It’s time for the Provincetown International Film Festival, and wedding planner Sydney Riley has scored a coup: her inn is hosting the wedding of the year. Movie star Brett Falcone is to marry screenwriter Justin Braden, and even Sydney’s eternally critical mother is excited. The town is overflowing with filmmakers, film reviewers, film buffs, and it’s all the inn can do to keep up with the … influx of glamorous celebrities and host their star-studded events.But when Sydney opens a forbidden door in the mysterious Whaler’s Wharf, she discovers the body of a producer—and a legion of unanswered questions. Who strangled the innocuous Caroline Cooper? What dark force followed Brett and Justin from LA? Why is her boss Mike tense and double-checking every room at the inn? And is Mirela really leaving P’town forever? Sydney and her boyfriend Ali need to find the answers fast before another victim takes a final bow.
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A wonderful read that immediately grabbed me and kept me totally involved in all that was happening in this fast-paced mystery set during the Provincetown International Film Festival. I love Sydney Riley event planner at Race Point Inn and enjoy her dynamic with a whole cast of quirky characters as she dons her sleuthing hat when she finds a co-producer strangled. If you enjoy can’t-put-down mysteries with engaging characters, twists and turns and ups and downs, don’t miss “The Matinee Murders”. I’m looking forward to what’s next for Sydney and P’town in book seven of this must read series. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review. I liked it so much, I purchased a copy for my Kindle to read again later.
Sydney Riley works at the Race Points Inn as a
wedding and events coordinator. She is known
around town as an amateur sleuth as she helped
with solving various crimes The Inn is located in
Provincetown, Massachusetts.
The town is getting ready to host the
Provincetown International Film Festival.
The Inn is also getting ready to host a
spectacular wedding between a famous movie
star and a successful screenwriter.
The movie star is also slated to win a lifetime
achievement award from the Film Society.
Plus the movie Revenge is scheduled to air.
An unique, puzzling murder mystery with a
cast of quirky, well defined, multifaceted and
complex characters. Each has an agenda of
their own.
The description is so well defined the reader
will feel as if they are experiencing the festivities
along with the characters.
A well written, captivating story with drama,
thrill and chills, unexpected departure of a close
friend, a nervous coworker and movies all
over town and delicious foods served.
This is book # 6 in the Sydney Riley Mysteries
series. It can be read as a stand alone as the
author mixes the past with the present
effortlessly.
I volunteered to read The Matinee Murders.
Thanks to the author via the Cozy Mystery
Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
The Matinee Murders by Jeannette de Beauvoir is the first book in the Sydney Riley Mysteries that I’ve read, and even though it’s the sixth book in the series I had no trouble catching up on the character’s lives and their past adventures. Although I would classify this as a cozy mystery it does break from the norm a tiny bit by including some swear words, which I thought were used appropriately to convey the stressful situation that was happening.
One thing that really stood out to me was the mention of the Covid-19 virus (although not specifically named) on page 214. I know this book comes out on June 1st, but I wonder when de Beauvoir had put it in the story, and if she had to do a bit of a rewrite. But having received an ARC in paperback form I can’t see it being reprinted to include that bit. Just something interesting I noticed…
The mystery was written well and I didn’t know the killer until towards the end and de Beauvoir included lots of suspects and some red herrings. After the killer was caught there was a second incident that happened, and while it was fine, I also thought it was a bit weird and felt like it could have been left out of the story. It felt like it came out of almost nowhere and was rushed.
Since I haven’t read the mystery series from the beginning I admit I’m not as invested in the characters, but they were still written very well. Even though Mirela is only in the book a small amount, I wanted to get to know her more and I could see her being someone I would be friends with. Ari, the boyfriend, annoyed me a bit. It’s book six and if you’re not supporting your girlfriend 100% percent by now it’s just something that annoys me in any cozy mystery series, but this wouldn’t deter me from reading more books in the series. And another character in the book was Provincetown itself. The descriptions of the tourist town made me feel as if I was there, and reminded me a lot of a mashup of my hometown, Eagle River, and of another town in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells.
