This was a sweet, fun and kept me guessing I believe that this will work best on screen as I’m lead to believe this is happening however it didn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyed. I've not come across Mrs Sidhu and really loved her. In places I found myself confused and had to go back to keep on track. I guessed the twist a little before it came but this didn’t take from the overall feeling from the book.

I highly recommend this book.

I received an EArc in exchange for my honest review.

First time I’ve heard of the Author & Characters

I found this to be a light read compared to my usual genre. Thoroughly enjoyed this in its own right though :) I do hope to read more from Suk Pannu/ Mrs Sidhu

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read and review ☺️

I was a huge fan of Radio 4’s Mrs Sidhu Investigates and was really excited to read Mrs Sidhu’s ‘Dead and Scone’ by Suk Pannu.

This is a cosy crime murder mystery centred in the affluent Berkshire village of Benham.

Mrs Sidhu, a caterer cum amateur crime investigator, has secured work as a private chef at the exclusive wellness centre Benham House in the affluent Berkshire village Benham.

Soon after Mrs Sidhu arrives to work at Benham House local residents starts to get murdered. Mrs Sidhu hits the ground running and starts her own investigation. No-one sees Mrs Sidhu coming! She’s a woman of certain age who comes across as a friendly, harmless, nosy auntie - but she manages to strike up conversations with anyone and find out information.

Detective Inspector Burton is leading the police investigation. He has worked with Mrs Sidhu in the past and understands her methods! I love the rapport between DI Benson and Mrs Sidhu.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and really hope that there are more to follow.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, HarperCollins UK, for making this e-ARC available to me to review in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is my first encounter with Mrs Sidhu and I understand she will soon be coming to our television screens. This was an ingenious plot, I guessed the killer, but not the motive, but I think it was overlong in places. Loved the interaction between Mrs Sidhu and Burton. I look forward to reading/seeing more from this author.

I've not come across Mrs Sidhu and really loved her. I thought this was funny and entertaining, but there were parts which went on a bit and other parts I had to back-track to keep abreast of what was going on. Then the big reveal and twist was so subtle I missed it and had to back-track to get it. I think this would work better on the screen.

A fantastic book. I love a bit of Cosy Crime and Dead And Scone really hit the mark.
It was overall a great read and I enjoyed it immensely and you will too.

A fun and entertaining crime novel. Full of quirky diverse characters set around a 'wellness' retreat in a quiet sleepy Berkshire village. An array of possible victims and perpetrators so a little Midsomer Murders and a good dollop of Father Brown. Instead of a priest the main character is an middle aged Indian lady running a catering business alongside which she likes to be involved solving crimes whilst antagonising the local police chief inspector. Lots of twists and turns along the way for amateur sleuths. A quick light read with lots of humour in the background.

Mayhem And Murder Most Foul..
Mayhem and murder most foul with Mrs Sidhu in this amusing and engaging novel of culinary cosy crime. The wonderful Mrs Sidhu, well known for her incredible culinary skills and, not least, her ability for being an aunt to all, is also a rather talented amateur sleuth. When a therapist is discovered dead in a village, Mrs Sidhu just happens to be working at the nearby exclusive celebrity rehab retreat and thus her greatest talent is rekindled. Mrs Sidhu is on the case and investigation is her forte. What could possibly go wrong? A delightful and entertaining read with a deftly drawn cast and a humorous narrative.

This was a nice cosy mystery novel to read. I didn't know it was based on radio programme until I opened the file, but that didn't spoil the experience. I'm sure fans of the show will love it even more!

I was looking forward to reading this cosy crime, as I enjoy books by M.C. Burton and her Hamish Macbeth series

This the story of an Indian lady, by the name of Mrs Sidhu whose husband has passed away, she makes money by making aubergine bhajis for a local businessman. Mrs Sidhu is friends with the local Police Chief, Inspector Burton and has previously helped him solve murders, Her sister in law Daljeet arrives from India to stay with her and her son Tez and she calls her "Daljeet the dalek". In the merantime, she gets a catering job at the local retreat and several murders take place in the local Berkshire village, which she helps Inspector Burton solve, She uses the spare bathroom at home as an office and writes all what she knows onto "Post-it" notes and attaches them to the shower screen and around the bathroom.

