Murder on the Menu is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and charming small-town drama. Katie Marsh crafts engaging characters and a twisty plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With its mix of humor, suspense, and heart, it’s a perfect read for fans of feel-good whodunits.

2.4⭐

This book started well but I lost interest half way through it. I didn't connect with any of the characters.

This is the third book on a series but felt like if could be read as a standalone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Murder on the Menu" is a light and funny locked room mystery novel that combines the thrill of a whodunit with plenty of humour. This is number 3 in the series but I think it works well as a stand-alone.
The plot is engaging, with a steady pace that keeps readers turning the pages. The murder mystery has several twists and turns, ensuring that the reader is guessing until the very end. However, some of the twists feel a bit forced, and the pacing occasionally slows down in parts.
The characters could have used more development, as they sometimes come across as one-dimensional.
There was a lack of suspense and building tension at times, and the occasional lapse into overly descriptive passages detracts slightly from the overall pacing.
"Murder on the Menu" is a delightful read for locked room whodunits. While it has its flaws, such as occasional pacing issues and some underdeveloped characters, the engaging plot, well-crafted setting, and unique protagonist make it a worthwhile read. It earns a respectable 3-star rating for its ability to entertain and satisfy locked room mystery enthusiasts.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Favorite Quotes:

She had babysat Jeanie’s two-year-old twins a couple of months before, and had aged a decade in four hours.

I think this is officially the worst meet up we have ever had, including that time we went to the park in the rain and a tramp peed in my bag.

The more Jeanie looked at the castle, the more crumbling it appeared to be. It was like her body since having kids– neglected, sagging, mouldering quietly away unnoticed, the bottom of the priority list.

‘Back off!’ Jeanie could feel blood in her mouth. ‘Whoever the hell you are, you have two pissed off and starving midlife women in here with you, so just give up now, okay?’


My Review:

This was a well-plotted mystery that seemed unsolvable, even for the ever-intrepid trio of the Bad Girls Detective Agency. The little pea in my brain certainly was not getting anywhere from spinning in place with the odd events occurring and the dearth of clues collected, and the general tone felt more tense than cozy. However, Ms. Marsh’s signature wit and lashings of amusing humor kept it from being too angsty. It was a long, cold, and tiresome night on empty stomachs for the group as they navigated irksome people and kept stumbling upon bodies.

Amber, Clio and Jeanie win a hotel retreat to sample the fine dining of a famous chef. But within hours of their arrival they are stranded due to a storm and there is a killer In their midst…
Murder on the Menu is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series (I have read and reviewed the second book on my blog).
It has been a fraught year with murders and the mayhem of everydauy life. So Amber, Clio and Jeanie are looking forward to a well earned break. Sadly fate and a killer have other ideas and the detectives are soon at work trying to find the murderer, fighting against the weather and a whole host of secrets and lies.
There are several mentions of events in earlier books but no significant spoilers. Jeanie’s sisters don’t feature in this book so there are fewer characters to keep track of and a little less humour. Poor Amber has lots of financial worries and the murder provides a useful distraction!
The detectives are on their own as the police can't access the island due to the storm. Then the phone lines are cut and there is no help available so the trio need to investigate to keep themselves and the other guests safe. I feel proud of myself for actually guessing the killer correctly but I had no clue about the motive.
The style of writing is easy to read and I liked the strong character development and depiction. There are classic elements such as locked door murders, secret passageways and an isolated location. Technology is of limited help due to the storm so the detectives need to rely on their own powers of deduction.
Murder on the Menu is an entertaining murder mystery and I enjoyed being reunited with the Bad Girls Detective Agency again.

4 stars for this book! I was impressed with the storyline and could not wait to finish. It actually is part of a series so I will absolutely read the others! A closed room real murder mystery that was also a lot of fun!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love a good locked room murder mystery, and this is a great example, although in this case, it's a locked island. There are twists and turns throughout the book that kept me guessing on the identity of the murderer. Everyone on the island is a suspect, and the three main characters are kept running for their lives while they investigate the murders.

Katie is fantastic at descriptive writing, and her details of the island and the castle make it easy to see it all in your mind as you're reading.

