Murder For Busy People by Tony Parsons

 

When Max Wolfe stumbles across a dead body while walking his dog he doesn't immediately realise that he is going to be dragged back to his early days as a police officer and one of the greatest unsolved crimes of the past twenty years.

I vividly remember reading Man And Boy by Tony Parsons back in the 1990s and to this day it still remains one of the most emotive books I've read. I've read a few others by the author but was very surprised when I realised I'd not read any of the Max Wolfe series, despite The Murder Bag having been on my TBR pile for years.

When I was given the opportunity to read and review Murder For Busy People it was the author's name, along with the quirky title, which persuaded me. There's always that moment when you realise you're about to embark on a book in a well-developed series, book 7 in this case, and you haven't read any of the previous books. You question whether you will get the best from the novel having no idea of the backstory. I'm pleased to report that the novel works well as a standalone and has enticed me to read the series from the beginning.

While walking his dog early one morning, Max discovers the body of another dog walker. He immediately recognises the man as a getaway driver who was involved in one of the biggest robberies of the past twenty years when a safe and its contents were stolen. What makes the case memorable for Max is that only a week out of his police training, he was the first officer on the scene. Max arrested a young woman, Emma Moon, the only person to be convicted of the robbery in which two men were killed. Sixteen years on, Emma Moon has been released from prison and those alleged to be involved in the crime alongside her begin to turn up dead.

Max Wolfe is definitely a maverick, so while he's a police officer this isn't a police procedural. Wolfe strikes out on his own to find out how the members of the gang are dying, particularly as many of them have given up their criminal past and settled down. He's tenacious, refusing to back down. When he stumbles across a group of corrupt officers we discover how relentless he truly is.

The novel covers some extremely timely themes such as police officers using their powers to arrest women and the challenges of being an armed officer. We also see Max struggling with his personal life. His ex-wife who walked out on her family ten years earlier has made contact with their daughter, Scout. As a pre-teen Scout is pushing the boundaries and Max is finding it difficult to balance allowing her some independence alongside protecting her.

The different threads within the novel work well together, allowing us to see the different sides of Wolfe. The characters and the setting really made you feel as if you were right there in the east end of London. Throughout the story, the big riddle is what was stolen from the safe? The conclusion gives us the answer, but it's a frustrating one.

Murder For Busy People by Tony Parsons will be published on 2nd January 2025. My thanks to NetGalley and Century Books for a review copy.

The Seven by Robyn Delvey

 

The trial of the century is taking place, seven individuals accused of the bombing of a theatre which killed forty-three people and injured many more. When the possibility of a mistrial looms, lawyer Eve Wren is tasked with examining the unused evidence to ensure nothing has been overlooked. What she finds is shocking and puts her own life in danger.

The Seven from Robyn Delvey really packs a punch with its explosive start as we join world-famous actress Madeleine Farmer, along with others connected to the world of theatre and film, being held hostage at a Gala dinner in the Novus Theatre. The people are being held hostage by Patrick Nye and his followers. Nye is a fanatic who leads a group called The Decorous who are opposed to wealth and greed.

After the shocking events of the hostage situation are revealed to us we jump forward fifteen months and meet our main character, Eve Wren. Eve is new to the CPS having previously lost her job with a private law firm because of her principles. This gives us an idea of her character, however, we see that she is also filled with doubt and uncertainty, particularly as she is trying to find her place in the CPS.

Eve's attention to detail and the fact that she refused to compromise her principles make her the ideal candidate to check the undisclosed evidence. As Eve interrogates the mass of evidence we are introduced to some of the survivors of the heinous event and learn that not all scars are visible.

As we get to know some of the other characters we are given a glimpse of their life now, dealing with disfigurement, loss and survivor guilt. The story also jumps back to the hostage situation itself and we see how each person was impacted at the time and how they handled the situation.

