This is part of a series, and it would probably be beneficial to read them in order. I haven't read the prior books, and I did find that this book made sense. However, reading the series would give the reader a greater appreciation for the characters, who were distinctly drawn and likeable. Pacing was a bit inconsistent at times. I would've like a bit more to the mystery angle and ending, which made this just an okay read.

I enjoyed this book. It was light and quirky cosy mystery. I haven't read previous books but J.M. Hall but would happily do that.

I have read the previous books in the series and enjoyed them all. On this occasion whilst I liked the characters just as much and their stories the main 'mystery' in this book didn't hold my interest very much, unfortunately I though it dragged.

The writing is still witty, the lives are interesting, mainly because they could be any of us, so you can empathise/sympathise with the main characters, Pat, Liz and Thelma, they have the same issues with family and friends that we can all have.

On the whole it was a good read, but in my personal opinion, not as enjoyable as the previous books.

A book set in the north east! What more could anyone want! The story was well plotted and was thrilling to read. A one sitting book and what’s great about that is the pacing kept the book alive! The characters were well fleshed out and made you feel like you knew them

This book is part of a series, and I remembered these characters, so I enjoyed reading about them again. This book had the comforting cosy mystery feel that I was looking for, and it felt current and relatable. It was entertaining, and I did find it quite humorous.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Was really delighted to be approved to read this before publication.
The book is a really good cozy mystery. Full of coffee, casks and garden centres. It was a lovely twee romp. The story had me guessing until the end. I like the friendships the cattiness, the desperation at some of their kids and husbands choices. The friendships and relationships feel very real. Bring on the next adventure for the ladies!
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book has really cute, interesting characters with a real cozy feel to it. I hope to read further books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

3.5 stars/ 5.

This is book 3 in the series, and I do recommend reading the other two before starting this one, just so you can grow to appreciate the characters a bit more! That said, they don't HAVE to be read to read this book.

Each of the three main characters, Thelma, Liz and Pat has their own personality and it's like visiting old friends as you read the next installment in the series.

Pacing for this book was alright, there were a couple lags where I felt nothing was really happening, but then the mystery would pick up and my attention would be grabbed again.

I think this series is perfect for fans of "The Thursday Murder Club" and "The Marlowe" mystery series which are both series I very much enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was excited to receive this ARC for review. I am going to give this a 3.5 rounded up. As others have mentioned, it would be helpful to read the ladies’ first two adventures in order for more context.

Liz, Pat, and Thelma become embroiled in a missing charity shop by their friend Marguerite who may or may not be reliable. As the story unfolds the ladies learn more and more about the family at the center of the mystery.

There are a lot of stories going on here from the central mystery to drama in each of the ladies’ lives that was sometimes a lot to keep straight. Also, within chapter breaks are difficult to discern with the ARC so I had to keep going back to try and understand where the shift happened.

I enjoyed the writing enough that I would like to have a go at the other two stories. This story may have been a bit overly long, but it was interesting and a really fun weekend read. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an introduction to another great series.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
The very definition of a cozy mystery; in the Richard Osman vein of older people solving crimes. I hadn’t realised this was the third of a series when I began, although it didn’t seem to make too much difference - any reference to previous antics were explained or didn’t impact greatly on the plot.
For me, this one seemed to have a little too much book for the actual plot it contained. The main characters are often mentioning or revisiting the same as-yet-unresolved issues, without making too much headway on them until quite late in the book.
I’m sure a lot of people will really enjoy this book and it’s predecessors, for me it was a little too cozy and I wanted a little more mystery and edge.
I did notice quite a lot of spelling errors and grammatical mistakes; as this is an advance reading proof I assume these will be corrected before it’s published properly.

It was a rather enjoyable read. The plot is quite interesting and has some elements of paranormal, which made the plot even more engaging. The characters are agreeable even though I did not personally connect with them. I did not know that it was a book in a series, but I will most likely read the previous books soon. This third book made me want to read its predecessors.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This third book in the series doesn’t disappoint, it was like meeting up with old friends! (Though it could also be read a s a stand alone book). As I retired teacher myself, I really identify with Pat, Liz and Thelma. I love how they compare current situations and conversations with past classroom scenarios. I also empathise with their concerns about children and grandchildren. The story is well paced and takes some unexpected twists and turns along the way. I heartily recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next volume in the series.