I would suggest you start the Sydney Riley Mysteries from the beginning with Death of a Bear.
This is the sixth book in a series; I’ve read books 4 and 5 also and all work well as standalones, but I still intend to go back and read books 1-3. I really enjoy Sydney, the protagonist, and there is an interesting cast of characters who surround her. These books are very well-written and I especially love the local color and learning about Provincetown. The mystery is intriguing and the resolution satisfying. I recommend this book and series to anyone wanting to read a quality cozy mystery series, a bit more serious than some of the lighter books available. I was provided a free book from the author, but these opinions are my own.
I have to start this review by saying that this is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I don’t say that for every book, in every review, either. I have three favorite series, and this is one of them.
A huge part of what makes this series so great is main character Sydney Riley. She has an interesting job as an event planner at a local inn, and also manages to get herself involved in solving crimes on a regular basis. But the best part about Sydney is that she is HILARIOUS! While she usually manages to remain professional and appropriate with others, her snarky inner dialog is funny enough to make me laugh out loud. Sydney is not your typical sweet, soft-spoken cozy heroine, politely looking for clues. She dives into everything head first, and will make you laugh along with her.
Another fabulous aspect of this book is the underlying theme of diversity and inclusiveness. This particular book featured a wedding with two grooms (one of them VERY famous), and as Sydney (and the reader) get to know the less-famous man and learn his story, he becomes a compelling character in his own right. Important to note: the diversity themes NEVER come across as preachy or heavy-handed. The book just happens to be set in a place that embraces everyone, and I love reading about it.
The mystery itself was intriguing. I had several theories along the way, including one I was very happy to be wrong about, as I really liked the character I suspected. I enjoyed unraveling the many clues (and being side-tracked by red herrings) along with Sydney. I figured out the actual solution about the same time she did, which means right at the end. Of course, everything was explained and made perfect sense at that point.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention Sydney’s friend Mirela. If you’re a returning reader, you’ll be surprised with some of the developments with her. To avoid spoilers, let’s just say that I’m looking forward to the next book every bit as much to see what the future looks like for Mirela as to find out what happens in Sydney’s life. I think the two of them will have quite the time going forward! (If you’re new to the series, you’ll quickly find a new literary friend in Mirela, I promise.)
Five out of five giants chunks of yummy Pepper Jack cheese!
The Matinee Murders by Jeanette de Beauvoir is sixth in the Sydney Riley mystery series, which takes place in Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. When I read the first of these books, I was offended, not so much my the content but by what seemed to be the author’s attempt to hit every politically correct hotspot available. She does that but in such a kind and interesting way that one is able to forget about that and delve into the characters in depth. De Beauvoir writes characters in depth and the reader gets to know and appreciate them. She slowly reveals that back stories throughout the series as she delves into crimes that occur, mostly to out-of-towners while describing the life the locals lead. Some of the best cozies out there revolve around the tourist trade. In this case, a major movie star has opted to having his wedding in Sydney’s hotel and she gets to plan it. The groom is a writer in Hollywood and the two have just wrapped up a major picture: Revenge. The wedding goes off without a hitch, despite the murder the night before of a member of the wedding party. Then, things really start to fall apart.
The characters in this book are terrific. Sydney, the wedding planner and amateur sleuth; Ali, her Muslim boyfriend; Mirela, her best friend. Maybe one of the best characters is Sydney’s mother: the quintessential interfering mother with a heart of gold. In this particular tome, Justin, the accused, is a great character. He is the not-famous groom, a spot that is difficult at best. Just as talented, but not in the spotlight. The spot is a difficult one; one which causes many Hollywood marriages to go belly up. He is portrayed in this book with all his strengths and weaknesses on his sleeve, as well as his lack of friends, and his difficult family. Heart-wrenching to read, really. The plot is good. Realistic. Too bad people had to die. This series is worth a read, especially these days when it seems like compassion and tolerance are in short supply. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of The Matinee Murders through the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.
