A Deadly Night At The Theatre is a mystery novel by Katy Watson, the latest in her Three Dahlias series, and is set to be published by Constable on the 10th July 2025.

4.5 stars

The series follows the ‘Three Dahlias’ who solve crimes together, comprised of the three actresses to play Dahlia Lively (a detective from a 1930s book series) on screen. Rosalind Young, the first actor to play Dahlia, is a ‘National Treasure’ in the vein of Penelope Wilton or Celia Imrie. Caro Hooper, PI and star of a 2000s TV adaptation, comes across initially as a Lesley Sharp-type figure (except pricklier and trying harder to come across as posh) who is now a best-selling author documenting the trio's investigations. And finally there's Posy Starling, star of a recent reboot film, whose career as a child star came to an abrupt end in her teens.

In this fifth installment in the series, we open on press night for Posy's new play Lights Out, set during the 1977 New York Blackout. Rosalind has been away in Wales for six months, and in this time things have become tense between Caro and Posy. It seems to be centred on Caro’s new costar and friend Luke Burrows, the two getting close in rehearsals for play Finding Freddie, but his unclear history with Posy causes tension which Rosalind is eager to squash as soon as possible.

But when Luke is found dead in Posy’s dressing room, and she quite literally has blood on her hands, Rosalind is determined to clear her fellow Dahlia's name, sure she didn't do it, even if all evidence and gossip points to her.

Had Luke really changed? If not Posy, who could've killed him? Will the rift cause the Dahlias to come apart at the seams?

I had never read any of the other books in this series (or any others by Watson), and didn't realise in the first place that it was a sequel. However, I don't think you need to have read the previous books to get a lot of enjoyment out of this one (I certainly enjoyed it a lot), it might be better to read the others first, though. I can safely say that I'll be tracking down copies of the rest of the series to read in future.

This one is a fun, immensely satisfying West End murder mystery, and I love the characters, especially the three protagonists. I love how different they are, and how real they feel. It's a really wonderful premise to me as someone who has always been a sponge for actor trivia to have three actresses linked by a role teaming up to solve murders.

The mystery itself also really hooked me, and I wouldn't say it was obvious how it would end/resolve, but in hindsight makes a lot of sense. I'm really looking forward to reading the previous books in the series and find out more about the other mysteries mentioned here. There's even a further installment in the series ahoy, I would guess from the ending, and I can't wait for this either.

Absolutely loved this next instalment of the three dahlia’s. The London theatre setting was entertaining with lots of twists and turns, with plenty of red herrings to throw the reader in the wrong direction. Perfect storytelling. Can’t wait for the next one!

Yay for another Three Dahlias mystery! Posy, Caro and Rosalind are back and this time they’re starring in London’s West End.
Actually, that’s not strictly true as only Posy and Caro are actually treading the boards as they both have lead roles in plays that are just about to open. There is trouble between the three of them though as Posy is not talking to Caro due to Caro’s friendship with her leading man, Luke, who just happens to be Posy’s ex-boyfriend.
Things go from bad to worse when Luke’s body is discovered in Posy’s dressing room and Posy’s hands are covered with blood. She is immediately the main suspect for his murder and even though Caro and Rosalind begin to investigate to find out who actually committed the crime, Caro isn’t completely certain that Posy is innocent.
Theatres are some of my favourite places and the setting for this latest mystery was brilliant. The descriptions of the two theatres together with the streets, cafes and bars of London all brought the setting vividly to life. There is a darker side to the story too with control and gaslighting forming part of the plot and this makes an effective contrast with the bright lights of the stage
The murder mystery was brilliantly executed. Luke appears to have completely set aside his bad boy image and no-one other than Posy appears to have a word to say against him so there doesn’t appear to be anyone with a motive for his murder. Even when their investigations do uncover others with possibly motives. Caro still isn’t totally convinced about Posy’s innocence and it begins to look as though as though the rift between them will be permanent. As always, the characters are brought together at the end for the grand unmasking and this time it’s as theatrical as anyone could wish. It probably isn’t at all realistic but I loved it.
I really enjoyed the different dynamics of this book. For once, with Posy being an actual suspect, the three Dahlia’s aren’t working together and they all recognise that they’re not ss effective as when they are a threesome. The tension between them makes this a very different read to the last couple of books which stops the series from becoming too much of the same thing.
This was an excellent read and the Three Dahlias remain some of my favourite characters. I heartily recommend this book and the whole series to anyone who loves a good amateur crime story.
My thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers, Little Brown Book Group, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fifth in the series, but works as a standalone because Katy catches you up (but without dragging it out for people who've read the whole series - I would recommend the whole series, though, as they're excellent reads).

