A Spoonful of Murder
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3.3 • 75 Ratings
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- £11.99
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- £11.99
Publisher Description
‘Fabulous, cosy, mystery… Wonderful… Absolutely perfect for fans of Richard Osman!’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Introducing the three unlikeliest sleuths you'll ever meet…
Every Thursday, three retired school teachers have their ‘coffee o’clock’ sessions at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.
But one fateful week, as they are catching up with a slice of cake, they bump into their ex-colleague, Topsy.
By the next Thursday, Topsy’s dead.
The last thing Liz, Thelma and Pat imagined was that they would become involved in a murder.
But they know there’s more to Topsy’s death than meets the eye – and it’s down to them to prove it…
Sit down with a cup of tea and this perfectly witty, page-turning cosy crime novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Death in Paradise and Midsomer Murders will be hooked from the very first page.
Readers love A Spoonful of Murder:
‘Warm characters and wonderful writing… It’s steeped in Yorkshire like a mug of hot, strong tea… I loved it’ SJ Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot
‘Outstanding… I read this in and day and could not put it down… Had me gripped from the first page… Made me howl with laughter…If you loved The Thursday Murder Club you going to love this book’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Three Miss Marples for the price of one… The plot is carefully assembled, rather like a patchwork quilt, with each element placed just so’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh how brilliant was this book?! I must have read it in about two servings as I just couldn't put it down… Had great comical moments throughout. A really good murder mystery book’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What a fantastic read! It gave me all the cosy… Really enjoyable characters that you feel like you've known for years once you finish the book. It was the perfect pace, and easy to follow. Love, love, loved this book’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Absolutely loved this book!! I really enjoyed the characters and the sweet story line!! I was up all night reading and couldn't put the book down!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I absolutely loved this cosy mystery… Keeps you turning the pages. It's an easy read and perfect for these cold winter nights’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Charming… The plot is cosy and tricky, with just the right blend of Miss Marple, interesting and quirky characters, secrets… colourful cardigans, and of course, heaps of tea and warm companionship. I loved this book’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Cosy mystery at its best with a cast of loveable characters, a truly satisfying read!’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Poignant and relatable, I want these ladies as my friends!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A joy to read… Lots twists and turns, this is a great debut’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book is a joy, I really, really loved it… A five star read’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer Reviews
Indistinguishable characters
I enjoyed listening to the book but I had trouble distinguishing between the three main characters. Their identities and roles are very similar, and it doesn’t really matter which of the three did what. I liked the language and the pace.
Brilliant and funny
Absolutely loved this book, the characters and plot. Liked that this was a story with familiar thoughts and feelings, to us all and with northern villages and shops we recognise . Was expertly read by Julie Hesmondhalgh and made me laugh out loud at times…..wonderful….on to the next book.
Charming cosy mystery
My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. Audio Avon for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘A Spoonful of Murder’ by J.M. Hall in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is narrated by Julie Hesmondhalgh.
This was a fun cosy mystery in which three retired school teachers become involved in a case of possible murder.
Liz, Thelma and Pat meet up every Thursday for their ‘coffee o’clock’ sessions at the Thirsk Garden Centre café. One week as they are in the midst of catching up, they bump into their ex-colleague, Topsy. They are concerned as Topsy appears to be vague and forgetful.
They learn from Topsy’s daughter that recently she had been cruelty defrauded of her life savings by a telephone scammer. By the next Thursday Topsy is dead after apparently muddling up her pills. Yet something doesn’t feel right to her friends prompting them to do some sleuthing of their own. No further details to avoid spoilers.
Recently there has been an upsurge in cosy mysteries featuring more mature amateur detectives, a modern take on Miss Marple. Certainly as an older reader, I appreciate this trend. In between seeking answers we learn more about the friends’ lives.
With respect to the audiobook Julie Hesmondhalgh is a well-known tv actor and I thought her an excellent choice to narrate this cosy.
The audiobook contains a bonus interview with the author which provides background on the novel, including that his own vulnerable father had been defrauded in a similar fashion to Topsy. So, he is writing from experience. Hopefully this tale will alert readers to this very real danger.
Also, Hall’s background as a primary school deputy head gave him inspiration in creating his main characters and his love for the works of Agatha Christie informed his approach to writing this intriguing mystery.
Overall, I felt that this was a great debut and very pleased to see that Liz, Thelma and Pat will be returning later this year with ‘A Pen Dipped in Poison’. I definitely will be ordering it.