Absolutely adored this and will write a review of it on the blog in January. Fun and quirky and definitely a must read series now.

In 2021, I was introduced to Death in Paradise, a comedy-crime drama, created by Robert Thorogood. Over the last year and a half, I’ve watched all and loved most of the episodes. However, I was late in discovering that the creator has also authored a few books: four novels with Richard Poole (the first detective introduced in DiP) as the central character and an original series called The Marlow Murder Club. I was immediately drawn to the latter, the cover of which was styled like a crossword puzzle. The parallels to Agatha Christie and by extension Richard Osman are undeniable. The Marlow Murder Club was an amazing read. The characters are beyond lovely. We have Judith Potts, a seventy-seven-year-old puzzle setter; Becks Starling, the local vicar’s wife (it actually is relevant to her story to introduce Becks this way); and Suzie Harris, a dog-walker.

I was exceedingly lucky that just after I finished The Marlow Murder Club, I found the sequel Death Comes to Marlow on NetGalley. Now, I know sequels can be quite dicey. It was not a problem with Agatha Christie. I can pick up any book of Miss Marple’s, and they are all equally good. The Thursday Murder Club’s sequel The Man Who Died Twice was … okay. Not the best but intriguing enough. So, I went into Death Comes to Marlow with low expectations.

The day before his wedding, Sir Phillip Bailey is found crushed to death in his study. The police assume it’s an accident since the room was locked from the inside. Of course, our trio knows better. It’s murder. Specifically, a locked room murder (which is always intriguing). And of all things, it’s the faint smell of olive oil that prompts them to investigate the death more closely!

There will definitely be some readers smart enough to figure out the puzzle before the solution is revealed. Not me though, unfortunately. I was stumped, which is a good thing for someone who reads far too many mysteries. I do intend on rereading this book someday so I can pick up all the clues the author has peppered in.
I was also excited to meet the characters again, despite it being less than a few days since I had met them for the first time. When characters are built well, you are always happy to revisit them and see how their lives are moving along after the end of the first book. While we primarily follow Judith around, there’s not really much she had got up to between the two cases. Becks and Suzie had a lot going on, and I loved seeing them navigate their new situations.

Robert Thorogood has created some amazing and engaging characters, and they help this book rise above what might have otherwise been an average, good mystery. Death Comes to Marlow is a solid sequel, and I recommend reading The Marlow Murder Club first so you can meet the characters properly and go on this journey with them.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Judith, Suzie and Becks are back , the trio of amateur sleuths find themselves investigating a locked room mystery.
Judith is taking her usual cold water swim but it’s cut short due to an altercation with a swan , on returning home she receives a phone call from Sir Peter inviting her to a drinks party which she feels compelled to accept.
Whilst at the party Sir Peter is found dead in a room which is locked and the key is in his pocket .
An accident or something more sinister?
Judith and her friends begin to investigate and what follows is an enjoyable story and we meet DS Tanika Malik again who joins forces with the trio.
I read the first in the series which was a great start ,but I feel this is even better than the first book.
The characters are unique and have all the faults and foibles human beings tend to have and blend together perfectly.
This is a great series and I look forward to the next in the series.
Highly recommended and a must read for lovers of cosy mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ.

The second book in the series is just as entertaining as the first. It is a real locked room mystery full of twists and turns.
I enjoyed the various characters and how they investigated the death of Sir Peter Bailey. Set in a sleepy village it is a quintessential English cosy mystery so don't expect gritty scenes of gore but snuggle down by a roaring fire and be transported to Marlow.
The ending was not a total surprise to me but all the details were explained which is a big plus for me.

For once I would say it was better to have read the first in the series before coming to this one. So much of the ground about the characters was laid in the previous book. The storyline is entertaining and there are some amusing plotlines that develop alongside the serious business of murder. There are the inevitable comparisons with Richard Osman made in reviews but the amateur detective has a long history in the crime genre that this is a little unfair. I have also read others comment on the implausibility of some features within the plot, I would remind them that this is fiction and that things can, and do, happen that are out of the ordinary. I get caught up enjoying the story that I don't care if some of it may not happen in real life, reading is intended to take me away from that.

