I'm a fan of 'cosy crime' in general and had heard good things about the previous (first) book in this series, 'A Most Unusual Demise', although I haven't read it. But I was really disappointed by 'A Most Malicious Messenger'. There are so many good books out there in this genre, you are spoilt for choice - there's no need to read anything but great novels. Sadly this is not among them.

The story is set in Blackheath, a London suburb that seems to operate more like a village (I don't know if that's true to life or not). The inhabitants receive a malicious text message about the local vicar relating to his sexuality, and within days his partner is dead - poisoned by arsenic. More messages and attacks follow.. The police are entirely absent for this entire serial killing binge, something I found really ludicrous. I know the police are stretched and don't investigate a lot of crimes due to lack of resources, but I'm pretty sure that a series of apparently random attacks and killings would attract at least some attention.

Instead, the investigation is conducted by local bookshop owner May, her ageing-disgracefully mother Minty, and her friend Fletcher, with assistance from bookshop manager Sebastian and Fletcher's partner Sparks. Fortunately this motley crew can access forensics labs and have excellent lock picking skills, not to mention full access to witnesses since the police don't appear at all. The whole thing is ludicrous. I worked out who the villain was within the first quarter of the book, and the plot did nothing to make me doubt my conclusion. I didn't feel much liking for any of the characters - I would have been indifferent if May and Fletcher were bumped off. Therefore there was no real tension or even anticipation in reading/listening - I just waited until they finally unmasked the person I'd identified early on.

Sometimes a story with a plodding plot and mediocre characters can be rescued by brilliant writing - humour, nice turns of phrase, world-building etc. That's not the case here. The writing style is perfectly fine and if it were telling a better story or describing more engaging characters, it would make for a decent book. But it's not good enough to carry an entire novel on its strength alone. The author seems to think she's incredibly 'right-on' by writing about older people who are open minded and still full of life - I hate to break it to her but that bandwagon left long ago and there's no room for anyone else to jump on.

The narrator reads the story well, at a good pace, with good voices to differentiate the characters, and has a voice that is pleasant to listen to. It was easy to follow as an audiobook. So the audio format was fine, but the book itself wasn't up to much.

If books like this were hard to come by, I might recommend it to people who really love the genre. But every bookshop is packed with novels detailing the exploits of crime solving grannies, waitresses, vicars etc. A lot of them are brilliant. So there's really no need to spend time on a novel that, is just OK.

I really enjoyed book one in this series, A Most Unusual Demise, so I was very excited for book two. It was great catching up with May & Fletcher from book one, and they were still as witty, hilarious and the perfect mystery solving duo as in book one. The addition of May's mother Minty was brilliant, she was so funny, I spent so much of this book literally laughing out loud.

I listened to this on audio and it was the perfect book to listen to, the narrator did a great job and nailed the banter & whit of the characters, bringing them to life.

The author is a fantastic storyteller who creates the perfect lighthearted cosy mysteries with brilliant characters and plenty of hilarious antics. It's the ultimate escapism read, plus there's cute dogs and dogs make everything better.

This is the second book in The Most Unusual Mysteries series, and we're back with May and Fletcher for another wild ride! This time, anonymous messages are sent to anyone within the vicinity of the bookshop at 10 am sharp accusing people of commiting various sins. When their friend, Juan, is found dead from poisoning, May and Fletcher are straight on the case with help from Minty, Bastian and Sparks.

I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first. I feel like we got to see into the lives of the characters much more and understand what drives them. I loved Minty! She was such a great addition to the book! All of her interactions with the characters had me laughing, and she didn't fail to surprise.

The mystery was so intriguing, and getting little snippets of clues through text was genius. I raced through this audiobook so I could see how it ended. I didn't see the ending coming at all, though! It all tied together neatly when I look back, but I just didn't put the clues together.

As soon as I knew Katherine Black had written a sequel to A Most Unusual Demise I knew I wanted to read it and I loved the audiobook last time so I went for audio again.

I loved being back with May, Fletcher and the gang. The book gets straight into the action and had me drawn in from the first chapter.

Definitely one of my favourite cosy crime reads (you can’t beat murders in a quaint English village) and I cannot wait to see more from Katherine Black!

