Head back to the town of Marlowe to find out who killed Geoffrey Lushington, Mayor of Marlow, who died during a Town Council meeting. Traces of Arconite, a poison, are found in his coffee cup, so the Marlow Murder Club are on the case. The best way to find a murderer is to figure out the motive, so Judith, Suzie and Becks are brought in as Civilian Advisors after solving the last murder for the police. Judith loves the opportunity to investigate because she doesn't have to follow any rules, but can throw around that she is working for the police. Trying to figure out how someone would get poison in his coffee has them stumped, until Judith figures it out.

I enjoy the three women working together to solve these crimes, but it is Judith that usually breaks the case open. There was a lot of personal storylines in this one with Becks' mother-in-law moving in and spending all over town, causing lots of problems and tying Becks up. This was a tough case to solve as there appeared to be no motive. There were suspects, but none really seemed like they would actual kill the mayor for the reasons they deduced. With poison gardens, they learned about what could kill and what would just make someone sick. I enjoyed learning about that as well. With some twists, the case is eventually solved with a satisfactory conclusion. I do find that this series is pretty sedate in the mysteries, so if you are looking for excitement, this isn't where to find it, but I enjoy the characters.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
It is always nice to catch up with Judith, Becks, and Suzie again. Kind of like visiting old friends. Comfortable series that I will keep reading.
Edit Review

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I was going to. I read the others in the series and although I did enjoy a few of them I felt this book hit different for me.

I mistakingly requested this book, not knowing that it was in a series I began reading it and found that I really needed to read the first book and my local library does not yet have a copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I didn't realize this was the third book in the Marlow Murder Club series but I enjoyed this one and it will make me go back and read the other two books and wait for the fourth.

This is a fun series and great to recommend to patrons, especially those looking for something cozy or wanting to know what to read after The Thursday Murder Club.

The Queen of Poisons is the third book in the Marlow Murder Club series, and starts with the murdered of the mayor Geoffrey Lushington during a town council meeting. Evidently the mayor was poisoned and the plot is full of twists and turns that kept me hooked. This can be read as a stand-alone but i would recommend reading the first two books to get to know the wonderful characters and their previous adventures. This is a great mystery and it was quite a good read.

This is the third book in the Marlow Murder Club series and starts with a bang. The mayor Geoffrey Lushington is murdered during a town council meeting with Suzie in attendance. It was quickly evident that the mayor was poisoned. DI Tanika Malik knows that warning the Marlow Murder Club not to investigate will go on deaf ears. The suspect list is plentiful but the Marlow Murder Club is up to the task. The story is well thought out with a couple red herrings thrown in.

It is a not my favorite book in the series, but I did enjoy it & look forward to book 4!

Thank you to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for letting me read this in advance.

Thank you so much @RB Media, @poisonedpen press and @netgalley for the complimentary audio and advance copy of this eARC!

I had such a great time listening to and reading this book! This particular mystery centers on a murder at a local council meeting, with Judith, Suzie, and Becks once again using their sharp instincts to solve the crime. The three main characters are wonderfully developed, each with their own vibrant, distinct personalities. Suzie especially cracked me up—she's hilarious! The plot is full of twists and turns that kept me hooked, and the charming setting only added to the story. The ending was so satisfying, tying everything together perfectly.

There’s a great sense of mystery as everyone seems to have their own secret, and the conclusion was clever and well done. The friendship between Suzie, Judith, and Becks is such a heartwarming aspect of the book, making the whole experience feel even more special.

Listening to the audiobook was a fantastic way to revisit the story. The narrator really brought the characters to life—it felt like they were right there with me. It did take me a little longer to finish because it got a bit repetitive at times, but the twists kept me engaged, and the payoff in the end was totally worth it!

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this one! I'm looking forward to reading the first two books in the series to get to know these characters and their adventures even more.

"The Queen of Poisons" by Robert Thorogood is Book #3 in the Marlow Murder Club Cozy Mystery Series!

The Mayor of Marlow, Geoffrey Lushington, drops dead during a town council meeting, and with traces of aconite - the queen of poisons - discovered in his coffee cup, the police have no doubt the poor man was murdered. But who would do such a thing? Everyone in Marlow loves the mayor...

The Marlow Murder Club is back! Septuagenarian and crossword puzzle setter Judith Potts, dedicated dog walker Suzie Harris, and the local Vicar's wife Becks Starling are brought in by the police as civilian advisors to have complete control of the investigation.

Short chapters that scrutinize suspect after suspect make this a quick addicting read. Judith, as usual, keeps things interesting, moving along, and slightly outside the lines. Becks reveals more of her personal side and takes a larger part in the investigation. (I think she's quickly becoming my favorite). But, what was Susie doing at the...oh, never mind!

An immersion read, the audiobook was narrated by Nicolette McKenzie and brought life to the story. However, I found both formats equally enjoyable.

With a mix of dry humor, continued shenanigans, shifty characters, and a police force that continues to...what is it that they do? Who else can the folks in Marlow rely on to solve the murders in their community except this trio of female super-sleuths?

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series as these ladies are beginning to feel like old friends!