This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series of books, and this is the first one I have read. I was a little worried that I would get lost with the backstory for the three women, but thankfully I didn't need to worry. There are references to their past cases and earlier relationships, but they didn't stop me from enjoying the story or the characters. Although now I am encouraged to read the two earlier books.

The girls are back and once again wrapped up in a murder mystery whilst on what was supposed to be a relaxing break away. From the thrilling opening the book carries on at a break neck speed, so make sure you're ready to keep up the page turning pace.

This is the third book in The Bad Girls Detective Agency series, but the first one that I have read.

I found it a quick easy read, with a fun mystery plot. I do think that I would have enjoyed the book more had I read the other two books in the series as this would have given me more background on the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced reader copy.

Katie Marsh brings back the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency for another nail-biting mystery readers will not want to put down: Murder on the Menu.

Setting up your own detective agency is not for the faint-hearted and Amber knows this only too well. There is a lot riding on the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency and she vows to do whatever it takes to make the business a success. But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Feeling the pressure, Amber is looking forward to finding some time to relax and unwind, so she’s over the moon when she wins an all-expenses paid trip to a luxury castle on a remote island. With her best friends in tow, Amber is determined to have the time of her life. However, little does she realise that chaos, mayhem and murder are going to follow!

With the chance to sample world-famous chef Valerie La Fontaine’s tasting menu, the girls are beyond excited. However, they hadn’t counted on finding Valerie dead inside a locked room in a tower! Someone clearly had revenge on their mind and the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency find themselves with another case to solve. Can they find out who killed Valerie and bring a killer to justice? Or will a murderer intent on revenge end up getting away with it?

Katie Marsh’s Murder on the Menu is a fun-packed, hilarious and engrossing mystery that skillfully balances tension, suspense, humour and intrigue. Full of twists and turns that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, this enjoyable whodunnit will have them eager for the next adventure featuring the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency.

Murder on the Menu is the third book in The Bad Girl's Detective Agency series. I really enjoyed The Bad Girls Detective Agency again. It was such a quick easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

What an opener!!! It’s got tense, instilled some fear in me and I’ve got to admit, it made me chuckle a little. All good signs that I’m in for a treat!

So you go away with your besties to an exclusive island hotel launch for a birthday break and the day job of crime solving follows you? I can’t decide whether Amber is relieved at the idea of solving a murder or not when she’s meant to be celebrating her birthday with Clio and Jeanie.

I really like the way each of the girls brings something different to their investigations. Between them they unravel the clues and ask the pertinent questions. The suspects around them really do not like being questioned especially about their relationship with the victim – the girls are definitely hitting a few nerves there!!

I have to mention Jocelyn. Marsh has encapsulated in Jocelyn the über fan. The obsessive individual who is seriously excitable. She just made me chuckle when I met her… oh and the toilet trip 😂🤐😂🤐

Marsh has delivered a tense murder mystery locked room or rather storm bound style. I felt the dark foreboding weather cloud hanging over me. I didn’t want this trio to upset the culprit by their investigations. That said there are moments of lightheartedness especially when the Bad Girls are together which made this murder mystery an entertaining read.

In this hilarious third book in the series, Amber is trying to relax in a weekend away with her besties and employees. Only what they thought they were getting, isn't quite what is about to occur. A storm comes in, keeping the rest of the guests and employees from reaching the island, and just when they think it will be ok with a smaller staff, the Chef greets them and disappears, leaving them with a harried and confused staff. But with a journalist on scene, and things not adding up, Amber soon finds Valerie dead inside a locked room that no one could access, and she knows they have a killer among those left on the island. Amber is also struggling to keep her business afloat with money from her savings, and finding a wifi signal to transfer funds is high on her list of things to do, as the castle goes into more chaos. This book will have you laughing out loud, so be prepared for some strange looks if others are near by, and don't forget to read the previous books in the series too for more hijinks from the crew.

Murder on the Menu is the third book in The Bad Girl's Detective Agency series and is the second book in the series that I've read.

I loved the settings, they were the perfect scene setter, adding to the atmosphere and whole 'locked island' vibe. what could possibly go wrong...a remote private island, in a storm and with no internet...bring it on!