By focusing on the hostages we get an idea of the survivor's guilt they are living with and how each of them has handled the situation. Some seem to have handled their feelings better than others but all are struggling and the approach of the court case has caused many of them to disassemble. Author Robyn Delvey has avoided writing from the point of view of Patrick Nye and his followers. I think this is a clever tactic, refusing to give voice to the fanatics, particularly as this appears to be the primary motive for the seven surviving members of The Decorous to be tried together.

There is a real sense of menace as during Eve's investigation she uncovers the possibility of an eighth member of the group as a piece of evidence wasn't scrutinized. You begin to wonder if this was accidental or deliberate and question who can be trusted.

The Seven by Robyn Delvey will be published on 1st January 2025 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a review copy.

Author Details

Robyn Delvey is the pseudonym for critically acclaimed and award-winning writer Michelle Davies. She is the author of six previously published crime fiction novels and has worked for some of the most successful brands in UK magazine publishing, including Grazia and Stylist. She trained in journalism and for a period was court reporter on an award-winning weekly newspaper in Buckinghamshire, covering trials at both magistrates’ and Crown court. She now lives in north London with her partner and their daughter.

November 2024 Reads

 

November has probably been my most consistent month this year. Nine books and three audiobooks and each of them was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Some months there is usually a book or two that doesn't quite match up to the rest but November has been brilliant. I would recommend every single book this month. Hopefully there's enough of a mixture that you'll find something you might be interested in reading.

Nobody’s Hero by M. W. Craven, the much-anticipated sequel to Fearless, lived up to expectations. Anti-hero Ben Koenig, whose neurological disorder means he doesn’t feel fear, comes out of hiding to help solve why academics and professionals have been murdered. Trying to prevent a cataclysmic event from happening results in some ingenious, and stomach-churning, stand-offs.

A Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage by Asia Mackay is a satirical look at a failing suburban marriage. Serial killer duo Haze and Fox have agreed to stop their killing spree and settle down now that they have a child. Unfortunately, Haze is struggling to come to terms with being a stay-at-home mother and frustration, resentment and mistrust begin to fester. The situation isn’t helped when she accidentally kills a man while out jogging and tries to hide it from her husband.

A bittersweet, yet uplifting read was The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot by Marianne Cronin. Seventeen-year-old Lenni has just received the devastating news that her illness is terminal. During her enforced stay in hospital, she forms a strong bond with 83-year-old Margot. Together they start an art project, completing one hundred pictures based on their lives. While completing the project they share with each other stories of their lives.

The Stranger In The Room by Luca Veste is a psychological thriller. Three murders take place in a small town, while the police have no suspects everyone else is convinced they know who did it. Frustrated by the police’s inaction the mother of the most recent victim sets out to make the murderer confess. This is a story of grief and obsession, with a chilling conclusion.

How To Solve Murders Like A Lady by Hannah Dolby is the second book in a Victorian cosy crime series featuring Lady Violet Hamilton who is determined to push boundaries and become a lady detective. It is amusing to see what was once considered scandalous as Violet investigates the mysterious death of an outspoken member of society that may be linked to a doctor pushing dubious cures.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Fenney starts out as a missing person story when the wife of writer Grady Green disappears close to home. When Grady moves to a remote Scottish island a year later to overcome his writer’s block things become strange, almost surreal at times. There is definitely a sinister edge to this spooky tale.

Wanting to try something different I decided to read We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida, a magical story about how cats can be beneficial in treating mental health. Five individuals seek help from a clinic tucked away down a narrow alley, little do they expect the treatments offered and the amazing results.

Serial killer Kitty Collins returns in I Bet You’d Look Good In A Coffin by Katy Brent. Kitty has been good since settling down with her boyfriend and joining a support group for angry women. When a misogynistic influencer targets Kitty she decides to start dealing with deviant men again by ridding the world of a TV presenter who sexually assaults young women.