The series gets better and better, and this is my favourite of the lot so far!

It's set in the West End (and all the details are PERFECT - really makes you feel part of the theatre). Caro and Posy are both starring in new plays, but they've fallen out - Caro's friendly with a new co-star, but Luke has a shared past with Posy (one she hasn't told her fellow Dahlias about, and she thinks he's feeding journalists information about her wild-child past). Meanwhile Rosalind comes to London from Wales to try and smooth things over. When Luke's found dead in Posy's dressing room, Posy's the chief suspect - and only the Dahlias can get to the bottom of it.

The characterisation is wonderful, as always; the pace is spot on. There are plenty of twists and turns, and every layer seems to uncover a new potential suspect with a credible motive. Plus the three main characters evolve and develop a little more - it's beautifully written and thoroughly good entertainment. The J'accuse moment in particular is superb.

Can't wait for the next one!

I have loved all the Dahlia books but I think this might just be my favourite. A fabulously dramatic setting, some great character development and a truly theatrical denouement added up to a didn't want to put down read. Perfect.
Caro and Posy are both starring in new plays in London's West End, but things are frosty between them. Caro has befriended her co-star Luke, but Posy has a past with him, one she is ashamed to remember - and despite his protestations he's changed she doesn't believe him. It doesn't help that the papers keep harking back to her wild child past, it's almost as if someone is feeding them stories about her. It seems too much of a coincidence that this is happening just as Luke re enters her life. Rosalind has spent the last few months in Wales but makes it her mission to reconcile her fellow Dahlias. If only they weren't both so stubborn. But when Posy discovers Luke's body,in her dressing room and she is catapulted to number one subject things get even worse, because it seems to Rosalind and Posy that Caro isn't as convinced of Posy's innocence as she should be. If the Dahlias are turning on each other, what does this mean for the most important investigation yet, the race to clear Posy's name?
Meticulously researched and full of fabulously theatrical detail, twists and turns and plenty of suspects, this is a hugely enjoyable whodunnit. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK for an ARC of this book.

It's always a pleasure to be back in the world of The Three Dahlias. Their dynamic is really put to the test this time when one of them is suspected of murder.

As always, the plot is intricate but clear, the characters are all very 'real', and the interplay between our Dahlias is a joy.

I particularly enjoyed the denouement in this one, or the 'J'accuse' as the Dahlias refer to it.

My favourite Dahlia changes book to book, scene to scene, but I think I've settled on Rosalind. No, Posy. No, Caro. No, all three!

Another 5 star book from Katy Watson. More please!

The three Dahlias come together again this time to solve the murder of Posy's hated ex. Disaster strikes when she finds his body in her dressing room and instantly becomes the number one suspect to the police, the media and even the other Dahlias.

This was a fabulously realistic portrayal of the theatre environment giving us an exciting glimpse into the life of stage acting. Some of the supporting characters were a little sparse in detail, only appearing for one or two brief conversations before the J'accuse scene.

Due to the discord between the Dahlia's in this book there is a little less of Posy's point of view which I missed as I think the three characters balance out really well. It felt that this story was told primarily from Rosalind's point of view as she tries to keep the group together despite the conflict between Caro and Posy.

The crime itself was an interesting twist on gaslighting and manipulation leading to a range of crimes and ultimately murder. Displaying how white male privilege can lead to disaster.

Overall I was pleased to see the development in the relationships between the Dahlias and also their own personal connections to their partners. I really enjoyed seeing how their careers and lives are changing for the better since they met each other. I loved this episode in the series and am looking forward to the next one.

A Worthy Addition..
The fifth outing in the Three Dahlias series of mysteries finds the ladies treading the boards at theatre productions in London - but all is not entirely well and when Caro’s co-star, Luke, is found dead, the finger of suspicion points, most surprisingly, directly to Posy. Another delicious treat in this well constructed mystery with a cast of nicely drawn, credible, eclectic and eccentric characters in the Dahlias, a pacy plot perfectly done in Golden Age style and a solid mystery at its very heart. A worthy addition to this superlative series.

