I love these books as I love the relationship between the three women and how they solve murders and help the police. This one had a back story which made a slightly different story. Looking forward to more from Robert in the future. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Who doesn’t love a cosy crime! As always this series of books delivers a corker of a story. The introduction of a new character bring a fresh face and new twists! The regular characters bring the homely warmth and love only Marlow has! Overall a fab story, lovely characters and an exciting adventure! These stories never fail to please!! I’m lucky to have advance copy to read, thank you

This is book five of the Marlow Murder Club series, with the previous being:

1. The Marlow Murder Club
2. Death Comes to Marlow
3. The Queen of Poisons
4. Murder on the Marlow Belle

Let me tell you, new Judith Potts day is always a good day.

I always worry when I come back to a series that is several books in, and particularly if it's been a while since I read the last one, that I will forget where I am and it'll take me some time to get back into it, but within the first page I was back in Judith's world like I'd never left.

I also worry that with these kinds of series, where the books are, if we're honest, very similar, that they have a shelf life and might get boring and repetitive. But this is book five and it hasn't reached that point yet so I am here for many, many more.

I won't spoil it by saying who she is but we get introduced to a new character, Eleni. I wouldn't necessarily say she's a nice character but I felt she was well written, and whether we were meant to be on her side or not, I was interested to read her story. And it was lovely to see a new character introduced into this world of such familiar faces.

Whilst Judith is still our main character - obviously, I mean her name is in the title - we get a lot more of Suzie and Becks, which is good, I like them. And I wonder if Robert is potentially looking to pass the bacon to them if and when Judith perhaps feels too old to continue? That's no spoiler as there's no suggestion he's planning to retire Judith but it was just a thought I had.

Cosy crime novels tend to be a bit far fetched and this one is probably the most far fetched one of the series but I didn't care. I expected it, to be honest, and I loved it; it's exciting and fun and tense and brilliant. It did feel quite a bit darker than the previous books as well which was a nice avenue to explore.

There are quite a lot of characters in this one that some may have issues with keeping on top of but I found they were all used very well in their own stories and in Judith's story.

I enjoyed the subplot going on concerning Judith and Eleni, and whilst I won't spoil it by telling you what it is, it gives us an extra dimension to Judith and her past that was interesting to read about.

I've always loved the little clues and puzzles Judith leaves, I think they're wonderful, even if I have failed to work out a single one in five books.

And the main point I make across all five books is I love that we have a predominately female cast, with three very strong female protagonists, all of which aren't spring chickens anymore, which is refreshing to see.

I am notoriously terrible at working out whodunnits but even I was shocked by the travel here, I did not see it coming at all.

Once again, Robert has given us an entertaining, funny, exhilarating, complex, fabulous novel and I really do hope there are more Marlow books on the horizon as I'm not sure I'm quite ready to leave Judith, Suzie, and Becks.

I’ve loved the previous books in the series but this has some interesting twists from the start with Judith distracted by her past whilst Tanika is desperately encouraging her, Becks and Suzie to get involved in a murder case from the start. The story feels a bit more like Becks and Suzie working as a pair whilst Judith absent mindedly assists them whilst trying to resolve her own problem so there’s a slight discord from them working as a trio as usual. It does work though and the story flows well it’s just a different dynamic and refreshing change to the series. I did not see the ending coming and it shows that this series still has the ability to surprise and keep you on your toes and it will be interesting to see how it impacts the next book too.

When a woman turns up on the doorstep of Judith Potts, cruciverbalist and amateur detective, accusing Judith of murder, she knows her past is about to catch up with her leaving her very unsettled. Even the discovery of a body in local woodland doesn’t grab her attention. When the murder case is presented by their friend DI Tanika Malik to the other members of the Marlow Murder Club, Becks and Suzie, it takes all their wheedling for Judith to get on board.

Plenty of twists and red herrings, with a surprising though not entirely unexpected double denouement!

I really hate the term ‘cosy’ when describing murder mystery books and avoid anything described thus like the plague, but this series has me gripped! I love the characters (we all need a Suzie as a BFF), the setting and the writing. Yes, the plots are a bit off the wall, but go with the flow and the books soon become page turners.

I thoroughly recommend for pure escapism, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ.

