With thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this as an EARC ahead of publication.

In the fourth instalment of this series, retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are called in by an old colleague to investigate the death of her ex-husband. Neville Hilton, former Ofsted inspector and employee of the Lodestone Multi-academy Trust, dies tragically of a heart attack, but no crime was committed. At least according to the police. Unconvinced, and certain his new wife had something to do with it, Neville’s ex-wife asks Liz, Pat and Thelma to investigate and the trio soon find themselves caught up in more than they bargained for.
It was so nice to be back with Liz, Pat and Thelma in J.M. Hall’s latest book. In this addition to the series we find ourselves back to its roots – investigating a mystery quite closely related to education. I have to say, I do think this is where the series shines – J.M. Hall’s background in education is woven throughout and it feels like a very realistic portrayal. I always feel a sense of nostalgia while reading/listening to these books, remembering the conversations I overheard growing up when my mum worked at our primary school. Particularly in this book we are privy to the stressor that is the Ofsted inspection and I felt the author did a commendable job of offering different views on how teachers, and schools more generally, can find themselves affected by both the anticipation and outcome of these inspections.

As always, the relationship between Liz, Pat and Thelma was a real highlight, and I found myself feeling like a fourth member of their group. The warmth of their friendship really comes through in their interactions and I love how they work so well together – both when they are physically together and the ways in which they play to their strengths when apart for the good of the group’s investigations. I will say that their characters and friendship have developed throughout the series so while I do think this could be read as a first introduction to the series, I would also absolutely recommend checking out the earlier books.

This book asks a lot of questions about ‘what is a crime?’ and the power someone’s words can have over you. It’s certainly a book I’ll be thinking about a lot going forward, and the power our words can have. Overall, another fantastic outing with Liz, Pat and Thelma, and I’m excited to see what comes next.

A Brush with Death by J.M. Hall is a charming and clever cozy mystery that blends intrigue, humor, and heart. Following the much-loved retired teachers Pat, Liz, and Thelma, this second installment in the series finds the trio investigating the suspicious death of a local artist, plunging them once again into a world of secrets and danger.

Hall’s writing is warm and engaging, with a delightful sense of humor that balances the darker aspects of the mystery. The trio’s friendship shines at the heart of the story, and their resourcefulness and determination make them an irresistible sleuthing team. The small-town setting is beautifully drawn, adding a layer of charm and authenticity to the tale.

While the pacing lags slightly in the middle, the well-crafted plot and satisfying twists more than make up for it. Hall does an excellent job of weaving in themes of community, aging, and the importance of standing up for what’s right, making the book feel rich and relatable.

A Brush with Death is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will delight fans of cozy mysteries and those who loved the first book in the series. A solid 4 stars—can’t wait to see what Pat, Liz, and Thelma investigate next!

Pat, Liz and Thelma are retired primary school teachers living in a quite little village somewhere in the north Yorks Moors and sniffing out mysteries wherever they can, well, said mysteries just find them. This time is the body of Neville Hilton, death by heart attack so natural causes. The trouble is, hi ex-wife thinks his current wife 'did it'. Our intrepid ladies follow a lot of slim clues mostly relating from the time when Neville was a very pompous, rule driven Ofsted Inspector who catastrophically failed a local primary school such that it is about to be closed and children said to a larger amalgamated school. Present and former teachers are interviewed. There are grudges aplenty. Our local detective encourages them on the quiet because Neville's death was deemed natural, no signs of foul play. Solid and clear case but unsatisfactory ending of a sorts. The yellow painted line was intriguing! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I have read the previous books featuring the intrepid trio, and mostly enjoyed them, so was looking forward to reading this one.

Neville Hilton is found dead in the lounge of his holiday let, according to the police, natural causes, heart attack. Unfortunately his first wife Jax, is convinced he was scared to death, and who better to ask to investigate but the old friends and colleagues trio of Liz, Pat and Thelma.

Unforunately Neville was an ex-Ofsted inspector and was known to be harsh in his dealings with not just the schools he scruitinised but with people in general.

