Brilliant, brilliant book . . . this was one of the best books I've read in a long time' Reader review, Judith figures that Danny has wanted Liz dead for ages because she didn’t want to sell her family’s land, which is worth millions. Danny killed Stefan. Detective Malik learns that the gun used to kill Stefan was an old WW2 gun. It hasn’t been found yet. With Judith Potts, the principal sleuth among the Marlow Murder Club, author Robert Thorogood adds to the fine tradition of crossword solving lying at the heart of a murder mystery. The writer is well-known for his work on the TV series Death in Paradise. Like the show, Death Comes to Marlow is set in the present day and begins with Judith – or ‘Pepper’, as she’s known in the crossword world – puzzling over the purpose of a secret assignation that seems to have been arranged through the corner clues of the latest Marlow Free Press crossword. Second in the military crime series featuring Special Agents Scott Brodie and Magnolia "Maggie" Taylor, after The Deserter (2019).

Malik finds a medallion in Iqbal’s mouth. It is identical to the one found on Stefan’s body, and this one says Hope instead of Faith. Emma the dog arrives just in time and pins Danny to the floor. The police arrive and Andy, Elliot, and Danny are all arrested. They spot someone breaking into Stefan’s house and they go running – or, rather, punting – over. Judith stops the intruder but doesn’t see who it is before they run off. The police arrive and ask some questions. Judith tells them about the garden woman.

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Judith and Co have to bring all their bonkers interview techniques and leaps of logic to play to uncover the truth.” — Crime Fiction Lover Danny arrives and Malik asks him a few questions. Danny lets slip that he and Liz have spent all their savings. Kudos to author Robert Thorogood for a sequel as riveting as his debut, The Marlow Murder Club! Like the debut, the sequel contains a chilling denouement I never saw coming. Forgive the cliché, but I couldn’t put it down and I read it in a day. No greater recommendation that that! And for those whom missed the first book (please remedy that as soon as you can), Death Comes to Marlow stands up quite well on its own. It proves fortuitous, however, that Judith has to return home earlier than expected, as it enables her to answer a phone call from Sir Peter Bailey, a local bigwig. He invites her to his pre-wedding party that afternoon, ostensibly so that he can thank her for solving a series of local murders the year before, although Judith immediately discerns that there is far more to the invitation than meets the eye. Putting aside all thoughts of crossword puzzles, Judith ropes her best friend Suzie Harris, a part-time dogwalker and local radio celeb, into attending the party with her.

Judith says that Danny killed Stefan for Elliot, and Elliot killed Iqbal for Andy. It was a weird trio murder! They were all on the same rowing team at school, which is how they knew each other. An absolute joy to read. Funny, entertaining, and beautifully written” —B. A. Paris, for Marlow Murder Club Judith goes to speak to Howard and makes up a story about him spilling her drink at the Regatta and owing her money. She asks about the argument with Stefan and he confirms it happened. Elliot calls Stefan a fraud and a liar.As anodyne as a village fair and as fiendishly clever as one of the many crossword clues embedded in the story. A delightful story that involves an unlikely trio of amateur detectives. Loved the English setting the quirky characters."

Forget about solving all these crimes; the signal triumph here is (spoiler) the heroine’s survival. Given this close association it’s no surprise that just as detectives and detective fiction have provided the answers to many crossword clues, crosswords have featured prominently in many notable murder mysteries. Arguably, the most famous crossword in crime fiction appears in Agatha Christie’s Curtain, where Captain Hastings’ attempt to solve a cryptic clue inadvertently causes him to intervene in a murder attempt, although other examples are available. While this definitely isn’t a thriller with lots of plot twists, the characters in this book are what make this book a standout. I truly hope this series continues as I would love to see what Judith solves next. The ending made it seem like there might be another book in this series, so fingers crossed there! But, like nearly everyone raised in the UK, she knew that a swan ‘can break your arm’, and she also guessed there’d be something unedifying about a completely naked 78-year-old woman wrestling with a swan.”Never a dull moment, lots of red herrings, plenty of humour and a plot worthy of Agatha !!!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fred is Suzie’s postman so they catch him for a chat. Fred agrees that Elliot’s dad, Dudley, was a crook. Apparently Elliot was interested in rowing when he was younger but he wasn’t allowed to be on the school team. Elliot also enjoyed painting but instead of going to art school he had to stay at the auction house.