Reviews

The Queen of Poisons, Book 3 by Robert Thorogood

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inadct's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The lovely murder solving Trio is back with yet another wonderful murder mystery.

Judith as always being so extremely smart and funny that she will solve anyones murder before the week ends.

Becks being as kind and lovely and loyal to everyone but her horrible mother in law, which fair I wouldn’t be loyal to that monster either.

Suzie being the funniest human in the world and honest to a fault, my lovely friend.

I have as so happy when I got the ARC because I just love this trio so much, and I think that Robert made this murder mystery even more unexpected than the previous ones.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

jmdigiantonio's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I loved this third entry in the Marlow Murder Club series! As a huge fan of Robert Thorogood, his plots are intricate and satisfy that British mystery itch. In The Queen of Poisons, Suzie is attending a planning meeting, when the mayor is poisoned and dies. She immediately calls Becks and Judith, the other 2/3 of the club to help solve the mystery. This time, the ladies are official with the police as advisors! Thorogood usually is big on locked room mysteries (as Death in Paradise shows) and this is no exception or is it? The ladies investigate all the relationships and secrets of the meeting attendees to figure out the culprit. I also loved the compassion and growth he gave to Judith in this book. Highly recommend for fans of all mysteries, especially British! I also can't wait to see the three later this year on PBS!

dennikel's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These are an entertaining series of books where a group of three overlooked women in an English community solve murders. You don’t ever get too deep with any of the main characters throughout the series, keeps it more in the cozy category for me but entertaining all the same.

lollybee's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

An easy- read cozy crime novel that, for me, has been spoiled by the TV dramatisation.
I forever see the actors from the series when I read this novel, rather than the characters I saw in my mind before and this spoils it for me.

sssnoo's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Queen of Poisons is the third installment of the Marlow Murder Club series. It's another whacky venture into police investigations that would never happen in real life. Sometimes, that is okay, but it's starting to feel contrived in this series. The author lets the three club members get coopted into a murder investigation by the reigning investigator. That allows the Murder Clubmates access to potential suspects. But it has become too over the top this time.

This installment's plot, escapades, and ultimate conclusion were too unbelievable. I found my eyes rolling way too much. Everyone is a suspect, and Suzie jumps to conclusions in every other paragraph. I could do without this character altogether. I enjoy Judith and Becks much better.

Reading this book, I had a delightful 'ah ha' moment. The narrative seemed oddly familiar, reminiscent of a British TV mystery I adore, Death in Paradise. It turns out the author is the creator of that very series. How did I miss this connection? Regardless, my preference still leans towards Death in Paradise.

I'll keep reading this series—or at least number 4 if it is published. The concept is good, the writing is fine, and I hope for a better plot next time.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.