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Theater Nights Are Murder
(A Poppy McAllister Mystery #4)
by
The last thing gluten-free baker Polly McAllister needs in her life is more drama--or more murder . . .
Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She's not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny's long-ago high-school beau, ...more
Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She's not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny's long-ago high-school beau, ...more
Mass Market Paperback, 390 pages
Published
December 31st 2019
by Kensington Publishing Corporation
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Start your review of Theater Nights Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery, #4)

Theater Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein is the fourth installment in the cozy A Poppy McAllister Mystery series. Each book of this series has a new mystery to be solved by the main character so they can be read and understood as a standalone if choosing to do so. Of course as with any continuing series there is some character development that would be missed if not reading from the beginning.
In this series readers were introduced to Poppy McAllister who is a forty something widow who moved bac ...more
In this series readers were introduced to Poppy McAllister who is a forty something widow who moved bac ...more

Poppy McAllister has her hands full with running her B&B, baking for two restaurants and choosing between her two love interests. But she's not the only one with boyfriend drama. Her aunt Ginny's high school boyfriend has retired from Broadway and is returning home to play the male lead in the senior center's theater production of Mamma Mia. Everyone is really excited about the play. But when bizarre accidents start happening, and a man falls to his death, it becomes clear that someone is willin
...more

In the first chapter of this book: “No one likes a love triangle.”
Me: “Hey, the author has been reading my reviews! Glad we’re in agreement here.”
Author: I will now stretch this love triangle over 300 more pages.
Good call.
I have been reading this series from the beginning, and this latest installment is one of the few ARCs I requested this year. I love the characters and the writing is always pretty humorous. But the author lost her way a bit on this one. The murder does not take place until 1/3 ...more
Me: “Hey, the author has been reading my reviews! Glad we’re in agreement here.”
Author: I will now stretch this love triangle over 300 more pages.
Good call.
I have been reading this series from the beginning, and this latest installment is one of the few ARCs I requested this year. I love the characters and the writing is always pretty humorous. But the author lost her way a bit on this one. The murder does not take place until 1/3 ...more

Oh, Libby, Libby, Libby. Your books pull me in with the promise of great mysteries to solve (and they always are), but keep me laughing so hard my sides hurt! With lines like . . . It wasn’t my proudest moment, being shaken down by four old ladies . . . THEATER NIGHTS ARE MURDER is no different, and my tissue box stayed close at hand for all the tears of laughter!
Author Libby Klein has been a breath of fresh air since her first book, CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER. I knew she was going to be a boomin ...more
Author Libby Klein has been a breath of fresh air since her first book, CLASS REUNIONS ARE MURDER. I knew she was going to be a boomin ...more

Poppy McAllister is normally baking gluten-free goodies in Cape May, NJ and juggling the romantic attention of two suitors, Tim and Gia. As book four begins, she volunteers at the theater production of “Mamma Mia” which is casting at the Senior Center. Royce Ricardo, an old flame of Aunt Ginny’s is the lead male actor. Aunt Ginny and her flippant and savvy tribe of older lady friends try out for various parts during auditions. Wha-la! The humor begins!
When another actress, Blanche aka Moira, swe ...more
When another actress, Blanche aka Moira, swe ...more

Aunt Ginny thinks this is my most fun book yet. She's never wrong.
...more

Dollycas’s Thoughts
Libby Klein has penned another terrific mystery filled with laugh-out-loud humor that makes this book impossible to put down.
“Aunt Ginny was somewhere in her eighties, but somehow the feisty redhead got into more trouble than a five-year-old on a sugar binge.”
Yes, Poppy has her hands full again this time. The Senior Center is doing its version of Mamma Mia and all of “the biddies” including Aunt Ginny are involved. The director has persuaded Ginny’s high school flame, now a re ...more
Libby Klein has penned another terrific mystery filled with laugh-out-loud humor that makes this book impossible to put down.
“Aunt Ginny was somewhere in her eighties, but somehow the feisty redhead got into more trouble than a five-year-old on a sugar binge.”
Yes, Poppy has her hands full again this time. The Senior Center is doing its version of Mamma Mia and all of “the biddies” including Aunt Ginny are involved. The director has persuaded Ginny’s high school flame, now a re ...more

I love this series more every time I read the newest book and I always think that book is the funniest one so far...only because imho it is! I was laughing out loud at Aunt Ginny and her "biddies'" antics during the senior center's production of Mamma Mia. From going all out spy complete with two-way radios to conning some bikers in a pool game, these ladies while absolutely hilarious were determined to find out how their friend really died during the theater production. And for that I say, "You
...more

I have been a fan of this series since the first book and have enjoyed them all. This one was a bit off for me. I love the characters. They are well written and diverse. There is tons of humor and great dialogue. The relationship between Poppy and Aunt Ginny is full of warmth, humor, and love. Where this book fell apart for me is with the mystery and the love triangle. I am not a fan of the love triangle in any books and the longer this one draws out the less interested I find myself becoming in
...more

I think Libby Klein’s murder plotting skills get stronger and stronger with each installment of the Poppy McAllister Mystery series.
The murder to solve this time around is who killed Duke, a retired cop, active senior centre member and a friend of Aunt Ginny’s. There are several suspects and when possible victim identities get muddled up, the pool of suspects grows even larger. The motives are juicy, the opportunities are circumstantial and the means is intriguing. The clues and red herrings in ...more
The murder to solve this time around is who killed Duke, a retired cop, active senior centre member and a friend of Aunt Ginny’s. There are several suspects and when possible victim identities get muddled up, the pool of suspects grows even larger. The motives are juicy, the opportunities are circumstantial and the means is intriguing. The clues and red herrings in ...more

This is the fourth book in this series and I loved it!
Poppy is a realistic, contemporary woman, who I really enjoy reading about.
This mystery was so well written and the characters were so intriguing, that I could not put it down!
All in all, this book was a delight to read and a great continuation to this series.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Poppy is a realistic, contemporary woman, who I really enjoy reading about.
This mystery was so well written and the characters were so intriguing, that I could not put it down!
All in all, this book was a delight to read and a great continuation to this series.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Sometimes after you finish reading a book, you have to close the book and just sit back and savor what you read.....with books in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein you have to sit back, close your mouth, check your breathing, rub your eyes, scratch your head and completely recollect yourself before you think about doing anything else !! And Theater Nights Are Murder, the fourth book in this series is no different except she may have you questioning some things ...... like "What
...more

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
It's always a tough ask, jumping into book 4 in a series that you haven't really read much of. Good cozies will welcome you with open arms, and mostly that's what I found here. I was a little lost between all the male characters and what connections they had to the two main sleuths, especially the older gentlemen. I definitely did NOT see that twist coming, so that was something. Normally I have an inkling, but this one wa ...more
It's always a tough ask, jumping into book 4 in a series that you haven't really read much of. Good cozies will welcome you with open arms, and mostly that's what I found here. I was a little lost between all the male characters and what connections they had to the two main sleuths, especially the older gentlemen. I definitely did NOT see that twist coming, so that was something. Normally I have an inkling, but this one wa ...more

I received a free copy of THEATER NIGHTS ARE MURDER (Poppy McAllister Mystery Book 4) by Libby Klein in exchange for an honest review. Poppy McAllister has more going on in her life than she can handle. Poppy’s making desserts for a restaurant, a coffee shop, and for her bed and breakfast patrons. On top of that, Poppy’s managing her new Paleo diet, exercising each morning, working as free crew for the senior center’s production of Mamma Mia, and trying to mitigate the biddies’ ongoing crime spr
...more

Love this series. Poppy owns a bed and breakfast with her aunt. Also is baking for 2 restaurants. In the meantime her aunt Ginny and her friends try out for the senior center play when an old flame from the past comes back to town. While there are tryouts someone is killed. Poppy and the biddies sent out to find the killer before they kill again. Poppy is also juggling with 2 men who want to be her 1 and only true love