Brilliant. The second in the series, this doesn't disappoint.
The narration is superb, generating more than a few properly laugh out loud moments, which I'm not sure would have happened were I reading rather than listening.
A marvellous cast of delicious characters who I know have much more to give - and can't wait to hear the next.

A lovely cosy crime series with a stong female lead and colourful supporting cast. This audiobook was perfectly narrated.

When residents of a small village begin receiving text messages and some of them start turning up dead, retired librarian May and her close friends start to try and find who the killer is amongst their midst.

Containing a number of smart red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing, this is an engaging story and leaves the reader keen to learn what will happen to the remaining residents.

A most malicious messenger by Katherine Black.
Book 2 of The Most Unusual Mysteries.
Narrated by Jonathan Keeble.
6 hours and 19 minutes.
I really did enjoy listening to this audiobook. I loved the different voices Jonathan did. It was like I was there watching everything happening. It was more vivid listening to this audiobook. I love May and Fletcher. They are my favourite characters. I also loved how May and Minty were together. I would never have guessed they were mother and daughter. I never guessed who the killer was. I loved the humour that went with the mystery. I can't wait to see what's next in Store for May. I love this series. I would definitely recommend.

Reminded me of th Thursday Murder Club books. Cosy mystery kind of vibes. Probably would have switched up the cover art for something a bit more eye catching but this doesn’t detract from the story which is great and a really easy listen. Have reccomend to friends

I haven’t read book one in the series and I’m not sure if I can now because I don’t want a book without the characters that we meet in book two. Minty is so enjoyable! It took a couple of murders to get into this book, but after that it was giving Thursday Murder Club, Dog Park Detectives and Midsomer Murders. I did chuckle in places and I held my breath in others.

We return to Blackheath where May Morrigan and friends receive a text. A death follows. More texts will be received and more deaths before they can work out who is responsible.

Very well written and narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Love these quirky, elderly characters who have no idea of how to act their ages, a novel of fun and adventure and crime solving in an English village.

📱E-Book Review📱

A Most Malicious Messenger
Katherine Black

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the second book in The Most Unusual Mysteries series and having read book 1 - A Most Unusual Demise last year - and loving it!! - I was so excited to see book 2 being released.

It was great to be back in Blackheath and Greenway with the gang and it was so easy to slip right back into village life with them all.
After the previous events, I knew that we were going to be in for another wild ride with May and Fletcher and I was so not disappointed!

After a nice little recap and introduction to some new characters, the mystery messenger strikes and one of the residents is murdered......and so the shenanigans begin.

I just love everything about this series!

The characters just jump right off the page and although not without their flaws, they are so lovable and even, dare I say, relatable!
May and Fletcher have such a great relationship which we see developing more through this book.
The addition of Sparks and Minty add a refreshing new dynamic too!

The mystery and murders can get quite dark, but there is so much humour within the writing and some great banter between the characters that it never feels too heavy!

Another brilliant read and once again, I'm left excited to see what's to follow for the residents of Blackheath in the next book.....

PS - George and Bess star once again and are still super cute!!!

This is the second book in The Most Unusual Mysteries series, I loved the first book and this one does not disappoint.
Set in a small village, with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Well written with some unusual and quirky characters.
Can’t wait for book number 3.

This doesn’t happen often to me, but I found this book really hard to follow, it didn’t really grab my attention so I never knew what was going on! So much so I had to stop listening! I’m sorry, but not one for me.

SUMMARY:
May Morrigan is in her bookshop one morning when she—and everyone else in the shop—receives an anonymous text. It contains a reference to a Shakespeare quotation—the next morning, one of them is dead.

As disturbing texts continue to arrive, the Blackheath residents are threatened with further revelations and titillations. It’s time for May to send a strong message—and block this killer permanently...

REVIEW:
This is the second book in The Most Unusual Mysteries Series. I hadn't read the first book and read A Most Malicious Messenger as a standalone.

I was lucky enough to review an ARC of the audiobook and have got to say... Jonathan Keeble was outstanding. I absolutely loved his narration and thought it only added to the cosy, small English village aspect of the murder mystery! I loved the little voices he did for each person (especially Fletcher and Minty). I wish Jonathan Keeble could be an option for all murder mystery audiobooks!

