A Player's Exit

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 Terri Karsten serves up a vivid and immersive tale where the heat of the hearth meets the tension of a village on edge. The Player’s Exit draws you into a colonial tavern where rum is scarce, tempers run high, and murder lurks just outside the firelight. From the clatter of the kitchen to the whispers of scandal among traveling players, this is a mystery that satisfies on every level. Karsten delivers a story as richly layered as the dishes her heroine prepares.~~ Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, author of the Rosalind Schmidt Genealogical Mystery Series

A Player’s Exit is a well-plotted murder mystery, an entertaining whodunit, and a fun read with its fascinating account of life in colonial times. Terri Karsten is a talented writer who skillfully uses the setting, characters, and dialogue to keep the reader enthralled until the last page. The book would be worth reading for its vivid, immersive, and lively depictions of daily domestic and community life alone. Readers will appreciate the historical notes and recipes included at the end of the book. This is the second book after A Necessary Death featuring Miles and Penelope, though both can be read as stand-alone mysteries. Highly recommended. ~~   Reviewed by S. Mathur for Readers’ Favorite

 Terri Karsten uses carefully researched authentic dialogue and historical context to immerse you in the setting. There are also notes on the research and decisions that went into developing the story, so history buffs should find plenty to enjoy. As for the mystery, I had fun tackling the case and thinking of theories, but the characters stole the show for me. The troupe members are a colorful bunch with strong, varied personalities and seemingly endless secrets. Their inability to be forthcoming makes them frustrating but intriguing, and each of them has an interesting story to tell (or hide). Whether you’re a fan of mysteries or someone interested in colonial America, A Player’s Exit is an easy recommendation. Though it’s the second book in the series, you don’t need any prior knowledge.  ~~   Reviewed by Gabriel Santos for Readers’ Favorite

   Terri Karsten does a beautiful job with the historical setting, bringing 1764 Pennsylvania to life through details. Mysteries can be tricky, especially with so many players, but here it is well done. The best element is the way the troupe’s conflicting accounts keep changing the picture, with pieces of truth tucked inside each story as the investigation works through who was where when the murder happened. Penelope is such a great lead, and the author develops her into a fully fleshed-out woman whose intelligence comes through in the way she watches the surrounding tavern. Miles is a close second, particularly when his duties as constable draw on everything he knows about Tucker’s Crossing and its people. Where the author shines brightest is in bringing readers into the story's world, from Will Harris tending the troupe’s mules in the pasture to the company assembling an eight-foot wooden platform with upright boards and a burlap curtain before the performance. Fantastically written and immersive, readers who enjoy historical mysteries will adore A Player’s Exit. ~~   Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite