In some ways this was a cosy, amusing tale of three old ladies ganging up on a bad guy, but the issues underlying give some serious food for thought. Meg, Grace, and Daphne know each other slightly through their exercise class and are having a coffee in the local cafe when teenager Nina comes rushing in, clearly distressed and on the run from someone. When a dodgy looking man comes charging in looking for her, the ladies get together to protect Nina. Many escapades follow as they try to keep Nina from the clutches of the evil Toad and his female sidekick. We learn as we go the disturbing pasts these three, very different, ladies have had, and how abusive, traumatic relationships affect life well beyond the actual events. All are united in saving Nina, a looked after child who is very clever with her own ambitions for life, from a life owned by Toad. I could see this transferring well to television. #netgalley #abeginnersguidetomurder

Trigger warnings for: Kidnapping, rape, physical and emotional abuse

I'm always keen to read a book celebrating older people, but this just didn't do it for me.

Three ladies in their seventies are minding their own business in a coffee shop when a young girl (Nina) comes in and asks for their help. If I had known what Nina was running from I would probably not have chosen to read this book.

Whilst I applaud the older characters and their fight to show they are not to be written off by society the parts of the book that followed Nina made for gruesome and all too realistic reading. While it might have been slightly comedic at times for most of it I found it to be a very dark book.

I did enjoy the friendships that were forged in the face of adversity and each of the three women all had a reason for helping Nina from their past. However the plot was dragged out for too long in my opinion and I got a little bored with all the going back and forwards over the time line. The ending was dramatic but for me it came far too late.

A well written cosy murder book with loads of humour.

Three old ladies in their seventies Grace, Meg and Daphne having a coffee are interrupted by a seventeen year old girl saying she`s in danger from Toad a man she is running from after being kept captive and forced into prostitution.
The only way to make Nina safe is to murder Toad, but how can they do it?
I enjoyed this immensely loved all the characters apart from Toad the baddy of course.
Well worth a read and will read more from her.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I quite enjoyed this rather implausible book. To say it was far-fetched would be a massive understatement.
However there were some interesting characters and the insight into the world of "cared for" children was very worrying. In the light of recent news of Lambeth Council and their record of lack of care for their children the book was very relevant.
I did feel that the whole book was written "tongue in cheek"

I had to DNF A Beginner's Guide to Murder because at 73% in, the plot had barely moved past the events of the opening scene. I wasn't interested in the tedious backstories of all the characters, I didn't find any of their personalities appealing and wasn't a fan of all the silly political rhetoric which seemed to have no obvious purpose within the story. I tried to persevere with this book, but when there's 100 other things I'd rather be doing, I think it's time to throw in the towel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The basic premise for this book, at first thought, sounds a little implausible, but somehow it works. Who would imagine a group of elderly women plotting to kill?

Rosalind Stopps has crafted a very clever tale which explores some very dark themes including people trafficking and abuse. The central characters have their own difficulties and these make them credible and human. As an older reader, I was surprised to find how easy it was to identify with many of their motivations and actions. That was surprising and added to the interest. Despite the subject matter, there are many moments of humour and these lift the story, which could be quite disturbing. It’s a refreshing approach and with skilled plotting it’s a book I enjoyed. My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

At the heart of the story is the relationship between the elderly Meg, Grace and Daphne and their desire to protect the vulnerable and abused 17 year old Nina. When one afternoon they have seen the young Nina, terrified in the coffee shop, they have decided to do everything in their power to help her escape from danger.
So they take her to Meg’s house, but it is only after a while that the teenager is able to tell them the truth and they realise that going to the police isn’t an option.
The three women have decided that even if they are just beginners they are willing to kill The Toad in order to save Nina.

The plot certainly is quite dark and the shock and horror is palpable in the pages.
The characterisation is amazing. Med which initially appear as the “weakest” is a wonderful and strong woman! Grace gets always at the heart of a situation and is definitely clear minded. Daphne as well is incredible and carries with her a heavy baggage.
Nina’s life story is sad, but she is resilient and strong.

