From the moment I stepped into the world of “Three Card Murder”, I was hooked. J.L. Blackhurst introduces us to Detective Inspector Tess Fox in a riveting debut that pulls no punches. The story opens dramatically: a murder victim has been thrown from a locked balcony, and to make matters worse, Tess knows him personally. This is her first murder scene as a detective, and the weight of it all crashes down on her instantly.
As the investigation unfolds, the tension ramps up, particularly with the presence of Tess's estranged half-sister, Sarah Jacobs. As a skilled con artist with a dubious past, Sarah has undeniable connections to the deceased, and I found myself torn between Tess's growing suspicions and a budding desire to trust her sister. The juxtaposition of Tess's adherence to law and order against Sarah's crafty existence creates a gripping dynamic that had my heart racing.
The complexities of their relationship are fascinating. Both women have their secrets to protect from the world, and it was compelling to see how their lives intertwined against the backdrop of a murder mystery. The idea that the sisters must collaborate to uncover the truth while grappling with their complicated familial ties adds a rich layer of depth to the plot.
Navigating the complexities of three locked-room mysteries—each twist more shocking than the last—kept me guessing throughout. Blackhurst expertly layered hints and red herrings that had me piecing together clues, and while some twists were predictable, others genuinely caught me off guard. I loved that sense of surprise, particularly in a genre where it can be tough to keep the reader guessing.
While the beginning started at a slower pace, I found that it ultimately built a solid foundation for unravelling mysteries. Once the pieces began to fall into place, the pace quickened, and the story became nearly impossible to put down. I was particularly impressed with how Blackhurst navigated both the personal and procedural aspects of Tess’s investigation, showcasing her growth as a character amidst the constraints of her professional duties.
Candida Gubbins's narration deserves a special mention. Her voice work brought Tess and Sarah's characters to life, capturing their quirks and personalities brilliantly. The variety in her pacing and emotional tone kept me immersed in the narrative, and I found myself listening long into the night, eager to discover what would happen next.
With its gripping plot, well-developed characters, and unique premise, “Three Card Murder” left me both satisfied and eager for more. The cliffhanger ending suggests that there’s more to come, and I'm hopeful for a sequel—it’s a story I want to continue.

“One sister is a cop. The other is a con artist. Both are suspects.“ What’s not to like. Locked room, Family feud, I loved it, this book had me hooked right from the beginning. I hear there is a sequel out, which I cannot wait to start.

Dads review

He liked the story kept him entertained great characeters

Liked the narrator

Would recommend

Many thanks to Netgalley, Publisher and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one was such a surprise. A cop sister and a con-artist sister who both have a secret to hide from the world, from the law from a dark dark night. But when someone seems to be killing people related to that night making it a possibility that it will come out, the sisters have no choice but to work together and figure it out as to who knows of them and their secrets.

The narrator was absolutely brilliant and kept the pace of the mystery well. Both the main characters were well rounded and had a pretty visible character arc. The story though had some obvious stand outs in terms of twists also had some that I kind of didn't see coming. The beginning was a bit of slow paced but it picked up once the pieces of the puzzle started coming together. I did not realise this one is a series and was a bit confused at the cliff hanger at first, but now I am excited to read book 2.

"Three Card Murder" by J.L. Blackhurst introduces Detective Tess Fox in a gripping debut mystery where she faces her first murder scene with perplexing challenges: the victim was thrown from a locked flat balcony, and Tess knew him personally. Complicating matters is Tess's half-sister, Sarah Jacobs, a skilled con-artist with ties to the deceased and a knack for deception—but not murder.

As the body count rises with two more locked-room mysteries, Tess grapples with unraveling the truth while confronting her suspicions about Sarah. Can Tess trust her enigmatic sister, whose criminal past clashes with Tess's dedication to justice? With echoes of betrayal and unexpected twists, "Three Card Murder" promises a compelling puzzle-box of a story that keeps readers guessing until the surprising conclusion.

Unfortunately I encountered issues with the audio file not downloading properly and I never managed to finish this one. I was enjoying it, so I will look out for a copy in paperback in the future.

A good murder mystery but at times it just seemed to fall a bit flat . I did enjoy the rapport between Sarah and Tess.

I really enjoyed this book! I look forward to reading other books by this author. There were so many twists in this book I didn’t see coming. But then again I rarely can figure books out. I would definitely recommend this book!

Tight-laced detective Tess is forced to accept the help of con artist Sarah in this ingenious, twisty murder mystery. When they can put aside their complicated history, they make a great team. The story kept me guessing, never quite sure who I could trust, and I loved the characters of Tess and Sarah - I’ll definitely be reading more in this series.

I found this book had a little bit of a slow start and I didn't fully engage with either character, however I did appreciate the locked room elements and the extra theories that were being fired around, that was where I was at.

I did however want a little more, I wanted Sarah and an insight that was more than a toe dip into her life, there is no round up or tied knot in that ending though, so perhaps it will come?

I also audioed this while reading and the pace was well set - I think I'd recommend the audio over the read for this one.

An enjoyable enough listen. Took a while for me to finish it as it didn't always grip me but worth perserving with.

Absolutely loved this book, looking forward to read more from this author now.
Thanks to NetGalley, the editor and the author for the opportunity to access this copy.

I enjoyed listening to this book. I thought the plot was clever and I liked the characters. The narrator was good too

I love Jenny Blackhurst's writing and Three Card Murder was no exception. Her previous books were brilliant. Three Card Murder is a change in direction for her, but it's a change she carries off with ease. The narrator was perfect for the book. Conveying the characters with ease.

