The Marlow Murder Club are back and just as good as ever! Another satisfying whodunnit with a likeable cast of characters. Another mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.

All Suzie wanted was an insight into how the local council worked in order to help get her latest scheme off the ground. Barely had the meeting started, however, when the mayor, Geoffrey Lushington, drinks from his coffee cup and collapses on the ground, poisoned. Aconite, the so-called Queen of Poisons, is found in his cup, but how did it get there? Who on the council had the opportunity? And given that Geoffrey had seemingly been the nicest person in Marlow (and probably beyond), who on earth would want to kill him?
By the time the police arrive, Suzie’s friends (and fellow sleuths) Judith and Becks are on the scene. They’ve solved two tricky cases in the past, so in order to keep them in line, this time they’re appointed as official Civilian Advisors to the police – that certainly will make sure they behave themselves while investigating. Won’t it?
Book three of the Marlow Murder Club series – soon to be a TV series – and once again we have a proper mystery. Cosy, quite possibly, but cosy done right by including such things as clues, multiple motives, characters with actions that weave together into a picture that is both complex and simple at the same time.
The three leads are as fun as ever, with enough development for each of them to engage the reader but not so much as to get in the way of the story. Judith’s arc in particular, as her isolated life comes under threat from a few directions, is particularly enjoyable, especially as it has a surprising – to me – ending. Becks still shines of the three of them for me, but the interplay between the characters is well done.
The plot is cleverly done – it’s not an impossible mystery per se, bar from the notion that basically virtually none of the suspects could have done it – but there is something intriguing about a victim that nobody has a motive to murder (despite the actual motive being deducible). Oh, and it’s worth saying this because I’ve been showing off recently about my armchair sleuthing – I wasn’t close to spotting the murderer. Nowhere near. Which is just the way I like it…
It’s not flawless – the structure does feel a bit like a Death In Paradise episode with extra suspects in a “find something out about A”, “confront A with it”, “get an explanation from A which raises a question about B”, and repeat for some sections of the book, but that really isn’t a problem for me when the mystery is this interesting, and the humour lands as well as it does here.
Very much looking forward to the upcoming TV adaptation with Samantha Bond, Jo Martin and Cara Horgan, but in the meantime, if you haven’t caught up with these books yet, why not check out The Marlow Murder Club and Death Comes To Marlow and then wait until January 18th for this one…

If you want a job doing ask a woman or even three. Yet again Marlow has a murder to solve and this time the police waste no time in asking for help from the famous three, can they get there before the police again?
Marlow council seems to be full of dubious characters one of which is murdered infront of the others. All have shady backgrounds and secrets to keep and it could have been any of them, or all of them working together.
Once again Judith sees the truth and the identity before anyone else but is she right. Lovely to have the girls back in action and as formidable as ever.

When the mayor of Marlow is poisoned at a council planning meeting suspicion falls on the other members of the committee who were present at the time. The big question is why would anyone want to murder someone who doesn't have a mean bone in their body and goes out of their way to help anyone?

I'm a late convert to the Marlow Murder Club, having only started the series in June this year. I do think that completing all three books in the series in such a short time period has helped make the characters much more vivid for me. The third book in the series, The Queen Of Poisons, is my favourite.

We have a light-hearted tone from the very beginning with Suzie deciding to attend a town planning council meeting in order to find out how they are run. Suzie has a hair-brained side hustle in mind and hopes that the meeting will give her some insight into gaining planning permission.

When the mayor of Marlow collapses and dies during the meeting Suzie realises he's been poisoned and immediately springs into action, calling Judith and Becks so they can begin investigating. With only a small group of people present at the meeting, the focus of the investigation falls on them and it would appear that each of them is hiding a secret.

I liked the focus being on a small group of suspects as this allowed me to become fully immersed in the investigation, rather than trying to keep track of a variety of characters and plot lines. There are still a number of twists and quite a few wrongful accusations as we see the intrepid trio investigate while also trying to deal with problems in their personal lives. Becks has a mother-in-law who refuses to leave and Suzie is hoping to build a pod hotel. As for Judith, not only does she still have a room full of old newspapers she is reluctant to discard but she's also received a letter from an old gentleman friend who wants to re-establish contact.

Throughout the story, each character plays to their strengths. Suzie is like a bull in a china shop, blurting out whatever enters her brain. Judith simply refuses to take no for an answer. Becks is the ever-present mediator, the one who tries to calm any situation.

