I have read the other books in this series and was glad to be accepted for the next instalment. Really fun reads

Favorite Quotes:

But the trouble with having lifelong ambitions was that when they were finally realised, you were left treading air like a cartoon cat shooting off a cliff.

‘Beth, and you know I don’t like to boast.’ Wendy lowered her eyes modestly for a moment, then ruined the effect by going on to blow her own trumpet in a lengthy solo.

Beth remembered neither of them had ever been Scouts. Or Brownies, come to that, though Beth had tried to make up for that by eating her weight in them many times over.

Was it Beth’s imagination, or did Katie sound a bit, well, reluctant? ‘You do still want to help out, don’t you, Cagney? Or are you Lacey? You’re the carefree blonde, obviously. I’m the brunette with the bad flick hairdo and the fat arse.’

Wendy well enough to realise that she would have been so hands-off as a mother to qualify as an honorary amputee.

Beth had thought bridge was just longwinded whist. But no. In Dulwich at least, it seemed as riven with rivalry and toxicity as the set of Who Killed Baby Jane?

Mrs Prendergast’s partner was a big man, his pale blue shirt at least a size smaller than its owner. Beth wouldn’t like to be around when his buttons finally decided they’d had enough of this arrangement. Tall and over-spilling the spindly chair in all directions, he was frowning over his cards like a hippo scrutinising a matchbox.

All this would be complex enough, without the added burden that her mother would be playing the recent poisoning victim like Meryl Streep on steroids, to get Josh’s full attention.


My Review:

I have savored each delightful tale in this cleverly written series. As with the previous installments, The Body in Belair Park was a highly pleasurable read featuring a seemingly confounding and unsolvable mystery with witty comedic accents, cunning humor, and colorful character descriptions that evoked keen and smirk-worthy visuals. The series revolves around Beth, a quirky pixie of a woman with a questionable work ethic, tight budget, narcissistic mother, tween son, indulged pets, and lax domestic efforts. In addition to being disorganized and easily distracted, she apparently tends to be a trouble magnet. I adore her and want to be her friend.

Ms. Castle's writing style is refreshingly crisp and breezy yet cunningly insightful and deliciously entertaining. I treasure and covet her agile word skills and sublimely captivating storytelling and greatly enjoy her penchant for unusual fatalities. I fervently hope she continues to unearth them in every suburb across England.

While I liked the story I've decided not to go with the series at all , there was some things in it that I got tried of reading over and over .

I enjoyed this book in the series and look forward to more. I liked the characters and the setting.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When her mother's bridge partner is poisoned, Beth decides to hold a re-enactment of the fatal game only to have her mother targeted by the poisoner.
Another proper cosy mystery set in Dulwich village. With likeable characters and an easy flowing storyline, this is yet another book in this series that I enjoyed.

This book has a palpable tension that keeps the pages turning…..simply brilliant… I had to finish this marvellous thriller in one sitting!

Dear Lord. They get worse. All of the same old bingo words are trotted out - Harry’s peacoat, Beth’s fringe, Beth’s height, Magpie being a hellbeast… Beth still hasn’t located a work bone in her body - the occasional twinge of guilt apparently not enough to actually get her doing the job she’s paid for, half the time. Her mother Wendy features heavily in this book, and honestly she’s a caricature who sends Beth’s blood pressure sky high - Wendy nearly gets poisoned to death here, then milks her recovery for all it’s worth. When we’re not reading about that, we’re getting a far more in depth overview of Bridge than anyone cares for. Then it turns out the murderer is someone we’ve barely heard about, we don’t actually see their name until a way after they’ve been arrested, and we’re not exactly sure why they did it - all kind of key things for a murder mystery.

I’ve got one more of these books to read and review, and then I’ll be blessedly finished.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

The Murder Club by Alice Castle
A Beth Haldane Mystery Book #6 - Previously released as The Body in Belair Park

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A club of card enthusiasts gather in a magnificent mansion. But someone has been dealt a deadly hand…

In peaceful Dulwich Village, a group of elderly residents meet every week for Bridge Club. Green cloths are laid over square tables, the deck is carefully dealt, and every beady eye is on the lookout for cheating.

Amateur sleuth Beth Haldane has never understood the rules, but she’s drawn into the drama when her mother’s bridge partner Alfie Poole is found dead. He was last seen heading out for a breath of fresh air after a particularly tricky hand.

Beth knows poor Alfie was a sweet old man, but when she learns he was poisoned it’s clear someone wanted him gone… Suspecting skulduggery, Beth questions each member of the club. Did the retired doctor slip Alfie a sedative? Is the ex-English teacher quite as clumsy as she seems? Or was it Alfie’s daughter, wanting her inheritance early?

My Opinion

This series of books is being re-released with new names. These are quick little mystery books to read and I can easily finish one in a few hours. So far I am enjoying this series and the characters are really starting to develop as we work through the various mysteries. Whilst these books are part of a series, each would work well as a standalone.