It’s always a wonderful moment when the next book in a series you love is published! And this is certainly a great series. If you like cosy English mysterious with great characters then these are a must read. This is the 5th book in the Marlow Murder Club so to get the most out of it I would highly recommend reading the other books first. This time there is the usual murders to solve, plus more of Judith’s backstory when someone from her past turns up, keeping the three ladies with plenty to do. I really hope there will be more murders in Marlow in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for letting me read and review this book. 4.5 ⭐️

This is the 5th in the Marlow Murder Club series and although we are in familiar surroundings there has been a change in the dynamics. Tanika has been suspended and is unable to help as previously. Also, Judith has issues from her past resurface along with a new character Eleni. This leads to her time and attention being directed towards her problems rather than the murders leaving most of the legwork to Becks and Susie. I enjoyed and thoroughly recommend this book.

Fantastic. Cant promise this book enough. Adore the author and every series he has written. Love this series particularly and have already told my friends to get on board with these books.

The Mysterious Affair Of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood is a marvellous contemporary cosy crime novel and the perfect way to spend an afternoon. It is part of the Marlow Murder Club series but can be read as a stand-alone.
I enjoyed meeting up once more with the three amateur sleuths. They are all ladies of a certain age, reminding me of three Miss Marples! Plus, there is their side-kick, a female police officer.
When two local men end up dead, the three women spring into action, assuming there must be a link. They set about to investigate the crimes. There is a new male police officer in charge, whom they have to scheme against as he doesn’t want their help.
The past returns to bite Judith Potts. It is a time she does not wish to re-visit, but the ghosts must be laid to rest.
Robert Thorogood has a very easy personable style that draws the reader into his fictional world. We feel welcomed as we enter the village of Marlow. He writes with much humour too.
There is an air of Midsomer to the novel – a cosy village is not always so cosy!
The Mysterious Affair Of Judith Potts is a fabulous read that will entertain and delight the reader as we immerse ourselves in the action.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Judith Potts has a stranger at her door , this visit leaves her distracted and she distances herself from Suzie and Becks .
This happens at a time when the ladies are needed to investigate the deaths of a footballer and an author.
Suzie and Becks begin to investigate but really need the help from Judith with her analytical brain .
Judith finds herself under investigation for the murder of her husband and the story that unfolds is full of twists and turns and an arrest of a most unlikely perpetrator.
Robert Thorogood writes enjoyable books , the characters are likeable and the story kept me gripped from the first page .
Looking forward to the next in the series .
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ.

This must be the best one in the series yet! I really enjoyed the murder mysteries, in particular, the one from Judith’s past that had been teased since the first instalment. The shift in the trio’s dynamics was refreshing! I loved Thorogood’s humour and didn’t anticipate the final reveal, which was as shocking as it was satisfying. Overall, another witty and full of unexpected twists addition to the adventures of the Marlow trio.
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Having enjoyed the previous books in this series I was looking forward to this latest novel and wasn't disappointed at all. There are, however, several surprises in this book that vary the storyline from this very clever writer’s previous outings. Firstly, Judith has seen her past catch up with her. This affects how she partakes in the solving of this murder with her fellow friends, all amateurs, but certainly better than the local police force. The ladies have one good police officer they often deal with, but she is sidelined and suspended while they try to solve this latest mystery. Nevertheless, I wasn't surprised when she was able to help just a little. Celebrities, who think they are important people, are being murdered in the local town. Our ladies must pull together several sets of information to find out what links the murders which will lead to the name of the murderer and their final whodunnit explanation. Of course, it's far from easy and this writer leads us down several garden paths, trying to hook you in to make you believe you've solved the murder, when another page turns and you're off onto a different route. This is an excellent book and I look forward to seeing it on the television.

This is such a fun series and always entertaining. I love working out the clues with Judith and the team and had my suspicions about this one.
I really enjoyed seeing Judith open up to Becks and Suzie. We’ve a side mystery about her personal life in this one and it added a really nice twist to the overall read.
As always the detecting is first class from the ladies and with Tamika unable to provide them much assistance this time, they’re on their own, as the case becomes more and more puzzling.

This series is everything a cosy crime should be. Doesn’t take itself too seriously, realistic characters, not too many characters and no lulls in the pace.