A great setting in a Georgian mansion with a locked room mystery that will defy the claims of being able to work it out straight away. The twists and turns have you suspecting more than one character before the truth is finally revealed. There is plenty of scope to come back once more to find out where the characters go next in their lives and I will be ready to read that installment too.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable locked room murder mystery. Judith, Suzie and Becks are a formidable trio, now with the confidence of a previously solved murder case. Set in a rural village and Georgian mansion, it has all the necessary components of an English country novel. I highly recommend this book, and can’t wait for the next in the series.

Death Comes To Marlow by Robert Thorogood is a marvelous contemporary cosy crime drama which I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in the Marlow Murder Club series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading book one first for maximum enjoyment.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with the amateur super sleuthing ladies and the female detective. Once more the friends function like Miss Marple times three and Midsomer Murders, as they set about solving what they believe to be a murder.
Each of the ladies have unique talents and all work beautifully together as they complement each other.
The friends have each other’s backs. When one friend starts behaving out of character, the other two notice immediately and are determined to help.
Marlow is reminiscent of Midsomer. It is the quintessential English village with its manor house, quaint cottages and an eclectic mix of eccentric characters. It would make a fabulous early evening cosy crime television drama.
The tone is light-hearted and highly amusing at times. The opening scene with Judith swimming in the Thames was absolutely hilarious, especially when she spotted a family on the bank! – It is a literary image that will remain forever with me! Grab yourself a copy of the book and read it for yourself.
Death Comes To Marlow is also reminiscent of Morse in that it is a thinking woman’s mystery. Like Morse, Judith loves crosswords and puzzles to solve. Who better than Judith to gather the clues together and deliver the main speech?
I absolutely adore the Marlow Murder Mystery series and cannot wait for more books by Robert Thorogood. He is a marvelous author who writes with wit and charm, perfectly capturing the quintessential English countryside. More, more, more please Robert Thorogood.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Since solving a spate of murders, life has been rather quiet for Judith Potts. Dividing her time between her friends, her crosswords – both solving and setting – and swimming naked in the Thames, battling the occasional swan, the most puzzling thing she had come across were some odd clues in the crossword in the local paper. But out of the blue, Judith is contacted by Sir Peter Bailey, a local bigwig, on the eve of his wedding. Judith is asked to come to the wedding-eve party as Sir Peter has something to discuss with her – something that has him scared.

Intrigued, and not just by the likelihood of some free drink, Judith, Becks and Suzie all show up to the ceremony, only for events to be interrupted by a crash from inside the house. Once the door to Sir Peter’s study is broken down, he is found crushed to death beneath a cabinet. It must have been an accident – the only key to the very solid door was in Sir Peter’s pocket. But Judith is not convinced – and soon the three women are on their second hunt for a murderer. There are only two problems – no one could have got into the study and everyone with a motive has an ironclad alibi…

Sometimes, you need a good book. I’ve got a lot of stuff going on at the moment, some exciting, some draining… and sometimes I need the escape of a good book. When I’ve a lot on, it takes something special to keep my attention. And an elderly naked woman fighting a swan inside the first chapter certainly did that…

I knew this was the book I needed. I’ve loved all of Robert Thorogood’s mysteries, whether they were the Death In Paradise continuations or the first Marlow Murder Club. Really well written mysteries in the cozy vein with those rarest of rare things… clues. There’s a mention in the “About The Author” bit that the first mystery that Robert read was Peril At End House, and it sort of shows. That is one of my favourite of Dame Agatha’s books, with some excellent clue placement and a nicely complex-but-simple plot. Which, as I mentioned before, I solved when I first read it as a young Puzzle Medical Student…

I didn’t solve this one. There are so many bits and pieces of plot dangled in front of the reader and yet I never quite saw the big picture of what was going on. Despite there being a relatively small pool of suspects to look at – it expands a little as the book goes on, but there’s only about six or seven possible murderers. Belton Cobb would be proud of the small circle, but then would be embarrassed by how Thorogood manages them much more deftly than Cobb ever did. There’s a strong sense of humour throughout the tale, but one that enhances rather than distracts from the narrative. All in all, it kept a smile on my face constantly while I was reading it.

