Where Is Your Book Mark: Bookish Mewsings on Murder in the Dressing Room & Other Friday Fun

Along with this mini review, I am linking to both Book Beginnings, a meme in which readers share the first sentence of a book they are reading, hosted by Gillion of Rose City Reader and First Line Friday hosted by Carrie of Reading is My Super Power, as well as Friday 56 hosted by Anne of My Head is Full of Books, in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading.  

Dead. [prologue opening of Murder in the Dressing Room]

               ★                    

It was a Wednesday night, hence the title of the chapter, and, like every Wednesday night, Misty Divine was working at Lady's Bar, the glittering and opulent cabaret club on old Compton Street in the heart of Soho. [Chapter 1 opening of Murder in the Dressing Room]

               ★                    

"It looks bad for me, doesn't it?" She knew that it did.

"We're not dealing with what it looks like, we're only dealing with the facts. But seeing it through the police's eyes, you had both motive and opportunity. It's not a surprise to me that they want to question you." [excerpt from 56% of Murder in the Dressing Room] 

Murder in the Dressing Room (Misty Divine Mystery #1) by Holly Stars

Berkley, 2025
Mystery/Suspense/Cozy; 368 pgs
Source: From the publisher via NetGalley

Drag queens aren't just dramatic. They're deadly...By day, shy hotel accountant Joe hides behind their desk and plays by the rules. By night, Joe takes to the stage as Misty Divine, an upcoming star of the London drag scene. But when Misty’s mentor, Lady Lady, is found dead in her dressing room, Misty finds herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Because Lady Lady was murdered – and as the only ones with access to her room, Misty and her fellow performers quickly become prime suspects. Heartbroken by the loss, and frustrated by the inaction of the police, Joe is determined to uncover the killer in their midst. But what can they, a mere hotel accountant, possibly do? This is a case for Misty Divine…[From the Publisher]

My thoughts: Keeping in the theme of drag queens after attending a Drag Queen Story Hour this past weekend, I was excited to be reading this cozy mystery set around the drag queen and king scene in London. This mystery did not disappoint. It was smart, at times funny, and well-plotted, with an endearing cast of characters. Joe is much more comfortable facing the world as Misty, but even then, questioning her friends and trying to figure out who among them may be a murderer, is not easy. Misty cannot imagine any of her friends could be a killer. I adored Miles, the supporting partner, who tries to temper Joe's occasional impulsive decisions and never fails to be there for them. The glamour and sparkle of drag queen life is just as present in Murder in the Dressing Room as the offstage struggles the characters face in their daily lives. Although a cozy mystery, I appreciated that the author included a glimpse at the discrimination LGBTQ+ face, in drag or not, whether it be from a insensitive detective or an uber driver. This was such an entertaining and twisty mystery novel. I look forward to seeing what Holly Stars has instore for Misty next. 

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think? 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

What is your least favorite thing about winter?

Trees this time of year look so sad without their leaves. But if I had to name my absolute least favorite thing about winter, it would be the cold. Definitely the cold. I find the cold gives me a runny nose and keeps me up coughing in the night. I don't know how those of you who live in snowy climates manage so well during the winter. The combination of the cold and the wet would drive me crazy (says the woman who loves rain). The temperatures do sometimes get to freezing or below here, although not often, and ice can be a threat to our water pipes, plants, and on the roads. It has snowed in town once or twice in the past thirty or so years (whether it actually counts as snow is another matter), but it's really only something we see on the mountain tops in the distance or in photos. 

What about you? 

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you prefer to read series one book after another, or do you read other books in between? [submitted by Submitted by Idea-ist @ Get Lost in Literature]

I generally read other books in between series books, although I have been known to binge series books on occasion, reading them back to back. Or I will read a couple or so back to back and then pick up something else before returning to the series. If it is a long series, I find I can only read so many before I need to read something else, otherwise I burn out on the series; which is one of the reasons I got into the habit of breaking up my series reading to avoid that from happening. The other reason is that sometimes the next book in the series isn't out yet--so unless I were to stop reading altogether (the horror!) while I wait, I will be reading other books in between.  

What is your preference?

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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