Trust Liz to deliver a proper parting shot! Wise words indeed, in a marvelous last chapter tying all things together.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

A cruel letter to the Headmistress is assumed to be a one-off, until a spate of others target random teachers. Who? Why? Those are the obvious questions but, as Pat reminds her friends, Liz and Thelma, the questions in the rhyme they all taught to their pupils also contains, How? Where? and When? Although less obvious, answering the last three will turn up the clues needed to solve the first three. “How” is easy, the letters are computer typed and printed on the school’s stationary; “Where” is also easy, they turn up in various locations within the school, “When” is more complicated, the first one was found during the setting up for the Summer Fayre, the last event of that academic year, all the rest turn up individually during the first term of the next academic year. The school, St Barnabus Primary, is now part of Lodestone Academy Trust, and is run by the new headmistress Kayleigh Brittain, designer clad, perfectly coiffed, powerfully efficient. Are the letters someone’s plan to disrupt the school and get her fired? The three retired friends start to investigate, despite the protestations of their husbands. Ron, Liz’s husband, recently recovered from cancer, is looking to retire having lost a contract linked to Lodestone; Derek, Pat’s husband, is a teacher at the “College for Vicars” which is possibly under threat of closure (by an organisation linked to Lodestone) ; Teddy, Thelma’s husband, is Head of that College. Could a scam of some kind be involved?
This is the author’s second book and I reviewed the first (A Spoonful of Murder) back in March. Much of what I said then is still apposite here so I’m largely repeating myself in this paragraph. If you have ever wondered what makes a cosy crime story, this is a quintessential example; plus you get three Miss Marples for the price of one. The three, Thelma, Liz and Pat, are retired primary school teachers who meet every Thursday, at the Thirsk Garden Centre, for coffee and cake and a natter about families and friends and life in general. Their background and experience have given them sharp minds and caring temperaments, coupled with pragmatism and a deep psychological understanding of human nature. The three women are all very different and extremely well drawn characters, with detailed family backgrounds that clearly show why they act, individually and collectively, in the way they do when sleuthing. The plot is carefully assembled, rather like a patchwork quilt, with each element placed just so. As a mystery story it is not particularly complicated, but the writing is so good that you find yourself invested in these women and their progress.
In short, I loved this story, just as I loved its predecessor, and recommend it highly.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

There is a poison pen writer targeting staff at St Barnabus , a place where retired teachers Thelma, Pat and Liz. used to teach. The letters are vindictive and most of the staff have received at least one and the Head teacher has received three. Tension is running high at the school, along with over active radiators which is another problem. A dodgy trust has taken over the school and various “green energy “ schemes as well as curriculum changes had most of the staff on edge long before the letters started arriving.
I enjoyed the book and felt the education environment very authentic, however I thought the pace was a bit erratic and slow to get going. One of the things I enjoyed most about the first book in this series was the close relationship between Thelma, Pat and Liz. I was disappointed that they really didn’t join forces until the last quarter of the book. That said, I did enjoy the book and I really like the characters.
Thank you to netgalley and Avon for an advance electronic copy.

this was a great mystery novel, it was what I was hoping for when reading the description. It was really well written and does what a good mystery is suppose to. I really enjoyed the characters in the story and they worked really well. I'm glad I was able to read this as I really enjoyed what I read, and can't wait to read more mysteries by J.M. Hall.

"But you knew about what she was planning?’ There was something expert about the way Kayleigh seized on this point that made Thelma instinctively want to confess or deny what was being implied. For the first time she fully appreciated Victoria’s label of Mussolini."

Thelma, Liz and Pat our trusted group of retired schoolteachers are, once again, pulled into a mystery that needs solving. This one involves boilers, dodgy dealings, scary headteachers, poison pen letters (who bothers with letters these days?), summer fayres, builders and lots of trips to the garden centre. Wonderful stuff and perfect for those of us that love our cozy mysteries with a hint of Agatha Cristie and Richard Osman! Settle down and enjoy.

I could not put this book down what a perfect book to read I loved the three main characters if you loved the author other book you going to love this as did I loved the description of all the characters & I had a version of hycient bouquet for the headteacher when I was reading this and loved them mention of Suffolk town near from where I am from originally

I won’t ruin this book with any spoilers but I highly recommend it
Thanks to Avon books & NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for this honest review

More school trouble for retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma. This time it's anonymous letters.

Letters? These days?

And the trouble is that there's more of them than people are prepared to admit.

Why? Who? And can they be stopped before it tips over into something more serious?

I really enjoyed this book. As a retired teacher I loved the three main characters, and the way academies are represented is absolutely fantastic! The way money is the priority not children, the constant use of improvements and beacon schools, new maths and writing initiatives, marks schemes, all are so accurately portrayed. In particular the ‘Children of the suits’! At one local MAT here, it looked like the senior staff had all gone shopping together to buy their matching blue suits and brown brogues. I sincerely hope there are many more books to come from Thelma, Pat and Liz.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the author. Almost like Agatha Christie…who sent the letters? What will happen next? Who is guilty? This book would make a great movie. The characters are likable and quirky. The story moves quickly. This talented author leaves us waiting for more of the same. Enjoy.