Everyone in Marlow seems to have secrets, big and small. Judith and pals are once again determined to make sense of it all.

I liked the plot of this one, but I felt like I had an idea of what happened all along. I think that’s just due to the way the author has structured the last few stories. It was still a satisfying wrap up.

I did like that things were made a bit more difficult this time around for the ladies and their investigation.

Overall, solid! That ending though… I wonder what’s to come. I’m excited for the next instalment!

Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood is a delightful installment in the Marlow Murder Club series—clever, cozy, and full of theatrical flair, without revealing its secrets.

When Oliver Beresford disappears after a pleasure-boat gathering aboard the titular Marlow Belle, amateur detective Judith Potts, alongside Suzie and Becks, steps in. What begins as a missing person case quickly turns deadly when Oliver’s body is recovered from the Thames with two bullet wounds. The trio must untangle the tangled web of Marlow's Amateur Dramatic Society, where ambition, rivalry, and hidden motives abound. Thorogood shines in crafting richly drawn characters—Judith’s crossword-maven wit, Suzie’s grounded street-smarts, and Becks’s unassuming emotional insight blend harmoniously. Their dynamic brings both warmth and wit to every investigation. Set against the atmospheric Thames-side backdrop, the theatrical setting serves as a clever stage for suspense and community secrets

The three sleuths have returned in this great continuation. Verity's husband Oliver didnt come home after an evening out. The characters of the sleuths are entertaining and solve the murder.

This was a great read, with lots of twists and turns in the story.

I would recommend this book, and look forward to the next one.

Join my favorite amateur detectives Judith, Suzie and Becks in another mystery to be solved. Founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatics Society (MADS), Oliver, has gone missing after his exclusive party aboard the Marlow Belle. His body was found washed ashore on the Thames. What happened? Can Judith, Suzie and Becks once again solve a mystery in their town?

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)

Travel Sweet, Anyone? is the fourth installment in this charming cozy mystery series featuring the delightful trio—Judith Potts, Suzie Harris, and Becks Starling. This time, the sleuthing begins after the glamorous Lizzie Jenkins returns to her hometown of Marlow for a party aboard the Marlow Belle, hosted by MADS founder Oliver Beresford. But when Oliver’s body is found in the Thames with two bullet wounds, the “locked room” style mystery unfolds, and our amateur detectives step in once again to assist DI Tanika Malik.

While this book retains the signature wit and whimsical energy of the series, it was probably my least favorite so far. Perhaps it’s just me—I tend to lose steam with longer series, and the locked-room setup combined with the classic Agatha Christie-style grand reveal felt a bit tired this time around. There’s also a hefty suspension of disbelief required when Judith pieces everything together, which pulled me out of the story slightly.

That said, the friendship between the three women is still the highlight, and the final cliffhanger definitely piqued my interest. The next case appears to be more personal in nature, so I might just return for book five!

Release Date: September 16, 2025
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This fourth instalment of the Marlow Murder Club was such a captivating read. The twists and new information left me on the edge of my seat, and I was pleasantly surprised by who the actual killer was. I had no idea for once! Cant wait for the next book in this series!

3.5 stars for the latest in the Marlow Murder Mysteries. Overall, I enjoyed reading it and read most of it in one sitting. While it was lovely returning to our quirky cast, the rest of the storyline was exceptionally eh. I will likely forget almost all of it by tomorrow, and it doesn’t seem like a huge loss. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is yet another lovely, lighthearted installation in a cozy mystery series. I find myself coming back to this series again and again because I love the dynamic between the three main characters. I also enjoy their relationship with police officer Tanka Malik, espcially Judith's. Judith is just sort who I'd like to be when I am 79 honestly.

Sometimes the plots in this series can be slightly convoluted, but I honestly don't mind. They are charming.

This book was twisty and suspenseful right until the very end! It was well written with humorous characters and a fun mystery to solve. This book did not disappoint in making me laugh out loud while still wiping my tears from my eyes at times. The murder mystery was believable and the reveals kept surprising me right up until the very last paragraph. I thought I knew who the killer was throughout the entire book, but I changed my mind several times and still didn't figure it out in the end! I enjoyed the characters and their banter and their personalities shone through in a perfect way. I have enjoyed every installment in this series thus far and look forward to reading more from this author. Based on the last sentence, (Don't look it up before you read the book, just know it's a BIG ONE) I can't wait until the next book in the series from this wonderful author.

I absolutely loved Murder on the Marlow Belle! The introduction of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society in this book was perfect because the theatre is such a brilliant setting for a murder mystery. There's extra drama, slightly over the top characters, the whole atmosphere just lends itself to a crime novel. As usual, we followed Becks, Susie and Judith as they tried to be 'helpful' and solve a murder. This time it's a locked-room mystery as the victim was on a private boat with a select group of people, meaning that one of the guests is either the murderer, or at the very least is involved in some way. What's so great about this series is that in any other circumstances, this group of friends would totally irritate me - forcing their way into an active Police investigation and getting in the way of DI Tanika Malik who is just trying to do her job. But, for some reason, this group of characters are so endearing that it doesn't bother me at all! Having read all of the books in this series, I was so thrilled with the ending, it's set everything up very nicely for the next book!

Another great whodunnit as the gang gets back together to find a murderer. This time the murder takes place on the Marlow Belle, as the title suggests. This has all the typically things that you love about this series as Becks, Susie and Judith are back trying to solve the case without getting their dear friend Tanika in trouble, by meddling in her work. This book comes together beautifully and is a great cozy mystery.

