by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

As their popular Domestic Partners Home Design TV show goes on hiatus, it’s the perfect time for actor JP Broadway and his fiancé Peter “PJ” Penwell to take to the stage. The bestselling author of teen mysteries, PJ has written the original play Blue Tuesday about two couples impacted by one momentous day. Their local community troupe will be presenting the production and starring JP with a renowned Michigan theatre director coming in to direct. It doesn’t take long for Peter to intentionally start to mispronounce Xander Sherwood Deva’s name as “Dee-va,” as the diva of a director shows up late, bullies the actors, and refuses to consult with any of the production. Perhaps his biggest sin is in refusing to believe that the rather metrosexual “Fairway Bob” Kravitz is straight, forcing the uncomfortable amateur actor into kissing JP in rehearsal an unnecessary number of times. Not many will be mourning when Xander takes a permanent Exit Stage Right, strangled to death by the long Burberry scarf he was so proud of and always insisted on wearing.

Pleasant Woods Police Detective Nicholas Paczki designates the death as an unfortunate accident caused by a scarf meeting a very old rotating fan, but Xander’s Lads4Dads app hookup Hunter Bellamy refuses to believe it. While JP may have only played a detective on television and PJ the writer of fictional YA mysteries, they have admittedly had some success solving local murders. So a plea from Hunter has them following up on the long list of Xander Deva’s enemies from the theater critic devoted to destroying his work to the Royal Heights Players director who was replaced by the more famous Xander. When not fitting in rehearsals – the show must go on, it seems – or looking for their next Forever Home renovation project, JP and Peter attempt to make another Fur-Ever home for a needy Jack Russell, even if their half-beagle Clyde proves to be less than receptive.

This second in the series is as delightful as the first, full of quick-witted banter and Peter’s humorous observations. Details surrounding a community theatre’s stage production are as fun as they are fascinating, with the outsized personalities adding scenes of endless entertainment. Readers may find themselves as uncomfortably torn as PJ and Peter with the dilemma of Fairway Bob, who is baffled by others’ refusal to believe that he is not gay. While his confusion and assertions that he has a girlfriend – one who might as well live in Canada – is undeniably amusing, it is also a problematic situation that could easily lead to violence. Fortunately, JP and Peter are compassionate friends to have on one’s side, and their dedication to helping out those in their diverse Detroit suburb is admirable. Theatre life, home renovation advice, and an abundance of doggy antics make this a delightful read sure to please those looking for a light-hearted, very funny mystery.

Editor’s note: Watch for an excerpt from the first book in this series to be on Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast later this month!

To enter to win a copy of Rehearsed to Death, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “rehearsed” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 17, 2023. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you enter via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. A new episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the Amazon link. You can also click here to purchase the book.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.