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.

The Kill by Jane Casey

 

When an off-duty police officer is killed on his way home DC Maeve Kerrigan and the rest of the MIT team have to investigate if the murder is related to his personal life or his professional one.

The Kill by Jane Casey is the fifth book in the Maeve Kerrigan series. Maeve is a young woman trying to find her place in a male-dominated team in the Metropolitan Police Force. Fans of the series will be aware that Maeve is frequently paired with the more experienced DI Josh Derwent. From the very beginning of the story, Josh is as boorish as ever, he delights in pushing Maeve's buttons in the hope of getting a reaction. Over time Maeve has toughened up and is well aware of Derwent's tactics so doesn't rise to the bait very often.

The initial investigation into the murder of the off-duty police officer doesn't immediately throw up any suspects but his troubled home life makes the team think that the motive must be a personal one. It is only when other police officers are attacked that they begin to wonder if it's the police force that has been targeted. If this is the case, the big questions are who and why?

Maeve has her own suspicions early on as to the reason for the seemingly unprovoked attacks, however, her lowly position within the team makes her reluctant to voice her thoughts. Added to this is the possibility of implicating another officer. As Maeve struggles with this dilemma every member of the police force is vulnerable, including Maeve herself and the people she is close to.

One scene in particular involving Maeve is terrifying, showing just how exposed the police are. Alongside this is another scene in which you are holding your breath, terrified to read on in case the worst has happened. Author Jane Casey puts the reader through the emotional wringer, showing clearly that following a traumatic event people don't just brush things off and go back to normal, there are psychological consequences, some of which take a long time to overcome.

The head of the MIT, Superintendent Godley, is determined to find the person responsible for the attacks on the police, however, Maeve seems to be the only person on the team to notice that her boss is distracted. When things come to a head she eventually has to confide in Derwent and this is when we see his true nature. Derwent is fiercely loyal and extremely protective of those he respects and cares for (even if he does hide this side of his nature very well).

A near disaster leads to the discovery of who is ultimately responsible, even though Maeve still has a hunch that something isn't quite right, leading to a tense and terrifying conclusion.

Each book in this series is better than the last and I'm already looking forward to settling down with book six.

Perfect Crime by Helen Fields

 

A spate of recent suicides has the police wondering if someone with malicious intent is involved.

Perfect Crime by Helen Fields is the fifth book in the Luc Callanach/Ava Turner series, a series which simply gets better with each book.

The opening chapter sets the scene for a novel filled with edge-of-your-seat tension. We have a man determined to take his own life by jumping from a bridge. Despite the bleakness of his situation, he has considered the effect he will have on those he leaves behind, wanting to cause as little fuss as possible. Thankfully, a bystander steps forward, and this man demonstrates the skill and empathy of those who try to help people at their lowest. 

Having been persuaded not to commit suicide, no one is surprised when, days later, the same man jumps from the walls of a castle. It is only when a second person, someone with a history of previous failed attempts, is discovered dead that the police begin to wonder if they have a killer targeting people who have tried to kill themselves previously. Little do they realise that they have a serial killer, someone who believes that those who attempt and fail to take their own lives really don't understand the true value of life.

This really isn't a book for the faint-hearted. Early chapters feature scenes involving heights and the descriptions alone are enough to make the reader terrified of heights. Alongside this are a number of ingenious, yet deeply disturbing, descriptions of murder.

Early on in the novel Luc Callanach visits one of the men who attacked his mother. The visit does not offer Callanach the closure he was hoping for, in fact, things become even more complicated when the man concerned is murdered later the same day and Luc becomes a suspect. This second story-line adds an intriguing element to the book. Fans of the series know that Callanach wouldn't commit murder, so is someone trying to frame him?

The connection between Luc and Ava grows even stronger, giving readers one of those "will they, won't they?" story-lines. I was firmly rooting for the pair to get together and I'm sure lots of other readers of the series feel the same. Fate certainly seems determined to make this relationship one for which the individuals concerned have to battle. The introduction of a couple of new characters also mixes things up a bit.

Even though I've read book 7 in the series (the one which introduced me to this fantastic series) I was worried about the fate of a number of the characters as the conclusion approached. As for the villain, well it wasn't a surprise but there again it was. Villains who hide in plain sight always leave a reader second-guessing and it's impossible to know if the author is going to introduce another twist.

The Opposite Of Lonely by Doug Johnstone

 

Arson at a traveler site, the search for a missing person and the harassment of a female astronaut are just some of the cases the Skelf women are involved with, alongside the normal day-to-day running of their family funeral visit.

The Opposite Of Lonely from Doug Johnstone is the fifth book in the Skelf series. The series features Dorothy, the matriarch of the family, Jenny, Dorothy's daughter, and Hannah, Jenny's daughter. Together the women run a funeral business and have a sideline as private investigators. While the book can be read as a stand-alone story, real enjoyment comes from seeing how the family has developed. The "missing person" element of the book also recalls elements of the previous books in the series.

