I love cozy mysteries, primarily when led by older people, not your typical young sleuths, and this book fits the bill. Judith and her friends Becks and Suzie are fresh off the success of their first murder-solving endeavors, so when a Lord from local Marlow died, they couldn't pass up the chance to solve the mystery with their Holmes-esque methods. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is the second in a series. Yup, I need to read the first one too.

I enjoy British mysteries, and thought the first book of this series was pretty good and so I thought I would give Book 2 a try. Well, that did not turn out that well. The Marlow Murder Club is a group of 3 women led by Judith, a 78-year old retiree who loves both creating and solving crossword puzzles, Suzie who is a dog walker and now a host on Marlow FM, and finally Becks who is the 40-ish wife of the local vicar. The three blended well together to solve the first murder, but it seems they went their own way until they are reunited to solve the murder of Sir Peter Bailey. Sir Peter summoned Judith to attend a day-before-wedding party because he was afraid his son might kill him. And, lo and behold, Sir Peter dies during the party with no witnesses to the crime. Enter the ladies who were all at the party and begin collecting clues and trying to find the murderer. Finally the police arrive but the ladies continue to meddle. And this goes on for over 300 pages. The police officially refuse to believe it is a murder which is a convenient plot device to allow these three ladies to continue meddling in lives and collecting clues. But, by about page 30 I knew who was the murderer, and apparently I am smarter than those ladies of the Marlow Murder Club, so much so that they, especially Judith, becomes aggravating and irritating. It is a locked room mystery that does have its baffling moments, but as creative as the plot was in Book 1, this second effort was disappointing. I will say that the solution to to how the locked room murder was ingenious but it just was enough to raise this one to a disappointing 3*** effort. There is a Book 3 coming out shortly, not sure if I will read that one.

A nice cozy set in rural England with an older woman and two younger friends find themselves embroiled in a locked room mystery. This is the second entry in the Marlow Murder Club series.

Absolutely loved 'Death Comes to Marlow' by Robert Thorogood! 🕵️‍♂️🔍 A cozy mystery that keeps you guessing till the very end. 📚 The quaint setting of Marlow is the perfect backdrop for the intriguing storyline, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Thorogood has a knack for creating characters that feel like old friends, and you can't help but get invested in their lives and the mystery they're unraveling.

The writing style is engaging and effortlessly draws you into the world of Detective Inspector Richard Poole and his team. 🕵️‍♀️ The humor sprinkled throughout adds a delightful touch, making it not just a gripping mystery but also an enjoyable read. I found myself eagerly turning the pages, eager to see how the puzzle pieces fit together.

If you're a fan of classic whodunits with a modern flair, this is a must-read! 📖 Highly recommend 'Death Comes to Marlow' for anyone who enjoys a clever mystery that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Can't wait to dive into more of Thorogood's work! 👏🎉

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an e-copy of this book in exchange for this honest review!

I know that I am biased when it comes to Robert Thorogood's writing because I love the TV series, Death in Paradise. As I have watched and rewatched that series too many times, seeing it as a comfort watch at this point, I think that has translated to his published works as well. From his Death in Paradise novelizations (of which I have only read 1 but thoroughly enjoyed it) to his newest project, The Marlow Murder Club.

I find the mysteries to be intricate and very "Thorogood," with everything explained by the end. While I often guess the endings, I never get everything right and I attribute my correct guesses to being so familiar with the author's go-to narrative plotting. I also love the dynamic between the three women sleuths. Each are so different with varying personal issues and pasts, but they all seemed to be lonely and in need of friendship when they found each other, which I find very sweet. I've preordered book 3 because I find the series a nostalgic, cozy blanket at this point.

Better - in my opinion - than The Thursday Murder Club!

I DNFed this book. I just don’t like the characters. The mystery itself I liked but couldn’t get past the characters. They crossed the line of being quirky and stubborn with good hearts to nosy, rude, and annoying.