This is a book that anyone should enjoy. The characters are just about on the right side of reality to be believable while still being quirky enough to entertain when the plot slows at times. I was particularly amused by Becks’ middle-class-savant skills, going all Sherlock Holmes when working out where the olive oil was hidden in a kitchen or identifying the make of a wellington boot. The characters are such fun that at one point late in the narrative, I was genuinely a bit upset at one development. Luckily… no, spoilers.

I worry a little that people who have read other books that may resemble this set-up and have dismissed it as part of the same genre might pass this one by. I strongly recommend that if that’s you, dear reader, and you’ve given up on a certain Murder Club, give this one a try instead. Robert Thorogood was inspired by Agatha Christie and he was clearly paying attention…

Robert Thorogood has done it again!
I absolutely loved this next instalment of murder and intrigue in Marlow. Judith, Suzie and Becks are back centre stage as a seemingly impossible murder takes place. Only our three super sleuths could possibly get to the bottom of the mystery. The story line took me on a rollercoaster journey through possible suspects, thinking I knew who’d done it and constantly changing my mind. The whole plot is cleverly crafted and really engaging - I didn’t want to put it down. From crossword clues to murder clues I smiled at and gasped at how clever it all was. I can’t wait for another death to come to Marlow!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of the book in exchange for a review.

Lock room mysteries can be really frustrating for those trying to uncover the truth and this one is going to really annoy Judith, especially since she was in the building when the groom was killed. Sir Peter Bailey’s death has to be a murder, after all he told Judith someone was trying to kill him. But with her friends Suzie & Becks and a little bit of help from their friend in the police, an unofficial investigation is on the cards and the skeletons in Bailey family cupboard are about to be revealed.

As well as a compelling mystery, this book wonderfully expands more of the characters of Suzie & Becks which I loved. The dynamic of the amateur detectives and their growing respect & friendship with Tanika is a big part of why the series stands out from more throw away cosy crime books.

It’s fun and a good way to escape into a world of mystery and exercise your little grey cells.

Another case for the Marlow Murder Club. Judith, Suzie and Becks, along with DS Tanika Malik, get themselves involved in a suspicious death. Despite DI Hogan insisting the death is accidental, and having no time for other possibilities, the ladies get on with doing what they do best, solving the murder!

From the first couple of pages this was a really good read. A lighthearted, feel good book with a murder, a real treat ;)! Love the characters and the setting, lovely!.

Once again Thorogood has delivered a completely enjoyable story, full of little twists and turns! Whilst the ending wasn’t too much of a surprise, this didn’t spoil any of this book for me, and I would definitely recommend.

A joy to read.

Thank you NetGalley.

Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood
Publication date - 5th January 2023
Publishers - HQ
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‘Death Comes to Marlow’ is the brilliant follow-up to ‘The Marlow Murder Club’ and I thoroughly enjoyed returning this the world with Judith, Suzie and Becks! I loved their adventures in the first book and was very excited to read this one - it did not disappoint! Judith is still as nosey as ever, still swimming in the nude and brilliantly eccentric as before! There were lots of twists and turns in this modern locked room mystery, but it harks back to the golden age of crime writing - the search for clues, the psychology of the crime and finally the big reveal!
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When Judith is invited last minute to a party celebrating local dignitary Sir Peter and his marriage to his nurse Jenny, she is a bit wary especially when he mentions dying in the phone call! Susie and Becks tag along and whilst enjoying some bubbles on the lawn there is an alright crash from inside the house. Sir Peter us found crushed to death under some shelves in his study. The study was locked from inside so the police have ruled this as an accident. Judith of course disagrees and is determined to find out what happened.
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God, I love Judith! I wish I had her gumption. Just goes straight in, does what she wants and is enjoying life with her friends Susie and Becks. I love golden age crime and Judith reminds me of a mic between Miss Marple and Christie’s creation Adriane Oliver. The locked room element definitely enhances this feel of classic crime and I was enthralled from the get-go and flew through in a couple of sittings. The pacing was superb as the clues came tumbling out one after another, until you became slightly confused and needed to get the resolution straight away! I did guess the ending but its the element fun in this book that gives it it's magic! Their were a few side plots regarding Susie and Becks which added to the mystery and intrigue. Such a great read!