Doug Johnstone has a knack for writing opening chapters that immediately grab your attention and the first chapter in this book is no different. Featuring a funeral for a member of a traveler community which takes place on an island about to be cut off from the mainland by the tide, we see a race against time and some humor in the event. 

The funeral for the travelling community see's the Skelf's moving their funeral business in a new direction, trying to offer greener funerals. I found the plans for the business really informative, there's nothing nicer than learning something new as you read. The fact that the "something new" is about funerals is important, as one of the characters points out, death and funerals isn't an easy topic of conversation.

Supporting the Skelf women are Indy, Hannah's wife, and Archie, an employee at the funeral home. We also meet a new character, Brodie, who becomes part of the team. The way in which Brodie is introduced is intriguing to start with and then becomes heartbreaking. I am sure that Brodie's backstory will resonate with many people.

While the storyline featuring the harassment of the female astronaut isn't the main one it does give us the overall theme of the book, connectedness. We have connections with family and friends, along with connections with the greater community. However, we have to work to keep the connections. Then there is a much greater connection, to the planet and the universe. I felt this fit well with the theme of the author's last book, The Space Between Us (please don't let the thought of this being a sci-fi story put you off reading, it is wonderful).

As one of the stories is concluded pretty peacefully, the other two lead to danger. One thread in particular had me very worried about the possible direction of a supporting character. I was so distressed about the possibility I didn't want to read on. Even though the story didn't take the route I thought it was going to, the ending was still nerve-wracking and had me fearing we'd seen the end of characters I'd grown to know and love.

   

September 2023 Reads

 

A slight slow down in my reading last month, the transition to autumn seems to have hit me hard. Every time I sit down I fall asleep, I think my body is going into hibernation mode. September brought some fantastic thrillers in both ebook and audio format.

In my quest to get up to date with the Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey, I started the month with The Stranger You Know, the fourth book in the series. We gain greater insight into what motivates Maeve’s partner, Josh Derwent, as he becomes a suspect in a series of murders which bear a similarity to a murder in his past.

I love books that use mixed media to tell a story, they are so easy to read and keep you turning the pages. Cara Hunter has used this style to great effect in Murder In The Family. We follow a reality TV-style program that re-investigates an unsolved murder. There are tons of red herrings and shock reveals in this gripping tale.

The Short Straw by Holly Seddon is one of the creepiest books I’ve read in a long time. I don’t do horror films so wouldn’t even go near this if it was on TV, I was even close to abandoning this tale of three sisters sheltering in an abandoned house during a storm because it was so sinister. The house is somewhere they knew as children but it is only as they spend time in the abandoned property that they begin to uncover disturbing memories they had forgotten.

The first few pages of The Fake Wife by Sharon Bolton didn’t grab me but I’m so glad I didn’t give up as I ended up engrossed. The wife of an MP goes missing. Has she simply walked away from the relationship or has she been abducted? With possible connections to organised crime, it is up to a bungling traffic officer and a fledgling detective to sort through all the secrets and lies in this race against time. I particularly loved the fact that the story is set in an area of the country I know well, it made it seem much more personal to me.

The mastermind behind a highly successful team of kidnappers just happens to be the head of the NCA Anti-kidnap squad in The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick. There is lots of double crossing and misdirection when a barrister’s daughter is kidnapped. This time around it isn’t money the kidnappers are demanding.

The Thursday Murder Club from Richard Osman returns in the fourth book in the series, The Last Devil To Die. The group don’t believe a friend who has been murdered over drugs would ever be involved in drugs and decide to investigate. The police, including the NCA, and other drug dealers, are no match for the gang of four. This time around we have a very poignant read as Elizabeth comes to terms with the fact she can no longer look after her husband at home because of his worsening dementia. Have some tissues handy.

First audiobook of the month was The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard. Having survived a serial killer who murdered the rest of her family, Eve Black writes a book about “The Nothing Man”, hoping to track him down. A security guard reading the book becomes incensed because he is “The Nothing Man” and needs to ensure his identity is never revealed. A clever audiobook that mixes the two perspectives.

You can’t beat a twisty thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the end and my next audiobook, Silent Waters from L. V. Matthews fits right into that category. A woman is missing presumed dead and Jen Harper is one of the police divers searching for a body. Jen knows the missing woman, in fact, her husband is the father of Jen’s son, a secret no-one knows. This is just one of many secrets that could be the cause of the woman going missing.

Last audiobook of the month was Leonard And Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession. This is a wonderfully charming story about two young men who lead very ordinary lives, happy with their lot, never wanting to draw attention to themselves. Although very little happens, for Leonard and Hungry Paul there are far-reaching consequences.