3.75⭐

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, RB Media, and Robert Thorogood for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

After giving two solid 4-star ratings to The Marlow Murder Club and Death Comes to Marlow, I am so sad to report that this third installment let me down in the most unexpected way. I am a huge fan of Robert Thorogood's works; Death in Paradise is a comfort watch for me, and I have even dabbled in the TV-to-book series. Unfortunately, the captivating mystery of The Queen of Poisons doesn't outweigh the fatphobia expressed by both suspects and our leading sleuths.

In an attempt avoid spoilers, a person of interest keeps making anonymous calls or sending anonymous messages to Judith, Suzie, and Becks. This individual is caught on the church's security camera. He is an obese man who uses a mobility scooter. As soon as this is discovered, his weight becomes the main topic of discussion, and there is clear judgment toward his lifestyle and health. I found it extremely uncomfortable. I've been told by someone who finished this title that this description does affect the ending, but the fatphobic comments aren't resolved.

I have elected to give this book a neutral 3 stars on Netgalley, as I chose to DNF the book at Chapter 21 in light of the fatphobia's presence.

I feel like I know these characters, especially after watching the series on PBS, which put a face to the sleuths.
When the popular mayor is found murdered after drinking coffee at a town meeting, Judith, Becks, and Suzie are asked by Tanika to help find the killer. There is no shortage of suspects - people who may not have their permits approved, a woman who grows poisonous plants, or a strange blond man making threatening calls. As the trio investigate, they do help identify a suspect, but they struggle to believe that they truly were the murderer.
I look forward to the next installment of this series.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. In the earlier books, the characters of Suzie, Becks, and Judith felt more well-developed and interesting, but here, they seemed a bit flat. The book relies heavily on dialogue, and the plot felt overly complicated, with nearly every character being a suspect at some point.

Without giving away spoilers, the finale was a bit hard to swallow. It just didn’t seem realistic that someone capable of murder would calmly stand there for what felt like forever while their crime was explained to them in such detail. The mystery had a good twist, but I don’t think many readers would have guessed the murderer. It felt like the author didn’t quite play fair, which reminded me of some of Agatha Christie’s tricks—though, admittedly, I can’t complain too much since Christie did the same thing.

What really disappointed me, though, was the rift between Judith and Tanika. It felt like a missed opportunity for a more meaningful development in their relationship. Overall, this book just didn’t live up to the promise of the earlier installments.

#ARC #netgalley

I was saddened by the fact that I didn’t like this book as much as I anticipated that I would. The synopsis made me want to devour it and I just found myself not being able to unfortunately.

A wonderful who-dunit with spins like Thursday Murder Club and turns like any Freida McFadden. The crime is unique and almost so unique, that it is nearly impossible to solve. With several female characters leading the story, the reader truly embraces the mystery and overall intelligence found within the female mind.

(Actual: 3.75⭐, rounded up) I'll be honest to start in saying that I didn't realize this was the third book in the series (I really just found the title, cover, and premise to be really intriguing), but I really enjoyed it all the same and plan to go back and read the previous two also! This was a solid cozy mystery with good pacing, unique twists and reveals (that may or may not have always stuck the landing, but were a fun ride to experience regardless), and very loveable characters.

I initially expected a cozy mystery, this book packed the thrilling twists of a contemporary whodunit. The story kicks off when Susie witnesses the Mayor collapse at a town council meeting, sparking an investigation that sends the trio deep into a puzzling murder mystery filled with poison and unexpected suspects.

I found the plot engaging, keeping me guessing until the very end. Though some aspects felt a bit exaggerated, they only added to the fun, making it easy to suspend disbelief. The humor throughout and the chemistry between the three main characters added charm, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The narrator's voice work further enriched the experience, making the characters even more vivid.

Set in modern day Marlow in England, "The Queen of Poisons" is intriguing, gripping, full of twists and turns, oh so cozy mysterious, and interesting. Full of unique characters, questions about whom can and cannot be trusted, and a murder to solve, this novel is so difficult to put down!

When the beloved mayor of Marlow is murdered in a seemingly-impossible-to-solve manner, Judith, Becks, and Suzie once again put on their sleuthing hats, and are brought in my Tanika as civilian advisors to help the police solve the case. With a handful of suspects in the room at the time of the murder, each and every one with a secret they would rather keep hidden, and more suspects found along the way, Judith, Becks, Suzie, and Tanika must put their heads and detective skills together to find out what really happened.

Mr. Thorogood does a phenomenal job of hooking the reader from the first page, revealing both red herrings and clues at the exact moments needed to in order to advance the plot. and the various pieces of the puzzle fall into place brilliantly and seamlessly and everything kept me on the edge of my seat.

I also felt the character development was really strong throughout, and the friendship between Judith, Becks, and Suzie is so special. They really care deeply for one another, and truly want the best for one another.

I highly recommend this book to cozy-mystery lovers! I can't wait to read the next books in the series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC of this book, it is incredible! I even checked out a copy from my library to read some sections again to search for clues I might have missed! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I tried soooo hard to listen to this one! It just was NOT working for me. I loved the first two books in this series, but this installment in the series fell flat for me. DNF @ 65% :(

Another cozy entry into the older adult detective genre. Several elderly women take on the investigation into a murder in Marlowe. If you enjoy the Thursday Murder Club mysteries, you’ll enjoy this.