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leandrathetbrzero's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
↓ Similar Reading Experiences ↓
- Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
- MC Beaton’s The Quiche of Death (1992)
- Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage (1930)
I received an ARC of The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood, published by Poisoned Pen Press, via Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.
Judith Potts wants for nothing in her independent lifestyle. At seventy-seven years old, Judith loves her job as a crossword setter, busies herself with jigsaw puzzles and swimming in the Thames River, and keeps certain memories in her past well-buried. She’s perfectly happy. That is, until she discovers her neighbor with a bullet in his head. And this is only the beginning.
I absolutely adore this dream team of amateur sleuths made up of a crossword setter, a dog walker, and the vicar’s wife. And D.S. Tanika Malik as an honorary fourth member. These characters are well-developed, diverse in their motivations and backgrounds, and brilliantly supportive of each other. None of this surprises me because the book’s author, Robert Thorogood, is the creator of Death in Paradise, one of my favorite detective TV series. The storylines and characters in this TV series are rich in their complexity, so naturally The Marlow Murder Club would be no different.
The dialogue is sprinkled with clever theories and epiphanies. And the characters are wicked funny throughout. I loved the many positive examples of women supporting women, and their growing friendships feel extremely believable. This is a book to read for the characters as much as it is for the murder mystery.
Speaking of the mystery, Thorogood is certainly no amateur! Each time yet another person is found murdered, the plot thickens and our protagonists are forced to dig a little deeper. Admittedly, I predicted the solution quite early on, but I had no problem reading until the end to be sure I was correct. Spoiler: Think Strangers on a Train . In 2022, I have read way more mysteries than I have in past years, so I am beginning to wonder if I am simply growing accustomed to the genre’s twists and turns. (1) I already bought my physical copy, (2) I will 100% be recommending this book to fellow mystery lovers, especially those who loved The Thursday Murder Club, and (3) I fully intend to return to Marlow if/when Thorogood invites us with a sequel!
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
tea_bex's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
prism_'s review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
emlo's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I didn't enjoy this as much as the Thursday Murder club. For me this stretched credulity too far. There were a few too many farfetched plot contrivances. However, I liked the characters and it was a pleasant enough read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
angelbabe_cj's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book. It was a pretty quick read, and fast paced. I definitely liked the main characters and the idea that if a follow up is written there will be more to discover about their characters. They were a decently quirky mix.
That said although I didn't work out the specifics of the solution ahead of the reveal I definitely worked out some of the twists. I always find that a little disappointing even if I'm always working at it. I'm not sure if I've simply seen and read enough mysteries to predict that sort of thing, or if the breadcrumbs weren't deftly enough placed.
I definitely appreciate that the police weren't portrayed as incompetent, and were able to make some advances of their own, just not able to get all the pieces together. When police officers in a modern setting fail to be at least competent at their jobs en masse.
That said although I didn't work out the specifics of the solution ahead of the reveal I definitely worked out some of the twists. I always find that a little disappointing even if I'm always working at it. I'm not sure if I've simply seen and read enough mysteries to predict that sort of thing, or if the breadcrumbs weren't deftly enough placed.
I definitely appreciate that the police weren't portrayed as incompetent, and were able to make some advances of their own, just not able to get all the pieces together. When police officers in a modern setting fail to be at least competent at their jobs en masse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
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