I found this book quite funny in parts and it has a lot of twists and turns, but it contained a lot of characters and I found it was hard to keep track of who was who

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I heard a lot of positive things about this book on social media so selected it to read. I was very excited to read it, and thoroughly enjoyed it as I t is a very amusing cosy crime, with excellent main characters and I hope that many more books will follow. I was new to Mrs Sidhu, as I have not heard the radio 4 series, and am delighted to see that a tv series has been made which will be shown in September 2023.
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good cosy mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot - there are already some reviews like that out there if that's what you're looking for.

I understand that the lead character - Mrs Sidhu - is already well known to some via a radio series. Not having heard any of the radio series, the character was totally new to me. However, there is quite a lot of background information throughout the novel that rounds out the character by alluding to past mysteries, and past disasters!

I really enjoyed this novel, and parts of it made me laugh out loud. Granted there were a few "oddities" - such as the "toilet kitchen" - but I read that section with a pinch of salt (if you'll pardon the pun). I detest aubergines, and felt great sympathy with Mrs Sidhu in her daily dealings with them - in her attempt to regain her position as a top caterer.

There are plenty of red herrings in this novel to keep you guessing. I formed various theories - one of which was almost correct (though I'd mis-identified the person I thought was the killer!)

All in all a very entertaining read, and I'm looking forward to more in this series.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I asked to read this book because it had all the elements I often enjoy in a story - a cosy crime in village community that has a past that has oozed into the present plus humour but for me it didn't live up to the brief, I fear.
Mrs Sidhu who works at home cooking for an exacting boss, finds herself interviewed for a job as chef in an exclusive rehab facility in a village in the Berkshire countryside. But one of the therapists from the community is found dead and Mrs Sidhu steps in to help the local constabulary solve the crime. It was a well thought out plot and could have worked quite well.
I had not heard of Mrs Sidhu before and had no background to this character. I found her rather flat on the page and did not warm to her. I also found the humour rather slap stick - a kitchen in the spare toilet?- and cliched - sister-in-laws as rivals for husband/brother's affections.
But the thing that made it most difficult for me to relate to the book was that I found the writing rather choppy and the story didn't flow as well as it could.
So sadly, despite having the right elements, this book wasn't for me. With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

Meet Mrs. Sidhu—an unofficial Aunty embraced by all, a gifted caterer, and an intrepid amateur sleuth hailing from the heart of Slough. Infusing the lives of Berkshire's privileged with delectable delights and her astute detective acumen, she swiftly becomes an indispensable presence. Yet, as she delves into the treacherous affairs of the wealthy and unscrupulous, her own standing in the community wanes, rendering her an outsider among those she seeks to serve.

Exiled to the kitchen by her employer, an endless cycle of aubergine bhajis fails to deter Mrs. Sidhu. With resilience as her guiding force, she forges a new path to triumph by securing a position as a private chef at an esteemed celebrity rehabilitation retreat. However, tranquility proves elusive when the serene village is marred by the lifeless body of a therapist. In the midst of this chilling tableau, Mrs. Sidhu's appetite for enigma is reignited.

As the narrative evolves, a sinister pattern emerges—the killer selects victims through a malevolent raffle hosted during the village fete. Eerie possibilities emerge: could a vengeful spirit be orchestrating gruesome retribution, or is a clandestine impostor ensnared among the villagers, harboring a sinister secret?

The tale unfurls with layers of intrigue, its depths reminiscent of the profound and obscure. Each thread seamlessly converges, culminating in an intricate tapestry that weaves questions of knowledge, timing, and motivation. This compelling work exudes a magnetic allure, ensnaring readers with its mysterious ambiance and unrelenting suspense. A pinnacle of psychological drama is achieved, a testament to the select few who master this craft.