I rounded the month off with Every Move You Make by C. L. Taylor, a terrifying story of how a stalker can impact a person’s life. Five people, all victims of stalking, form a support group. When one of them is murdered by their stalker the remaining people decide to take action so that they can reclaim their lives. Not only do you get a glimpse of how frightening it is to be stalked, but we also see how manipulative stalkers can be.

Another good month for audiobooks began with A Most Malicious Messenger by Katherine Black. This is the second in The Most Unusual Mysteries series, a slightly darker take on cosy crime. Someone in the small village of Blackheath is sending cryptic malicious text messages. When the target of one of the messages is murdered thoughts turn not only to who is sending them but who is the next target.

In Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon Georgia tries to boost her friend Lydia’s confidence by creating a fake Twitter follower, Patricia, who adores Lydia’s artwork. The plan backfires spectacularly when Lydia starts confiding in Patricia that she knows Georgia’s husband is having an affair. I loved all the twists and turns in this story.

My final audiobook of the month was a return to Beth O’Leary with The Wake-Up Call. Lucas and Izzy are receptionists in a quaint but crumbling hotel. The pair are complete opposites and their hostility frequently shows. When the pair are forced to work together to try and save the hotel they begin to understand each other a little better. The conclusion is obvious but learning about all the characters and the misunderstandings made this an enjoyable listen.

Publication dates to watch out for:-

A Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage by Asia Mackay will be published on 14/1/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Stranger in The Room by Luca Veste will be published on 16/1/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney will be published on 30/1/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

I Bet You’d Look Good In A Coffin by Katy Brent will be published on 30/1/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

How To Solve Murders Like A Lady by Hannah Dolby

 

Violet Hamilton is still on her quest to become a Lady Detective. When she overhears a heated conversation she doesn't realise that it is going to lead to murder and put her own life at risk.

Back in June, there was lots of praise on Twitter/X for How To Solve Murders Like A Lady by Hannah Dolby. Victorian cosy crime sounded right up my street but I didn't want to jump in with the second book in a series so went back and read the first book, No Life For A Lady, which introduces us to Violet Hamilton. You don't need to have read the first book to enjoy How To Solve Murders Like A Lady as you'll easily understand Violet's character as you read. What the first book will do is explain the mystery surrounding Violet's mother, which plays a part in this second book, and also give you an understanding of her relationship with Benjamin Blackthorn, her fiance.

From the opening pages, we see that Violet is as independent and unconventional as ever as she solves a case involving stolen goats. The apparent silliness of some of the crimes investigated is one of the highlights of the story, pointing to a far gentler time. 

Violet is constantly pushing boundaries from her outfits through to her activities. In her need to enhance her skills as a detective she learns how to ride a bicycle and how to shoot. Based on the conclusion of the book I think hand-to-hand combat is high on her list for the next skill to learn. Not all of the barriers that Violet pushes against are through choice, sometimes it's because of a predicament she has found herself in.

Despite the silliness, there is a serious side to the story. Societal norms for women in the Victorian era were strict, to step out of line risked having your reputation tarnished and being shunned by society. It was believed that women were less intelligent than men and that their minds were far more delicate and easily corrupted. I was filled with outrage over the idea that men made all the decisions concerning a woman, including sending her to a "spa" for treatment if she didn't obey the normal rules of polite society. Medical treatments, particularly for well-to-do women who deviated from the norm, were experimental and shocking.

The tone of the writing is perfect. The reader still gets an idea of stilted Victorian society with all its unwritten rules without the over-descriptive language. Some lovely underused words popped up, such as rambunctious, discombobulated and indubitably; how I wish these were still in everyday use.

I do hope that there will be a third outing for Violet, I would love to see what she gets up to next.

