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But one fateful week, as they are catching up with a slice of cake, they bump into their ex-colleague, Topsy. This was a fun cosy mystery in which three retired school teachers become involved in a case of possible murder.
J.M. Hall has a lightness of touch that is hugely entertaining and the book is not only a delight to read, it’s witty and brilliantly plotted. Little hooks at the end of each chapter compel the reader onwards and the chapter summaries at the beginning are so intriguing it’s impossible to put the story down. I enjoyed as they weeded through the suspects and solved the mystery. Maybe they will be able to solve additional crimes in future books? I would be interested in reading those as well. Alongside the fast paced, humorous, story there are some weightier themes; including the threat of dementia and the manipulative exploitation of the vulnerable or elderly, so that whilst this is a relatively light-hearted read, there’s considerable light and shade to enjoy too. Not only is the story beguiling and diversionary, but it’s cautionary and educational.There must be a thing now with older amateur sleuth stories, as I’ve read more than I had expected to recently. This trio muddled their way to the solution, and a resolution for their other personal cares, in a way that held my attention to the end, and has me looking forward to their next sleuthing adventure. Written by a first-time (and ex-teacher) author, the friendship of the three main protagonists, built upon a shared history of tea, support and companionship nurtured on the worn chairs of their former staff room, is steeped with authenticity. How the male author manages to also nail the middle-aged female psyche is truly a marvel, with each of the three characters so well-crafted you would swear you have met them. the three main protagonists were super fun to read and so unique from one another that I felt as if I had been friends with them for ages!! thelma is strong and the natural born leader, pat is the worrier and the more practical of the bunch, and liz is the heart of the group and definitely appealed to me the most.
At first it looks like a accidental death caused by the dementia that Topsy is suffering from but something is not sitting right with the 3 ladies and they start to making enquiries into Topsys life and her nearest and dearest. I found myself looking forward to each of their chapters equally (a bit unusual for me I know), and the conclusion was oh so satisfying!!A fabulous, cozy, mystery story... Wonderful... Absolutely perfect for fans of Richard Osman!' NetGalley Review I’m so excited! I got the current collection of books last christmas and I’m in love with them, I cannot wait for ‘a spoonful of murder.’ I wonder what Hazel and Daisy do next, I’m sure I’ll love it. 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… The girls must work together like never before, confronting dangerous gangs and sinister private detectives to solve the crimes and discover the villain - before it's too late. Three retired school teachers; Pat, Liz and Thelma meet every week at the cafe of their local garden centre for a cuppa and a catch up. At one such meeting, they happen to bump into an old colleague of their’s called Topsy. By the following week, Topsy is dead.
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