The second book in the Marlow Murder Club series I have read and enjoyed. I think of Robert Thorogoods writing as a cosy thriller somewhere between Agatha Christie and Richard Osman. An entertaining book to read with cryptic crosswords being a key component of the book. Recommended. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book q

The Marlow Murder Mysteries are probably my favourite cosy murder series. Spending time with Judith, Suzie and Becks never fails to amuse me. This book is absolutely brilliant. Straight on the back of their last case, they’re teased into solving a new murder by Tanika. However, this time we have another matter running alongside for Judith, as her past appears to be catching up with her. For me, this was superbly plotted and executed and had me madly turning the pages. No spoilers from me, if you want to know what happens, you need to pick up the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for a review.

Another amazing addition to the Marlow Murder Club!

I'm sure those of you who are looking up this book are doing so because you've probably finished the 4th book and are itching not know what happened next!

Well well well, I thought I knew who did it but I WAS WRONG and I've gotten so good at guessing culprits too! This book had twists and a lot going on to peak interest!

I won't give anything away other than I really couldn't put this book down! (yes yes i know it took a week to read but really, every chance I had I was reading)

This book comes out on the 15th January and i can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks!

ps: i still need to get around to watching the TV series! I love the Death in Paradise show and I hope Marlow Murder lives up to my expectations, how rare for me to ave read the series but not watched the media!

Many thanks to HQ and Netgalley for this eARC

Instagram review to come

I think this is the best one yet! I really love this series and enjoyed being back in Marlow with Judith, Suzie and Becks. This time we have a killer picking off local celebrities, coupled with Judith’s past coming back to haunt her. I enjoyed the dual storyline and felt how everything came together was well done. Plus I didn’t guess the ending! Perfect for cosy crime lovers that want a satisfying mystery, pinch of humour and to be thoroughly entertained.

This is another brilliant cosy murder featuring Judith, Becks, and Suzie, who make up the Marlow Murder Club. It can easily be read as a standalone.

In this instalment, Judith’s past comes back to haunt her. Her husband died in Greece years ago, and a woman claiming to be his illegitimate daughter turns up on Judith’s doorstep. She also claims to have evidence that Judith’s late husband was murdered.

In the meantime, two local celebrities are found murdered; first, Gary, a footballer, and then Tony, a writer. The Murder Club discover that both men were being blackmailed and they’re on the case, although Judith is distracted by her surprise visitor.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and author for the advanced copy.

It was nice to return to Marlow and see what Judith, Becks and Suzie got up to after their last outing.

I enjoyed the slow unravelling of the case, and finally getting answers about Judith's past.

The next instalment of the Marlow Murder Club Mysteries. When a local footballing legend is found dead, the ladies start to investigate then another local celebrity is killed, the plot thickens. I enjoy these characters who are very familiar to us now. I couldn't put it down such a great read. Judith is hiding something but no spoilers here!!!

This is the first book I have read by Robert Thorogood. I really liked it. I would describe it as a cozy mystery. The 3 friends, Judith, Becks and Suzie, like to solve murders. They seem to be much better at it than the police are! They had just solved a murder when the story begins. It doesn’t take long until murders and attempted murders take place. Blackmail has been involved, but who is actually responsible for the murders in Marlow, so many people have motives. I found myself sitting up late to find out the culprit. I highly recommend this book, a most enjoyable read, lots of humour throughout as well. My thanks go to NetGalley, Robert Thorogood and the publishers, HQ books.

I’m not generally a big fan of cosy murder mysteries, it there are a few exceptions and this is one. I haven’t read all the books in the series, but this seems to work well as a standalone. I liked the way the main characters interact and whilst the reality of their involvement is unlikely, it works well on paper and I was able to stretch my belief. There’s humour and quite a few red herrings; I was back footed more than once as the story unfolded and that kept my interest. Carefully crafted plot and some memorable moments made this an enjoyable and easy read.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

Really enjoyable read, having the characters from the TV show in my head really brought it to life. Surprise ending made it even more interesting. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is the fifth novel in Robert Thorogood's Marlow Murder Club series, but was the first I had read. I will certainly be reading the others now, to catch up on the previous adventures of friends Judith, Suzie and Becks.

The series is classed as cosy crime, a genre that can be a bit hit and miss for me, but I found that this one had a substantial and cryptic murder mystery as well as the cosier elements and gentle humour of the interactions between the three friends. Two of Marlow's local celebrities, footballer Gary Wise and author Mike Saxon, are shot dead and the trio begins to investigate. Their usual police contact, Tanika, has been suspended from her job and the women have to deal instead with the truculent DS Brendan Perry, so they are perhaps left to their own devices a bit more than they would usually be in this story.

