Murder By The Book
Robin Jennifer Miller
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Cast size: 8
Duration: 105 mins approx
Robin Jennifer Miller | Thriller/Mystery | Full-length | 3m, 5f
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
- Reviews
Rob and Jane run a writers’ retreat on an otherwise uninhabited island. He’s a somewhat bitter, formerly successful novelist. She’s his less than happy wife. And it’s possible the house is haunted. Six guests turn up for a weekend’s writing course, but it soon emerges that not all of them are there to write. There’s Nick, Jane’s old flame; Ali, who seems to have a secret concerning Rob; Kerry, who wants to make a serious allegation; Sonia, Rob’s biggest fan, until she finds out some rather hurtful truths; Leo, who’s there because his therapist told him to go; and Betty, who seems permanently on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Not long after they arrive, a storm breaks and the island is cut off from the mainland. Now, no-one can leave and no-one can arrive. When dangers arise, there is no escape.
Meanwhile, the tension is increasing. It’s fair to say that not a lot of writing gets done. A stolen manuscript, a revelation of blackmail, accusations of plagiarism and assault, frayed tempers and guilty secrets all add to the drama. And what happened during the power cut? Could it be poltergeist activity, as Jane seems to claim, or human intervention? Before we can find out, with the storm still raging outside, one of the characters goes missing. Will the others find him before he meets with an accident…. or his killer?
There are plenty of questions and some surprising twists. All is not finally resolved until the play’s closing moments.
The play contains plenty of drama, excitement and a twisty plot, but also a good deal of comedy, based on the rich variety of quirky characters one might find at a writers’ retreat.
Applying for and paying royalties
To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.
To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.
More information
If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.
Frequently asked questions
Can we try before we buy?
Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (typically less than half the cost of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make just enough copies to support rehearsals and performances.
All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Through this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of perusal material which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as PDF files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as MP3 files and (where available) an MP4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.
Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.
Do we need a Licence To Perform?
The simple answer is, yes.
Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights.
Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?
When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.
Need help?
Contact us
If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.
Established for over 25 years
Unearthing future talent
Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.
We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.