A cozy murder mystery, which at times is anything but cozy. It’s a bit different from the usual books in this genre, in that it does have its dark side. I liked the 3 main characters who all had good backgrounds and personalities. It was lovely that, despite their closeness, they didn’t always agree, had their spats and times of not speaking to each other but really needed their friendships. The plot was well done, the characters with lovely back stories, partners, families with their own troubles and niggles, just like real life. There were red herrings, side plots and a really nice ending. A good read. 3 1/2⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Great to be back with Liz Pat and Thelma. Loved the story, I think they are getting better with each one.

Marguerite experiences quite a shock when, on a foggy night, she stumbles upon a supernatural shop. Except when she returns to the scene, the shop has vanished. . Three friends Liz, Pat and Thelma decide to investigate, but what they discover is far more serious. Someone was murdered in a vehicle collision on the same night, and they can’t help but wonder if the 2 incidents are connected.

I wanted to like this book so badly, so I read it all the way to the end, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I haven't read the 2 books before this one, so that might be why.

I really liked the protagonists and their families, I thought they were all beautifully developed and well-written. It's also nice to see nosiness not be the only personality trait of the 3 older protagonists.

The reason this book wasn't for me is that the stakes were low, even for a cosy mystery, and there just were not enough thrills or huge revelations that had you completely shocked. The final resolution ended on a bit of a whimper.

When Marguerite, an ex colleague of the three protagonists in this cosy mystery story, has a peculiar experience late one night, stumbling across a charity shop in the middle of nowhere, they set out to find out what really happened to her. Liz, Pat and Thelma have previously appeared in two other novels by this author but this book can be read as a stand alone.
The plot is not particularly tricky for the ladies to solve - no blood and guts murder - but there are some slippery characters to deal with meanwhile Pat, Liz and Thelma all have tricky family situations to sort out.
The pacing is good and the story rips along with things coming to light in each chapter and no real sluggish spots. Good writing and fun characters make this an easy and enjoyable cosy crime read.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Such a fun and cozy mystery! Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I love the three main ladies! Keeps you on your toes.

Was delighted to be pre approved for this. I have really enjoyed the last two outing of the garden centre girls.

This book was good but quite as good as previous two. The plot line is for sure unique, it keeps the cosy crime feel but there is unlaying more sinister feel, I think this more down the examination of the human condition the author expertly does though the mixture of characters and subtle political and social commentary…the world is a dark place. The plot line as I said is unique it not what you expect at all, it keeps you guessing though there was times I felt it dragged on a little too much. This for me makes it slightly less engaging, a bit of cutting back on some of the background plot lines would really elevate the books to Thursday Murder Club Standard, for me the sub plots are not written well enough to be fully relevant.

That being said I loved the three ladies, the main plot and the authors style of writing,

This a good read that you keep you guessing and entertained on a cold winters day.

On a side note I was recently at a garden centre with my newly retired father, we were having a coffee and beside there was three ladies chatting away that reminded me of Pat, Liz and Thelma…hope they were plotting something just like them

Retired school teachers - Liz, Pat and Thelma - are investigating a series of mysterious events which may or may not be a crime.

Their friend, Marguerite, has a vision of a charity shop while lost in the fog. On the same night there is a fatal car crash. Can the two events be linked? Why was the woman there and what had scared her?

The three women uncover more facts about the people involved and begin to realise that, in fact, there has been a crime but need to uncover ‘why’ and ‘how’. Each is also dealing with pressures in their own lives.

I love these feisty ladies and enjoyed this encounter with them.

An enjoyable cosy crime story - to be recommended.

Another great outing with the retired schoolteachers.

This is the third installment in the series and it holds up well. Pat, Thelma and Liz are as funny and engaging as ever, and the mystery kept me intrigued. I love how these books aren't just straight up murder mysteries: the first one was about a murder, but the second one was about poison pen letters while this one is more about puzzling out the mystery behind an apparently vanished charity shop. It's quite creepy, which I didn't love, but I'm sure that will appeal to other readers.

I also like how we get a lot about the characters' personal lives, their families and what's going on with them outside of the mystery. It makes the story deeper. I do recommend reading the books in order as you then get the progression of the characters' lives. It's a great series and I'm already looking forward to the next part.

I'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.