Don't Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Rules for professional mourners:

· Plan your aliases well--no improvising.

· Wear proper mourning attire.

· Maintain discretion at all costs.

· Don't upstage the body.

Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family have mastered the business of bereavement. As professional mourners, they are so accomplished that even Lord Basil Monfort, the famous and wealthy recluse, engages the family's services for his own funeral. Tired of disguises and aliases, Hippolyta vows it will be her last performance. Then she discovers the undertaker's body during the wake and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an increasingly unpredictable investigation. 

Soon rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta navigates a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.

Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be a role Hippolyta is hesitant to play, but with a murderer among them she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls. 

With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery set in England--perfect for book clubs and fans of cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, Enola Holmes, Michelle Griep, Julie Klassen, and Anna Lee Huber.

The Author

Naomi Stephens is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. She received a B.A. in English from Concordia University in Ann Arbor and an M.A. in English from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Her first novel, Shadow among Sheaves, was an Inspy Award shortlister and winner of the 2020 Carol Award in Debut Fiction. In bookstores, Naomi gravitates towards 19th-century British novels—the broodier the better (i.e., Jane Eyre)—but she can also be found perusing the young adult, mystery, and fantasy sections. Anything that keeps her turning pages past midnight. Though she has called many places home over the years, she currently lives in New York with her husband, her two children, and a rascal of a dog named Sherlock. When not writing or having adventures with her family, she can be found drinking tea, practicing photography, and pining for London.

Book Review

I had previously read Naomi Stephens's The Burning of Rosemont Abbey and really enjoyed it, so when I saw that she had a new 1950s mystery releasing, I was once again excited to read it. I have to say, the vibe for this one felt quite different than what I recall from the previous (a little cozier and more lighthearted), but I still found myself enjoying it just as much anyway! The idea of professional mourners is not something I'd ever heard or thought of before, and it really added a unique dynamic to this story that I really enjoyed. The mystery kept me intrigued with secrets coming out and keeping me guessing right through to the end. This one is definitely a bit different than many of the books that I typically read, but I found myself very much enjoying it and looking forward to even more from Naomi Stephens. If you love 1950s setting and unique cozy mysteries, this is certainly one worth checking out. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4ukinS3