Murder at a Cape Cod Film Festival
This is the first book of this series that I have read. The author does an excellent job of letting the reader know the important events from prior books without being obvious. This story has an excellent mystery that is the center of everything that happens. The author patiently weaves together all of the story threads until the final reveal when it all comes together. It is very well done and I was sorry to see it end. I know that I want to read more of this author’s books.
Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew and author Jeannette de Beauvoir for a copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
A fun, exciting and entertaining read with likable amateur sleuth and wedding planner Sydney Riley solving two murders at the Provincetown International Film Festival. This was the sixth in the series but my first, and I had no trouble keeping up with it. The mystery was well-thought out, with several possible suspects that kept me guessing up to the end. I especially liked the exciting climax where Sydney finds herself trapped with the killer. This book deserves 4 stars because Sydney didn’t need her boyfriend to rescue her – she was able to save herself and cleverly capture the murderer. Kudos to the author for a very readable novel with an intelligent heroine.
This was a light, quick murder mystery that was quite enjoyable. The author focuses on the glamour of both P’town and the movies, even as bad things are occurring. And murder is definitely bad. This is the sixth book in the Sydney Riley series, but the first one that I have read. Although I was never lost in the plot, it was obvious that there was a lot of backstory with the characters. I still very much enjoyed this book and will look for the previous ones. Please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks for more thoughts. Thank you to Damp Pebbles for a digital copy of the book.
As murder mysteries go, this one was an absolute delight! Can I use that word for a story about murder?! I’ve really enjoyed following Sydney’s journey as she plays detective and hero in this addictive story. Each and every character had such a quirky personality and I loved the mystery solving elements from start to end. This book is #6 in the Provincetown series, but can be read as a standalone. I’ll definitely be checking out the other books in the series after this!
The Matinée Murders earns 5/5 Silver Screen Stars…Engaging Entertainment!
“Sydney Riley is to dead bodies as a pig is to truffles.”
—Det. Julie Agassi, The Matinée Murders
Jeanette de Beauvoir once again penned an entertaining mystery with clever details, more than one dead body, lots of legitimate suspects with motives, and a glitzy Hollywood wedding! And a bit of nail biting thrown in! Actor and heartthrob Brett Falcone is stepping away from all Hollywood glitz and glamour to marry screenwriter Justin Braden. Along with the nuptials, the Provincetown Film Festival has enticed tourists, film buffs, tabloid press, and Hollywood types to schmooze at parties, attend several screenings including a special screening of Falcone’s new movie “Revenge,” and witness Falcone’s acceptance of the film society’s lifetime achievement award. Sydney and her partner Ali (boyfriend seems too juvenile) are invited to an impromptu gathering at the wharf’s best restaurant with the two grooms, but the place is packed with an enormous crowd including the public bathroom. In desperate need, with which us ladies can identify, Sydney decides to take advantage of private facilities for which she still has the key. Thank goodness, but she’ll regret not having returned the key to her friend when she discovers the dead body of the assistant producer on Falcone’s film. And with the other producer Mike’s ex-husband and before the weekend’s over a second murder occurs…life is going to be murderous. Ok, Breathe, Riley, just breathe!
Totally entertaining, but it’s really the variety of well-developed characters that makes this series a favorite of mine. Sydney is a delightfully strong character who, like in most cozies, is a magnet for murder mysteries; she’s meticulous, intelligent, and definitely strains her place in the hierarchy of amateur vs professional detectives. Her partner Ali, a Lebanese-American Muslim, is a unique addition, and due to his law enforcement training and experience, he is a great partner for Sydney when all the dead bodies show up. I love the snarky banter between Sydney and Mike, and Mike’s past comes out with an endearing and sad story of a gay man from the South adds to the complexity of the characters. There’s Sydney’s mother with whom some may identify, but definitely cringe. It sure is a page-turner…I was so tempted to go to the end and see what happened, but I squelched that urge and enjoyed the drama!