The Body Under the Stage (A Georgina Drake Mystery, #3)

by Kate Hardy

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Body Under the Stage is the third book in the Georgina Drake paranormal cozy mystery series by Kate Hardy. Released 18th June 2024 by Storm Publishing, it's 238 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also available in KU. There's a 4th book due out from the same publisher in 4th quarter 2024.

This is a well written and engaging cozy with a very strong parallel paranormal plotline alongside the main murder mystery. Georgina, a widow, has moved to rural Norfolk after the death of her husband in the hope of finding a new footing. She's a photographer, and winds up drawn into another investigation when an actor is murdered during a dress rehearsal for a production of Macbeth for which she's taking publicity still photos.

The paranormal / ghost aspect is very odd and not entirely well meshed (Georgina suddenly starts being able to hear and interact with a ghost after getting her hearing aids changed out for a new type). Readers should be in the mood for some whimsy with their cozy murder mystery to get full enjoyment out of this one. 

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 6 hours 19 minutes and is capably narrated by series narrator Tamsin Kennard. She has a clear, well modulated alto voice which is unobtrusive and easy to understand. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Four stars (with the codicil that there's an odd dichotomy between the overarching parallel storylines which isn't really resolved in this volume). The volume's mystery plot, denouement, and resolution is self-contained and it works well enough as a standalone, with the codicil that the paranormal ghost-in-the-hearing-aids parallel plot is continued over from the earlier books.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.