Death in the Dressing Room

A Fethering Mystery, Book 22

By: Simon Brett

Narrated by: Simon Brett

Neighbors Carole and Jude investigate murder most horrid in the theatre in the latest Fethering village mystery from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman—but with added bite!

Carole Seddon, a very respectable retired woman living in the English seaside village of Fethering, doesn’t care for the theatre. But her neighbor Jude counts the job of actress among her many and varied past careers. So when Jude attends the closing night of a new play based on a classic TV sitcom, Carole is interested—but only because she suspects the leading man, Drake Purslow, is one of her scandalous friend’s ex-lovers.

The night turns out to be more dramatic than either Carole or Jude could have ever predicted. After the performance, Jude makes her way to Drake’s dressing room, only to find him dead—in what, to Jude’s experienced sleuthing eye, seem very suspicious circumstances.

Did one of the play’s cast—made up almost entirely of the original sitcom’s actors—have a long-held grudge against the show’s star? Or are more recent hatreds to blame? Jude is determined to find out—and Carole, who despite protestations is almost pathologically nosy, is right there to investigate alongside her.

Not met Carole and Jude yet? Dive right in, and discover why The Guardian called Simon Brett “one of British crime’s most assured craftsmen.” Fans of Janice Hallett and M.C. Beaton are in for a treat.

©2025 Simon Brett (P)2025 Dreamscape Media

5 stars

Death in the Dressing Room is a well-written cozy mystery with engaging characters and an entertaining plot. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Perfectly wonderful!

So love Mr. Brett’s personal narration. The story was well-developed - slightly different - a bit more nuanced, innovative - from others, and I appreciated the less critical judgement of Carol’s character. I’m sure authors must sometimes get annoyed with their long-standing characters even while readers grow to love them - despite their flaws (and maybe because of them). I’m so excited to learn what happens next. I’m so so grateful for these lovely stories, Mr. Brett - thank you!

Too much theatre for Fethering

Not as well crafted as earlier Fethering mysteries, way too much theatre. Would have liked more Carol Seddon and Gulliver and Fethering.

Not Very Entertaining

Kind of a lazy plot with rambling characters that kept it from being entertaining. It’s blessedly short though.

Boring and confusing

Development of main characters clever and funny. Story contrived and odd absence of police presence.