Things are complicated by the arrival of Eleni, the daughter of Judith's late husband, who is convinced that Judith murdered her husband and starts digging around in Judith's past, threatening to thwart the crime solving and turn the police attention on Judith, It's clear that Judith's back story is complicated and that there is a history she has never shared with her friends, and this storyline deepens our understanding of Judith's character.

I really enjoyed my first visit to the world of the Marlow crime solvers, and will enjoy immersing myself in the earlier novels as well.

Judith's past has caught up with her when an unexpected and unwelcome visitor appears With her friends Judith has been busy solving murders with the Marlow Murder Club but must now face her past.
However a footballer and a thriller author have been found dead and the Club is called in to find a connection. Can Judith solve this and deal with her personal life or will it be to much!

When footballer Gary Wise and thriller writer Tony Sexton are shot dead, Judith, Suzie, and Becks (AKA The Marlow Murder Club) must untangle a web of blackmail and scandal to find the killer. But with their friend and police contact, DI Malik, suspended from duty, and Judith’s own past catching up with her, the women find themselves on their own for the first time ever.
The fifth book in the series & it follows on directly from the previous book. I love Judith, Becks & Suzie, the dynamics between them are great, they are very different characters but they work so well together & each one has different strengths. The case is intriguing & with no Tamika to help the ladies have to use all their wits to solve the murders, plus Judith is distracted as her past looks to have come to haunt her. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I didn’t work out who the villain was & it was a surprise. The ending also reveals exactly what happened in Judith’s past
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Another engaging adventure from the Marlow Murder Club. The women are once again on fine form, seeking clues and trying to solve a murder but this time without the help of their police contact friend Tanika.
Also there is a side story that is demanding much of Judith’s time and thought processes which is puzzling to her friends.
Settle down and prepare to be entertained and engage your brain trying to work out the clues but I doubt you will do as well as these three sleuths

Absolutely love the Marlowe Murder Club so was very excited to get this arc. I devoured it in one sitting and loved the latest mystery and the side plot with Judith was great too. I didn’t guess the murderer this time and really really hope we’ll be visiting Marlowe again soon.

So the ladies are back doing what they do best. This time local celebrities are being murdered and that's not all that is troubling the 3 friends. What is it that Judith is hiding? Can they find the killer? Can they get Tanika her job back? Will we find out what really happened all those years ago? Cozy crime at its best. Loving the friendship between the three and the way its progressing through the 5 books so far. Praying for many more books to come. Would definitely recommend. Thanks to Robert Thorogood, HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

Oh I do so love this series. Judith, Becks and Suzie are such brilliant characters to spend time with and I know that when I pick up one of these series books, I am guaranteed to be delivered a book that is packed with mystery, some great laughs and, more often than not, more than the odd hint of tension. That is certainly the case with this latest offering, The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts, with even the Marlow Murder Club's finest mystery setter finding herself under suspicion following the appearance in her life of a figure from the past.

If you've read the previous book, and I really would advise that, in this case, you do, you'll know that it ended on somewhat of a knife edge moment, a moment that carries into this book and leaves Judith a touch distracted, much to the disappointment of her friends. It also creates somewhat of an issue for local Detective, and long term ally of the trio, DI Tanika Malik, who, for once, cannot help them solve this latest mystery - the murder of local footballing hero, Gary Wise. Killed close to home, finding a killer will prove to be quite complex, with Robert Thorogood providing us with an ever widening list of suspects, particularly when the number of victims also grows. With brilliant use of misdirection, and so many obstacles being placed in the ladies way, as well as the use of distraction by way of the personal matter that Judith needs to get to grips with, the killer really does remain hidden in plain sight, and I love what the author has done here. He delivers a story that is fun, funny and strangely plausible, even if it does bring out the very worst in more than one of the characters, and delivers more than the occasional jaw dropping shock.