While the eBook captivates, room for enhancement in terms of user-friendliness exists. The incorporation of navigational chapter links, the eradication of conspicuous word gaps, and the inclusion of an enticing cover design would transform the eBook from its current document-like state into an immersive literary experience. Accordingly, a minor deduction from my rating is warranted.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was a really good read. Read it quickly and enjoyed the story. The characters were well rounded.

Mrs Sidhu runs a catering business but work has dried up following a misunderstanding at a wedding. As a result, Mrs Sidhu takes a job at a local wellness retreat and finds herself caught up in a murder with links to a cult.

Before reading Mrs Sidhu's 'Dead And Scone' by Suk Pannu I wasn't aware of the character, so both the author and character are very new to me. The novel fits well into the cozy crime genre, featuring many of the tropes we usually see; amateur detectives, village setting, and a hobby/business that allows them to get involved with events.

Mrs Sidhu is a strange character, she seems to go out of her way to avoid being liked. Not only is she still grieving the loss of her husband, she's also struggling to make ends meet after a disaster at a local wedding she was catering. She's observant, intelligent and analytical, however, she has no filter and it is saying things as she sees them that lands her in trouble.

When Mrs Sidhu is offered the opportunity to do the catering at a high-end wellness retreat her nosiness and tendency to be economical with the truth means that she becomes embroiled in a murder. One of the therapists is killed and there are connections to a cult that existed in the village years before. Two members of the cult committed suicide and the cult leader set fire to their home, then disappeared. Following reports that he had died in South America, everyone is surprised that the cult appears to have risen again.

There is a lot of humor in the story with the author poking fun at romantic encounters and self-help books. The majority of the humor, however, comes from the way in which Mrs Sidhu insinuates herself into the police investigation. As far as Mrs Sidhu is concerned, the police are helping her. There are hints at previous encounters between Mrs Sidhu and the police officer leading the investigation and I wonder if this is part of the radio plays. Listening to these may give the reader a greater understanding of the relationship between the two and more insight into Mrs Sidhu herself.

At times there are some dark tones and a real sense of menace. The conclusion is cleverly crafted with a villain that is impossible to spot, quite a few red herrings along the way keep the reader guessing. For me, however, I just couldn't seem to get into a rhythm reading this and really feel I should have loved it more than I did.

I really enjoyed the radio plays of Mrs Sidhu's detective exploits and so was excited to read this book about the loveable nosy caterer. I think a reader not familiar with the plays would need more of an introduction to the characters as it took a while to understand the character dynamics.

I really enjoyed the mystery itself and I hadn't guessed who the murderer was, though it all made sense. Mrs Sidhu is a great character and I wanted to know more about her.

Absolutely perfect culinary crime story. Mrs Sidhu is such a great character, full of wit and great ideas, and her crime solving ability is not to be underestimated! I hadn't heard of the radio show prior to requesting a copy of this book but it's definitely something I'll be looking in to. Can't wait for the next installment. Thanks to Suk Pannu, Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC.

I felt privileged to be gifted an ARC of this novel that apparently heralds a new subgenre in cosy crime: the so-called ‘culinary cosy crime’. I loved everything about this witty novel: the way in which Mrs Sidhu, a caterer to the Home Counties rich and famous by trade but really a brave amateur detective by passion – investigates the shady goings-on in her environment. Masquerading behind some wonderful food, this resourceful female shines a light on contemporary issues including social stereotypes and unconscious bias. A book that can be read on several levels – utterly unique – I cannot wait what Mrs Sidhu does next! My grateful thanks go to the publishers and to NetGalley for the complimentary ARC that allowed me to read this unusual novel.

Not knowing the radio series I came to the book completely fresh. I love Mrs Sidhu and this was a highly entertaining book. I see many reviews saying the radio series is better but I think this is always par for the course when the media for telling a story changes. I do feel I need to look out for the radio series. A well written cosy mystery with the added bonus of Indian food