STAGE REVIEW : A PREDICTABLE ‘MURDER BY THE BOOK’

“Murder by the Book” at the Garden Grove Community Theatre is, as its title unintentionally suggests, a routine, paint-by-the-numbers example of the mystery-comedy.

Duncan Greenwood’s and Robert King’s contemporary play about a pompous English crime novelist, his greedy wife and a fat life insurance policy has some of the necessary ingredients to satisfy fans of the genre. There are several red herrings and plot twists, and the action moves along at a sprightly pace. But next to a “Sleuth” or a “Deathtrap,” it seems uninspired and calculated.

The best of these plays succeed by orchestrating a series of events that feature one surprise after another. Here, however, there are few surprises. There is much huffing and puffing building up to the mini-climaxes, but the resolutions are too predictable. The play also depends on some sloppy plot devices to advance the plot. For example, some characters endure the badgering of a nosy neighbor who appears on the scene after a murder has supposedly been committed. He’s not a cop, and they don’t have to put up with him, but they do, even when he becomes unbearably obnoxious.

Director Pattric Walker maintains an uptempo rhythm, which helps to keep it all from becoming too obvious. Walker is also right in having the cast deliver lines quickly, without agonizing reflections. But he could have sought consistency in the British accents. Some use them, others don’t, and the ones who do often drop them in mid-sentence. Only Van Riker as the intrusive neighbor keeps his haughty inflections throughout.

As Selwyn Piper, the clever mystery writer, James Dolan is bombastic enough to satisfy the the most basic requirement of the role, but the character needs more shading. This Piper doesn’t seem to have a sinister streak at all. Admittedly, in this context, the murders are supposed to have comedic overtones, but could the act really be such a wise-cracking jaunt?

His spouse, Imogen, is nicely fleshed out by Corinne Williams, who infuses the character with pluck and nastiness--she’s a worthy opponent in this battle of schemers. Riker’s performance is self-consciously smug at times, but at least his accent is right on. Christine Scott as Piper’s secretary is a little too excitable, and John Douglas is not particularly convincing as Piper’s bumbling publisher, although he does deliver some funny lines.

“Murder by the Book” runs through May 9 at the Garden Grove Community Theatre, 12001 St. Marks St., Garden Grove. Information: (714) 897-5122.