The Marlow Murder books keep getting better, Murder on the Marlow Belle doesn’t disappoint. The usual cast is back and as witty and sassy as ever. I enjoyed the characters in the book so much I almost forget to wonder ‘whodunnit’!
The book takes some twists and turns with a good dose of humour and it all wraps up at the end with just enough intrigue to make us look forward to the next book.

Another excellent Marlow mystery. I love these characters and all their shenanigans. Many unexpected twists in a town all readers will want to visit.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with this eARC.

I absolutely love everything Robert Thorogood and Marlow series is no different. I love the women and they are different than each other but also similar in a lot of ways! And how they come together to solve the cases!

In this book we Verity who is worried about her husband Oliver so she goes to the resident sleuth Judith Potts. When Oliver’s body washes up the women are determined to find the killer and think it’s going to be quick but not everything how it seems.

I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for more. Thanks again NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to read it early.

“Murder on the Marlow Belle” is the 4th book in Robert Thorogood’s The Marlow Murder Club series which is now a series on PBS. This series was good from the beginning and continues to improve with each novel.

The settings and characters never fail to entertain. I won’t spoil it, but the wrapping up of this murder mystery was hilarious with all the interruptions. Please. Please. Please. This scene has to play out on tv or in movie theaters.

Mr. Thorogood not only writes an entertaining novel, but the mystery is also darn good (sorry, Becks, for the strong language) and had me guessing till the end.

One thing new about this entry into The Marlow Murder Club series is the ending of the book. Let’s just say that Mr. Thorogood can’t ship the next installment across the pond fast enough.

If you are new to the series, please go back and read from the beginning. Each novel can stand by itself, but it is best if you start at the beginning. You won’t be sorry.

A good read. Clever premise with well written characters.
Would be very happy to read more by this author

3.5 ⭐️

Film Star Lizzie Jenkins got her start at the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, and she has returned to Marlow to attend an exclusive party aboard the Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser hired by Oliver Beresford, the founder of MADS. He is keen to celebrate her success and her return.

But when Oliver doesn’t return home after the party, his wife Verity calls upon Marlow’s resident amateur sleuth, Judith Potts, for help. Just as she is voicing her concerns to Judith, his body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in it.

None of the SIX guests remember seeing him disembark, which seems to make this a locked room mystery. As always, Judith Potts and her friends (and fellow amateur detectives) Suzie Harris and Becks Starling, will have to use their logic and perseverance to “help” DI Tanika Malik solve the case.

And, Judith may have to play a part in the next MADS production to get close to the suspects…

TRAVEL SWEET, ANYONE? 😉

This is the fourth installment of this COZY series and probably my least favorite. Perhaps it’s a “me” thing as admittedly very few series hold my attention for long, and I have also grown tired of locked room mysteries. You also must really suspend disbelief when Judith, ala Agatha Christie style, explains how she solves this latest case.

Although I haven’t decided if I want to read book five, I have to admit that the cliffhanger in the closing sentences of the book does have me curious as the next case seems to be of a more personal nature…

This installment is publishing on September 16, 2025.

Thank You to Poisoned Pen Press for inviting me to read an ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.

3.5 rounded up. It was great to be back with Judith, Suzie and Becks as they investigate a new murder. This is the fourth in the Marlow Murder Club series and I’ve read and enjoyed them all. In this newest installment we follow the team as they try to figure out who murdered the founder of the local amateur theater group, Oliver.

The suspects are current or former members of the theater group, who each have their own motive for murder. There is both the main mystery, but as is often the case, there are smaller side mysteries at play as well. The three women work well together and each have their own skills to add. I liked this one and the mystery had plenty of twists and turns to keep it interesting.

Thank you to the publisher Poisoned Pen Press, author Robert Thorogood, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The fourth Marlow Murder Club mystery brings a touch of showbiz glamour to the English countryside, when a famous movie actress is one of the suspects when a local theatre director is murdered on an afternoon cruise.

Marlow regulars - and amateur detectives - Judith the professional puzzle maker, Suzie the dog walker, and Becks, the vicar's wife, work around the police to investigate who killed Oliver Beresford, the head of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS).

Oliver wasn’t very popular in the theatre or the town overall, so everyone from his wife to the visiting Hollywood actress and most of the town have an abundance of motives to knock him off.

Another clever and witty mystery in an always entertaining whodunit series. Each can be read on its own, but suggest starting at the beginning with this fun series.

3.5 stars out of 4.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book. It will be published September 16th.

Murder on the Marlow Belle is the fourth in the Marlow Murder Club series. It’s a closed room mystery based on a plot in which a man is shot while on a private pleasure cruise on the Thames River. There are only five suspects, none of whom have any sort of alibi. Of course, the investigative trio of Judith, Becks and Suzie all get involved after the wife comes to Judith when her husband doesn’t come home that night. DI Tanika Malik is once again in charge of the formal investigation but she’s under orders not to accept the help of the ladies. Thorogood mixes the story up by including an amateur drama society in the mix as all the suspects are involved with the upcoming production of The Importance of Being Ernest.
The story moves at a nice steady pace with little downtime. There’s a subplot where Becks and Susie get involved with a Tarot reading prophecy. This part of the story really didn’t work for me as it felt contrived.
These are light cozy mysteries. While entertaining, there’s nothing deep or memorable. The story offers up all the necessary misdirections and red herrings. I will admit to not seeing that ending coming. But I also found it overly convoluted and not really believable that Judith could put it all together. Flip side, I was also disappointed that some subplots were kind of left hanging, specifically the whole Hugo story.
I’m not sure this would work well as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and Poison Pen Press for an advance copy of this book.