What's better than to read A Christmas Mystery novel on the Christmas Eve and get cozy under the blankets with a cup of hot chocolate, 'Murder At The Theatre Royale' by Ada Moncrieff is the perfect book for that.

In this book, we follow London's most renowned Journalist, Daphne King, who is determined to solve an extraordinary mystery. The book has the perfect set up of London, Christmas, Murder Mystery at the theatre set of A Christmas Carol, etc. Daphne King is all set to prove to her boss Martin Halliday, that she is the best of all.

The book has a slow start, but quite as it picks up pace we also see a bit of stretch in the later end of the book along with some minor twists and turns in the book. Overall, I enjoyed the book to be a one-time cozy read, but the writing style is a bit off for me and would look for better plot arrangement in future books by the author.22 s Chris Chanona162 6

murder at the theatre royale


I was intrigued by the title and I love a good murder mystery. I have read all Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle and several authors of the ‘Golden Age Detective Fiction’ of 1920s and 1930s in which this novel is set. However, this novel was very disappointing. She uses peculiar vocabulary, which I think sounds researched as ‘of the era’ but adds nothing to the book. A lot seems overwritten and gets boring to decipher. An example:

‘regrettably for its participants, the discussion was bereft of trifles and laden with labour. The combatants sat  –  one slouching in a posture which conveyed the inconvenience of the protracted dialogue, the other perched uncomfortably in a stance designed to project professionalism and composure – on opposing sides of a great mahogany desk.’

It is not that I don’t understand it but that this sounds false. Also the characters are rather cardboard with only the heroine having any sort of rounding out but even then marred by the ponderous words used:

‘Apparently alone in her perturbation at this interruption’

The descriptions of characters can bring a vision to mind:

‘Short and squat, a man of around sixty stood before them. Glassy eyes a touch too prominent, strands of wispy hair sprouting from his head, he was a striking figure. A grin was plastered on his face, revealing misshapen teeth stained an unbecoming yellow.’

but since almost every character is described in this way : age, height, hair etc it becomes tedious.

I am sorry that, to me, this reads an over elaborate creative writing exercise. Or maybe an attempt at parody. I do think some readers will enjoy it. But not for me, disappointingly.

I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers, Vintage. Opinions are my own.12 s Fiona888 485

A very enjoyable romp through London’s 1930s theatre world. Daphne is languishing in her role as a newspaper agony aunt when she is given the opportunity to cover a story in the theatre. A murder occurs almost as soon as she arrives and from there it’s a breathless race against time to identify the murderer. Full of ‘good eggs’ and Lyon’s’ tearooms, incompetent policemen and red herrings, this was an easy, quick read and jolly good fun! 3.5 stars from me.

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage for a review copy.crime-fiction e-books netgalley11 s Lotte584 1,125

3.5/52022-read 2022-release a-fiction ...more8 s Hannah509 109

Easy to follow, easy to get into. Just fell a little flat to me.2022-books7 s Hannah509 109

Easy enough to read with a fast flow just not my favourite fell a little flat to me.2022-books4 s Lisa M473 28

This was quite a short book so I read it in 2 sittings but it was helped by being so good! A real cosy murder mystery with so much gentle humour throughout. The lead journalist, Daphne, was Miss Marple esque (in terms of manner and brains as opposed to age) and I'd love to see another book featuring her as the lead.4 s Kimba95 3

Utter tosh.4 s Bridget2,789 116

Murder at the Theatre Royale by Ada Moncrieff is a wonderful, historical murder mystery set in December 1935. Based in snowy London, with a few clues for readers who fancy a bit of armchair sleuthing, it centres around journalist Daphne King who feels the need to prove to her boss at the Evening Chronicle, Martin Halliday that she is worth more than her Dear Susan 'Agony Aunt' role. She is given an opportunity by the editor-in-chief and makes her way to the Theatre Royale on Great Windmill Street on the number 24 bus. When Scrooge, part of the acting team in Director Chester Harrison's production of A Christmas Carol drops dead practically at her feet it looks as though the actor died of a heart attack. With occasional touches of humour, this is a compelling and engaging Christmas historical crime novel that I enjoyed immensely.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Random House Vintage via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
cosy-reads historical-fiction mystery ...more3 s Julia442 11

Another great cosy murder mystery with light hearted humour throughout. 6 s Chris Chanona162 6

murder at the theatre royale


I was intrigued by the title and I love a good murder mystery. I have read all Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle and several authors of the ‘Golden Age Detective Fiction’ of 1920s and 1930s in which this novel is set. However, this novel was very disappointing. She uses peculiar vocabulary, which I think sounds researched as ‘of the era’ but adds nothing to the book. A lot seems overwritten and gets boring to decipher. An example:

‘regrettably for its participants, the discussion was bereft of trifles and laden with labour. The combatants sat  –  one slouching in a posture which conveyed the inconvenience of the protracted dialogue, the other perched uncomfortably in a stance designed to project professionalism and composure – on opposing sides of a great mahogany desk.’

It is not that I don’t understand it but that this sounds false. Also the characters are rather cardboard with only the heroine having any sort of rounding out but even then marred by the ponderous words used:

‘Apparently alone in her perturbation at this interruption’

The descriptions of characters can bring a vision to mind:

‘Short and squat, a man of around sixty stood before them. Glassy eyes a touch too prominent, strands of wispy hair sprouting from his head, he was a striking figure. A grin was plastered on his face, revealing misshapen teeth stained an unbecoming yellow.’

but since almost every character is described in this way : age, height, hair etc it becomes tedious.

I am sorry that, to me, this reads an over elaborate creative writing exercise. Or maybe an attempt at parody. I do think some readers will enjoy it. But not for me, disappointingly.

I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers, Vintage. Opinions are my own.


3 s meg ? ??? ?? ?????306 573

although this was short i found it quite slow at some points but i didn’t see the end coming so bravo3 s Allison36

This was a disappointing read; it felt anachronistic, the characters were poorly drawn, and the main character, a journalist, being determined to solve the mystery-rather than make her career by sending reports back to her paper-was patently ridiculous. 3 s Liz391 39

So twee, my black heart can’t take it.
I that it could maybe be read as queer at the end there, so 2 stars for my vintage sapphics
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