Dec 21, 2019
Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2019,
2019-cozy-challenge
This is a fantastic series so I was super excited when Libby asked me to review her book before the release date of 12/31/19. And I'll just let you know (if you haven't read my other reviews in this series) that I am Team Gia.
So much to say about this book - it made me laugh, it kept me guessing regarding the crime, and it had me rooting for Poppy to make a decision regarding who she wants to date between Tim and Gia. (see my note above....GIA!!!)
What I always enjoy about this series - the rela ...more
So much to say about this book - it made me laugh, it kept me guessing regarding the crime, and it had me rooting for Poppy to make a decision regarding who she wants to date between Tim and Gia. (see my note above....GIA!!!)
What I always enjoy about this series - the rela ...more

Theater Nights are Murder is the fourth installment in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series featuring Poppy and her Aunt Ginny, co-owners of the Butterfly Wings Bed and Breakfast located in Cape May, NJ. Poppy has been busy getting the B&B up and running and cooking desserts for her ex boyfriend Tim's restaurant and for the Italian Barista, Gia.
The local Senior center is going to be putting on a production of Mamma Mia and Aunt Ginny and her friends "the biddies" are all looking forward to being ...more
The local Senior center is going to be putting on a production of Mamma Mia and Aunt Ginny and her friends "the biddies" are all looking forward to being ...more

This was my first foray into the Poppy McAllister series, but it won't be my last. Even though I was new to the characters, I love Cape May and it really helped me visualize the setting. I quickly got to know the characters and didn't miss a beat when it came to their dynamics. The "biddies" had me cracking up continuously as the story went along. Their spy-like maneuvers were entertaining and I loved how they assumed they would need to investigate. Poppy was a delight to read about, even th
...more

Not just Theater Nights are Murder, all the rigmarole around choosing among two boyfriends is murdering my interest in this series. And that’s despite being gluten-free myself for years. Maybe Poppy should investigate polyamory relationships so she can stick with both guys. You don’t see that in cozy mysteries!
Seriously, I enjoyed the dynamic between Aunt Ginny, the old biddies, and Poppy. They make a good, possibly borderline dysfunctional but hilarious, team. I also enjoyed Figaro the cat’s an ...more
Seriously, I enjoyed the dynamic between Aunt Ginny, the old biddies, and Poppy. They make a good, possibly borderline dysfunctional but hilarious, team. I also enjoyed Figaro the cat’s an ...more

What a fun book! Once again Libby Klein had me laughing so hard I snorted many times !!!
I enjoy Poppy, Aunt Ginny and the Biddies....
Triangle Loves (Don't want to give it away), throw in Murders at the Senior Center revolving a play a d so much more.......Fantastic Recioes included!!!!!! ...more
I enjoy Poppy, Aunt Ginny and the Biddies....
Triangle Loves (Don't want to give it away), throw in Murders at the Senior Center revolving a play a d so much more.......Fantastic Recioes included!!!!!! ...more

4.5 Stars
This is the fourth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein.
Poppy McAllister has a problem. She is in love with two men! And she can’t decide which to pursue. So, she relents and joins the crew of the new Mamma Mia musical happening in their local theater. A veteran actor returns to town to appear in the starring role. Poppy’s Aunt Ginny is perfect for the role of Donna but gets kicked back to costumes due to some theater politics. When the retired police officer who w ...more
This is the fourth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein.
Poppy McAllister has a problem. She is in love with two men! And she can’t decide which to pursue. So, she relents and joins the crew of the new Mamma Mia musical happening in their local theater. A veteran actor returns to town to appear in the starring role. Poppy’s Aunt Ginny is perfect for the role of Donna but gets kicked back to costumes due to some theater politics. When the retired police officer who w ...more

When the Cape May New Jersey Senior Center, decides to stage the play Mamma Mia - mystery, chaos, humor, romance, snacking and murder are part of the production! It's up to Poppy and her gang, the "biddies", to find out who wants to shut down the play and some of the actors - permanently. Poppy also has to find out who is trying to ruin the reputation of B&B that she and Aunt Ginny have just started while juggling two suitors, a cranky but lovable cat, her Aunt Ginny and Ginny's former beau who
...more

