Friday, July 31, 2026

Don't Upstage the Body: A Mystery By Naomi Stephens-Mystery Suspense Review

Book Synopsis

A Witty British Historical Whodunnit and Manor House Murder Mystery Set in the 1950s

Rules for professional mourners:

· Plan your aliases well--no improvising.

· Wear proper mourning attire.

· Maintain discretion at all costs.

· Don't upstage the body.

Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family of professional mourners have perfected the theatrical art of grief. When the reclusive Lord Basil Monfort engages her family's services for his own funeral, she vows it will be her last performance as she's tired of the disguise. Then she discovers the undertaker's body in the library and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an undercover investigation.

Rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta must navigate a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be.

Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be the role of Hippolyta's life, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls.

With her Agatha Christie-inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery where no one is who they seem.

Book Details

Publisher: ‎ Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: ‎ June 23, 2026
Genre: Murder Mystery/Suspense
Language: ‎ English
Print length: ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764242482
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and/or authors. A review was not required, and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own. ****

My Review

From the moment you look at the cover of Don't Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens and learn that "Professional Mourners" are at the heart of the story, you are drawn in from the very beginning. This cozy mystery takes place in 1957 England at Montfort Manor Estate, where the funeral of Lord Basil Montfort is underway. Little did the professional mourners know that what should have been a quick job would turn into a long, drawn-out stay. Another dead body shows up at the estate—and it is not the one that was just eulogized.
This novel is full of mystery, suspense, and suspicious characters around every corner, offering a whodunnit that will keep you guessing throughout. The many red herrings dropped along the way made me work hard to piece the clues together and guess the killer's identity.
A cast of colorful characters keeps you thoroughly entertained. These include the serious Hippolyta Halfpenny, who stumbles upon the body; the new Earl, Crispin Montfort, who takes a liking to Hippolyta and forms a connection with her; and the saucy American southerner, Aunt Tula. Witty banter is prominent throughout the story, keeping the humor high. While the grand reveal at the end is surprising, there are plenty of other fun secrets uncovered alongside the culprit. This book will keep you engaged from the very first page to the last.

****Meet Author Naomi Stephens****

Naomi Stephens is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. She received a B.A. in English from Concordia University in Ann Arbor and an M.A. in English from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Her first novel, Shadow among Sheaves, was an Inspy Award shortlister and winner of the 2020 Carol Award in Debut Fiction. In bookstores, Naomi gravitates towards 19th-century British novels—the broodier the better (i.e., Jane Eyre)—but she can also be found perusing the young adult, mystery, and fantasy sections. Anything that keeps her turning pages past midnight. Though she has called many places home over the years, she currently lives in New York with her husband, her two children, and a rascal of a dog named Sherlock. When not writing or having adventures with her family, she can be found drinking tea, practicing photography, and pining for London.