Review: Murder in an Amateur Theater Group
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 4, 2013
From my viewpoint there were faults which detracted from my satisfaction but are personal and may have no influence on any potential reader. Having a psychic, no matter how modest she is about her "powers", as helpmate to the chief protagonist, puts the book in a very different light than would otherwise be the case. From being a book in the classic "cozy" mode it transforms it into a fantasy. More precisely the psychic plays a significant role but was almost irrelevant to the solving of the problem of "who dun it". It was as if the author, in this first book of a series, did not want to lay all her bets on one approach.For the most part, I do not like flashbacks. Many fine books and mysteries have used the device well. I am impatient with them and find them  a drag on the momentum of the story. Many feel differently.I did feel that there some of the scenes in the neighborhood bar run by two close friends of the heroine simply stopped the momentum of the action, particularly when involving the, to me, often tedious story of The Family at the heart of the troubles. Less given more focus would have been better than more.There are other points one might make but that would make me tedious and serve no good purpose. Suffice to say, I did find Libby Sarjeant, the heroine,a satisfying character despite the need the author felt to give her a man-friend. She is about the same age and (non) marital status as Agatha Raisin and might, in fact, be her twin (although she has a lesser degree of assertiveness and need for a man than Agatha did).The plot line was suitable although not as satisfactorily handled as might be;(partly, this was due to the need to include the psychic and partly due to the need to lend frustrating barriers to the heroines reluctant recognition that she needed company and sexual gratification).I do not know whether the possibilities opened to have the bar and various of its regulars available as permanent cast members will be exploited but I have already purchased four or five more of the series and will soon find out. As of reading this first volume, I have no regrets about investing in the others.Oh, yes, she owns a cat. I can't argue that author's need to pollute their heroes/heroines living quarters with assorted animals, dogs and cats being primary, doesn't reflect a tendency in British and American society. Still and all, I never met one of these in a host's home which did not lead me to strike that host or hostess from my visiting list. If you like one or more of them in a book, be assured that you will find one here.