An entertaining third outing for the Bad Girls Detective Agency ladies. Fun, entertaining and a fairly quick read. The girls are attending the soft launch of new luxury retreat for Amber’s birthday. There are only five guests, our three girls, an isolated island, approaching storm, no WiFi and a murder. What is not to love.

3.5 stars
A fun and entertaining read about revenge and loyalty.
It’s been good to see Amber, Cleo and Jeannie again and this time at a luxury retreat as a special weekend for Amber’s birthday.
Of course being part of the Bad Girls detective agency series means nothing or nobody is quite as they seem and it’s up to the girls to get investigating again.
This is an engaging locked room mystery with twists and characters you love to hate.

MURDER ON THE MENU is a delightfully smooth casual cozy Mystery set in a renovated castle on an isolated Island off the coast of Great Britain. A famous chef is about to open a new resort in the castle and three best friends are among the first five visitors, attending a weekend soft launch, together with a temporarily wheelchair-bound older lady and a charming but presumptuous celebrity-journalist. A dangerous imminent storm, no Wi-Fi nor cell service, no way back to the mainland till the storm finally subsides--all that and a Killer both vicious, indefatigable, and elusive. The one hope is that the three best friends form a private investigative Agency, and the owner has two decades of police experience. However, the odds are heavily stacked against anyone's survival...
Release: January 18 2025
Bad Girls Detective Agency Book 3

3.5 stars - I read book 1 to prepare for this ARC and I am glad that I did. I would have been a bit lost without having done so. I love the Bad Girls Detectives but they really need to learn to stop going off on their own to follow leads! This was my 1st time reading Katie Marsh but will not be my last, I need to see what happens in the next installment in the series!

#MurderontheMenu
#NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, quick read, I have not read other books by the author, but this is the first book in a series and I'm curious about possibly reading the follow up.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Katie Marsh for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder on the Menu coming out January 18, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I love mysteries. I thought the beginning started with a bang. I was thinking it was more of a cozy based on the summary, but then it didn’t feel as cozy. There were more thriller elements to the book. But I loved the setting and the characters were really interesting. I would read more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries!

I thought this was such a fun and fast read! It got me out of a huge reading slump. This is the first book I read in the series so I'll definitely go back and read the first two!

My first Katie Marsh book but definitely not my last. I loved the cozy setting. Strong and fun female characters. Just a great read to sink into. I didn’t realize it was book #3 in a series. Some backstory on the three friends might’ve been nice but certainly not necessary. Easy read!
Thank you NetGalley , Katie Marsh and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you Netgalley & Boldwood Books Publishing for an eARC 🔥

I'm obsessed with the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, and "Murder on the Menu" did not disappoint! This third installment is just as witty, charming, and full of twists as the first two.
Amber, a former detective with a passion for justice, takes center stage this time around. And what a setting - a creepy castle on a stormy island, where a birthday celebration quickly turns into a murder investigation.
The banter between the three main characters is, as always, top-notch. I love how they work together to solve the mystery, and the new cast of eccentric suspects adds to the fun.
My only minor quibble is that the childhood flashbacks, while nostalgic and fun, occasionally disrupted the flow of the story.
Murder on the Menu" is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a lighthearted, entertaining mystery. It's the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads!

Having enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, it was nice to catch up with the ladies!

This was a a pretty standard isolated island/locked room murder mystery, not much that hasn't been done before, but it was nice to see the continuation of the characters.

This was a really interesting book. It started pretty solid, you have loveable characters, intriguing plot, great writing. Unfortunately, around the 50% mark I grew tired of the same questions, not advancing on finding clues and not even ruling out suspects.

The different subplots were cool, the pace of the story was also a strong point, I just felt disconnected after a while, and found myself skimming to finish it.

All in all, it was a fun read, the revelations at the end made sense but weren’t PLAIN obvious, and it leaves on a nice point. Would recommend but probably not reread.

With the sense of an almost locked door mystery, the girls are back together and I loved the setting, the mystery and the interactions. The subject matter is obviously dark at times, but the injections of humour work well and this fits the category of modern cosy mystery well. It is so much fun to see the characters develop that there is value to be had in reading the previous books in the series, but the story itself stands on its own so not essential.

Third in this cozy mystery series ,I enjoyed this story the twists and turns the characters kept me turning the pages.Looking forward to more from this author.#NetGalley #murderonthemenu

The third in a cosy crime series featuring three best friends and female detectives. I had not read any of the previous novels and could not connect with the characters. Unfortunately, I have read several books with a similar theme, trapped on a small island so felt there was no novelty to the story.