Police Inspector Tanika Malik is also present. Having realised that the trio, particularly Judith, are unstoppable she enlists them as civilian advisors from the very beginning. Tanika hopes that this will give her some semblance of control over the ladies, how wrong she is!

Once again the gang are back! Suzie whilst on a research visit to the planning committee for her next scheme, witnesses the death of the local mayor, Geoffrey. A man who was loved by all. Even worse, it turns out to be murder. Tanika, now having been promoted, wisely hires the three as a civilian advisors and together they try to work out who has committed this heinous crime.
With plenty of red herrings and dead ends, this is a good read and thoroughly enjoyable.

I have loved the previous two books in this series and this one did not disappoint!

The author has created such a unique world with fun and quirky characters. I loved seeing Judith, Suzie and Becks all working together again!

The mystery was interesting but a little predictable for me. It was a cosy mystery though so I can forgive that.

I am definitely hoping for another instalment in this series! I will always recommend this series to others

The levels of realism are not high in this new Marlow Murder Club book by Robert Thorogood. But my enjoyment levels certainly were as I read it. Judith, Becks and Suzie and great characters who contrast well with one another. If I were the local police, I'd lock them up before I'd let them be involved in solving a murder, but they get results. And we get a very engaging book to read.

Really enjoyed this third installment of this cozy crime series. The ending was very well done and the characters have become really well rounded and fit the scenes perfectly.

Recommended

This is the third outing of the three friends we first met in The Marlow Murder Club, a novel written by Robert Thorogood of Death in Paradise fame. For this latest story we are whisked into the dark doings of a local council’s planning approval committee.

The town Mayor is fatally poisoned at the start of one of their sittings and the only outside witness, Suzie, one of the three friends, believes it must be one of the other committee members who did the dirty deed. But who was the mysterious tea-room assistant and why was one of the four on the committee conveniently delayed until the very last minute almost missing the proceedings?

There’s much more to be discovered as the three friends - Becks, Judith and Suzie - are officially co-opted into helping the Police as civilian advisers by their fourth friend Tanika, a freshly promoted DCI.

After their previous help in catching murderers their friendship is only stronger, which gets them through many a sticky situation.

All the characters here are well fleshed-out and consistent, the clues littered through the text but not always easy to spot, as you would expect from such an experienced author. The twists and turns keep you on your toes as one suspect morphs into another until you’ve met everyone, know their relationships with the deceased and think you may have an idea of who-dunnit!

Truth be known I was foiled (again!) and the murderer, once revealed was a surprise. Excellent! A reader might get pleasure from working out who the culprit is, but it’s equally satisfying to be proved wrong!

There is even a happy resolution for Becks, one of the three friends. I won’t give that away, but it will make you smile.

So all-in-all another excellent read from Mr Thorogood. And interesting news in the postscript too!

Thoroughly enjoyed ! Another of my “cosy” faves and have already recommended to friends & family :) I love a good whodunnit to escape with, away from the hum drum of the days stresses!

Another wonderful triumph for Judith, Becks and Suzie, the Marlow Murder Club carries on relentlessly and I enjoyed every brilliant moment! The writing is superb, as always, and the plot was magnificent, more please!

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series but I haven’t enjoyed reading this one so much. In the first two, the characters of Suzie, Becks and Judith felt much more rounded and interesting. Much of this book is just dialogue and the storyline feels convoluted with practically everyone involved being listed as a suspect at some point. The finale - and I will avoid spoilers - is just silly as no one capable of murder is liable to stand patiently for what must have been half an hour having their crime explained to them in minute detail.

Is this a book too far? The first has been televised though not broadcast. Perhaps it will lead to a series that isn’t based on the books. The characters are made for television so it’s a strong possibility.

With thanks to NetGalley and HQ/Harper Collins for a review copy.

There seems to be a trend for this type of story at the moment - cosy murder mysteries in a quintessentially British setting with eccentric amateur sleuths of a certain age - and this falls firmly into that genre. Not having read any of the previous books in the series, I was less familiar with the back story of Judith, Becks and Suzie and their dynamic with DI Tanita Malik, which led me to question their role as “civilian advisors” in the investigation. That said, this is, at the end of the day, a plot-driven comedy whodunnit, rather than a police procedural and if that is the author’s aim, he successfully pulled it off. Comfort food rather than fine dining.

With thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

If you like Richard Osman or Death in Paradise you will love this series. Three unlikely older women help the police to solve murders in an English town on the banks of the Thames. In this story, a councillor who is well thought of in the community is poisoned during a council meeting. As information is disclosed, several people could be in the frame. I love the gentle nature of the writing, getting to know the characters and what to expect from them. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a prepublication ebook in return for an honest review.

Geoffrey Lushington, Mayor of Marlow and chair of the local planning committee, is murdered in the civic offices just as a Council meeting is about to start. The event is witnessed by Suzie and soon she along with friends Judith and Becks are on the case. DI Tanika Malik is in charge of the case and appoints the trio, aka the Marlow Murder club, as civilian advisors, which gives them legitimacy to question suspects and delve into council records. In pursuit of the truth they draw on their local knowledge, attention to the smallest details and determination.

The plot does not disappoint, it is well paced and has a nice blend of intrigue and humour. Each of the main suspects has an interesting story and a secret to be discovered. The main characters continue to develop and in this book more is revealed about Beck’s character and her relationship with her husband and mother in law.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and I eagerly look forward to reading the next instalment.

Another great book in the series! This series follows 3 amateur sleuths, who are friends living in the same village. This time they’re given more leeway to investigate by the police in charge of the murder, so there’s less butting heads with the police, and more investigation. I must admit I didn’t get who the culprit was until it was revealed, however I feel that was due to the clues given, as pertinent points weren’t told to the reader. The story was very engaging and gripping, and so I’d definitely recommend as it was quite enjoyable

Oh my goodness, yet again smash hit from Robert Thorogood. Once i started reading I couldn't stop, then immediately felt sad I'd finished it. How lovely to be back with Judith, Suzie and Becks in Marlow. When the mayor drops dead in front of Suzie, she knows who to call immediately! The trio start investigating, this time as police advisors, but who would want to kill Geoffrey Lushington? The council is full of characters with something to hide, and who is trying to guide the trio. I absolutely love the characters in these books and this time Becks is also having to deal with her mother in law who has moved in and will Judith deal with her archives? It will come as no surprise that i didn't guess the murderer, but what an absolutely jolly time I had trying to work it out. Do yourself a favour and buy this book and the others. I can't wait for the next one.
Thank you netgalley and HQ for granting me a preview.

4.5* rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ (Harper Collins UK) for a digital review copy of "The Queen of Poisons" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

In this latest instalment of the Marlow Murder Club series our intrepid trio are brought in to help solve the tricky murder of the town's head of the planning committee. What follows, as with the other two books in the series, is the reader is swept along as Judith, Suzie and Becks (a group that is a whirlwind force of nature) seek to solve the case using cunning, humour, smarts and a little bit of whiskey, supported by the ever patient DI Malik.

All of our lead characters are likeable and loveable, with quirks, foibles and weaknesses that enhance each other as a group and also the story. The case is, as always, suitably bonkers with plenty of red herrings and dead ends that never leave you feeling frustrated and do keep you interested in the final solution (which I had an inkling of but didn't fully guess).

Overall, it has to be said that this series (along with Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club) has become an instaread for me. The characters and stories are fun, likeable and engaging, there's great humour as well as pathos and I eagerly await Book 4.

The Queen of Poisons is due for release on January 18th 2024

Robert Thorogood has quickly become one of a short list of authors for whom, the very second their next book comes out, I'll drop whatever else I'm reading. And boy, was I right to do so with Queen of Poisons.

I love the writing, love the characters - could they be any more neurotic but also relatable? - and the plots have so many red herrings, twists and turns that I'm genuinely kept guessing right to the very end. Once again, I was neatly hooked on a subtle red herring that made me think I'd guessed the killer in plenty of time, only to have the rug pulled - and yes, he is playing fair with the clues! - right when I least expected it. I'd be annoyed if I wasn't enjoying myself so much and also making copious mental notes about how to write crime fiction. Because this one is a masterpiece in misdirection.

Read it, read it, read it. That's all I can say. Apart from, can we have the next one please?

I adore this series of books and really want to be a member of the Marlow Murder Club. I'm not so sure that I would be any help though. I see all of the clues but never see the twist coming. A fab series.