REHEARSED TO DEATH- Review 2023

Rehearsed to Death by Frank Anthony Polito
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
On Sale: May 23, 2023

Over the years my reading choices have often been books that surprise me, that teach me something new. I picked up "Rehearsed to Death", because it was about theatre, an HGTV hit reality show, and Detroit. It was a fun quozy mystery mixed with romance, rescued dogs, and Mini Coopers.

FIRST LINE: "As cohost of a popular home renovation show, I had a few principles to which I prescribed:
If you're going to do something, do it right.
Don't pay someone to do a project you can do yourself.
Every project ultimately takes longer than you estimate it will."

THE STORY: Partners JP and Peter created 'Domestic Partners' (think 'Bargain Block'). During a break between seasons, playwright Peter has an opportunity to see his play produced locally with JP starring and directed by a first rate (and terribly unpleasant) director, Xander Sherwood Deva. Shortly before the show is to open, Deva is found strangled by his own elaborate neck scarf. Was it an accident or murder?

WHAT I THOUGHT: Frank Anthony Pollito has created a series that will be a favorite of many readers. Peter is the narrator and scattered throughout are mentions of special things (from Michigan and beyond) like Sanders Bumpy Cake, Creamora, and Carnegie Mellon University. It made the book lots of fun even though the plot construction was uneven. Some characters are more fully developed than others but the description of clothing especially on the well-dressed is great.

BOTTOM LINE: This is the second title, after "Renovated to Death", in the Domestic Partners in Crime Mystery and has gathered a lot of interest from cozy/quozy readers. The author reads the audiobook version which has gotten some nice comments too.

DISCLAIMER: A copy of "Rehearsed to Death" was provided to me by Kensington Books/Net Galley for an honest review.

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