A Case of Perplexity in Piccadilly

Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures #7

by Clara Benson

West End theatre impresario Septimus Gooch is a man with many enemies, but when he's found dead in his leading lady's dressing-room the police put it down to an accident.

The cast of Septimus's latest musical production at the Jollity Theatre are having none of it, however—this is the second mysterious death in two months, and they're convinced Septimus died after being frightened out of his wits by the ghost that's haunted the theatre ever since it burned to the ground many years ago. A malevolent spirit is on the loose, striking them down one by one. Which of them will be next?

Press-man Freddy Pilkington-Soames was backstage at the Jollity on the night Septimus died. He doesn't believe in ghosts, but he knows a suspicious death when he sees one—and when a third person dies there's no doubt this time that a human hand was behind it.

Freddy's fending off the attentions of several chorus-girls at once, so has his own distractions to contend with. But murder's no joke, and he'll do anything he can to catch the killer before the whole production falls apart.

After all, the show must go on.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Murder Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2022

About the author

Clara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont Mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures - traditional English whodunits in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn't do any of those things.

If you want to be the first to hear about new releases, and to receive a free, exclusive short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in a theatre. Freddy who was asked to accompany his boss's wife at a performance of a play, finds that the theatre next door is showing something more to his taste. As he is seated no where near the lady he has been asked to look after, manages to sneak next door to watch what he prefers. Here he finds the body of one of the show's company. It would seem that this has happened before, someone dying without it seems reason. The actors seem to think that the girl died from fright as they believe the theatre is hunted, but this death seems highly unlikely. Freddy is then asked to investigate, which leaves him and us baffled, until he understands the past of this theatre.
I'm pleased that I managed to read the whole series, but I don't feel the books improved as they went along, and I felt that Freddy has changed over the time

[Geraldine Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddie is back!

I've been a fan of Clara Benson since the first Angela Marchmont book. The Freddie Pilkington-Soames series has become my favourite of the genre for the light deft touch, the authentic period humour and tone, and fun lively characters. This installment is excellent, highly recommend

[Panda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

A night in the theater results in Freddy fumbling into a dead body... then another and another!

While the mystery itself wasn't too bad the book was lifeless. The side cast completely devoid of character and ZERO inter-relationships which is odd considering they're all actors with larger than life personality and an ego the size of Africa.

Could have set this in a retirement home and it would have been the same honestly...

Usually Clara Benson's writing style carries the book through, here however its so middle of the road the events slipped right out of my head even though I just put it down, hell I completely forgot about the third victim until it was brought up in the final wrap-up!

[Pauline Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable outing with Freddy Pilkington-Soames, debonair man about town, bumbling newshound and susceptible male. This time he finds himself involved in the theatrical world, as impresario Septimus Gooch is found dead in the leading lady’s dressing-room. Is his death connected to the sudden death of a chorus girl a few weeks earlier? Freddy happens to be on the scene, and becomes determined to find out what’s going on.

Freddy’s a lot of fun, especially when he gets caught up in the games of some of the chorus girls, but I do wish he’d settle down a bit and find himself a steady girlfriend. But I suppose that’s all part of his persona, and a happily married (or at least engaged) Freddy wouldn’t be the roguish Freddy we’ve all come to know and love.

The murder is, as usual, nicely convoluted, but with a perfectly logical (and very clever) explanation. A good four stars.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the latest in the Freddy Pilkington-Soames series. As a completist I have read to the end, but I don't think I will read on if any more are published.

In fact, this mystery is almost instantly forgettable. It is set in a theatre, a common setting for mysteries set in this era, but it could almost be set anywhere. Freddie stumbles across a body backstage, where a young chorus girl had previously died. Is it true that the theatre is haunted and that people are dying of fright? Well, no, obviously not.

It is up to Freddy to uncover all the motives, among the many suspects who disliked impresario Septimius Gooch and discover the killer. A pleasant enough listen, but I am glad that I have now finished.

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, feather-light murder mystery, presumably the last in the Freddy Pilkington Soames mystery series. This time, the young gentleman about town turned news reporter is asked to look into suspicious deaths backstage at a theater. There are rumors of ghosts, objects moved in dressing rooms, and strange voices reported by a melodramatic young actress. Freddy snoops around asking questions, uncovering the truth behind the supposedly supernatural occurrences, and a very real killer. Entertaining and fun as usual, but not terribly memorable.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the theatre just as much as I enjoy charming, classic whodunits. Freddy's latest is catnip for me. I had to laugh at the productions mentioned here (I would so love to see Have at it!) and the resolution of the mystery was unpredictable, but completely logical. I get the author's email updates, so I know how this novel was "the book that didn't want to be written." All the more satisfying, since it's definitely a must for readers.

[Jan Vasilius · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Fabulous Freddy

Freddy Pilkington-Soames is a smart Bertie Wooster, which I realize is a contradiction. He functions as a upper class man about town with a fairly normal job. This mystery is a triple-header. While the mystery is credible, it's the episodes with mischievous twin chorus girls and Freddy's hapless efforts to avoid a lugubrious arty play that offer the most fun.

[Nichola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that Benson seemed to struggle to write this book, that doesn't mean this wasn't a fun entry into Freddy's story but it did like the strong coherence that the others had.

I feel like there were some minor weird moments of motivations that lacked that usual fortitude. I mostly think of Desire and Septimus' treatment of her.

Also I feel like there could have been more suspects? I didn't really think anyone was the bad guy until the 'villain' was revealed?

[Kim Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perplexed I was

A really enjoyable read, more so because I couldn't see how the first two deaths came about. So, instead of me shouting "oh for goodness sake, they did it this way" I was going along with Freddy and looking over his shoulder to see how it was done. Very cleverly too.

[Valerie]

This book largely takes place in the very limited world of a theater. Freddy Pilkington-Soames more or less stumbles into a murder mystery that keeps the reader guessing till the somewhat disappointing ending. Benson has her usual cast of interesting characters, and the action moves along fairly briskly--in all, an enjoyable book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable addition to this series, my only complaint being that I didn’t find it quite as lighthearted as the previous ones. But I liked the theatrical setting, and I didn’t figure out who did it & why, which is always good in a murder mystery. Recommended for those who like well-written, not too violent mysteries set in 1920s England.

[Anne B · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really fun read despite all the characters to keep straight

Fun, entertaining, and besides I couldn’t figure out who the perpetrator was. Once I was able to sort out all the characters and keep the chorus girls straight, it read smoothly and quickly. I hope Ms Benson continues to write more Freddy Pilkington-Soames books.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complicated mystery

Perplexity is right! A wild cast of characters, confusing deaths, and all the fun of the theater. This was fun, challenging, and the characters were interesting.

[Craftyhj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun while it lasted

This was fun and I enjoy the Freddy Pilkington-Soames series. I found this one a but more scattered and it is not one that is going to stay long in my mind.

A good bit of harmless fun.

[Emily Grabatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Angela Marchmont returning to this book to contine where we left off with her, and seeing Freddy's loyalty rise despite his offhand reputation

[Bea Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went around the houses a bit. Not as crisp as usual but still very good.

[Nik · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars