This was amazing audiobook especially when I was not feeling very with chronic illness. The author and the audiobook team definitely choose the correct narrator for this book. He bought his own personality to the book as well as bringing the characters to life in a great way. I loved the plot line for this which had loads of twists that I was not expecting to have - yes we had the main plot line however there was two or three underlying plot lines as well. Katherine Black knows how to create characters and exciting plot line, can not wait to get to the second book.

This audiobook has so many things that I love about a cozy mystery. It is set in an English village full of quirky and interesting characters and there is a bookstore plus the main character is a retired librarian that is enlisted by friends to solve the mystery. May and her best friend Fletcher, a retired professor, are drawn in to solving the death of the local butcher and end up joining forces with a local reporter to look into a case of missing girls. Can they figure it out before it is too late? May and Fletcher were delightful characters with unexpected secrets that add to their appeal for me. The outcome kept me guessing. I can't wait for the next book in this mystery series.

I listened to this on audio and the narrator did a good job bringing the story to life. His accent added authenticity and was understandable for listeners unused to the accent.

I found this book a little unusual and slow to get into. There is a lot of bad language, so maybe not for you if this bothers you. About halfway through, it picks up pace, and I become more interested in the quirky characters. Some twists in the book and its finishes leaving you ready for book 2! I listened to this on @NetGalley_UK but I think I needed to have a paper copy to read it.

Reminded me somewhat of the Richard Osmand books, because of both the writing style and also the cover, which is not a bad thing. I liked the pace of the book and the plot worked seamlessly within this. The characters were interesting and the twists throughout kept me gripped. Have recommended to friends

My first auiobook and I chose well!
I love a cosy crime and this one is packed with marvellous characters and a fascinating serial killer, with the pressure on to hunt him down before his deadly deadline runs out.
Uniting multiple generations the focus on knowledge and education to achieve your goals is subtle, but as each clue is only revealed because of some learned expertise, becomes clear as the novel progresses.
Heaving with surprises and cleverness; I can't wait till the next in the series is released.

A young girl has disappeared and there are similarities to previous disappearances. Retired librarian May Morrigan decides to help a local journalist uncover what has happened.

A Most Unusual Demise by Katherine Black was originally published in paperback and ebook format back in 2023, the audiobook is now available. I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed listening to this story, helped immensely by the brilliant narration from Jonathan Keeble. The story is definitely cosy crime and the opening chapter sets the scene perfectly; a quaint English village, a retired librarian, and set around a bookshop. Everything comes across as old-fashioned and twee - until you get that final sentence and you sit bolt upright, your attention grabbed.

May Morrigan has retired from working at the British Library and now owns a bookshop in a sleepy village. She shares her home with her best friend Fletcher. Fletcher is a larger-than-life character, in more ways than one, and is just one of the wonderful characters that pepper the story. The important thing about May is that she doesn't suffer fools gladly, as we learn pretty early on in the story. Woe betide anyone who upsets her, or any of her friends, as May will seek revenge.

The disappearance of a teenage girl is being investigated by Fox, a young journalist. He believes that the girl was targeted via an online game and the case has links to previous murders, including a friend of his. When May, Fox and Fletcher join forces they are able to uncover a suspect and it becomes a race against time to save the missing girl.

It is the slightly dark, slightly twisted take on cosy crime that hit the mark for me with this audiobook, along with the mix of eccentric characters. I'll certainly be checking out the sequel, A Most Malicious Messenger.

I found this book fascinating; a whole host of characters that were truly unique and unlike any I have read before and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. This one took so many turns that it kept me guessing the whole way along, the bond between May and Fletcher was brilliant and truly accepting of each other in all aspects of their lives. Its hard to elaborate on that without giving anything away. I am excited to see what is next for them.

A retired librarian living in the lovely village of Blackheath with her friend Fletcher and dogs. Should be a quiet rural existence but death seems to be a part of existence. A church volunteer dies and so the investigating begins. Can they identify the murderer without getting into danger themselves?

Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Loved these new characters for me to enjoy. A murder mystery that has plenty of twists and turns. A very enjoyable read.

Well this was definitely cozy crime with a twist and I loved it. The blurb had me sold from the start but the story its self brings so much more. No spoilers here so you’ll just have to listen and find out for yourselves.

The narrator was fantastic and really brought the story to life. It was clear to follow and the narrator had a really great pace.

The characters were an interesting bunch. May was somewhat of a mystery to start with and as her character unfolded I started to form my opinions of this dear old lady. I found her to be quite intriguing and was never sure where there I should be wishing her on or feeling appalled. She was a mystery in a mystery.

With an ending that leaves room for a next instalment I cannot wait to dive right in.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great! This is a very different type of cozy mystery and I am all for it! Interesting characters, comedic writing and an entertaining mystery made for a nice start to a new cozy series. Loved it and I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

What a cute little book, tho not your usual cozy mystery it really was captivating with characters that have a morally gray lookout on life and made me smile a lot.
The book revolves around May, a retired librarian now bookshop owner, Fletcher, her live in bff, a reporter Fox and two doggos named Bess & George.
When people start to pass away strangely May and Fletcher take it upon themselves to be their own sleuths. That's when they pair up with Fox and together they tackle the clues to solve the case!

Thank you to NetGalley and Love Book Tours for the ALC

A most unusual collection of investigators, a most unusual 'cosy' mystery. It is not typical of the style but its eclectic, entertaining characters, great mystery and the effortless narration of Jonathan Keeble make for a delightful listen.

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook narrated by Johnathan Keeble. He was very expressive in his reading and at a perfect pace.

Retired librarian May and retired professor Fletcher live together in Blackheath. A girl goes missing and both decide to help the young journalist to solve the crime. But they are not your average retired people.

This is a quirky and funny book that made me laugh as well shake my head in disbelief.
I’m very much looking forward to reading or listening to the second installment.

A flying start to a new cozy mystery series, but this one hits differently it’s hilariously funny, the characters are unique some of their morals are grey to say the least. It s certainly a little mad cap, but all the better for it in my opinion. I’ll look forward to the next in the series.

It’s definitely a murder mystery, the type I love, the find the why to find who type theme.

I loved the narration by Jonathan Keeble, a perfect fit!

My thanks to Bloodhound Books Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this title in return for an honest review.

This book was not what I thought it was going to be at all! From the description I thought I was getting myself into a more modern Miss Marple main character. May could not be any more different! She is definitely not your typical old lady and Fletcher is far from your typical old man. The pair had me giggling while reading this.

There were also a lot more twists to this novel than I expected. The story was well thought out and the narrator amazing! If you like mystery with a side of dark humour then this is the book for you!

don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in a long time. This is no ordinary cozy murder mystery

May and her gay bff Fletcher live in a village within London. May owns a bookstore and Bastian, a dwarf with a high sex drive manages it. There’s a few odd deaths and murders but when teenage Jessica goes missing, May and her quirky friends team up to find her

It’s strange when a cozy mystery talks about wanking (masturbation). But then very little in this book is traditional. It took me a minute to go with it, but the May/Flethcer sex scene made me laugh and I didn’t stop #daviejones

Love the diverse representation - a dwarf, gays, gamers, Supernatural fans - it feels so out of place in this old fashioned setting, I loved the juxtaposition

I often find male narrators sound camp when they do female characters but this audiobook narrator was excellent. Smut author Barbara has got to be the funniest!

As the first book in the series, this is definitely a character driven story, but there’s plenty of death and the pace is fast

If you enjoy Louise Penny, Richard Osman but crave a little naughtiness, this is the book!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bloodhound Books Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

This sounds as though it's an average cosy murder, but there's a lot more going on. May is a little old lady who owns a bookshop and lives with Fletcher, a retired Cambridge professor. When they start to look a little deeper into the disappearance of a local teenager, Fletcher uncovers more than he bargained for and deals with it in the most surprising manner.

I really enjoyed listening to Jonathan Keeble read this, his narration is superb and I look forward to the next one.

It’s not only the demise which is very unusual in this book! The detectives - an elderly lady who keeps a weapon tucked up her sleeve and her cross dressing, bonk-buster writing cohabitee join forces with the dwarf, lothario bookshop manager and a young local newspaper journalist. Trust me that’s just the beginning! I’m torn on how to rate this story which is as quirky as its characters. It’s definitely novel although there are references to the traditional - the name of the elderly lady’s home for instance. The jury is still out whilst I mull it over further.

There is so much “cosy” crime being written at the minute it was refreshing to listen to a book that had its own style and didn’t just rehash the genre, very enjoyable and superb narration