Don't Upstage the Body: A Witty British Historical Whodunnit and Manor House Murder Mystery Set in the 1950s

Don’t Upstage the Body Author: Naomi Stephens ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My Review: I saw this book making the rounds on Bookstagram and picked it up on a whim, and I am so glad I did! What an absolute delight this was. This was my first book by Naomi Stephens, and after enjoying this one so much, I already can’t wait to read more of her books. Don’t Upstage the Body follows a family of professional mourners who find themselves swept into a murder investigation when the undertaker at Lord Basil Montfort’s funeral is found murdered. After Hippolyta discovers the dying man, she unexpectedly becomes an amateur sleuth, going undercover in hopes of uncovering the truth. From the very first pages, I was completely charmed. The cozy mystery atmosphere, the dry humor, and the delightfully theatrical cast made this such a joy to read. It felt like stepping into a game of Clue or attending a wonderfully entertaining murder mystery dinner, and I loved trying to unravel the mystery alongside the characters. Hippolyta and Crispin completely stole the show for me. Their wit, dramatic flair, and determination to uncover the truth made every scene they shared sparkle. The entire cast was wonderfully eccentric, bringing so much life, heart, and humor to the story. As much as I enjoyed the mystery itself, it was the characters and their relationships that made this book truly memorable. I found myself smiling often, laughing out loud more than once, and wishing I could spend just a little more time with this quirky cast by the time I reached the final page. If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries with lovable characters, plenty of humor, and an engaging whodunit, I can’t recommend this one enough. It was charming from beginning to end, and I closed the book already looking forward to returning to Naomi Stephens’ world.