I absolutely love the marlow murder club series. The trio of friends are such likeable characters. I love the mystery and whodunnit this series brings and I love guessing along with the characters as they solve the crime. Roll on number 5!

This novel in the Marlow Murder Club series finds the three ladies involved in helping to solve a murder that occurred during a boat ride on the Thames River. Although they are supposed to stay out of it, according to the police. Judith cannot help working to find the killer. She becomes part of the Marlow Amateur Dramatics and takes a role in their latest play. Tarot card predictions, secret lives, and celebrity identities all play a role in this puzzler. Readers who enjoy amateur sleuthing will find this an interesting addition to their reading repertoire. Although it is part of a series, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. There are no intimate scenes or events of overt violence in this novel.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, @poisonedpenpress and @robertthorogoodwriter for the ARC of this book!!

Verity Beresford is worried about her husband. Oliver didn’t come home last night so of course Verity goes straight to Judith Potts, Marlow’s resident amateur sleuth, for help. Oliver, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, had hired The Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser, for an exclusive party with the MADS committee but no one remembers seeing him disembark. And then Oliver’s body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in him.

I did not realize this was the fourth in a series but I read this as a stand alone and I enjoyed it. It was a cozy mystery with some added humor. I enjoyed this and would definitely read another in the series.

Amateur sleuths Judith Potts, Susie Harris, and Becks Starling are back in this 4th book in the series, also a television series on PBS Masterpiece. The setting is once again the non-fictional village of Marlow and also, once again, the trio is laser focused on solving a murder. Judith, a 77 year old widow, Becks, a Vicar’s wife and a mother, and Susie, a middle aged dog walker, get another chance to demonstrate their crime solving skills when Oliver Beresford, founder and director of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society (how is it that so many characters in this story is an amateur), known as MADS, is discovered murdered on the banks of the Thames. Judith and Verity Beresford, very newly widowed wife of the deceased, arrive at the scene shortly after Verity had arrived at Judith’s home to tell her that her husband was missing. Oliver had hired the Marlow Belle for an onboard celebratory party for the six member MADS committee the evening before. Now he’s dead, having been shot twice, and the mystery and investigation begins.
Everyone on board the cruiser, except for Lance, the captain, had received a note from one of the passages, Lizzie Jenkins, film star, past resident of Marlow, and early member of MADS. The handwritten note instructed them to be in their respective cabins at 6 p.m. Jenkins denies writing or distributing the notes. The murder takes place at 6 pm and no one on board hears the shots, sees the murder victim on board after 6 pm, or sees anyone enter the boat or disembark at any time.
The ladies set about seeking clues, interviewing the captain, those who were on the Marlow Belle, and just about anyone else they see fit. DI Tanika Malik, newly promoted, tells the friends that she will be in serious professional trouble if it becomes known that they are helping her solve the case. Yet, as always, she knows that their superb detecting skills are invaluable. Judith, Becks, and Susie, although not wanting to cause Tanika a problem, simply are unable to keep themselves from do exactly that as they continue to get close to suspects and withhold physical and other evidence.
The narrative does not provide much information on the three protagonists except to remind, or tell the reader if this is your first book in the series, that Becks is married to the Vicar and has children. This information is provided as it is necessary for a subplot involving the family. There is no reference to Judith’s setting crosswords for newspapers, living in a dilapidated mansion or swimming in the Thames au naturel ( only the swimming is mentioned). We are not told that Susie is a single mother or any other facts about her. For this reason, I would not suggest it as a standalone book. I would suggest reading the first three books in the series to get to know the characters.
The idea of the plot showed great promise with only six people having possibly committing murder until that fact was no longer the case. Both the explanation for how the murder occurred and the murderer’s motive was heavy handed and convoluted. It seemed contrived and “pulled out of a hat”at the last moment. The motive was a disappointment, Revenge is exciting, remorse is dull. The events surrounding Beck’s daughter is tangent to the murder and yet Judith somehow manages to use it as a way for her to more clearly identify the killer. The question of where Oliver spent several of the nights of the week plays a large role in the story and yet is also not tangent to the reason for his murder.
All of the characters on the Marlow Belle have poor, well, characters. They either have done wrong or are doing wrong, Everyone in town disliked the deceased. Not just the members of MADS are disagreeable characters, Even a teenager in Marlow has poor morals. Is the reader supposed to like the people of this town on the Thames? Does anyone in Marlow have a sense of humor? The sleuths whose roles should have been to provide support, assistance and cooperation to the police do not know their place and do as they wish and proceed as they like. The police are seemingly incompetent, not being able to solve the murder and with drugs being trafficked in their quaint village.
There is a cliffhanger that seems to directly involve Judith, Perhaps a more personal mystery for one of the protagonists will bring back to the reader a team of wannabe detectives who have a good rapport with the police, conduct themselves with decorum, and even solve the outstanding case of the still at large thief.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy of Murder on the Marlow Belle. This is my honest review of Robert Thorogood’s book.