Catching up with the girls again was fun, there were plenty of laughs to be had with their antics and repartee. They're great characters, guaranteed to leave you smiling.

I enjoyed the book immensely, it's a well paced cosy murder/mystery with some brilliant twists and an ending that had me blindsided.

This is the third book in the bad girl detective agency series. I love the feminine energy in this series and enjoy the characters a lot. I also loved that this took place on an island and a bad storm happens. I love a good locked room mystery and this one doesn’t disappoint!

"Seeking a masterfully crafted mystery? Look no further! This latest installment in the series elevates the traditional locked-room trope by transporting it to a private island, amplifying the tension and intrigue. As the third entry in the series, I'm delighted to report that it's just as captivating as its predecessors. Each book is a satisfying, self-contained mystery that leaves me eagerly anticipating the next release. If you haven't already, add this to your TBR list – you won't be disappointed!"

I couldn´t leave the book down until the end, trying to play with different suppositions that were as changing as the weather conditions outside the fancy island resort. As in the case of the other book from the series I´ve read, I appreciated at what extent personal details about the characters do balance well the story, so we can get to know the characters better and even have our own opinions about them. The three main women characters are bubbling and smart, each their individuality but completing each other.

Oh my goodness, this book was just wonderful – frenetically paced and edge-of-the-seat storytelling, laugh-out-loud funny, those wonderful friendships, and sheer fun from its beginning (and such a gripping opening chapter…) to its perfect end.

Amber has never been too keen on birthday celebrations – they bring back bad memories – but she’s determined to make the best of it when Clio wins a trip to La Fontaine, a new luxury island resort. It doesn’t help that the Bad Girls Detective Agency is struggling, propped up by money from her savings – but she’s determined to plaster on a smile for her two best friends, Clio and Jeanie. But it doesn’t turn out to be much of a break – they’ve hardly arrived when she finds celebrity chef Valerie lying dead in her turret retreat, and there’s little doubt she’s been murdered. There’s no internet or phone signal, but there is a landline to call in the police – but they can’t attend because a worsening storm makes it impossible to get there. And that means no-one else can arrive or leave either – so the murderer must be there too, and there are plenty of suspects. And as our detective trio do their level best to investigate, more deaths follow – and the pool of suspects gets ever smaller as the storm continues to rage.

The plot quite deliciously twists and turns, with some real surprises along the way – it does help a little to know the main characters’ back stories for some of them, but you could happily pick up this book as a standalone and equally enjoy it. Well really, how couldn’t you? With that wonderfully claustrophobic setting, an unlocked gun cabinet, the secret passages, malfunctioning walkie-talkies, the addition of poison to the mix, multiple suspects, the many red herrings, as well as a bit of drug-trafficking – oh, and so much more!

But this is a locked door mystery with a real difference, because it’s also side-splittingly funny. I know humour can be quite a personal thing, but it certainly hit the perfect note for me – particularly the exchanges between the three close friends. And all the laughs certainly don’t detract from the mounting tension – the pacing is just perfect, totally frenetic at times but with those precious quieter moments to take stock, compare notes, and reflect on their lives. And the friendship between them is as warm and wonderful as ever – despite being severely tested at times, and complicated by some of their discoveries.

I really thought this was the best so far in this fantastic series – I raced through it, often rather breathlessly, and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment. You might think locked door mysteries have been done so many times before – but never quite like this one! So entertaining, and tremendous fun – but really well plotted and with moments of poignancy that catch you by surprise. Just wonderful – I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

If you’re looking for a well written and thought out mystery, here’s your book. While lock room mysteries are good, take that to the next level and put it on a private island and you have your shelf and even better setting that I locked room.

This is the third entry in the series and I absolutely adore it. Each book is satisfying and leaves me counting down until the next entry in the series is released. If you haven’t read it yet, you must add this to your to be read list. You won’t be

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this one. I had such a fun time with The Bad Girls Detective Agency again.
The atmosphere, the sleuthing but especially the relationship between the three women is so amazing and heartwarming. They go through thick and thin together no matter what. Everyone is unique in their own way but they work perfect together.