When Tess's first murder case ends up being someone she knows she realises her past is catching up with her. Needing to contact her half-sister whom she walked away from 15 years ago, she will soon be entering a world she thought she left behind.

Soon another murder is committed and they need to find the killer before the truth comes out.

Whilst Tess has chosen the life to be a police officer her sister is still working the life of crime both women must be tested and straddle both sides, working together to find out what is really happening.

Blackhurst gives a fantastic novel with great characters who are complete opposites. I loved the way the two sisters got on but as well as bickered like sisters normally would.

This novel has a narrative which is unique and one that you won't see coming.

This is left on a bit of a cliffhanger meaning that there is an opening for a sequel; I hope that it comes soon because it's one I definitely don't want to miss.

The narration
Good narration, the sisters are excellently voiced, some of the male voices are less convincing but overall, an engaging listen.

My thoughts
DI Tess Fox has landed her first murder investigation, but things are far from straightforward. The victim appears to have been thrown from the balcony of a locked flat and has had his throat cut into the bargain. As if that were not enough Tess knows the victim and really ought to recuse herself from the investigation. She’s desperate to be involved in the case for the prestige it will give her career CV and because she needs to keep control to prevent a deadly secret from being revealed.

Tess’s half-sister Sarah is a confidence trickster, one of the best. Sarah needs to warn her about the victim and the chance of their briefly shared past unravelling. At the same time, she could question her for an idea of how the murder was pulled off. Eventually she agrees to give her access to the crime scene. Unethical, illegal and ill-advised action but Tess is at her wits end, desperate times call for desperate measures.

Two more murders occur both equally impossible and connected to that fateful night, causing Tess to doubt her sister. Is placing her faith in a law breaker, even though she is family, a huge mistake, one that could jeopardise her liberty too?

An engaging and amusing tale of opposites that collide. Tess the police officer is serious and dedicated to the job such that it is the most important thing in her life. The catalyst for joining the force was the events of the night 14 years ago, which drives her forward to do good as if in penitence. If the secret were revealed, then it would destroy her life as well as her career.

Sarah is the happy-go-lucky type, seemingly breezing through life and happy to work in the family ‘business.’ The fact that this business is somewhat illegal means she is reluctant to have romantic relationships for fear of entangling the two, so she seems destined to be lonely.

The relationship between Tess and Sarah is one of those ‘odd couple’ ones that either make or break a novel, and here the chemistry works brilliantly. Their interactions are a delight, bickering, sour comments and mistrust are melded together in can’t live with or without setting. The dialogue crackles with intensity and wit as Tess mistrusts and is disdainful to Sarah but it is her who delivers the telling home truths.

Family is also at the core of the story too. Tess forsakes he criminal family, swapping it for the force. She finds that the police force is no substitute family though, as she is unpopular with her colleagues, which leads to her burying herself in work and thereby making things worse. She believes that her and Sarah’s father Frank loathes her for the treachery of abandoning the family, but he is unaware of her reasons for doing so. When Sarah drops a bombshell there is angst for all those lost opportunities, alas none of us can turn back time.

Sarah is happy within the security of the family, although she is to discover there are secrets that she even she doesn’t know. The question is, can the women find a reproachment to solve the case and learn to build bridges, no easy task once Sarah becomes the prime suspect.

The plot is as tricksy as you might expect, with twists and reveals throughout and is imaginatively constructed. At the start you may be a little confused, then you think you have the answer only to discover that the author has tricked you as adroitly as any card shark. A true Three Card Monty of a plot for the reader to enjoy.

Most of all it is highly entertaining with a real sense of fun and humour, as Sarah takes on disguises and Tess is appalled by the filth of a victims flat. If you love illusionists and stage magicians, then you are going to love this.

I would like to thank Net Galley, the publisher and author for access to the audiobook in exchange for a fair review.

Two sisters, two opposites. One sister is a police detective and the other is a highly skilled con artist. When DCI Tess Fox is called to the scene of a mysterious murder, she is left shaken as the victim is someone from her past. Not only is this left DCI Fox shaken, she is also puzzled as the victim was thrown from his apartment balcony which as been locked from the inside. There is only one other person who knows the connection between the victim and DCI Fox and that is her distance half-sister Sarah. Both sisters are suspects, can they learn to trust each other despite having opposite occupations? And who is the true murderer?


Pros:
* Locked room murders
* Police vs criminal team
* Estranged family dynamics
* Good pace
* Laugh out loud funny
* Unique plot
* Twist!!

Cons:
* Goddamn cliffhangers ending (not really a con bug I will be patiently waiting for the next book 😂)

I love Blackhurst’s style of writing and story telling. One of the few authors where the twists leave me speechless and catches me out every time with the perpetrators despite my sleuthing!!

Two half sisters on either side of the law; one a police officer the other a con artist are brought together by a secret they’ve shared for years. The death of a mutual ‘acquaintance’ drags them back to a time they would both rather forget. And it doesn’t stop at one death,each of which drags them in deeper.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cleverly plotted locked room murder and really think it sets the scene for an amazing tv series with the pair solving weekly crimes from either side of the thin blue line.
A highly recommended read which scores an easy 5 ⭐️ for me.

If you don't like having the rug pulled out from under you, you'd better sit down for this one! Incredibly ingenious, with a good girl/bad girl sibling twist, This one will keep you guessing all the way though. Thoroughly enjoyable I listened to the whole thing in one go!

Loved this mystery, I was drawn in by the cover and tagline and it didn't disappoint. Wasn't a fan of the audiobook narrator though, performance was fine but sorry to say her voice kind of grated on me! Enjoyed the story though! If there is any more in the series I'll listen to them.