Robert Thorogood, creator of the hit TV series Death in Paradise, brings his trademark wit and flair for charming mysteries to the page in The Marlow Murder Club a cozy, clever, and character-driven whodunit that’s as entertaining as it is eccentric.
At the heart of the story is seventy-seven-year-old Judith Potts, an unapologetically independent woman living in a crumbling mansion on the outskirts of Marlow. She spends her days setting crosswords for The Times, swimming nude in the Thames, and drinking whisky without apology. Judith’s solitary but content life takes a sudden turn one evening when she witnesses what she’s certain is a murder a gunshot echoing across the river from her neighbor’s property. The police dismiss her concerns, so Judith decides to do what any sensible septuagenarian would do: investigate herself.
Soon, she’s joined by two unlikely allies Suzie, a spirited dog walker with street smarts, and Becks, the impeccably organized wife of the local vicar. Together, they form the Marlow Murder Club, a trio of amateur sleuths whose tenacity and sharp instincts rival those of any detective. What begins as one suspicious death soon spirals into a string of murders, and the women realize they’re facing something far more dangerous than small-town gossip.
The real joy of The Marlow Murder Club lies not just in the mystery but in its characters. Judith is a delight witty, stubborn, and brilliantly unfiltered. Her passion for puzzles and her refusal to be underestimated make her an endearing and formidable protagonist. Suzie and Becks balance her perfectly: one rough around the edges but full of heart, the other buttoned-up but quietly rebellious. Their dynamic is the beating heart of the story, blending humor, warmth, and female camaraderie.
The mystery itself is a classic cozy setup small-town secrets, eccentric residents, and red herrings aplenty. Thorogood sprinkles in clues with a playful hand, and while seasoned mystery readers might guess parts of the ending, the journey there is so charming that it hardly matters. His writing sparkles with British humor, and his affection for his characters is palpable.
If you’re a fan of The Thursday Murder Club, this book will feel instantly familiar and that’s a good thing. It captures the same spirit of community and the thrill of older characters defying expectations, but Thorogood’s background in television storytelling gives his prose a cinematic rhythm. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue snappy, and the twists keep you smiling as much as guessing.
While the final reveal may stretch believability a bit, the novel never loses its sense of fun. This isn’t a gritty procedural but a cozy, comforting escape into a world where friendship and curiosity can still change everything even at seventy-seven.
Final Verdict:
The Marlow Murder Club is an utterly delightful mystery brimming with humor, heart, and charm. A perfect read for fans of cozy crime, clever heroines, and stories that prove it’s never too late to start a new adventure.
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