Poppy McAllister has her hands full, she’s baking for two different restaurants, working the lights for the senior center’s first ever theater production, and running her family’s newly launched B&B…all while trying to stick to her Paleo diet and decide which of the two men in her life truly has her heart. That’s a lot of a mere mortal to take on, but Poppy is no mere mortal, she’s a Jersey girl!
When Aunt Ginny’s high school sweetheart returns home after retiring from a long Broadway career and ...more
When Aunt Ginny’s high school sweetheart returns home after retiring from a long Broadway career and ...more

Poppy is back and she's better than ever in Theater Nights are Murder.
Aunt Ginny and the biddies are excited to be putting on a play at the senior center, and when Aunt Ginny's old flame makes a comeback, it seems like high school again.
Unfortunately not everyone is happy with Royce's return, and when strange accidents start happening, and someone falls victim to a tragic accident, everyone becomes paranoid.
I absolutely loved this book, it was full of humor, twists and turns, and of course, fill ...more
Aunt Ginny and the biddies are excited to be putting on a play at the senior center, and when Aunt Ginny's old flame makes a comeback, it seems like high school again.
Unfortunately not everyone is happy with Royce's return, and when strange accidents start happening, and someone falls victim to a tragic accident, everyone becomes paranoid.
I absolutely loved this book, it was full of humor, twists and turns, and of course, fill ...more

Synopsis:
The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama--or more murder . . .
Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She's not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny's long-ago high-school beau, Royce Hanson, a retired Broadway actor, has returned to Cape May, New Jersey, to star in a Senior Center staging of ...more
The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama--or more murder . . .
Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her orders for her gluten-free goodies, but now she has to choose between two suitors. She's not the only one with boyfriend drama. Aunt Ginny's long-ago high-school beau, Royce Hanson, a retired Broadway actor, has returned to Cape May, New Jersey, to star in a Senior Center staging of ...more

"Theater Nights Are Murder" the 4th instalment in the "Poppy McAllister Mystery" series by Libby Klein. I know I am in for a treat when I pick up a book by Libby Klein her humor always keeps me snickering throughout the entire story especially when the biddies get up to all sorts of antics.
The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama—or more murder ...
Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her ord ...more
The last thing gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister needs in her life is more drama—or more murder ...
Poppy thought her toughest challenge this winter would be sticking to her Paleo diet and filling all her ord ...more

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
The mystery in this book is top notch, but I am getting really tired of the love triangle - it's impacting my enjoyment of the series.
There are a lot of mysteries in this one - the sabotage at the play, the dead body, the scathing - and false - reviews of Poppy's business and her desserts at the coffee shop and Tim's restaurant. And I loved digging into each one. Aunt Ginn ...more
The mystery in this book is top notch, but I am getting really tired of the love triangle - it's impacting my enjoyment of the series.
There are a lot of mysteries in this one - the sabotage at the play, the dead body, the scathing - and false - reviews of Poppy's business and her desserts at the coffee shop and Tim's restaurant. And I loved digging into each one. Aunt Ginn ...more

THEATER NIGHTS ARE MURDER, the fourth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is a zany romp with memorable characters that kept me turning pages to find out what happens next. The protagonist, Poppy McAllister, lives with her 80-something-year-old Aunt Ginny, and runs the Butterfly Wings Bed & Breakfast they just opened in Aunt Ginny’s Grand Victorian. Not only does Poppy have her hands full with the B & B, she’s been roped into helping her aunt and senior citizens with thei
...more

This is the fourth book in a series about a widowed forty-something woman, Poppy, who has recently moved back to the town she grew up in to rebuild her confidence and her social life. In this installment, Poppy's Aunt Ginny, a feisty troublemaker, joins the cast of the senior center's production of Mamma Mia. When a member of the cast is killed, Aunt Ginny and her friends "the biddies" launch an investigation which requires Poppy to keep a constant eye on them lest they get themselves into troub
...more
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Libby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School sometime in the '80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that forced her to remove gluten from her kitchen and adopt a Paleo Diet. Now her life revolves around coffee and bacon. When she’s not feeling sorry
...more
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A Poppy McAllister Mystery
(5 books)
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