Played to Death
by Mike Ripley

It’s curtains down for one actor when preparations for a new murder mystery play at the local theatre take a chillingly real twist . . .

The Librarian

Retirement was beckoning until local lawyer Adam Cunningham – aka the Hopewell Players’ pantomime dame – requested my professional opinion on the script of their next play that’ he’s been given.

The Lawyer

The script is terrible! And it rips off a number of Golden Age mysteries. With Roly’s knowledge of crime fiction, I might be able to get the whole thing cancelled.

The Producer

I couldn’t believe it when I learned that my late father had written a play of all things! And now the players will perform his work – until one of them is found dead. . .

The Inspector

A body on the stage of the local playhouse doesn’t happen often round here. Was it a pre-rehearsal accident, suicide . . . or is the spotlight about to fall on a murderer?

Told from the point of view of four unreliable narrators, most of whom can’t be trusted – The Librarian, The Lawyer, The Producer and The Inspector – this cunningly inventive novel is a refreshingly fun, subversive take on the crime fiction genre.

Reviews

“Five unreliable narrators and Ripley’s trademark wit ensure the reader will not look at classic crime in quite the same way again”

The Financial Times on Buried Above Ground

“A labyrinthine tale of envy, greed, lust, and murder most foul, seasoned with touches of acerbic humor. Another absolutely brilliant book from Ripley”

Booklist Starred Review of Buried Above Ground

“Ripley’s best book: a wickedly funny sendup of the clichés behind all those classic mysteries and their successors”

Kirkus Reviews Starred Review of Buried Above Ground

“This is catnip for Anthony Horowitz fans”

Publishers Weekly on Buried Above Ground

“Ripley uses his well-honed sardonic wit to skewer crime fiction publishers . . . A thoroughly enjoyable read”

Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine on Buried Above Ground

“A refreshingly surprise-packed entry in an always excellent series”

Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Mr Campion's Christmas

“Outstanding . . . A joy to read”

Booklist on Mr Campion's Christmas

“[A] lively adventure”

Kirkus Reviews on Mr Campion's Christmas

“Clever, witty, and packed with intriguing characters, period ambiance, and unexpected twists”

Booklist on Mr Campion's Memory

“Excellent . . . This dead-on pastiche will satisfy newcomers and series devotees alike”

Publishers Weekly on Mr Campion's Memory

Mike Ripley

Mike Ripley is the author of the award-winning ‘Angel’ series of comedy thrillers which have twice won the CWA Last Laugh Award. Described as ‘England’s funniest crime writer’ (The Times), he is also a respected critic of crime fiction, writing for the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, The Times and Shots Magazine.Ripley first learned of the final unfinished Campion novel when he was a guest speaker at the Margery Allingham Society’s annual convention. He offered – and received the Margery Allingham Society’s blessing – to complete the manuscript on the adventures of Albert Campion, who Ripley describes as ‘one of the brightest stars in the rich firmament of British crime writing’.

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Editions

Played to Death by Mike Ripley is available in the following formats

Hardback97814483176842nd June 2026144 X 222mm272$29.99
Hardback97814483176842nd June 2026144 X 222mm272£21.99
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