One of the characters is taunted that without 'the business of murder' she would be still be working on a local paper (the horror!) rather than a prize-winning playwright.
Unfortunately, the play is easier to admire than enjoy – it is very dialogue heavy, with rather more exposition than revelation, and a little too static.
The play opens with Mr Stone (Nick Waring) having called a police officer (Todd Carty) to his flat to grass up his son, who has apparently become embroiled in dealing drugs.
The officer leaves, and then Dee (Jacqueline Roberts) turns up. She is a successful script writer who has been invited by Mr Stone to critique the thriller his dying wife has penned.
The visits seem unconnected, but are they?
And is Mr Stone as innocent as he appears?
There are plenty of twists and turns in Richard Harris's play, but twists and turns without suspense or sympathy for the characters is rather more of an intellectual experience than an emotional one.
But there are decent performances from the protaganists and fans of thrillers will no doubt find much to enjoy.
The Business of Murder is on at the Devonshire Park Theatre until Saturday night with evening performances at 7.45pm with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
Call 412000 for tickets.