4 stars. This is such a fun series. If you are a fan of Thursday Murder Club, then you will also appreciate this novel of three citizen sleuths who humorously inject themselves into local murder investigations, while being simultaneously frustrating to the police and charming to the reader. In this latest installment, the ladies find themselves investigating the murder of a local thespian. The number of people who would want him dead are numerous, and everyone seems to have a motive. Secrets are hidden and revealed along the way, and in the end, justice is served. This particular novel has the funny addition of Judith, our septuagenarian leader, finding herself agreeing to act in the next local play performance, and I found that to be a particularly enjoyable aspect of the story. This is a fun, light read that still involves a good mystery. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing an ARC of this title.

Wildly popular mystery series (some say a knock off of another series) and compared to Agatha Christie far too much (Christie is so much better....) These books are satisfying for a British mystery, the characters are pretty well developed by now, but also forgettable between books for me. This one needed a lot more leeway with believability. I am not a big fan of Judith Potts as a character, in general, and this one is a bit much.

Not all of the questions are answered, maybe they will be in the next book. I feel like this series might be done soon. I'll probably keep reading them just to see where the series goes, but I think a wrap up would be good, too.

Overall, it was ok. 2.5 rounded up.

I thoroughly enjoy this series. Quirky characters, easy to read, and good mysteries. I always look forward to visiting with Judith, Suzes, and Becks. I wish there had a bit more closure on the Chloe/Hugo episode, but probably will be mentioned in Book 5....which I will definitely read.

3.75 stars

This cozy series featuring three very different female friends and main characters is nicely done. Judith is the instigator, older, more forthright and not afraid to be pushy. Becks is the vicar's wife and is developing a bit more spine but still tends to be the nice one. And Suzie is still a loose cannon, unpredictable but canny and ruled by instinct more than logic.

The three become involved in the murder of a local little theater director on a pleasure cruise down the Thames. Only a few people were on the boat, and each received a note asking them to remain in their cabins at 6 p.m. The director's body floats up in the river and it doesn't take long to figure out he was shot on the boat.

The trio of sleuths is not terribly believable in their interaction with the local police but that is often the way in cozy mysteries. And they do provide quite a lot of help in solving the crimes. An entertaining read with some surprises along the way. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Robert Thorogood for an e-arc of this book!

Murder on the Marlow Belle is the perfect who-dunnit mystery to get you out of your reading slump. In this book we are following Judith Potts and her friends as they solve another murder in the Marlow universe. With boats and dramatic societies galore, the plot will keeping you guessing until the very last page and even have yourself questioning, “did I do it?” lol 😂

I had such a great time reading this book - gasping on one page and then laughing a few sentences later! This is the first novel I’ve read in the Marlow universe (this one can be read as a stand-alone) and I will definitely be diving in to more of Judith’s schemes soon!

Look for Murder on the Marlow Belle on shelves September 16, 2025!

This is the fourth in this series about three older women who end up in the middle of murder cases in their Thames-side village of Marlow. There is a bit of a conflict with the local police, who tend to think the women are meddling amateurs to be shooed away, but DI Tanika Malik has grown to appreciate their perspicacity and local knowledge. She’s in a battle with her colleagues and superiors about wanting to form an alliance with the trio, though.

When local theater director Oliver Beresford disappears from a celebratory trip on the Marlow Belle and then is found dead in the Thames, the field of suspects consists of almost everyone he knew. Beresford was an egomaniacal bully, a walking motive magnet. This case has got under Judith’s skin, and she decides to audition to become a cast member in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS) current production, The Importance of Being Earnest, which she believes will help her undercover investigation. But who knew that the intrepid Judith could be a victim of stage fright?

The plot in Death on the Marlow Belle is clever, and Judith’s time with MADS particularly entertaining, but the schtick around the conflict with the local police, with Judith constantly promising she’ll stay out of things while barreling ahead, is getting stale. Fortunately, the last chapter of this book seems to presage that we will break out of that pattern with the next book. I am looking forward to seeing this crime-busting trio again.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4

ARC Review: Murder on the Marlow Belle (Marlow Murder Club #4)
By Robert Thorogood
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Murder on the Marlow Belle is a wonderfully clever and charming installment in Robert Thorogood’s Marlow Murder Club series. I love how this series balances humor, warmth, and intricate plotting, and this fourth book continues that trend beautifully.

Judith, Suzie, and Becks are such a joy to follow. They are three very different women, but together they make an irresistible team. Judith is sharp and fearless, Suzie is bold and full of life, and Becks provides a practical steadiness that grounds the group. Their friendship is at the heart of the story, and watching the way they support and tease one another is just as satisfying as solving the mystery itself.

The riverboat setting on the Marlow Belle was a fantastic choice. It felt atmospheric and added an extra layer of intrigue, with secrets lurking around every corner. The mystery was well crafted, with plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep me guessing. Thorogood has a real talent for creating puzzles that are both fun to solve and surprising in the end, and the conclusion here was especially satisfying.

I have always enjoyed Robert Thorogood’s writing style, starting with Death in Paradise, and the Marlow Murder Club feels like the perfect home for his cozy yet clever storytelling. These books are comforting and entertaining, but also smartly plotted in a way that makes them stand out.
Verdict: Murder on the Marlow Belle is witty, warm, and thoroughly engaging. It is a reminder of why the Marlow Murder Club has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. With its blend of humor, heart, and a first-rate mystery, this is a book I would happily recommend to any fan of the genre.

