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Review and Excerpt: Drama Queen: A Nicky and Noah Mystery by Joe Cosentino

It could be curtains for college theatre professor Nicky Abbondanza. With dead bodies popping up all over campus, Nicky must use his drama skills to figure out who is playing the role of murderer before it is lights out for Nicky and his colleagues. Complicating matters is Nicky's huge crush on Noah Oliver, a gorgeous assistant professor in his department, who may or may not be involved with a cocky graduate assistant...and is also the top suspect for the murders! You will be applauding and shouting Bravo for Joe Cosentino's fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat, delightfully entertaining novel. Curtain up!
Oh. My. God.

I cannot stop laughing.

Drama Queen is Hardy Boys-meets-Murder She Wrote-meets-Midsummer Murders, with a side of parodic, farcical, satire.

Colonel Cumharder did it in the boudoir with the oversized dildo...

Who-dunits don't come more whodunnity than this. It really was a delightful read that had me laughing out loud despite being (quick, ready those violins) poorly. With an MC who has a nine inch cock (and only a little aspiration to be a porn star), to an old fart called Wally Wanker, this story is the perfect mixture of humour and mystery. It's nice to read a story that doesn't take itself too seriously, that has both an overt and covert humour to it.

Being part of the drama department at this school is akin to living in Midsummer - the chances of making it out alive buy the end of the book (programme) are limited. And if you have a secret, some skeleton hidden in the back of the closet (well you're not in there, so something needs to be and clothes are so mundane) then you'd better be prepared for that skeleton to end up centre stage dancing to its own tune.


(And then prepare yourself for a likely imminent death). Nobody was beyond suspicion. I think I suspected every character in the book (though hands up, detective material I am not) and I was second guessing myself constantly. 

Let's not forget the sex. Sex makes the world go round, or at least the theatre tick! Who was sexin' who - past, present or even in the future, was almost as much of a whodunit as the mystery. Or maybe more of a whodunthem. Of course, Nicky and Noah stole my heart. Every farce needs a romance that is sweet. Every amateur sleuth needs a willing partner. Willing to be the Holmes to his Sherlock that is... Willing to don a moustache and greasepaint and play the sidekick. Also willing to give soppy old romantics like me a falling in lurve storyline. Perfect.

If you like something a bit different. If you need a laugh. If sometimes, just sometimes, you think life takes itself too seriously, then this could be the book for you! Thanks Joe Cosentino for cheering up my Monday!

Excerpt from Chapter 1
After I had given my first few notes, I noticed Noah Oliver standing in the back of the theatre. Noah is tall and lean with curly blond hair, blue eyes, and the sweetest smile I have ever wanted to kiss in an Assistant Professor. While I teach Theatre History and Play Directing, Noah is our department’s specialist in Acting, and for good reason. Noah is a terrific actor, a creative and passionate teacher, and a wonderful colleague. More importantly, I have had a crush on him since the moment he made his entrance into our humble campus three years ago. Noah is single, gay, and seems to really like me. Why don’t I ask him out? Noah is twenty-eight years young. As a junior professor in my department in need of my vote for tenure this year, if I make a pass at him it could be considered attempted coercion on my part.
It was difficult for me to concentrate on giving my notes to the students since Scotty Bruno, my graduate assistant and Assistant Director of the play, was talking, laughing, and obviously flirting with Noah in the rear of the theatre. I had reason to be concerned. Scotty has bleached blond hair, contact lens turquoise eyes, ultra-white bonded teeth, and muscles as if sculpted by Michelangelo,
housed in multi-colored, stuffed shorts and tank top (in winter) that were not unnoticed by Noah. Unless I was becoming nearsighted, I could have sworn that Scotty whispered something into Noah’s ear then handed Noah a box. What the heck is in it? Love letters? Condoms? My heart on a silver platter?

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
Find out more on Goodreads.


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