amateur sleuth and ex-social worker Julia Bird.
In A Village Theatre Murder, Julia is involved with organising props for the local drama group’s latest production which is a very dramatic play culminating in a shooting with a replica gun. Things go horribly wrong at the end of the first night and a man lies dead on the stage. Of course Julia Is present and becomes involved with the investigation although this time, she is actually a potential suspect. The investigation is an interesting one with lots of twists and resulting in a conclusion that is not at all obvious.
I love the Julia Bird mysteries and think that the authors get her character just right. She is curious and friendly enough to gain information without going beyond the bounds of credibility which happens in some mysteries of this genre. Julia makes a good confidant and it feels natural for others to talk to her.
The village of Berrywick forms a good backdrop for the crime with the local café and charity shop making their usual appearances as well as many of the local inhabitants who have appeared in previous books. I enjoyed the way in which Julia’s relationship with the local doctor Sean, continues to develop. Again, this feels very natural and I liked the way she tried to give him space as he dealt with the reappearance in his life of his adult son. Jono was actually one of my favourite characters in this book and I loved his relationship with the two dogs and the resolution of his story line. .
I really enjoyed this latest outing for Julia and it remains one of my favourite cosy crime series. Although this is the 7th book in the series, I feel that it could probably be read as a stand alone however, if you enjoy this genre of crime novels, then I recommend that you read the series from the beginning
My thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love a good Julia Bird Mystery! You can always count on an interesting cast of characters and a murder mystery with lots of suspects. It's been fun watching Hayley slowly comes to terms with the fact that Julia will somehow get caught up in a murder investigation and often has good intel that leads to catching the killer. The murderer here did not come as a complete surprise but it was not until late in the story that I started to suspect that person. What I really enjoyed with this book was Julia and Sean's relationship. There is such a solidness to them that always makes me smile. Adding Sean's troubled son to the mix offered a new dynamic for them that I really liked seeing. It was also interesting to see how Jono changed and came out of his shell once he adjusted to staying with Sean and how their relationship slowly got back on track. I am looking forward to seeing more of Jono in future books.

I have to admit, when I started reading A Village Theatre Murder, I had a little bit of a sinking feeling. I've seen this 'method' of murder so many times before. But, what I was forgetting, was that these Julia Bird Mysteries are very much classic murder mysteries. Who cares if it's been done before? That's almost the point. When it's as well written and entertaining as these books are, they are a joy to read.
In addition to the mystery, there's always the subplot of Julia's life and that of her friends and family. In previous books, we've met significant people from Julia's past, her ex-husband and daughter. This time we get to meet Sean's son Jonno. As a mystery, it doesn't need these extras, but it just adds to the enjoyment and depth of the read.
I was way ahead of Julia on this one, but I will admit that was probably down to a lucky guess on my part. It was still lots of fun to follow Julia's investigation.
I really enjoy this series. I hope that we shall return soon, no doubt there will be yet another murder in this sleeply little village that Julia can get caught up in. She seems to have a nack for it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Julia Bird is helping with the props at the local amateur dramatics play. At the end there's supposed to be a shooting with a prop gun but it turns out there's a real bullet in the gum

Another great cozy mystery by Katie Gayle. I love the characters in this series, and enjoyed the introduction to Sean's son.
This plot involved the death of two members of the community theatre's production of Shakespeare. The book read quickly, all the pieces of the plot flowing nicely into the other. I wish there was a little more of a conclusion, like what happened to the suspect in the end. But overall another great addition to the series.

I enjoyed the characters and the setting. I like how things progress in the character's lives in each book. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo


Title: A Village Theatre Murder
Author: Katie Gayle
Series: Julia Bird Mysteries #7
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 281
Date of Publication: March 11, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

The gun was supposed to be a prop. The actors in an amateur play on stage have delivered their lines with ease. It is the final scene and the lead actor Graham suddenly drops. The gun used in that last scene was real, and Julia Bird is determined how a prop gun became all too real, and who was responsible for Graham’s murder.

The amateur actor Oscar who was holding and shot the gun is beside himself. He has convinced himself that he is now a murderer, and Julia knows that nothing could be further from the truth. Then there is Graham’s wife Jane, devastated by her husband’s murder. But Julia soon sees odd behavior between Oscar and Jane and that gives her pause. Something is amiss and Julia is determined to get to the bottom of it.

The director, naturally saddened by the news, remains resolute in his desire to continue the show and seeks to cast a new male lead. However, the production faces numerous challenges. Despite this, Julia, as always adept at solving crimes, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth and apprehend the guilty culprit.

The reader’s visit to the charming village of Berrywick is a delightful experience. The dynamic between Julia and Dr. Sean O’Connor has evolved, and we are introduced to new supporting characters who enrich the narrative. Katie Gayle’s latest book offers a captivating read, and while these stories can be enjoyed as standalone novels, readers who appreciate continuity, especially after witnessing a woman in her 60s blossom and build a new romantic relationship, may find it more rewarding to read the entire series in order.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Katie Gayle delivers another delightful addition to the Julia Bird Mysteries with A Village Theatre Murder. This time, Julia finds herself immersed in the world of amateur theatre when a shocking murder takes place during the climactic scene of Berrywick’s latest production. What should have been an enjoyable evening of drama turns into a real-life mystery, and Julia’s keen investigative skills are put to the test once more.

The story begins with a gunshot—this one tragically real—leaving one of the lead actors dead and the entire village reeling. As Julia pieces together the puzzle, secrets emerge about the victim’s personal life, rivalries among the cast, and the sinister motivations lurking behind the stage lights. With red herrings aplenty and a second shocking death, the tension steadily mounts, keeping the reader guessing until the very last act.

What makes this book so engaging is the seamless blend of intrigue, humor, and the cozy charm of Berrywick. Julia is as delightful as ever—curious, resourceful, and full of warmth. The supporting characters, from Julia’s boyfriend Sean and his shy son Jono to the theater’s ambitious director and jealous cast members, bring the village to life with their quirks and complexities.

Katie Gayle’s writing is sharp and perfectly paced, weaving twists and turns with just the right amount of lighthearted moments. Even as a later installment in the series, the story is easy to follow for new readers, while longtime fans will enjoy reconnecting with familiar faces.

A Village Theatre Murder is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries who love small-town drama, clever plotting, and a touch of theatrical flair. It’s a captivating whodunit that’s hard to put down, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.