A Sophie Kimball Mystery Book 16
Author: J.C. Eaton
Genre: Mystery
Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781966322634
Beyond The Page Publishing
211 Pages
$15.99; $6.99 Amazon
July 15, 2026
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When a theatre group's murder mystery weekend turns deadly, the seniors of Sun City West take on a starring role in catching the killer...
The book club ladies of Sun City West love nothing more than poking their noses into murder investigations, so it's the treat of a lifetime when they get to attend a murder mystery weekend at a sprawling Victorian mansion. They'll be matching wits with other mystery aficionados trying to figure out whodunnit, and Sophie "Phee" Kimball is thrilled that for once her mother's friends won't be meddling in a real homicide. As the plot unfolds it's mysterious fun for the actors and audience alike, until the dead body they discover is all too real.
Confident they can solve what's turned into a real-life murder, the book club ladies hatch a plan and rope Phee into helping them. But as they step into their roles as amateur sleuths, what seems like play-acting is deadly serious to the killer. Soon Phee and the seniors want to rewrite the ending, because the murderer in their midst is dead-set on bringing the curtain down on all of them...
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Sophie "Phee" Kimball-Gregory lives in Arizona with her private detective husband, Marshall. They both work for a PI agency, and most times things are routine -- missing and/or cheating spouses, etc. Except when Phee's mother gets involved. Which she does. A lot.
When one of Harriet Kimball's friends wins a mystery weekend for 10 at a local Victorian B&B, he has no interest in going (he'd rather be fishing) so he offers it to Harriet who, of course, is thrilled and can't wait to ask Phee to accompany her and Harriet's senior friends. Hoping to keep them out of trouble, she reluctantly agrees, if only to remind them that this is a fake murder, not a real one.
But Phee spoke too soon. After an impromptu performance by Harriet (also unscripted and uncalled for), the director offers roles to Harriet, her sister Ina, and their friend Myrna. Three divas who will try to upstage each other -- and say whatever comes into their heads. Phee thinks things can't get any worse. She's wrong.
When a real murder occurs, the investigators are on it, as well as the local police. And the seniors. Who weren't asked. Who aren't wanted. Who think they can solve the murder first. Not to mention the other guests of the B&B, who are raring to solve a real murder as well. So now Phee is stuck in place as the head of the group, trying to keep them out of the way of the police as she tells them to only gather information. Will that work? Nope. Not in the case of Harriet and friends.
They want to force a confession -- but they don't know who the murderer is. So they decide to do it their own way, almost driving Phee crazy...
This is the 16th book in the series, and I have read them all. In my opinion, they are fun, witty, and hilarious. Especially Phee's nutty mother and her Aunt Ina. Not to mention a truly funny scene involving her Uncle Louis. But that's another tale best left for the readers.
The descriptions of the B&B are done so well that I'd be willing to travel to Arizona just to stay there. But not on a mystery weekend. I have no desire for 'accidental' deaths (ha). Fortunately, I discovered the identity of the murderer right around the time Phee did, so that was pleasant. The seniors, as always, are entertaining, and no, I wouldn't want to spend time with any of them (except maybe Herb, as he sounds like a hoot). When the story comes to an end, you don't want it to. You want to see what happens next. Which, of course, is the whole purpose of a book, right? Highly recommended.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on J.C. Eaton's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/j-c-eaton/
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