Loved this book! I’m a big fan of the remote island setting with limited suspects and this was no exception. I loved the slow unraveling and mysteries that were uncovered throughout. The trio is always hilarious and I loved reading more about that then. I will say I tend to be able to guess the killers in Marsh’ books but it doesn’t make me enjoy them any less. It was a tad cheesy at times but not bad. Overall a fun and quick read I’d recommend to fans of the series, as well as fans of the Finley Donovan series! I got this book as an ARC through net galley.

I am not only new to this series, but I am also new to this author. Katie Marsh serves up a delightful blend of mystery, humour, and friendship in Murder on the Menu, the latest instalment in the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency series. With its captivating setting and clever plot, this cosy mystery is as satisfying as a perfectly plated gourmet meal.
The story begins with Amber, the spirited leader of the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency, being whisked away by her best friends and fellow sleuths, Jeanie and Clio, for a much-needed retreat at a castle on an island. What promises to be a weekend of fine dining and relaxation quickly spirals into a murder investigation when the renowned chef, Amelie la Fontaine, is found dead in her locked tower bedroom.
The castle setting adds a rich layer of atmosphere to the story. Marsh brings the eerie yet enchanting location to life, from its grand dining hall to the claustrophobic tower where the crime takes place. The sense of isolation on the island heightens the tension and makes the locked-room mystery even more tantalizing.
Amber, Jeanie, and Clio are a dynamic trio whose banter and camaraderie are a joy to read. Their distinct personalities shine through, with Amber’s determination, Jeanie’s sharp wit, and Clio’s unflappable optimism creating a perfect balance. Their friendship is the heart of the story, and watching them navigate the twists and turns of the case together is entertaining.
The mystery itself is a well-crafted puzzle. Marsh lays out clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the final reveal. The locked-room aspect adds a classic whodunit flavour, and the motive behind the murder is both surprising and satisfying. The suspects, from castle staff to guests with hidden agendas, are all vividly drawn, adding depth and intrigue to the story.
What sets Murder on the Menu apart is its lighthearted tone. While the murder is central, the book never feels too dark or heavy. Marsh strikes a balance between suspense and humour, making this an ideal read for fans of cosy mysteries.
Murder on the Menu is a treat for cosy mystery lovers. With its engaging characters, atmospheric setting, and cleverly constructed mystery, Katie Marsh delivers a story that’s as comforting as it is compelling. Whether you’re a fan of the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency series or new to their escapades, this book will leave you eagerly anticipating their next case.

For a murder mystery, the tension and suspense were surprisingly absent. While certain scenes were set up for thrilling moments, they often failed to deliver. The major plot twist around the 70% mark felt unnecessary, tying back to the main characters’ storylines in a way that felt forced rather than meaningful.

That said, the killer’s reveal was genuinely surprising, and the unraveling of the mystery itself was enjoyable. The investigative elements were detailed and well thought out, though the story dragged toward the end with excessive dialogue and an overly drawn-out conclusion.

Overall, while the concept was engaging, the execution felt amateurish, leaving a promising story feeling flat.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is the third book in the series and although it isn’t important to have read the first two, it would have helped to give the three main characters some distinct personalities. As it was, it took me far too long to work out which one was which, causing a disconnect from the characters. Therefore I saw the flaws in the book, instead of being gripped by the plot.

This book had an intriguing premise—comedic mysteries and whodunits are always a draw for me. The story follows three middle-aged best friends who run a small detective agency. What begins as a weekend getaway with celebrity chef Valerie quickly turns into a murder-filled mystery.

Unfortunately, the execution fell short. The pacing was off, with the first murder occurring before sufficient character and world-building took place. While there were attempts to establish deep lore and playful banter, these efforts did little to make the characters feel multidimensional or engaging. Their relationships with one another and the plot felt surface-level, leaving the narrative lacking in emotional depth.

For a murder mystery, the tension and suspense were surprisingly absent. While certain scenes were set up for thrilling moments, they often failed to deliver. The major plot twist around the 70% mark felt unnecessary, tying back to the main characters’ storylines in a way that felt forced rather than meaningful.

That said, the killer’s reveal was genuinely surprising, and the unraveling of the mystery itself was enjoyable. The investigative elements were detailed and well thought out, though the story dragged toward the end with excessive dialogue and an overly drawn-out conclusion.

Overall, while the concept was engaging, the execution felt amateurish, leaving a promising story feeling flat.

The Bad Girls Detective Agency #3

Amber, Clio and Jeanie have won a trip to a luxury castle retreat on a remote island, but a relaxing break is not what they get. The retreat owner, Valerie Fontaine, turns up dead. The Bad Girls start investigating the case.

This is a lighthearted read. This murder mystery had me guessing throughout. There were quite a lot of suspects to choose from. The pace is fast in this twisted read. This book can be read as a standalone.

Published 18th January 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwwdBooks and the author #KatieMarsh for my ARC of #MurderOnTheMenu in exchange for an honest review.