Author Details

Hannah Dolby's first job was in the circus and she has aimed to keep life as interesting since. She trained as a journalist in Hastings and has worked in PR for many years, promoting museums, galleries, palaces, gardens and even Dolly the sheep. She completed the Curtis Brown selective three-month novel writing course, and she won runner-up in the Comedy Women in Print Awards for this novel with the prize of a place on an MA in Comedy Writing at the University of Falmouth. She currently lives in London. You can follow Hannah on Twitter @LadyDolby

Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon (Audiobook)

 

Lydia and Georgia have been the best of friends for over twenty years. Hoping to give her friend a confidence boost, Georgia creates a fake Twitter profile who gushes over Lydia's artwork. Her scheme backfires though when Lydia confides in her new follower that she knows a terrible secret about her best friend's husband.

Back in October, I listened to the audiobook Queen Bee by Jane Fallon. I was very surprised that I'd not read or listened to any novels by the author previously. Having enjoyed Queen Bee, and looking for something on the lighter side to listen to, I decided to try another audiobook from the author. This time around Worst Idea Ever was my book of choice and I loved it. 

The initial premise of the story is one many people have probably considered, creating a fake account. When Georgia does this it is with the best intentions. Having met Lydia at university they've been friends ever since. While Georgia's career has flourished, Lydia's has failed to get off the ground. Georgia hopes that new follower Patricia, who raves about Lydia's illustrations, will give her friend the lift she needs to keep going. What she doesn't expect is that Lydia will confide in Patricia. Rather than take a step back from the charade, Georgia continues to pretend to be Patricia and discovers a secret that will have cataclysmic consequences on her life.

I found it very easy to put myself in Georgia's position. Once there was a hint of gossip about her own life it was almost impossible not to want to know more. The pretense is also Georgia's downfall as she would normally tell Lydia everything, but by doing so she'd also have to tell her friend that she's Patricia.

From the beginning I'd guessed that Lydia knew about the fake follower, so as Georgia's life began to fall apart I began to wonder if I'd been wrong in my assumption, after all, a true friend wouldn't want to see someone they love suffer. There are multiple layers to the story, so the twists keep coming, each as shocking as the previous one, hammering home the message that you shouldn't believe everything you read on social media.

Author Details

Jane Fallon is the multi-award-winning television producer behind shows such as This Life, Teachers and 20 Things to Do before You're 30. Her debut novel "Getting Rid of Matthew' was published in 2007 and became a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller as have her subsequent books 'Got You Back', 'Foursome', 'The Ugly Sister', 'Skeletons', 'Strictly Between Us','My Sweet Revenge', 'Faking Friends' and 'Tell Me a Secret'

The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot by Marriane Cronin

 

When seventeen-year-old Lenni learns that her illness is terminal she's struggling to come to terms with "Why me?". Exploring the hospital which has become her world she discovers the art room and meets another "inmate", elderly Margot. The pair form an immediate bond and share the stories of their lives.

I was immensely privileged earlier this year to review Eddie Winston Is Looking For Love by Marianne Cronin and fell in love with the wonderful character of Eddie. Obviously, I had to know if the author had written any other novels, hence me finding The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot, a book that hadn't registered on my radar when it was first published in 2021.

This inter-generational story is filled with warmth, empathy, humour and sadness. From the very beginning, you know what the outcome of the story will be, but the journey there is full of surprises.

We meet Lenni at the start of the book and learn that she is terminally ill. In many ways Lenni is a typical teen, refusing to follow rules, pushing boundaries and constantly questioning authority. Wandering the hospital corridors she stumbles across the chapel and Father Arthur. This meeting gives Lenni the opportunity to question the greatest authority of all, God. The relationship Lenni forms with Arthur is one of the mainstays of the story. While Arthur is unable to give Lenni the answers she seeks he doesn't patronise her.

From her questioning it is obvious that Lenni is not only highly intelligent but she's also an "old soul", this is confirmed when she forms a friendship with Margot. Their first fleeting meeting is almost a reversal of roles with Lenni covering for Margot who is almost clambering into a wheelie bin. The friendship is cemented when Lenni is adamant that she wants to join the art group full of elderly patients, rather than the one for her age group.