This is the 2nd book in the series and equally as funny as the first.

I did guess straight away who the murderer was, I didnt think it was as well done as the first however there were lots of red herrings and it was overall an enjoyable read.

I'll look out for more in the series!

Thank you for the arc.

Love this author and his style! Loved the story too! What would I do to be a character in Marlow! Loved the ladies, I do hope a third instalment is coming.

Another great book in the Marlow Murder Club series. A lovely cosy mystery that is just as good as the first book. A few red herrings to put you off the scent and a very clever ending. I hope there is a third book to come. I highly recommend this book and series.

Great cosy, slightly cryptic mystery. Well written second book in the series looking forward to more books in this series. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

4.5 - slight reservations about the ending but it was so much fun so I have rounded up!
So, after the shenanigans of the previous book where Judith, Suzie, and Becky solved a murder, things have got mostly back to normal. Humdrum even. So it is with delight that Judith gets a invite to the before party for the wedding of the year - that of Sir Peter Bailey, who is marrying his nurse.
But it is at this party where tragedy strikes and Sir Peter is found dead. Crushed by a large item of furniture. In a locked room. The police call accident - well, there was no one else in the room. It was locked from the inside with the only key found on Sir Peter. Judith disagrees - well, it'd be a very short, boring book if she let it lie there. She focuses on an argument that occurred just before the tragedy - between Sir Peter and his son Tristram, who has not taken to his new step-mother-to-be. But her woman on the inside, DS Tanika is sidelined by the return of the ineffectual DI Hoskins so Judith does what every one else would do in her position - resurrects the Marlow Murder Club once again...
Oh it was lovely going back to revisit the friends I made during the first book. Bit of background. I love Death in Paradise on TV, written by this author. I then loved the few books he wrote of that series (yes the TV show came first this time) but I absolutely loved this new series opener - which obviously you have already read - haven't you? The concept of the older female amateur sleuth is not uncommon but here it is done very well. The three main characters rub along very well even though they are all quite different people individually.
The plot is well done - up to a point - and I do have a few niggles about the ending and how it was all done -none of which I can mention here for fear of spoilers - but I am not quite 100% convinced. But all that said, and I have already mentioned it at the beginning, I had so much fun reading this book - with all its little side shoots of plot and additional puzzles - that I have rounded up my rating. My niggles being relatively minor in context.
All in all, a tidy follow up to a great series opener. Long may it continue...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Judith, Suzie and Becks are back again! Sir Peter dies in a freak accident at a soire the day before his wedding to his nurse Jenny. The police don’t think the death is suspicious but Judith, Suzie and Becks disagree and launch into their own investigation.

I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed the first one in the series! I felt the book goes into more depth into the three main characters personal lives, in particular Suzie and Becks.

As I knew the style and format of the first book, I felt it was easy to guess the ending but maybe I just spend too much time reading thrillers in general!!

I would definitely recommend this book, but would highly suggest reading the first in the series first in order to properly bond with the three main characters.

It’s been a two year wait for this second novel in the Marlow Murder Club series, and it’s been worth the wait. A brilliantly put together mystery, with a few cryptic crossword clues thrown in for good measure. Great to see these ladies together again and solving crimes!

This is a fantastic find and I have read the previous books in the series so happily sat down to read it. Cozy crime at its best. Inn BM like to save a book I know is going to be good to read over Christmas but I gobbled this up in short order. Brilliant. I want more.