"Death Comes to Marlow" is a captivating mystery novel that weaves an intricate web of suspense and intrigue. The author, with a deft hand, introduces us to the quaint town of Marlow, where tranquility is shattered by an unexpected demise.
The story unfolds with a brilliant ensemble of characters, each harboring secrets and motives that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Detective Emma Harper takes center stage, bringing a refreshing blend of wit and tenacity to the investigation. Her character is both relatable and admirable, adding depth to the narrative.
The pacing is impeccable, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat as the plot twists and turns. The author masterfully plants clues throughout the story, inviting readers to play detective alongside the protagonist. Just when you think you've unraveled the mystery, another layer is revealed, keeping the suspense alive until the final pages. 4.5 stars

"Death Comes to Marlow" by Robert Thorogood promised an engaging sequel to "The Marlow Murder Club", maintaining the series' charm and coziness. As I am now fully in my annual cozy mystery Autumn, I could not have asked for a better novel to hunker down with for the weekend.

In this installment, Judith and co. - the amateur sleuth trio - find themselves at the center of yet another mystery, following the suspicious death of a groom-to-be in his own study (of which the door was LOCKED).

Thorogood walks the line between humor and suspense masterfully, weaving together intricate subplots, tightly held secrets, and complicated crosswords that enhance the narrative without overshadowing the central mystery.

While I did enjoy the first book more, this sequel still shines as a delightful read for cozy mystery enthusiasts. I would recommend this to readers who are fond of Agatha Christie or cozy mysteries featuring an older main character such as Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

I am eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this series as well as the opportunity to spend more time with this cast of characters.

This is the second book in the Marlow Murder Club series and I enjoyed seeing Judith, Becks, and Suzie back in investigation mode. In this outing, Marlow grandee, Sir Peter Bailey is planning on marrying his nurse, Jenny Page. Sir Peter is having a party at his grand mansion on the river Thames the day before the wedding, and Judith and her friends are invited. Shortly after arriving, there is a crash inside the mansion, and Sir Peter is found dead under a large shelf in his study. The study was locked from the inside, so the police immediately assume it was an accident, but Judith thinks it was murder. There is also a missing will. Without police support, Judith, Becks and Suzie are on the case trying to prove that Sir Peter was murdered, perhaps by his own son!

Once again, Judith heads up this intrepid trio in their sleuthing. This time around acting DI Tanika Malik has been relegated back to being a a regular constable with her boss returning and he took over the case, although he closes it very quickly. Judith is just as bossy, overbearing and prickly as she was in the first book. Tanika tries to get them to leave the investigation to the police, but they don't listen. Becks is also dealing with something that she is keeping secret and the others are worried about her, even jumping to conclusions at one point. Suzie is also having issues with her house. She paid someone to repair it for her and they took off with her money, so Judith starts in on her as well. Will their friendship suffer with this meddling? As clues are revealed and Judith uses her wonderful powers of deduction, they get closer to the culprit. Will they put themselves in danger if they keep poking around? I had this one figured out before the ending, but I did waffle often throughout my reading. Another fun mystery with some great amateur sleuths. As in the previous book, there is some humour, a well-written and plotted mystery and great characters. I recommend this book and series.

"Death Comes to Marlow" offers a delightful journey into the world of cozy mysteries, boasting a charming and humorous cast of characters. This second installment in the series reunites readers with the endearing trio of Judith, Suzie, and Becks as they once again find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery.

The story kicks off with a peculiar wedding invitation for Judith from Sir Peter and Jenny. Judith's initial lack of familiarity with Sir Peter adds an element of intrigue to the situation, made even more amusing by her whimsical joke about hoping for a murder-free wedding. Little does she know that her jest will take a dark turn when an actual murder occurs during the wedding festivities.

The subsequent investigation by Judith and her friends unveils an apparent list of suspects that keeps readers guessing. Although some astute readers might have their suspicions about the culprit, the intricacies of the murder plot are expertly crafted and not easily deduced.

