Written by Helen Golden
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2025 Blog Tour #15
Today I'm taking part in a blog tour organised by Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for the 12th novel in the series A Right Royal Cozy Investigation Mystery by Helen Golden.
For my stop on the tour, I am delighted to welcome Helen Golden to my blog. Helen has provided me with a short extract from Murder Most Wilde to share with you, for which I thank her.
Why not follow the tour with the blogs shown below, to find more extracts, interviews and reviews?
For my stop on the tour, I am delighted to welcome Helen Golden to my blog. Helen has provided me with a short extract from Murder Most Wilde to share with you, for which I thank her.
Why not follow the tour with the blogs shown below, to find more extracts, interviews and reviews?
The blurb:
Murder Most WildeIn the world of amateur theatre, the drama isn’t all onstage…
Tragedy Strikes the Windstanton Players
Popular local actor, Noel Ashworth, who collapsed during the rehearsal of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, was pronounced dead at the scene. As shock ripples through Windstanton’s tight-knit amateur theatre group, the Fenshire Police are looking at them as suspects.
I can’t let Perry’s acting debut end in disaster! With the cast spooked and the local police under-resourced, Bea—along with Perry, Rich, Simon, and her trusty Westie, Daisy must shift through the cast’s petty jealousies and diva behaviour to unmask the killer before they strike again.
When the show must go on...will everyone make it to opening night?
Cozy Mystery
Fiction
Enjoy this short extract from Murder Most Wilde by Helen Golden
Perry Juke is excited to take on the part of Algernon in The Windstanton Player’s adaptation of The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde. As rehearsals begin in the village hall, Perry is settling into the role and looking forward to opening night. Four weeks before the preview they move to the Windstanton Theatre Royal for their rehearsal in the historic theatre and everyone seems a little tense. Is it something more than just nerves?
Emily Shaw called for a break. “Let’s take ten, everyone,” the stage manager said, barely able to disguise the exasperation in her voice.
Fishing his vape pen from his pocket, Noel Ashworth stalked offstage. What’s rattled him so badly? Noel hadn’t struck Perry as someone who would suffer from stage fright. Not after all these years of leading amateur productions. But there was no denying he was wound up as tightly as a Victorian corset today.
“Perry?” Em called from in front of the stage. He bounded over to her, always open to feedback that would help him improve. “You’re doing a great job, you know,” she said as Perry stopped at the edge of the stage. “Liv’s right. You’re a natural.”
Oh my goodness! Perry beamed at the stage manager. “Thanks, Em. I have to confess, I’m really enjoying it.”
Behind him, someone huffed. Tom Hatlee! Tom, who played Merriman, Jack’s butler in the country, and who also doubled as Perry’s understudy for the part of Algernon, stomped off the stage. A mutter of, “Natural my ar—” trailed after him as he disappeared behind the curtains leading backstage.
“Don’t mind him,” Em said with a sly smile. “Tom’s a ham who wouldn’t know talent if it came up and bit him!”
Perry turned and walked back into the middle of the stage just as Noel reappeared, a vape pen clutched in his hand, a determined set to his jaw. “Shall we continue?” he said as he stuffed the electronic cigarette into his pocket. “Don’t want to fall behind schedule, do we?”
Em’s face flushed a little, then she said loudly, “Right. Let’s take it from Algernon’s line about Cecily. Perry, ring the bell.”
Kurt appeared in front of him, his back stiff in his role as butler.
“Bring me that cigarette case Mr Worthing left last time he was here, please, Lane,” Perry said.
Em called out, “Algernon should take the case and keep it away from Jack’s reach as you go through the next bit of dialogue.”
Perry reached for the case Kurt presented on a silver tray, then playfully held it just out of Noel’s reach as they bantered back and forth. For a moment, it felt like they’d found their rhythm. But then Noel went blank, his eyes darting to the wings, looking for Kurt. An uncomfortable silence stretched out. Finally, Kurt called out, “Give me my cigarette case first.”
Noel repeated the line.
“Here it is,” Perry said, handing over the case with a flourish. “Now about that explanation? And it better be believable.”
Em’s voice rang out, “Perry, take a seat. Noel, take out a cigarette, then offer one to Perry.”
As Perry settled into the chair meant to represent a sofa, he eyed the prop cigarettes laid out as Noel held the case out. I really hope they’ve sterilised them since the last time they were used.
He gingerly took one as Noel began, “My dear fellow. My explanation is perfectly ordinary…”
Perry glanced at the prop in his hand. Even though he knew the fake cigarette only produced a harmless vapour, the thought of putting it in his mouth made his skin crawl. He glanced up at Noel, who had already placed his cigarette between his lips and taken a deep drag in between lines. It’s okay for him. He vapes all the time… But still Perry hesitated, the prop cigarette poised between his fingers.
Noel suddenly coughed, waving his hand as if to clear the air. “That’s strong,” he said, frowning.
Kurt’s voice piped up. “Old Mr Thomas Cardew—”
But Noel’s face had gone flush, and he tugged at the neck of his T-shirt as if it were constricting him.
Well, that’s it! If a seasoned vaper like Noel couldn’t handle the prop cigarette, there was no way he was putting it in his mouth. I could have a word with Liv again about whether we really need to use these horrid things at all.
Em’s concerned voice cut through Perry’s thoughts. “Noel, are you alright?”
Perry’s gaze snapped back to Noel, who was now visibly sweating, a confused expression on his face. Suddenly, he swayed, reaching out as if grasping for something to steady himself. The cigarette tumbled from his fingers and clattered to the floor as he clutched at his chest.
Perry’s stomach plummeted to his toes. Is he having a heart attack?
He leaped from his chair, rushing towards his fellow actor. But before he could reach him, Noel’s legs gave way, and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.
Thud!
His head hit the wooden stage as he took a final, shuddering breath.
| Author Bio – Helen Golden |
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 Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour. With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates. Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish. If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you. |
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