What is your first thought when you look at this book cover?

Murder at the Matinee by Jamie West stood out for me because of the vibrant colour and the way the title jumps off the page. I love a murder mystery, especially at this time of year. The fire lit, cosy throw, hot drink… Bliss!

It’s easy for me to judge this book by its cover. It’s a murder mystery, it happens at a theatre, and the writing style hints at the late 1800s or early 1900s. I wouldn’t think contemporary anyway, judging by the cover.

Checked it out on Amazon and yeah… I’m not far wrong. It’s set in the 1930s and book 2 of a series — Bertie Carroll Mysteries. I imagine it reads as a standalone, but I like to get to know characters from the beginning, so I’d prefer to read Book 1 first; Death on the Pier. (See below)

Let’s take a closer look at Murder at the Matinee.

The Blurb

Following on from the success of Death on the Pier, playwright turned real-life detective, Bertie Carroll, returns for the second book in this golden-age-style whodunnit series, set in the exciting world of theatreland in 1930s London.

An unexpected phone call from a rival playwright puts Bertie centre stage in another mystery. Can he help unravel the motive behind a mysterious newspaper advert that boldly declares a murder will take place during a show’s third act? There’s only one problem, there is no murder in the third act of the play!

When a victim is discovered and the police are brought in, Bertie and Inspector Hugh Chapman get thrown awkwardly back together as they both work to find the killer.

The spotlight falls on each suspect in turn and, this time, even Bertie is not above suspicion. But can rivalries and differences be put aside to solve this devious murder?

Cosy crime fans will love his golden-age style murder mystery set in the world of 1930s theatre. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz and, of course, Agatha Christie.

This book was only published in September this year and it has already gained many positive reviews. For example;

Reader’s reviews
★★★★★ “It had everything that I was looking for”
★★★★★ “I thoroughly enjoyed this charming and funny historical cosy mystery”
★★★★★ “Thoroughly enjoyed this cosy crime!”
★★★★★ “West’s writing and character work are stellar”
★★★★★ “I love this series and can’t wait for the next one”
★★★★★ “Perfect for lovers of golden age detective stories”
★★★★★ “You will fall in love with the characters and won’t be able to put this down. Love it!”

---

Sarah Campbell 5.0 out of 5 stars 

Each chapter was full of style and purpose, leading us through a whole cast of suspects

A good traditional crime novel with everything you’d expect from a well written plot. As soon as I read about the murder is announced theme, I thought this was going to be very Christie-esque, and I was not disappointed. Each chapter was full of style and purpose, leading us through a whole cast of suspects. I was totally there in the moment with our sleuths guessing along as to whodunnit. It could have been easy to guess the murderer, but the writing led you off in different directions and information was well timed. Excellent dialogue and great rapport between characters. 4.5 stars as I would have liked a few more character and time period details, but these are very minor points. Overall a skillful classic crime novel, encore! Although I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, I am leaving this review entirely voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions expressed in it are my own.

---

Rome 4.0 out of 5 stars 

A well-publicised whodunit

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 working in 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. It’s an enjoyable read.

---

So… all you Agatha Christie and Richard Osman fans, this author may very much appeal to you. I’m certainly intrigued!

While we’re here, let’s have a quick look at the cover of Book 1 of Bertie Carroll Mysteries; Death on the Pier.

Very much like Murder at the Matinee. Same style and theme. I really like these covers and I think that an old London theatre is a fantastic setting for a murder mystery.

The Palace Pier Theatre.
Brighton.
1933.

Renowned murder mystery playwright Bertie Carroll turns real life detective when his leading lady is shot and killed on stage, in full view of an unsuspecting audience.

Once the curtain falls and the applause subsides, the horrible truth begins to dawn on the cast of suspects backstage. But as motives, secrets and old rivalries begin to come to light, the murderer is still waiting in the wings.

With the help of Chief Detective Hugh Chapman, an old friend from school, Bertie must put his amateur sleuthing skills to the test to unravel the ultimate whodunnit. But, is there more to Bertie and Hugh that first appears? Over the course of their investigation, something that is more-than-just-friends seems to be re-kindled.

There is drama on stage and off in this debut novel from Jamie West, set in and around The Palace Pier Theatre in Brighton, a lost theatre, lovingly recreated.

If you enjoyed the theatrical antics in The Appeal or The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett, you’ll love this theatre murder mystery. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and The Thursday Murder Club gang and for fans of classic crime like Agatha Christie and her modern counterparts like Anthony Horowitz, Tom Hindle and Robert Thorogood.

From NetGalley Readers

★★★★★ “A delightful, thoroughly original and very cosy murder mystery.”
★★★★★ “A fabulous debut and start to a series.”
★★★★★ “A fantastic read. The characters and setting really shone.”
★★★★★ “What an utter joy this is!”
★★★★★ “Well crafted and credible characters”
★★★★★ “A tight group of characters and a well paced plot.”
★★★★★ “Light and funny while also being mysterious and captivating.”
★★★★★ “This is a delightful cozy mystery”
★★★★★ “Lots of wonderful characters, with many twist and turns.”
★★★★★ “Good story and engaging characters.”
★★★★★ “A modern day Agatha Christie!”
★★★★★ “A manuscript of pure genius.”
★★★★★ “West writes in a way that makes it impossible to stop reading.”
★★★★ “A murder mystery done right.”
★★★★ “A highly enjoyable, riveting, cozy mystery”
★★★★ “This book was AMAZING.”
★★★★ “This was a wonderful and delightful read.”
★★★★ “The characters are well written.”
★★★★ “A good old fashion murder mystery.”
★★★★ “The description of every location and character really brings the book to life and I could picture it all immediately.”

More about Jamie West.

Jamie is the West End’s resident murder mystery author!

He has worked backstage on countless shows in London’s West End. His work covers a huge variety of shows including The Book of Mormon, Miss Saigon, Kinky Books, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton. There are plenty more shows that could be listed here, but there simply isn’t room!

A love for both theatre history and a good murder mystery is what has inspired his Bertie Carroll series, set in 1930s theatre-land.

His first novel, Death on the Pier, was published in October 2022, going on to become an Amazon Best Seller and Chat Magazine’s Book of the Month. Murder at the Matinee, the second in the series, is coming out 5th September 2024.

He continues to split his time between writing and working in the theatre.

Thank you for reading. Hope to have you back soon.

---

MORE ABOUT ME, MY BOOKS AND MY CHARACTERS IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase through these links.