A fun murder mystery set in London’s West End, with unconventional detectives on the case! Will they solve whodunit before the curtain comes down on one of them?! Thoroughly enjoyable and not a dark mystery, it is light-hearted and fun to read.

The Three Dahlias are fast becoming one of my favourite cosy mystery series and the arrival of a new book on the shelves is a reason to celebrate.
A Deadly Night At The Theatre is the fifth addition to the series and will be published this summer on 10th July. The Dahlias are no longer novices to solving murders but when a colleagues of Caro's is murdered, the stakes are higher this time around as Posy is accused of his murder!
With our trio divided more than ever, Posy is struggling to prove her innocence to the police and facing a trial by social media.
This is probably by favourite book of the series so far and I enjoyed seeing how our trio were divided and yet trying to work together. I found myself frustrated with Caro on occasion but then, understanding her perspective and it was great to have the background to Posy's younger years.
As always the J'accuse scene is fun and the Dahlias are relying on their instincts as much as actual evidence much the scene is fun to imagine and I particularly all of the theatre references and information scattered throughout the storyline.

Another mystery for the Three Dahlias – Posy, Caro and Rosalind – each of whom have played a fictional detective on stage and screen. However, it’s a tiny bit closer to home in this instance, as Posy is suspected of murder, someone from her past whom she very clearly wanted to stay there, and someone whom Caro was convinced had changed. Posy and Caro, starring in adjoining theatres in different plays, find the theatre world closes ranks after the fatality, and while there’s some who don’t want to believe Posy is responsible, others aren’t so sure. The three friends must investigate their hearts out to find out the culprit… it’s just a pity that their suspect pool is full of actors, people who are professionally brilliant at bewitching their audiences…

Another fantastic three dahlia murder. This time murder comes to the west end. Two dahlia’s are working in the west end when Posy finds a body in her dressing room. The problem is, the body is of a supposedly reformed friend from Posy’s past. With Posy as the prime suspect, can they discover the true killer? As the dahlias work to clear Posy’s name, their fractured friendship is also tested.

I really enjoyed this, as I do with all the Dahlia murders. It’s a super easy read that I finished it in a day. I love the London setting as I’m London based and love to see familiar iconic landmarks in books.

Though this book centres on Posy’s past, Posy’s POV is probably the one we get the least. I really empathised with the character, especially as Posy is my favourite Dahlia. I thought the unraveling of the victims character was really nicely done, it really makes the reader question what the truth is and nicely shows how victims often blame themselves.

I feel like there’s a lot of off page development in this book, more so than the others, especially with Caro and Posy’s disagreement. But as we follow Rosalind who also haven’t been present , the slightly removed angle does work.

Really enjoyed this book, a great addition to the Dahlia series.

The Three Dahlias are in the West End. Posy and Caro are both starring indiffernet plays, and Rosalind is there for their opening weeks.

But there's tension between Posy and Caro. Caro is friends with her co-star Luke Burrows, and he has history with Posy.

And then Luke is found dead. In Posy's dressing room. With Posy standing over him. And she's covered in his blood...

Another brilliant addition to this always excellent series

A Deadly Night at the Theatre is the latest book in the Three Dahlias’s murder mystery series. After solving murders in Scottish castles and quaint English towns, our three favourite sleuths now take to the stage. But death is waiting for them in the wings…

That is a very dramatic way of saying that this murder mystery is about all things theatre. Posy and Caro are in two different plays when we start the book and things are a bit tense between them. Unfortunately, someone from Posy’s chequered past is acting in Caro’s play. He seems to have won everyone but Posy over. So, when he dies in her dressing room everyone is pointing the finger at her.

I love the set up of this book because it allows for a bit more character development between the three Dahlia’s. We know that Rosalind, Caro and Posy make a great team but there are always arguments and disagreements to be had. Not only do they have to work to solve a murder, but they also have to work to rebuild trust and their friendship.

I think that the actual mystery in this book was also really good. There are so many secrets to be uncovered and I loved how we slowly learnt more and more about who Luke, the victim, truly was. The dramatic reveal at the end was also the most theatrical (pun intended) reveal to date. I liked how the plot came together, but if I had one complaint it would be that this reveal was a little long winded. Granted, it was a very complicated murder. But, it took pages and pages for the Dahlia’s to explain exactly what happened on the night of the murder.

I have loved this series since it came out in 2022. These cosy mysteries are always fun to read and I love the way that we learn more about each character with each new novel. I can’t wait to see what happens to the Three Dahlia’s next!