The Pantomime Killer is the 14th Jack Dawes village mystery by Frances Lloyd. Due out 7th Oct 2026 from Joffe Books, it's 166 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book will be included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.
This is a moderately gritty ensemble procedural with DI Jack Dawes and his team racing to stop attacks occurring at a local theatrical production pantomime which seem to be targeting a famous TV actress hired in specifically for the panto production. Jack's wife and her friends are also in the picture, finding connections through their social contacts and local gossip which the police miss.
The language is very clean and there's no sexual content. The violence isn't terribly graphic, but it *is* completely over the top. Readers need to bring a strong suspension of disbelief. It's a very short book, but the denouement and resolution are self contained in this volume. It's #14 in the series, so it would make a great very long binge/buddy read. The episodes are short. Although there are lots of books in the series, they work find as standalones, with the codicil that the returning characters' relationships have developed over the course, so some minor spoilers should be expected.
Three and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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