I liked this book, was full of characters, families with issues and people you could identify with, all leading 'normal' lives.

Was the ending a little obvious, maybe, but still an enjoyable read

Small criticism, Liz leaves her Diabetes meeting at 8.30 and on the next page she can hear the marketplace clock start chiming 8 and she has time to nip to Tesco before it closes.

Neville Hilton was an inspector for Ofsted. He treated guidelines as rules, was a stickler for tick-box over nuance, and unmindful of the lives he ruined. Remarried and now a senior academic within the Lodestone Multi-academy Trust, his future looked secure. Unfortunately, a CVA has just killed him. He was found, sitting in the living room of a guest house which he rented out in the grounds of his home by Chelsey, the young cleaner. Thelma, Liz and Pat, retired primary school teachers, had known him, but not well, and known his reputation for finding fault rather better. They know his first wife, Jax, because she had worked with Thelma. By coincidence, she runs the cleaning company and is concerned that Chelsey is now traumatised by thinking that she had failed to save Neville. The trio are locally famous for solving mysteries, so are not overly surprised when Jax asks them to investigate the death and find some way of assuaging the girl’s concern. But the death is not suspicious, he had heart problems. Perhaps something had triggered the heart attack. His new job, for example? He’d also been the subject of a hate e-mail attack following his report on a small primary school which had led to it’s closure, his new wife seems more interested in her horse than in him, and someone had had a screaming match with him around the time of his death. All pretty mundane really, but still Chelsey had to be saved. What could possibly go wrong?
This is the fourth book in the series, but no previous knowledge is required. Liz, Pat and Thelma are solid, believable characters and their family lives help with the verisimilitude of retired primary school (a category which provides a particularly incisive wisdom) teachers living in a tranquil environment; old friends with active minds. The writing is equally tranquil, a gentle, indeed loving, tone, a voice that you can hear as you read. A non-murder mystery, a cosy non-crime; or is it? There are strange goings on and unexpected tensions, which have to be unravelled or connected, so the plot is that of a standard detective story in which clues have to be found, red herrings avoided and a satisfactory solution provided. It is not particularly difficult to solve, but the joy is in the reading as much as in the puzzle solving.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

This fourth book by J M Hall is my favourite so far. The characters of Pat, Thelma and Liz have become more rounded and likeable as the three retired schoolteachers with a knack for solving crimes. This time they are approached by an ex colleague, Jax, who runs a business cleaning holiday lets in the local area, who is convinced that her ex husband was murdered by his second wife, despite the Police confirming that his death was caused by a heart attack………
Initially our crime fighting trio are reluctant to investigate this seemingly natural death, however they are convinced otherwise after meeting the young woman who is distraught and unable to return to work after discovering Neville’s dead body in one of the holiday lets. As they investigate this seemingly innocent death, an altogether different side of Neville comes to light and they soon discover that no one actually liked him. But did someone dislike him enough to murder him??
I read this in one sitting and it kept me guessing until (nearly) the end……. Cosy crime at its best. I’m very much hoping that there will be a fifth book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off congrats again on the cover I love the cats on each one of the books in the series so far.
This book is great editor to the series the ladies are back on top form and developing nicely it was great to catch up with them and the background players. As usual the story is set among the back drop of education and primary school while the writing/plot is a little formulaic but on the main the plot is unique and hold your interest. I say it every time I catch with the ladies who would have thought so much skullduggery went on in schools and I can only guess what interesting conversations are having in my local centre. Cosy crime at its best great mix of humour with dark undertones and hint of satire. Crying out to be made into a Tv series.

Retired teachers, Thelma, Liz and Pat, are asked to investigate the death of Neville Hilton who died of a heart attack. His ex-wife feels that something is not right about his death and suspects his wife was involved.

The three are persuaded to find out more. As they investigate the village where Neville had lived and delve into his professional life they find there are a number of people with a motive but has a crime really been committed?

Each is also grappling with their own dilemmas.

A delightful cosy crime - fun and entertaining.