There are some twists and turns to keep the reader interested but the more I read in this series, the more I am starting to predict. An entertaining read with Beth creating a re-enactment of the murder to try and find out what happened.

Rating 4/5

This book was everything I wanted it to be. It had me turned pages without even realizing. It was so good!

Fun, enjoyable read but I am beginning to worry that Dulwich isn't the safest place to be. Character growth and story were all good. Just beginning to think Beth needs to branch out of her village otherwise, Jessica Fletcher will be welcoming her into the club.

I found this book as entertaining as usual but it's not a favorite because some twists were a bit predictable.
I was glad to catch up with Beth and the cast of characters and travel to Dulwich
The mystery is entertaining but a bit predictable.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Murder Club by Alice Castle is the sixth book within the new Beth Haldane Cosy Mystery series and these books have been a good read. However, I am finding them predicable. - well I did read these back to back whilst relaxing in the summer holidays.

This book is full of good strong twists and turns throughout and another great book and I highly recommend this series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author Alice Castle for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

When Beth Haldanes mother rings her she is surprised as normally she is busy busy with her own interests but when she tells her that her bridge partner Alfie Poole is dead ;Beth is sympathetic but then her mother states he was poisoned and wants Beth to help find justice for Alfie

Another cosy read and very enjoyable

These books never fail to please they are such an easy read and so far I e enjoyed them. This one was excellent mainly because I know the characters very well. A lovely series. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Beth's mothers bridge partner is killed in this book and Beth once again puts that sleuthing cap on to solve the murder.

This is a really good mystery series, best read in order but can be read as stand alone.

I really enjoy the characters in this series, Beth's mum is quite the character in this book.

Amateur sleuth Beth Haldane has never understood the rules, but she’s drawn into the drama when her mother’s bridge partner Alfie Poole is found dead. He was last seen heading out for a breath of fresh air. Beth knows poor Alfie was a sweet old man, but when she learns he was poisoned it’s clear someone wanted him gone. Organising a re-enactment of the day Alfie was killed, and making sure exactly the same cards are dealt, Beth keeps a close eye on who comes up trumps but then her own mother Wendy starts choking on her cup of tea. Thankfully Wendy is rushed to hospital just in time: The sixth book in this delightful series & it could easily be read on its own. However I love how the characters & relationships have developed throughout the series. I particularly love how Beth & Harry’s romance has developed & also her relationship with best friend Katie. I must admit this is my least favourite of the series, I think as I dislike Belinda & how she always has to belittle Beth, I think she's totally self centred & manipulative. There are plenty of bridge playing suspects as well as red herrings. I was surprised at the denouement, something I’d not been expecting
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

In the latest outing for amateur detective Beth Haldane, murder comes closer to home when her own mum suspects her bridge partner Alfie has been poisoned. Beth endures her prickly relationship with her distant mum as she tries to absorb the intricacies of the game and reenact the events of the day of the murder. Events take a scary turn when her own mum is poisoned and Beth is determined to find the killer much to her boyfriend Harry's annoyance. It's nice to see the developing relationship between this mismatched pair .

I must confess to having murderous thoughts about Beth’s mother, Wendy throughout this book! Who would think that playing Bridge could be dangerous to one’s health, but Wendy is put in danger when Beth and Katie investigate the death of Wendy’s bridge partner, Alfie.

Beth Haldane’s mother Wendy is beside herself. Her friend and fellow bridge partner, Alfie Pole, has suddenly died. Wendy thinks that foul play is responsible, Beth thinks it was simple old age. However, to assuage her overly demanding mother, Beth agrees to check things out. Even if it means becoming immersed in the game of bridge at the Dulwich Bridge Club, as well ad with a group of allotment owners and other groups that all seem to be connected. Much to the consternation of her boyfriend Harry York, the local DI, Beth becomes involved.

This is not what Beth had in mind. In fact, she’s trying to celebrate the fact that her son Jake just got accepted to an exclusive secondary school. This makes her very happy. Things with Harry seem to be going well and hopefully she can throw herself into her job as an archivist. Of course, her mother has other ideas so Beth becomes a reluctant bridge player. Her actions do end up with her mother being in the hospital this time, really making best concerned about what is truly going on.

Beth can easily be compared to met some other females sleuths, and she definitely holds her own. This delightful book has more than its share of humor, intrigue and has a few twists and turns. Interesting from beginning to end, with enjoyable characters, each story always up with an interesting investigation and just enough danger to keep the readers attention.

The Murder Club is the sixth book in the delightful Beth Haldane series. This one centres around a poisoning at the local Bridge Club which Beth's mother attends. Beth sets up a reenactment of the murder which results in her mother becoming the next target. This is another cosy instalment with lots of wonderful characters and I don't want the series to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.