Murder Stage Left
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley August 30, 2026
Author Verity Bright
Distributor: Amazon
ISBN: 978-1805509189
Publisher: Bookouture
Release Date: 26 August 2026
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We find Lady Eleanor Swift, Hugh Seldon and of course Clifford in Stratford on Avon, the home of the Bard, William Shakespeare, having been hired by Sir Humphery Stafford, Chair of the Shakespeare Heritage Trust to investigate a series of thefts of a number of small articles reputed to be owned by Shakespeare.
After a leisurely meal they decide to take a relaxing drive before retiring until they smell smoke and realise a building is on fire. So begins Murder Stage Left as they rush to the site of the fire to offer their help.
Despite Ellie’s fears of burning buildings, they do what they can to help rescue the many historic items stored in the Heritage Theatre which also housed the Museum. Unfortunately, they come across the body of a man lying in a corridor, which almost gets them trapped in the burning building.
A last-minute dash to the Stage door, which is opened by a good deal of force, sees them burst out into the smoke-filled night air where they are confronted by the very aggressive Chief Inspector Denny and Chief Fire Officer Colville, both men less than impressed with their efforts to help.
Now in somewhat of a dilemma as to whether they still are required to find a thief, they are asked to prove the fire was arson. They are specifically told not to investigate the death of Richard Ratcliffe, the man recently hired to be the Theatres leading man. He was not murdered but died of smoke inhalation, according to Chief Inspector Denny.
As they begin to put together the pieces of what seems to be a straightforward, but intriguing case, they discover nothing makes sense, people are either lying or deliberately confusing the facts and there is obviously more buried under the ashes of the building than at first meets the eye.
Murder Stage Left sees the Byron Detective Agency face what is their most complex and challenging case to date, and is perhaps equally as intriguing as any plot ever written by Shakespeare.
The Historical Notes that form the basis of the story and present the structure of the Town, as well as the series of events that did occur in the year of which this book is set, adds a layer of history to what is essentially a cozy murder, the fun facts are a lovely addition as well as the recipe for the Shooters Sandwich which was devoured by Ellie with relish.
Murder Stage Left is book twenty six in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series.