Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MacDeath | 2012 | Cindy Brown | Buy |
| 2 | The Sound of Murder | 2015 | Cindy Brown | Buy |
| 3 | Oliver Twisted | 2016 | Cindy Brown | Buy |
| 4 | Ivy Get Your Gun | 2017 | Cindy Brown | Buy |
| 5 | The Phantom of Oz | 2017 | Cindy Brown | Buy |
| 6 | Killalot | 2018 | Cindy Brown | Buy |
Cindy Brown’s Ivy Meadows Mystery series combines two worlds that go surprisingly well together: community theater and murder investigation. Each book takes its title from a playful reworking of a classic production. MacDeath parodies Macbeth, The Sound of Murder nods to The Sound of Music, Oliver Twisted riffs on Oliver!, and the pattern continues through Ivy Get Your Gun, The Phantom of Oz, and Killalot.
The theatrical settings give each book a distinctive atmosphere. Community theater is full of ego, jealousy, and passionate people, all of which make for good mystery ingredients. Ivy Meadows is trying to build an acting career while dealing with the unfortunate reality that murder follows her from production to production. Brown keeps the tone light and the mysteries entertaining, making the series a good pick for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a creative setting.