The Phantom of Oz (An Ivy Meadows Mystery Book 5) by Cindy Brown

Cindy Brown writes a fun, clever little mystery. Her zingy Heroine works for her P.I. Uncle but Olive/Ivy is also a theater actress who works in plays and auditions. The fun begins when Candy Treat calls Ivy and asks her to meet her backstage at the famous old Deco Playhouse,The Grand Phoenician. Candy is working in The Wizard:A Space OZpera. Ivy gets hired for an understudy, as a series of incidents happen, that land one cast member in the hospital. The Lady in White, who is the resident ghost, is blamed for most of the accidents that happen. But a ghost doesn't loosen screws on a chandelier do they?

The Theater is also rife with competition and ugly scenes from Babette, the Star of The It Girl. She is hunting for her new hopeful Actress, who turns out to be Candy. Olive is worried about her friend, who has been hiding secrets, and lying to her. The play is loaded with children munchkins both playing a part and trying to meet people to further their Careers. In amidst the constant activity are barbed remarks from Babette. The mix of people with jealousies, ambition and protective stage mothers furthers the plot. Add in creepy underground sets and a well- the Lady in White drowned herself in, and you have a fantastic blend of characters and plot.

I laughed out loud several times reading this book. It is hard to pull off wit and mystery but Cindy Brown does both very well. Ivy is likeable and the cast of characters in the play are unique. I admit to a penchant for Theater Mysteries. This one has everything. A very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one. I gave it five stars.

Blurb:

Creepy munchkins. A mysterious phantom. And a real Wicked Witch.

Are you ready for it? Actress and part-time PI Ivy Meadows has been hired to uncover the cause of the creepy accidents that plague the roadshow The Wizard: A Space OZpera and find out who dropped a chandelier on the Wicked Witch of the East.

Was it the ghost who haunts the Grand Phoenician Theatre? A “wicked witch” in the cast? Or is it someone—or something—more sinister?

It’s Ivy’s most personal case so far.

Her best friend Candy, who’s touring with the show, is caught in a downward spiral of self-destruction, and is in more danger than she knows.

To save her friend and the show, Ivy must answer even tougher questions: Do spirits really exist? What is real beauty? What does friendship mean?

Ivy needs to learn the answers, and fast—before Candy reaches the point of no return.