Publication dates to watch out for are:-

The Fake Wife by Sharon Bolton will be published on 9/11/23 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick will be published on 9/11/23 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Leonard And Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession (Audiobook)

 

Leonard and Hungry Paul are two young men, friends, who don't quite fit in with society's norms. They are happy with the life they lead and the support they have from family.

Leonard And Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession is one of those engaging, gentle stories that envelop you like a warm hug. You can't help but be drawn in by the charm of the characters and the all-pervading sense of "niceness". 

Both Leonard and Hungry Paul have always lived at home. Leonard was brought up by his mother and is now coming to terms with her recent death. He's a quiet and unassuming young man, content with his life, never wanting to be the centre of attention. Hungry Paul, Leonard's best friend, is "different" and his parents have always been protective of him. He's one of those people who is a little naive, open and trusting of others.

A chance encounter at work opens Leonard's eyes to the possibility of romance, although being new to dating he does discover there are some pitfalls. He also takes a look at his career options, realising that he is more than capable of writing a book himself, rather than just doing all the research and ghostwriting for someone else.

With Hungry Paul it's entering a competition that opens doors. Hungry Paul is more than happy with the status quo, it's the rest of his family that wants things to change, particularly his sister, Grace. Grace is worried that Hungry Paul is becoming a burden upon their aging parents and worries about how he will cope when they are no longer around. 

The audiobook is narrated by John Hopkins, whose tone, pace and pitch are perfect. He is able to narrate each separate character so you know exactly who is speaking without resorting to silly voices. The narration matches the story line to perfection, I could have listened all day.

This isn't a story of cataclysmic change, it's about the ordinariness of life. However, there's nothing wrong with being ordinary if you focus on what you are good at and treat everyone with kindness.

The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

 

When a friend is murdered The Thursday Murder Club looks into connections with the local heroin trade. Knowing their friend well, they are convinced he wouldn't be involved in the distribution of drugs, so there must be more to the case.

The Last Devil To Die is the fourth outing of The Thursday Murder Club from Richard Osman and by now we know the characters so well. Each one displays the characteristics that we've grown to love, but this time around a couple of them step out of their comfort zone. I'm not claiming this as "a refreshing change" as the characters were perfect as they were, the change is driven by the story and is a reflection of what happens in life.

Events take place just after Christmas. I love the fact that thanks to a bit of IT the residents of Coopers Chase celebrated New Year three hours early so they didn't have to stay up late, I think I might take this idea on board myself. When they learn that their friend, and local antique dealer, Kuldesh Sharma has been murdered because of involvement with a heroin deal they are shocked. Everyone is adamant that Kuldesh would not get involved with the drug trade. They are also sure that if Kuldesh's shop was being used as a place for a consignment of drugs to be dropped off and collected he would simply do as asked and not cause any fuss. The fact that Kuldesh was murdered on a quiet country lane and the drugs have disappeared convinces the four pensioners that there is far more to the case than the police can see.

Involvement in the local drug trade brings a host of new characters, all of whom are caricatures of what we would expect those who run drug rings to be. As the drug lords hunt for the missing consignment of heroin, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are trying to uncover why Kuldesh would act out of character. At times these new characters give our gang of four a run for their money, seeming to be one step ahead of them at times. I chuckled at the way the drug dealers described the gang of four, "a dodgy cockney, a coke dealer, some old bird with a shooter, and ..... Joyce". 

The local police, Chris and Donna, have their noses put out of joint when the NCA moves in to take over the case. The friction between Chris, Donna and the new head of the case offers humor as petty office politics are used to best each other. Fans of the series will know that being told they are off the case will make no difference to Chris and Donna as they do what Elizabeth tells them.

There is another crime, one on a smaller scale, that the group gets involved in. One of the new residents of Coopers Chase is the target of an online romance scam but refuses to believe it's a scam. Ron and Ibrahim, aided by another new resident, Computer Bob, delve into the case.

It's the non-crime aspect of the story that really elevates the book and causes some people to take on different roles. No-nonsense Elizabeth is struggling as her husband, Stephen, has fewer and fewer lucid moments because of dementia. Elizabeth is finally coming to terms with the fact that she can no longer look after her husband at home. The fleeting moments when Stephen is aware of everything are heartbreaking as he knows exactly what is happening to him and the burden he is becoming. The choices made make this a very philosophical read and will tug at the heartstrings.

With Elizabeth taking a back seat in the case it is Joyce who steps up. Joyce is still as ditzy as ever but when needed takes on the commanding role we normally see from Elizabeth. It is the changes in both Elizabeth and Joyce that I felt are a reflection on what we see in life; as one person retreats, another rises to the occasion. 

As everything comes together at the end, we discover that there was far more at stake than the initial shipment of drugs and that members of The Thursday Murder Club were right in their knowledge of Kuldesh's character. This is a fitting fourth installment in the series, but this time around the poignant story feels very personal.