The story is compelling, heartwarming, brave, funny and definitely contains all the elements of a good thriller!

What a dark underbelly this book has, the grooming of a child in the care system by a girl pretending to be her friend, domestic abuse, racial tension and trafficking. Every female character here has their own story and when they are all thrown together it leads to planning a murder.

The three older women Meg, Daphne and Grace are unusual as they are each have a unique gift. Meg, whose mother played the violin, hears something out of tune when something is wrong. Grace an ex teacher gets a smell and Daphne knows what trouble is and what it could do to a person.

This is very much a character driven book and much darker than I had assumed from the blurb. These women are not the cosy Miss Marple types I was expecting.

However this is a book that evokes powerful feelings towards the injustices in the world. The damaged, the lost, the forgotten, the uncared for. They are all there between the pages. It also brings into focus how women are underestimated, especially after a certain age, but for me this was mostly about making unexpected friendships under the strangest circumstances and how powerful those friendships are.

I would firstly like to thank HQ stories for the opportunity to be on the blog tour for A Beginners Guide To Murder by Rosalind Stopps, the author of A Stranger She Knew.

I love a story that features old people, they always have plenty of character and soul. And in this story we are lucky because we have three old people. Grace, Meg and Daphne.

Alongside older characters in stories I also enjoy inter generational storylines. Here that is supplied by the character of Nina. Now A Beginners Guide To Murder isn't just a story of three little old ladies plotting a murder, oh heck no. There is much, much more to this story than that.

Stopps has managed to weave four tales into one book. Each character is well crafted and has their own tale to tell. And it doesn't feel too claustrophobic with details. Sometimes a story that has a few characters in who tell their backgrounds can feel a bit overwhelming. But not here. Here each characters tale is fundamental and important to the narrative.

There are some very dark themes explored and it does get very tense. But there is elements of humour interspersed within just for balance.

Beneath the darkness we get a touching tale. Females being strong, supporting each other through desperate times. It is one heck of a story.

Three elderly ladies, acquaintances rather than friends, are enjoying small talk and coffee after their Pilates class, when a young, desperate looking girl bursts into the cafe asking for help. When they encounter the man she is running from, the ladies quickly realise that the only way to save the girl is to plot a murder.

This is a darkly witty and quirky novel, that explores some very difficult themes such as trafficking, kidnapping, rape, coercive control, forced adoption and the care system, but still somehow manages to be a heart warming read.

Our three pensioners, Meg, Grace and Daphne are the stars of the show, with their companionship and courage. As their friendship blooms, we get to know their stories and realise that each has a very personal reason for wanting to help Nina, the young girl. These three women share a history of damage caused by men they have known.

Despite this, the characters of Des, Gordon and Greg show that not all men are bad, even those that are on the shady side of the law. Furthermore, not all women are shown to be innocent.

With its sombre themes this novel could have been very bleak but there is a dark comedy in the way these ladies deal with a terrifying situation, in which they are clearly in over their heads. Despite their advancing years, they face a heinous adversary with strength and resilience.

I found this book very difficult to put down, especially towards the second half. It has a great pace to it and the multiple perspectives keep the story flowing well, without giving too much away at once.

It’s a novel showcases the courage and tenacity of women. Showing that age is no barrier to bravery.

Thanks to @hqstories for inviting me on the tour and for the #gifted copy, in return for an honest review.

Thank you to the publishers for inviting me to be part of this tour.

I really struggled to get into this book and almost DNF’d it. However, I persevered and was so glad I did, as it was totally worth it in the end.

The book is very dark and there are clearly sinister things going in in this novel without the full description, which adds to the suspense and tense.

One thing that I loved about this book., was the originality of three elderly characters. I love elderly characters and and them so amusing. The dialogue between the three was well written and I really enjoyed these characters.

This is an original, light yet dark, crime story that is well worth a read!

I will re-read this book again as I would like to appreciate it again as a whole.

Seventy-something Grace, Meg, and Daphne might first appear to be an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths, but as the alternating first-person chapters dig a little deeper into each character, their colourful backgrounds begin to emerge. As well as this, Nina’s first-person chapters start with a flashback style narrative that reveals how Nina and the three elderly women have ended up in the position they are in.

