About MURDER IN THE DRESSING ROOM
A poisoned chocolate. A stolen dress. An elusive cat burglar. Drag’s not just dramatic, it’s deadly.
By day, Joe is a hotel accountant, invisibly sitting behind their desk and playing by the rules. By night, donned in sequins, they take to the stage as Misty Divine, a star of the London drag scene.
But when Misty’s drag mother, Lady Lady, is found dead in her dressing room beside a poisoned box of chocolates, Misty and her fellow performers become the prime suspects.
Heartbroken by the loss, and frustrated by the clear biases of the police, Misty must solve the crime before the culprit strikes again. Among the drop-dead gorgeous lurks a cutthroat killer, and Misty Divine won’t rest until she finds out who it is.
MURDER IN THE DRESSING ROOM is released Jan 2025 (USA, Canada) and Feb 2025 (UK, Commonwealth)
Praise for MURDER IN THE DRESSING ROOM
“Murder in the Dressing Room provides all the comfort and entertainment of a traditional amateur sleuth story, but from a wholly new and absolutely enthralling perspective. A page-turning mystery, larger than life protagonist, and a behind the scenes look at the glamorous and gritty world of drag…what more could you want?”
MIA P. MANANSALA, AUTHOR OF THE BESTSELLING TITA ROSIE'S KITCHEN MYSTERIES SERIES.”
“Move over Miss Marple, there’s a new amateur detective in town, and she can solve murders in sequins and six inch heels. Cosy, clever and camp, with a truly unique heroine to cheer for, Murder in the Dressing Room is an absolute delight.”
FREYA SAMPSON, USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BUSYBODY BOOKCLUB AND NOSY NEIGHBOURS
“The fabulous Holly Stars has burst onto the cosy murder mystery scene with the amateur sleuth I never knew I needed – drag queen Misty Divine is fierce, confident, and oh so glamorous. I loved this cast of characters and witnessing Misty come into her own to solve the murder of her beloved mentor Lady Lady. Entertaining, touching, and a lot of fun, Murder in the Dressing Room was an absolute delight!”
ASHLEY TATE, AUTHOR OF INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES
“I love Murder In The Dressing Room! What a fantastic read...I couldn’t put the book down until I found out exactly who the culprit was and it was a shock to find out who did it! So sneaky! It was such a thrill to read and every single character came to life in my mind. Holly is such an imaginative writer and storyteller. I could see the places and faces in my mind and I was hooked from the first paragraph. Through reading every page I was one hundred percent invested and felt as if I were a drag queen detective myself. Call me JUJU MISTY BEE moving forward. I can’t wait for the next instalment of this one of its kind story. The best drag show I’ve ever been to!!! I need more now.”
JUJUBEE, HIGHLY ACCLAIMED DRAG PERFORMER AND STAR OF RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE
“Misty Divine’s first show is a brilliantly funny mystery, with a sleuth as sharp as a stiletto heel. With an unforgettable cast of characters, and a mystery that sparkles as much as its star, Holly Stars has written a stunning debut that will keep you hooked until the final curtain!”
HANNAH HENDY, AUTHOR OF THE DINNER LADY DETECTIVE SERIES
“Murder In The Dressing Room is as bright and sassy as its cover. A witty, sparkly, cosy mystery that I lapped up with delight. I can't wait for more from Holly Stars!”
TESS AMY, AUTHOR OF THE CONFIDENCE GAMES
“I loved it! A brilliantly plotted mystery and with characters I just wanted to hug, Murder in the Dressing Room is a huge-hearted novel and Misty Divine is a courageous, inspirational and loveable heroine. She must surely be 2025’s hottest new amateur sleuth! I got swept up in the glitter and the glamour, and rooted for Misty all the way as she became more and more determined to see justice for her friend and mentor. I loved Joe and Miles’ relationship and I am grateful to Holly for being so generous with her writing, for showing us the lives of characters we don’t often see depicted in fiction. What a warm, humorous, and hugely important book this is! I am sure this has been said before but I think we have a new queen of crime!”
EMILY CRITCHLEY, AUTHOR OF ONE PUZZLING AFTERNOON