Murder on the Marlow Belle is one of those books that sits right in the middle for me. It wasn't terrible by any means, but not one that fully pulled me in either. The premise is interesting and the historical setting on the riverboat has plenty of charm, but I often found it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The pacing felt uneven, and while there were moments of intrigue, they didn’t always land strongly enough to keep me hooked.

That said, it’s not a bad read. The writing is solid, the atmosphere is nicely done, and readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a slower burn may find more to love here than I did. For me, it was a decent way to pass the time, but not particularly memorable.

Murder on the Marlow Belle brings back the same characters from the first books in the series, but with less pizzazz! Thorogood's aging amateur detectives are messing around in a crime involving the local drama society. The banter is still amusing, but the plot was less convincing, and I have to admit I skimmed in parts.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Robert Thorogood once again delivers a delightful mix of charm and intrigue in his newest cozy murder mystery. The crime-solving trio of Judith, Becks, and Suzie are as entertaining as ever, each bringing their own quirks and strengths to the investigation, and their banter and life happenings are half the fun of the story.

As with his other books, Thorogood keeps readers guessing until the very end. There are twists, surprises, and a steady stream of reveals that make it nearly impossible to predict the outcome. I tried my best to piece together the clues along the way, but—as usual—I didn’t solve it before it was revealed in the final few pages.

I’m giving this one four stars instead of five. The sheer number of new reveals throughout feel a bit over the top, even if they do keep the pages turning, and while Thorogood’s prose is more functional than memorable, his gift for pacing and storytelling makes up for it.

Overall, this is another lively and satisfying entry in the series. Fans of cozy mysteries will love this series, and newcomers could easily jump right in with this book.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy.

Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood was another fun addition to the Marlow Murder Club series. I thought the mystery itself was one of the stronger ones so far, it kept me guessing and felt well put together. As with the earlier books, there wasn’t a ton of new character development, but at this point the cast feels so familiar and well-established that it almost feels like catching up with old friends.
The ending was a definite cliffhanger, and it left me really excited to see where the story will go next. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book as soon as it comes out!

Thanks to Poison Pen Press and netgalley for this e-ARC that I chose to read and review

The fourth book in the Marlow series! I was pretty excited for this and it did not disappoint.

This time, Judith Potts got involved when the wife of the victim sought her help to find her missing husband. They found Oliver, all right, but only his lifeless body with two bullet holes, washed up on the Thames. Potts volunteered to play a role in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society in order to infiltrate the group that had hired the cruiser The Marlow Belle where Oliver was last seen alive.

I thought it was interesting and pretty on par with the rest of the series. We got to see the theatrics of people in drama, their big ego and greed for fame. We got to see how everyone might have a motive to do away with Oliver. It’s always fun when the victim is quite an unbearable character.

What’s different in this book compared to the rest though, is the fact that there is a cliffhanger in this one! I was pretty surprised with the ending. They better continue with the fifth book because that cannot be the true ending.

Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood

Book 4 in the Marlow Murder Club series.

As I've mentioned in my previous reviews for this series by Robert Thorogood, I love the Death in Paradise television series, and I think this series is full of the same shenanigans with less of the police procedural.

The flamboyant director of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS), Oliver Beresford, has been shot on board the Marlow Bell as it cruised down the Thames. Before anyone even knows he's dead, his wife, Verity, goes to Judith, Suzie, and Becks for help. This time, they aren't helping DS Tanika Malik with the investigation because there's been a formal complaint made about her use of the civilian amateur sleuths.

This one ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I hope Robert writes The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts quickly, as everyone will be clamouring for it. GoodReads says it'll be out early in the new year.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an eARC of Murder on the Marlow Belle to review. Books 1-3 in the series are out now, and Murder on the Marlow Belle will be released on September 16, 2025.

Thumbs up 👍

Body Count = 1


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I love this series! I was so excited to spend more time with Judith, Becks, and Suzie and they pursued another mystery. This time the friends are trying to get to the bottom of exactly what happened during an outing on the Marlow Belle. It a mystery who killed a local, larger than life theater director on the newly restored boat. The book is lots of fun, if a bit far fetched at times.

I am loving this series and really think its best to read the books in order as the character development and growth as well as the relationship development is remarkable. The dynamic between the three main characters has shifted and feels like a genuine friendship with ups and downs. I also like the development of their relationship with DI Malik (a police detective). The characters are all so appealing and often very funny.

There are a few side stories about personal relationships and family dynamics as well, including a cliffhanger at the end of the book (I won't say more as it will be a spoiler, but that is another reason it's best to read the series in order). I also liked the originality of the solution. Even though the premise of the each book in the series of the same, the stories are all so different and show different facets of the characters and town. Can't wait for the next book!

Have loved this series from the very first book! Judith Potts sounds like she would be the most interesting neighbor ever. Her detective prowess, as well as the skills of her two friends, Suzie and Becks is unmatched. She truly is a modern-day Miss Marple (if Miss Marple had taken the occasional skinny dip into the Thames)! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out.