Death Comes To Marlow by Robert Thorogood

 

The day before he is due to re-marry Sir Peter Bailey, one of the preeminent members of Marlow society, is murdered. Judith, Becks and Suzie struggle to prove it was even murder as Sir Peter was inside his locked study, and he had the only key with him, a study with no other means of entry or exit.

Earlier this year I listened to the audiobook of The Marlow Murder Club and enjoyed it so much I added Death Comes To Marlow to my TBR. When I discovered that Robert Thorogood was about to publish the third book in the series, The Queen Of Poisons, I decided to promote Death Comes To Marlow to the top of my TBR.

This is such a well-written cozy crime that you are immediately drawn into the story. Lead character Judith Potts is a fan of crosswords, swimming naked and tots of whisky. The opening chapter has you chuckling from the start at the thought of a seventy-eight-year-old running naked along the banks of the Thames to avoid a dead duck. Judith's eccentricities mean that many people overlook her intelligence.

Judith's colleagues, Suzie and Becks, complement her skills perfectly. Suzie is a bit rough and ready, prepared to try anything and doesn't know the meaning of the word subtle. Becks is very much Home Counties middle class, having an encyclopedic knowledge of what is trending among society.

Since virtually every character has an alibi in this locked room mystery the reader is left puzzled and perplexed until the big reveal at the end. Alongside this storyline we have the added mystery of messages hidden in the cryptic crossword with appears in the local paper. Could drug dealers be arranging meetings within the sleepy village of Marlow?

I love the way the intrepid trio, supported by DS Tanika Malik, take over the investigation, simply refusing to be brushed aside. They are able to talk their way into anywhere in their quest to challenge suspects. The subtle humor keeps the tone light without dumbing down the storyline. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series which is due to be published in January 2024.