There is quite a lot of internal thought for each of the characters, where each character not only reveals things about themselves but also their thoughts on the other characters, which adds to a sense of dramatic irony.

The narrative is well-written and the satirical voice portrays a wonderfully dry sense of humour, which had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions.

I recommend this book for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, and Kelly Mason’s Branden Bay Series.

This story contains a powerful commentary on society's view of older women and young women who are let down by those who should care for them. The issues are disturbing, but whilst the reader is provoked to think about them, it's delivered in an engaging way that resonates.

The story follows the lives of three women in their seventies and a young woman of seventeen. They are virtually strangers, but a fatalistic meeting draws them together into a world of darkness and depravity. The women have secrets that are revealed to each other and the reader as the story progresses. They are not what they outwardly seem, an important point this story explores for all the women. All have courage and hidden strengths that help secure safety for the vulnerable young woman who asks for their help.

The thriller is well-written with twists and is full of satirical noir humour, but it's the believable characters, their brave actions and poignant stories that make this such a good read.


I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Thank you to HQ for having me on the tour for A Beginner’s Guide to Murder. Starting today to the 26th July.

“We had known him for two days when we decided to kill him.”

I was of course immediately drawn into this read by no other reason, than wanting to love this group of 3 ladies in their seventies, choosing to help young Nina murder the man she’s running from.

This book dives straight into the nitty gritty. Serious yet lighthearted, there are moments where they say something completely extreme and can’t help but laugh at the sharp turn their lives have taken.

“We’re gangsters now, I thought, outside the law. Sisters doing it for themselves.”’

The camaraderie is second to none. These 4 strangers quickly grow to care for and support each other whilst thinking of what happened in their respective past years. A true to heart story of women sticking together against life’s darkest hours.

A really fun read but for me, it could have done with being shorter. Very descriptive heavy with some extra unbelievable moments. Would love to see the gang together again in the future.

A Beginner's Guide to Murder is a book with a difference .Daphne ,Grace and Meg ,soon to be great friends, are enjoying a coffee after an exercise class when a young girl Nina rushes up to them asking for help .This is the beginning of a rollercoaster ride of a story ,sometimes funny sometimes sad ,all the characters have a back story to tell .This book proves that more mature ladies can do brave things .I thought this was a wonderful read and enjoyed it immensely .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

When Nina stumbles through the door of the café that elderly friends Daphne, Grace and Meg are enjoying a catch up they realise immediately that something is wrong. The young girl is very clearly distressed, and when an intimidating looking man comes looking for her they all know that they have to do whatever they can to keep this girl safe.

Each of these women have their own personal reasons for wanting to help Nina, and as they all take on the role of her protectors their own past secrets come back to haunt them. They gather strength from one another, but the question remains…. would any of them really be capable of committing the ultimate crime in order to protect those they care about?.

A Beginners Guide To Murder is a character driven story that really highlights the hidden depths of each individual characters personalities and the various reasons why they behave in the ways they do. Daphne, Meg and Grace are all unique individuals who really nestle their way in to your heart from the beginning, and as the story progresses you really begin to understand why each of them behave the ways in which they do.

The storyline is wonderfully structured and is full to the brim of drama and suspense as the mystery of who is capable of murder is explored. Despite being utterly chilling at times I found it impossible to put this book down as the need to solve the mystery grew with every passing chapter.

Dramatic, thrilling and utterly captivating. This is a must read for those who love psychological thrillers.

I absolutey loved this book, it had a similar vibe to The Thursday Murder Club. When a young woman called Nina needs help the trio band together to help her. Meg, Grace and Daphne help hide her from the man, Toad, who is looking for her and so begins the journey of how to get away with murder! I loved the three main characters they each had a backstory to tell and I found them interesting and fascinating. I think what makes this stand out is the friends are all elderly and have suffered themselves and are brought together and bond even closer. It's a brilliant dark humoured read about friendship, murder and a rollercoaster of emotions. Really entertaining and a great cast of characters.

