Book Extract: Murder Most Wilde by Helen Golden

It’s so wonderful to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Murder Most Wilde.

In the world of amateur theatre, the drama isn’t all onstage…

Tragedy Strikes the Windstanton Players

Popular local actor, Noel Ashworth, who collapsed during the rehearsal of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, was pronounced dead at the scene. As shock ripples through Windstanton’s tight-knit amateur theatre group, the Fenshire Police are looking at them as suspects.

I can’t let Perry’s acting debut end in disaster! With the cast spooked and the local police under-resourced, Bea—along with Perry, Rich, Simon, and her trusty Westie, Daisy must shift through the cast’s petty jealousies and diva behaviour to unmask the killer before they strike again.

When the show must go on…will everyone make it to opening night?

Helen has shared an extract from Murder Most Wilde with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

Perry Juke is excited to take on the part of Algernon in The Windstanton Player’s adaptation of The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde. As rehearsals begin in the village hall, Perry is settling into the role and looking forward to opening night. Four weeks before the preview they move to the Windstanton Theatre Royal for their rehearsal in the historic theatre and everyone seems a little nervous. For Perry it suddenly feels very real…

*****

Perry Juke’s chest tightened as he stepped onto the stage of the Windstanton Theatre Royal. The smell of dust and old wood enveloped him, and a thrill of excitement shot down his spine. He looked out towards the red velvet seats, then up at the glittering chandelier. This is it. I’m a real actor now.

Emily Shaw, the stage manager, clapped her hands. “Alright everyone, listen up! This is our first walk-through in the actual theatre. With four weeks to go before we open, I expect you all to be off-script. No excuses!”

Noel Ashworth raised his hand, a sickly sweet smile on his face. “But, Em, my dear,” he said in his best actor voice. “It’s only been a month since the first read-through. And I have the most lines of anyone, you know.”

Perry bit his tongue and stifled a huff. He was pretty sure he had just as many lines in his role as Algernon as Noel had in his as Jack, if not more. And anyway, Noel had only needed a small amount of prompting yesterday, so why was he pushing back on Em? Should I say anything? No… He didn’t want to make waves. Especially as Noel seemed jumpier than usual today, his hand rummaging in his jacket pocket, presumably fidgeting with his ever-present vape machine. The nerves must be getting to him too, even with all his experience.

“I’m simply the messenger passing on Liv’s instructions,” Em said brusquely.

Noel turned to Perry and whispered, “And why isn’t she here to tell us herself?”

Perry shrugged. This was the second time Olivia Belmont, the manager of the Theatre Royal by day and director of the Windstanton Players by night, had not been here to direct them in as many days. A short text from her an hour before rehearsals had simply stated that a family issue had come up and she would be late and that she would, “leave you all in Em’s capable hands until I get there”.

Em continued, “Kurt and Tom are on book and will prompt you if needed. But try not to need it, eh?” She fixed them with a steely look. “Now, this is the first time we’re using all the props and doing blocking, so I’ll be calling out the stage directions. Places everyone!”

As the cast scrambled into position, Perry’s gaze drifted back to Noel. The actor’s piercing blue eyes darted around the theatre as one hand ran through his dark wavy hair. Has he lost more weight? Noel’s clothes seemed to be hanging off him these days. “Everything alright, Noel?” Perry asked quietly.

Noel’s winning smile flashed, although it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Absolutely. Merely getting into character.”

Perry nodded, and looking at the floor, he took a deep breath. You can do this, Perry! As he raised his head, a sudden movement in the backstage curtains on the other side drew his attention. Stella Vance, who played Gwendolen Fairfax, burst onto the stage, with her dark hair swinging and a look of confusion on her pasty face.

Is she okay? She looks a little sickly…

Em threw up her hands. “Stella, what are you doing here?”

Stella blinked, her forehead creased. “But I thought… Isn’t this the full Act One rehearsal?” She glanced around as if seeking the other cast members she expected to be here.

Noel bounced forward, a smirk plastered on his face. “Stella, my dear, it was all very clear on the call sheet. We’re doing the first part now—the scene before Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell arrive. Your bit won’t start for another hour and a half,” he said rapidly. His tone was light but with a snarky edge.

Red blotches appeared on Stella’s cheeks. “I… I must have misread it. I’m sorry. I thought…” She trailed off as she met Noel’s gaze.

Is she still chasing after him? Yesterday, Ralph Harvey, who was playing Lady Bracknell, had told Perry the whole sordid saga about Noel and Stella’s recent dalliance—the older man always had the best gossip—until Noel had ended things shortly before they’d begun rehearsals. Seeing them together now, there was no denying the tension between them still.

Em sighed. “Okay, well, no harm done. Let’s move on, shall we? Stella, we’ll see you later.”

Noel flashed Stella a dazzling smile. “Yes, I think it would be best if you left. No distractions, you know. I need to concentrate.” He made a little shooing motion with his hand.

Stella’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Perry thought she might snap back. But she whirled around and stormed off, flicking the curtain behind her as she disappeared backstage.

Em cleared her throat. “Right. So in this scene, both Algernon and Jack are revealing their double lives. But there’s a key difference. Algernon revels in his deceit, while Jack is more sincere. A less skilled liar, if you like. Keep that in mind.”

Noel raised a hand, his voice dripping with false sincerity. “Em, my dear, Liv already went over this with us. I think we’ve got it.”

Rude! Perry gave Em an apologetic smile, then said, “I’m ready when you are.”

Em gave him a grateful nod. “Fantastic. Places then. Kurt, you’re up.”

Kurt Grant, who played Lane, the butler, and who was Jack’s understudy, took his position centre stage, holding a silver tray.

“Lane, you’re preparing afternoon tea,” Em called out. “Now Perry, make your entrance.”

As Kurt’s footsteps echoed on the hallowed wooden floor, Perry felt a sudden flutter of nerves. No more cosy village hall; this is the real deal. He squared his shoulders and strode onto the stage. “Have you got the cucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell, Lane?” he asked, the familiar dialogue flowing smoothly from his mouth.

As Kurt responded and the scene unfolded, Perry lost himself in the moment. He was no longer Perry Juke, the newbie actor. He was Algernon Moncrieff, the witty, devil-may-care bachelor based on Oscar Wilde himself. And he was absolutely loving it.

*****end of extract*****

About Helen Golden –

Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

Say hello to Helen via Instagram, X and TikTok.

Murder Most Wilde is book 12 in the A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series and was released on 23rd June 2025. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.