This book had everything: loveable, relatable characters suspense, humour (sometimes dark and sometimes smutty), small English community feel and, most importantly, two tiny dachshunds (George and Bess!). Personally, I think George and Bess were a very necessary addition and all future murder mysteries should have little doxie sidekicks. I imagine this book as a blend of all the best bits of Pretty Little Liars, Hot Fuzz and Murder She Wrote. Love love loved it.

May Morrigan is a badass and I loved her friendship with Fletcher - it was really beautiful to see such a close friendship with absolutely no judgement and so much love. My favourite moment was having May and Fletcher on the back of a motorbike, racing against time to unveil their latest suspect. Minty made me laugh right from the start. I sometimes found her a little grating but I also think that's exactly how she was supposed to be.

I enjoyed the story as my first 'cosy' murder mystery. I thought that the murders were fresh and not the recycled themes we can sometimes see in murder mystery books. I love the older main characters- as opposed to the typical teen/YA group of friends trying to unmask a killer. I will absolutely be gifting this for Christmas this year and cannot wait to dive back into the series by reading the first book!

I loved the first book in this series and this second instalment has lived up to all my expectations. I listened to the audiobook with was wonderfully narrated. Clear and easy to follow with a real warmth to the narration that brings the characters to life.
Although following on from the first book I feel that this would work well as a standalone. Any really important connections are explained again which helps. (Of course you could just go out and get both so you don’t have to worry)
May seems a little more subtle in this book but she remains a formidable force. Between her and Fletcher there is always a drama and adventure to keep you on your toes. The introduction of May’s mother Minty had me in stitches throughout- when I am old I want to be just like Minty (and May - without the murders)
A colourful cast of characters, secrets, comedy and cozy crime - everything you need for these cold winter nights.

Another great cosy crime story with the lovable May and Fletcher. This time, May's mother Minty is along for the ride. The characters are fabulous and I can't get enough of them! They are outrageous,  hilarious, and have a sharp wit that would cut you to the core!


The author is able to highlight all the British quirks of village life superbly. I was amazed to find out the author was initially born and raised in Texas. Her life in the UK has definitely been well observed as she is able to reference our dry humour and disdain so easily!


This is the second book in the series, and this time, May and Fletcher are on the trail of a killer who is sending malicious text messages hinting at who is next on the list of victims. May and Fletcher need to figure this one out quickly before they make it on the killer's list.


I listened to the audio book, and Jonathan Keeble does such a wonderful job. He pitches the sharp wit just right and captures the essence of each character. It is a truly delightful listen.


The only complaint I have is that the story ended, and now I have to patiently wait for the next instalment. I am absolutely hooked and can't wait to see what the gang gets up to next!

What a fantastic listen, great characters, lots of laughs all delivered really well by the narrator on this audio book.
I loved Minty, what a character!

Even though there were lots of names involved it was very easy to follow and I had no idea whodunnit!

I was even laughing trying to tell my husband about it, I will definitely be listening to this again.

It all starts with a mysterious text, but what follows is murder!

Highly recommend humour along side a cracking cosy mystery.

What a fun cozy crime read just in time for snuggle weather. I listened to the audiobook at 6.5 hours and enjoyed the narration. I read book one, A Most Unusual Demise, and knew what I was getting myself into. What a fun series! Murder has come to town and everyone is on edge. Together, our crazy fun cast of characters tries to figure out who the murderer is. Written with humor, or at the very least, humor, the text flowed flawlessly. The best thing about cozy mystery books is the fun in the story, and this author is a natural - I’m sure we’d be friends with her devious mind.

If you're listening in public, be prepared for stares. At times fabulously farcical, it's great fun, and our dogged detectives have much to uncover in this darkly deceptive, yet delightful tale.

Highly entertaining, expertly narrated, definitely recommended.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator is perfect and makes the book extra fun to listen to. I had several laugh out loud moments and snickering episodes.
People in the book shop receive a malicious phone message, then Juan dies under suspicious circumstances. May and Fletcher start investigating. But the malicious messaging continuous, spreading rumours and secrets. What’s happening in lovely Blackheath who is the killer and who is sending these messages?
Despite the murder a real fun, lighthearted book to listen to. I can’t wait for the third instalment.