Murder on Opening Night

Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, Book 9

By: Elizabeth Spann Craig

Narrated by: Judy Blue

Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

When Myrtle Clover and her friend Miles attend a play in their small town, there's a full house on opening night. It's clear to Myrtle that one of the actresses is a stage hog who loves stealing the spotlight. Nandina Marshall certainly does upstage everyone - when her murder forces an unexpected intermission. Can Myrtle and Miles discover who was behind her final curtain call before murder makes an encore?

©2015 Elizabeth Spann Craig (P)2016 Elizabeth Spann Craig

Critic reviews

"Narrator Judy Blue so aptly portrays each character in this Myrtle Clover mystery that it's difficult to select a favorite…Clover's marvelous wit will sweep listeners along as she questions witnesses at the theater, funerals, and anywhere else she can corral them. Blue expertly presents both text and dialogue, outdoing herself with the actors' outsized egos and inability to stop acting, no matter what." ( AudioFile, Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award)

A cute little cozy mystery

Murder on Opening Night: Myrtle Clover Cozy Mystery...
Audiobook
by Elizabeth Spann Craig

This audiobook was given by the author at no cost
in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

This is the 9 book in the Myrtle Clover Cozy mystery series. If you liked the first 8 books you might enjoy this one as well. It just was not my cup of tea as it was way too “folksy” in myrtle forgetting things and playing up the “I’m just an old lady”, when she was more mentally with it then not.

The story line moved along nicely for a cozy mystery. The narration was done well and the different people were well portrayed. I might have gotten more enjoyment from the book if I started at the start of the series and had known all of the down home folk’s personalities.

Life after 80

Myrtle proves yet again that age is nothing but a number as she solves another murder. I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was funny and full of twists and turns to keep the reader off balance. I love Wanda's role in this story. She is becoming my favorite character next to myrtle. Cozy mystery lovers have to listen or read this series.

Makes one look forward to getting old

I love mysteries with elderly people as the 'investigator(s).' This book does not disappoint nor does the narration. Great voice. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I think Judy Blue did a remarkable job carrying this story. The story and the mystery are ok, but the characters make it really good. I wonder if this is a series? I hope so. Good humor. Love that Myrtle!
I was gifted this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The narrator

Having read other reviews 're narrators voice interpretation of Myrtle, I found it better with time. Full marks to Judy for her skill in dealing with a variety of characters and her obvious enjoyment when reading the story. Great work.

Myrtle Somehow Handles It

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a well written and read book. The characters are funny and entertaining. It is a fun fast moving book that will leave you laughing.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was well written because the one time I thought I knew the answers, I was wrong!

What about Judy Blue’s performance did you like?

She did an amazing job keeping the voices separate so I knew who was talking at what time. This is something that really helps when listening to audio books.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed so many times at Mrytle's antics. She

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

Marvelous Murder on Opening Night

A fun and fast listen, Murder on Opening Night is a clever who-done-it by Elizabeth Spann Craig, filled with a pantheon of remarkable, complex characters and a tantalizing, twisting plot.
Judy Blue is a perfect fit for narrator with her soothing, dulcet alto and concise read -
but her vocal characterizations are the undisputed gems of this recording. From Myrtle to Redd, Miles to Katie, Josie, Wanda, Puddin', and all of the community theater actors and administration (not to mention several others), Blue's sheer versatility, acting skill and range will absolutely astonish you.
Together, Craig and Blue create a nuanced interpretation that breathes believable life into each and every player in the story. You'll feel like you've known them for years and you'll look forward to hearing them again on their next adventure.
Enjoy every minute of this whimsical, well-crafted mystery.

An absolute treat!

This is my first book from the Myrtle Clover series, and although it's book 9 I had no problems feeling like I seamlessly got caught up. I can't believe it took me this long to learn about this series, because I am in love!

Myrtle is the spunkiest senior & she is so instantly loveable! She pokes around in the town mysteries with her sidekick Miles. They are two senior neighbors & friends who have the perfect opposing & complimentary personalities. Myrtle is more easy going, spunky, and flies by the seat of her pants. Miles is a structured planner, and he is always trying to reel in Myrtle or talk her out of her hijinks (Myrtle is a terrible cook and it's hilarious when she gets in the kitchen). Together I could not ask for a more hilarious & entertaining duo! Judy does an incredible job narrating & bringing those 2 to life. This series instantly pulled me in & I loved how it puts two characters in their 80's into the role of amateur sleuths. You don't see that anywhere else in the cozy genre & it's such a treat! This book was provided as a gift for my honest review & this was 100% my own honest opinions. I plan to go back now and purchase the other books in this series ASAP!

Excellent

New Narrator and was good, had a good voice and added to this suspense. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep you to the end. Always enjoy cozy mystery light reading and yet with a mystery to figure out..
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

All the World’s a Stage… and Murder is a Part of It

When Myrtle Clover's daughter-in-law Elaine gives her free tickets to a play that is being featured in the community theatre, Myrtle decides to invite her friend and trusty sidekick Miles to go with her for a night out. That night turns out very different than either of them thought when the star of the cast turns up dead on stage. Having witnessed the cast of the play at Bo's Diner fighting amongst themselves, Myrtle has suspicions that it could have been murder.

With her usual determination to solve this murder investigation before her son, the police chief of their small town of Bradley, North Carolina, Myrtle begins to snoop around. She thinks that things are going well... until another cast member ends up dead. With twisted relationships, motives on every side, and secrets hiding behind practiced smiles, Myrtle has to quickly come up with the answer, or she might end up becoming the next victim. Can she survive this mystery, or will it be her last?

This was a great book to add to the Myrtle Clover series. The old characters get more depth, and the new characters are a welcome addition, and they're different enough to make them fascinating. This time the new characters are all actors connected to theatre life. They're all so unique, and the murderer was actually a surprise. The interactions between the new characters were entertaining, and it added rich layers to the mystery. And Wanda is just as clever as ever, which was a great bit of entertainment. Craig always mixes it up with her, and she is just fantastically funny.

If you love Myrtle Clover, you won't regret picking this book up. This is a great cozy mystery, and it adds even more depth to this rich southern small town that Craig has invented. The more I read, the more I want to read. Myrtle has spunk and a sharp tongue, and she is one of my favorite sleuths. This mystery is a fun, surprising mess, and it's glorious.

Great Performance

good plot, hilarious characters and Judy Blue is one of the best narrators. she has a different voice for each character so you never have to wonder who is speaking.