While "Death Comes to Marlow" may not be a pulse-pounding thriller with numerous plot twists, it excels in character development. The strength of the series lies in its endearing and relatable characters, who make each page a pleasure to read. The story's conclusion hints at the possibility of future installments, and I, for one, am eager to see what Judith will tackle next. With its engaging characters and well-constructed mysteries, I can only hope that the series continues to delight readers in the future.

I really expected to like this next installment of the series, after having so much fun with the first, but this second book fell a bit flat for me.

We meet again the women who banded together to solve crime in the last book. What may not have worked as well for me was the shift in perspectives with the other women who have formed this unlikely friendship. Judith was the key as she is the older woman who writes the crossword puzzles for a big paper and is naturally inclined to solve things. She is a force and unwittingly funny. But I found the other women, Suzie and Becks a bit less interesting as characters and it made me like this book a bit less for it.

The mystery was fine but I don't know that I will continue on with the series.

I would like to thank the publisher for access to the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of the book.

The beloved amateur detective trio - Judith, Susie and Becks are back in action. Sir Peter Bailey dies during his pre-wedding celebration in a locked room. What looks like an unfortunate event gets Judith suspicious and she is ready to look for a murder.

I love the Marlow Murder Club series and what seems as unsolvable case at the beginning gets a great explanation. Thorogood’s imagination and how he makes tiny details play a crucial role in a case is amazing. I will be looking forward to reading more books in these series.

I loved the first Marlow Murder Club book, and was looking forward to the next addition to the series. It did not disappoint! These are the perfect blend of classic mystery and cozy mystery. Very fun reads!

Such a good cozy mystery, full of loveable characters that tug at your heart strings. I laughed, I cried, I gasped. Such an enjoyable read.

An entertaining mystery with wit and a memorable cast of characters. I loved the even paced plot and look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest feedback.

This title along with The Marlow Murder Club are permanent additions to the Murder Mystery BOGO table in the Barnes & Noble in Waterbury Ct. My review is that I hand sell these titles every day.

What would Judith do to figure out a murderer when she set her mind to it? How far she would go? How come a dead duck floating in Thames would start chain of events in this story? How is it possible to be smashed by a cupboard when there is no way in or out?

Marlow Murder Club was invited to a pre-wedding party as esteemed members of the community only to find themselves in a locked room murder mystery. Dead man had a title and a lot of money. His kids, soon to be wife, ex-wife were all interested in his will, but it was missing. While police thought this was an accident, Judith and co were adamant that someone killed Sir Bailey.

These women wouldn't be stopped! They were cunning; they were paying attention; they were resourceful. While I found explanation of locked room mystery a bit convoluted, I still liked the amount of planning and thought went behind it. Waiting for more of these ladies.

I enjoyed this mystery but it seemed to drag at times. I liked the classic "locked door" mystery, and I enjoyed the conclusion. I love crossword puzzles so I definitely like that aspect of the series. It took me a long time to read it for some reason, but I will continue the series.

This is such a fun series, and book #2 doesn't disappoint. I love these characters. They're extremely entertaining. I chuckled throughout while also trying to guess the culprit in this cozy mystery. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series to see what Judith and her friends get up to.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now available.

This second Marlow Murder Club installment is a good locked door mystery. Sir Peter Bailey, a local aristocrat, invites Judith to a pre-wedding party at his estate. Sir Peter is scheduled to marry his former nurse, Jenny. Judith witnesses an argument between Peter and his son. Peter goes inside, Jenny goes to her room, and the son leaves. A loud crash is heard shortly after, and the guests have to break down the door. They find Peter dead - smashed by a large bookcase that fell on him.

Judith and her friends, Becks and Suzie, follow numerous clues to prove how Sir Peter died and who was responsible.

Very entertaining with lots of clues spread throughout.