During her last summer before college, Chelsea begins to question her choices as she works as a designer for a local theater group and develops a relationship with a college boy who joins the summer production.

"The amateur actors at the Etonville Little Theatre may be known for chewing the scenery, but restaurant manager Dodie O'Dell has something more appetizing for them to sink their teeth into. She's been taking bows in her small New Jersey town for her theme menus, designed to complement the local productions. This fall, the community theatre is staging Arsenic and Old Lace, set in 1940s Brooklyn, so Dodie is serving up hot dogs, Italian ices, egg creams,...

"Famous cookery writer Laura Tyler arrives in Prior's Ford determined to become immersed in village life--and the village drama group's forthcoming production of The Importance of Being Earnest offers her the perfect opportunity... But Laura has cause to regret her involvement when murder calls a halt to rehearsals of the play..."--Jacket.

Even though Agatha Raisin loathes amateur dramatics, her friend Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar's wife, has persuaded her to support the local pantomime. Stifling a yawn at the production of "Babes in the Woods," Agatha watches the baker playing an ogre strut and threaten on the stage, until a trapdoor opens and the Ogre disappears in an impressive puff of smoke. Only he doesn't re-appear at final curtain. Surely this isn't the way the scene was rehearsed?...