The Marlow Murder Club: A Perfect Murder for Book Club Sleuths to Solve

The book, despite being used was in great condition and is an excellent read. It also arrived sooner than the stated date which made me very happy, as I already had the later books and had to read the 1st book first!

I enjoyed Murder in Paradise, the TV show based on this author’s books, so I thought I would enjoy this series, too. I enjoy reading stories where the heroine(s) are competent, clever & witty women, especially when they’re older women, being one myself. The author definitely knows how to craft a good mystery, which I love. I’ve been avidly reading British mystery books since I was quite young, starting with Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot at age 8. The characters are enjoyable, the several heroines get along despite vast differences between them, and that interplay is a source of a lot of humor. I’ll definitely go buy the next in the series right now!

I was looking for a light hearted who dunit and thought I would give this a try. I enjoy the Death in Paradise series and this is by the same writer. The book is VERY British and some of the wording is a little hard for an American to figure out what exactly is being said. The slang etal doesn’t translate well. Aside from that, it is very light hearted story - definitely not a page turner mystery where you cannot put it down. The characters are quirky, fun and very likeable. All said the book just was a little too small town simple minded for me and I don’t think I will continue with the series of the Marlow Murder Club.

A fun murder mystery, let's meet 77 year old Judith Potts while in the Thames swimming one hot day she heard a gun shot and goes to investigate to find her neighbor Stefan Dunwoody who owns the art gallery dead with a gun shot to his forehead and a medallion attached to him saying faith. Now meet Tanika the officer in charge who becomes friends with Judith even though they have disagreements. As she investigates the murder yet another person Iqbol Kassam a taxi driver is found dead the same way with the same older luger gun and a medallion saying hope on it. Fighting to find out how these two are related and what the medallions mean. While trying to come up with clues Judith's friends Suzie a dog walker and Becks the vicar's wife join Judith in trying to solve the case along with Tanika. As they put clues together yet another murder happens this time it's Liz Starling a champion rower married to Danny killed in the same way with the same gun and the third medallion saying charity. As the team comes together and works on solving the murders the same names keep coming up, Elliot Howard, Danny Curtis and Andy Bishop. Can the team solve the clues and bring the killer to justice. Grab a copy and enjoy.

An enjoyable trio of somewhat unusual investigators

I actually saw the movie based on this book before I read it, I just didn't realize it until after I'd started reading it. Both are quite good - and the plot is amazing! I think I garnered more details reading the book, though. Really glad I read it. Hold onto your hats, it's a wild ride!

I loved the three women characters who come together, become friends & solve the murder. I also liked that the lead detective was female too. Lots of light moments that kept me smiling. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Robert Thorogood's "The Marlow Murder Club," is a rollicking good read. It took me awhile to warm up to the main character of 77-year-old Judith Potts, but once Thorogood helped me to know her better, it was game on! When pondering the composition of this review, I was reminded of the beginning of old jokes that start with something like," An art gallery owner, a taxi driver, and a rowing center owner walk into a bar....." I also thought of writing, "A crossword puzzle writer, a vicar's wife, and a professional dog walker go into a bar....." Please indulge my poor attempts at humor, but in this novel, the first three wouldn't walk out of the bar at all, because they would be killed, and the last three would be searching for the murderer. Technically, this is a cozy mystery because three lady amateurs assist a local police detective who tells them to but out, until she actually makes them "civilian advisors" to assist in the investigation as bodies continue to pile up. All victims were shot by an antique gun and were found with a medallion saying, in order of the killings, "Faith," "Hope," and "Charity." It's the most sophisticated cozy mystery I've ever read. There are some Hitchcockian themes at play, suspects have ironclad alibis, while motives are very elusive. I'm avoiding the biggest spoilers at all costs, but the most enthralling skeleton comes out of the closet during the denouement. I look forward to the next installment of the Marlow Murder Club.

Its quite fun but the humour did not quite strike the right chord with me. I found the protagonist a bit "too much". I certainly prefer Richard Osman's books which draw you into caring about the character, this feels more formulaic. But I finished it; so that a positive and the plot was well enough thought out.

A well-plotted whodunnit with a budding cast of characters who will no doubt be further fleshed out in coming stories. It moves along with well-crafted rhythm and humour. I’m certainly looking forward to the next instalment.

Polecam

I absolutely loved this novel, its characters, its mysteries… so much so that I ordered and devoured the sequels. So why the 4/5 rating? My wife is reading the French translation and… Surprise, surprise… the French version includes a map of Marlow and three crosswords (15x15) (with the solutions). In the meantime, we discovered that the crosswords were a special item of the French version. The map in the French version is a nice supplement that should feature in future editions of the English original.

I hold my hand up and declare that I bought this book as a present. Although, I gleaned quite a bit about it in the process. And it goes without saying that the recipient was delighted. It’s another one of those amateur detective crime stories, that have proved captivating, enjoying a wide readership. It's set in the small town of Marlow, England, and focuses on a group of elderly crime sleuths. A mixture of different personalities join forces, including a retired judge, a former Scotland Yard detective, and a local gossip. It’s a well written piece, brimming with twists aplenty, keeping the reader guessing until the end. Readers will find themselves enjoying the lively characterisations, which are balanced with a sense of good humour. Of course, this is the very definition of the ‘cosy crime’ genre that has erupted in the last year or so. It’s no bad thing, because it takes a previously moribund subject and elevates it to thoroughly good entertainment. The use of the small town atmosphere puts the reader into position for an enthralling story, with a wide appeal. It’s also family friendly and could be recommended for all ages, with the usual reservations attached to the genre.