Together the pair embark on an art project, creating one hundred pictures commemorating events in their combined one hundred-year lifespan. While producing the artwork the pair share the background to each picture, giving the reader a glimpse into two very different lives. We discover that both women have had to contend with heartbreak and abandonment; but it is these adversities that have formed their characters, refusing to be broken by circumstances.

Marianne Cronin tugs at the heartstrings as the conclusion approaches. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, wishing for a miracle. Thankfully, the author doesn't sugarcoat the ending, giving the reader a realistic, yet bittersweet, ending.

Author Details

Marianne Cronin was born in 1990 and grew up in Warwickshire. After gaining her PhD in applied linguistics, she worked in academia until becoming a writer. Her first novel, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, published by Doubleday in 2021, was voted 'most uplifting book of 2021' by The Independent and shortlisted for a Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction. She lives in the Midlands with her family and her cat.

A Most Malicious Messenger by Katherine Black (Audiobook)

 

In the village of Blackheath, someone is sending cryptic malicious text messages, hinting at wrongdoing. When the target of one of the texts turns up dead everyone begins to wonder who the sender is and who could be the next target.

Back in September, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to review the audiobook A Most Unusual Demise, the first in The Most Unusual Mysteries series by Katherine Black. I thoroughly enjoyed the book as it offered a slightly darker take on the cosy crime genre and was filled with wonderfully eccentric characters.

A Most Malicious Messenger is the second book in the series. The paperback and ebook were published at the start of 2024 and the audiobook has now been made available. Once again Jonathan Keeble does an incredible job as narrator.

You do not need to have read/listened to the first book in the series to enjoy A Most Malicious Messenger, however doing so will give you a greater understanding of the characters, particularly the main characters May and Fletcher. Both characters have secrets to hide, ones which we find out early in the first book, and they are desperate to keep those secrets hidden. Since the plot revolves around the uncovering of secrets the pair have a lot to contend with.

The wonderful characters from the first book put in an appearance. Bastian, who manages the bookshop for May, is the centre of gossip when a young woman appears in his life. Barb, May's novelist friend is as flamboyant and delicious as ever. To add to the mix is Minty, May's nonagenarian mother. Minty is a law unto herself with her behaviour frequently scandalous. Minty has turned up wanting May to bump her off, something May is adamant she won't do, however, her behaviour frequently gives May pause for thought.

There is a lot of very dark humour, something which raises the book above many other cosy crime novels. Minty and Barb are the stand-out characters, particularly as Minty seems to delight in taunting Barb. May refuses to see that she has the same trait as her mother as she delights in tormenting her neighbour.

Our characters contend with the usual red herrings and a race against time to uncover the person responsible for the despicable crimes. There is a particularly grisly scene towards the end and a conclusion that will elicit a little gasp, followed by a giggle and a wry smile.

A Most Malicious Messenger by Katherine Black is available in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for a review copy.

Author Details

Katherine Black was born and raised in Texas, but has spent most of her life in England. These days, her drawl is long gone unless she's had a few drinks or a late night.
Armed with an art history degree from the University of Texas (Hook 'em, Horns!) she worked in the arts in the UK and Europe before chucking it all in for the glamourous life of a stay at home mom. When she decided to pursue her dream of writing crime fiction, she completed an MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) at the University of East Anglia. Her first novel, written as part of the MA, placed third in the Yeovil Literary Prize. Re-titled as A Most Unusual Demise, that story is published by Bloodhound Books and is the first in The Most Unusual Mysteries series. You can read more of May & Fletcher's adventures in A Most Malicious Messenger. The series was longlisted for the Crime Writers Association's New Blood Dagger in 2024.
Katherine's novel, Lufkin, Texas (unpublished), was longlisted for the Crime Writers Association's Debut Dagger in 2022.