A Beginner's Guide to Murder is a scintillating and deceptively dark character-driven murder mystery/thriller centring around a trio of septuagenarian acquaintances from a London Pilates class who inadvertently find themselves protecting the most vulnerable in society. Meg, Grace and Daphne are a trio of elderly women who frequently meet up to live out their retirement together and often go to the local cafe to chat to get to one another more, having been thrown together through their love of Pilates. One day they hit the cafe as per usual and a clearly distraught and petrified 17-year-old Nina enters. They immediately recognise that she is in imminent danger, so they help her escape the horrifying Belgian known as Toad. The women pick up on the clues easily as they have been in Nina's situation before, sadly. They head back to Meg's home, and although she doesn't open up right away it doesn't take long before she is relaying her familiar story of abuse, trauma and exploitation to them. They understand that bringing the police in is not an option and this makes them even more fiercely protective of Nina as they seem to be the only support she has.

Growing up in a care facility, Nina fell under the control of cruel and manipulative Toad, so when she is abducted the women who have suffered through abuse, bereavement, grief, imprisonment and toxic marriages themselves, forge a lifelong, meaningful friendship with each other and forever form their own small support network. Together they decide that the only option they have is to murder the monstrous Toad to release Nina from his grip. This is a riveting, captivating and utterly brilliant read and it sucks you in with its rich charm and prose laced with deliciously dark humour. At first, it seems to have a cosy mystery feel to it but this was a great bit of subterfuge that soon fell away revealing a much more gritty and disturbing plot. However, the cast of eccentric characters is what really makes this thriller what it is. The three women of a certain age are explored in terms of their life's stories and you can't help but admire them and take them to heart. Their special bond pushes each of them to take the bull by the horns and illustrates that you are never too old for a thrilling adventure. A compulsive, delightfully absorbing and thoroughly entertaining read. Highly recommended.

Well this was something a little different. For a start, the three main characters are all over 70 years old. Three women who have come together through an exercise class and it is when they are sharing a cuppa post workout when Grace, Meg and Daphne first meet Nina. Nina is obviously running from something or someone, she is visibly upset and scared. They hide her and deny her existence to the man coming looking for her.
Once he has gone, she opens up to the ladies and the story she hints at is horrific. It becomes clear to our threesome that the only way that Nina will be free of this man, the only way she will be safe is, well, to get rid of him. And so the title of the book now starts to makes sense as we follow our three elderly ladies in their new quest...
How likely / unlikely this book is... well... I think that matters not. What does matter is that I had a right blast reading about their antics. I had so much fun as they alternated between bimbling and being very well prepared. I laughed a lot along the way - yes there is humour herein - which was good as there were also parts, Nina's story, that were harrowing to say the least.
I also loved the three main characters, getting to know more about them and their pasts as the book progressed. And it also goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks and I'm not just talking about murder! Most people thing that coming of age books are more around teen and young adult characters. Well, if this isn't a coming of age book for people of a certain age, I don't know what is. And I loved that. I won't go into specifics - spoilers - but it was great to see certain characters com out of their shells. To take control, to literally come alive! Wonderful!
And by the end of the book, I was really sad to have to say goodbye to them all. I'm really hoping that this book isn't the last we hear of them. I really believe that they have more to give. Fingers crossed we'll meet again...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Three elderly ladies meet up in a local cafe after their pilates class. A vision of normality for people of their age. Suddenly, a poorly dressed teenager rushes in, in obvious distress. As one they decide to help her and when a frightening looking man soon comes in search of her, they immediately become protective. And so a long story begins of human nature at its best and worst. The ladies all have very personal reasons why they wish to protect the girl, Nina. As their own past lives come back to haunt them, their new friendships give each of them a new strength they believed was lost or didn’t exist in the first place. Murder though, was any of them really capable of committing the ultimate crime? An easy going story that had sadness, humour and tension in equal measure. Although horrific in places, it was never gory and much of the detail was tactfully left to the reader’s imagination.