But, as much as I do love the mystery element, and pitting myself against the wit and wisdom of Judith and co, or rather then cunning plotting skills of the author, it is the characters that draw me back to the series time and again. We learn far more about Judith's past throughout the course of the book - hence the title - and whilst her friends can see that she is distracted, in her usual way she struggles to let them in. The result of that is that Suzie and Becks have to stand on their own two feet far more in this book than we may have seen before, and the story plays to their strengths entirely, even if they are being stealthily guided by Judith at times. It worked really well for this story, but also showed the strength of the team with the way in which everything fit perfectly together and added a new kind of dynamic to the team. Nothing has changed in the series core, and this really is a brilliantly witty ensemble piece, but having chance for the pair to shine away from Judith was a really nice touch.

With a perfect blend of humour, camaraderie, conflict, and conspiratorial mystery, I absolutely tore through this book. Another brilliant addition to the series and I cannot wait to see what is in store for this fabulous team in the future.

On a high from having just solved a murder and capturing the culprit, Judith’s exhilaration is short lived. A stranger arrives on her doorstep claiming to be the daughter of her dead husband and that she has proof that 49 years ago Judith murdered her father. Judith’s world is shaken and there are hints that long buried past secrets may be uncovered. At the same time, famous footballer, Gary Wise, has been shot dead and local Detective Inspector Tanika Malik, gets the Marlow Murder Club involved straight away; which is unusual as she normally tries to maintain a distance from them. Judith, Becks and Suzie are drawn again into another local murder mystery.

The plot does not disappoint, it is well paced and has a nice blend of intrigue and humour with some delightfully witty dialogue. There are plenty of twists and red herrings with some surprising revelations.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, masterfully crafted and I eagerly look forward to reading the next adventure of Judith, Becks and Suzie.

I was incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to review ‘The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts’ by Robert Thorogood, and it didn’t disappoint. In this next novel in the series, not only are Judith, Suzie and Becks involved in trying to solve a murder (or two), Judith is also accused of killing her husband.

One of the things I love about these novels, is that despite Judith being older, she is not treated as fragile. I also really like the strength, intelligence and humour of the female characters in general. Thorogood writes good twisty plots, and bread crumbs things enough that you find yourself shouting in your head at the books thinking you know who did it, only to find you are wrong! These are the perfect books for when life is feeling a bit chaotic, due to you knowing things will all be explained in the end.

My favourite cosy crime series is back with its fifth entry! Anyone who has been following the series will know there’s been an ongoing background storyline surrounding the ambiguity of the fate of Judith’s late husband. The previous book, 'Murder on the Marlow Belle', concluded with Judith receiving a visitor who would raise more questions about this…

'The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts' takes place a day after the events of 'Murder on the Marlow Belle'. As well as the visitor at Judith’s door, our unlikely trio, consisting of the puzzle setter and her dog walker and vicar’s wife friends, have more murders to solve!

The celebrities of Marlow are dropping like flies, so it’s down to Judith, Suzie and Becks to investigate and expose who’s behind the deaths. With ringleader Judith preoccupied with her personal predicament, it’s great to see Suzie and Becks take charge and come into their own with all the sleuthing skills they have learnt over the years. I love how their friendship is written.

As mentioned, this is part of a series and due to the particular storyline and the way it follows on timeline-wise from the last book, I really do think it’s worth investing the time to get up to speed. It’s cosy in the sense of the characters and the fact that the murders are not dark, but the series isn’t twee. The puzzles and mysteries are fun and well written. Plus if you're a fan of the TV series 'Death in Paradise' then you will be pleased to know it's the same writer!

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC.

A brilliant cozy crime novel to join the rest in this series. It’s incredibly satisfying to see all the clues come together in the final chapters. Robert Thorogood is one of the best writers of modern golden-age style mysteries!

I have loved the previous four books in this series and number five does not disappoint. This time Judith is rather discombobulated by being accused of murder which rather distracts her when an actual murder turns up . The other members of the Marlow Murder Club, Becks and Suzie have to use a great deal of persuasion to get Judith on board.
Full of twists and turns and a few red herrings the story flows beautifully and I was soon caught up with the characters and plot. This book is fast moving and so enjoyable and I really didn’t see the ending coming. Once again Robert Thorogood has engaged his audience and certainly kept me guessing until the end.

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is hands down the best book in the series so far! Robert Thorogood has truly outdone himself with this one.
The plot is engaging from start to finish, packed with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The pacing is perfect, and Thorogood masterfully weaves suspense and intrigue with the right amount of humor.
The characters are another highlight—Judith Potts is a brilliant and intriguing central figure, and the crime-fighting trio continues to shine. Their dynamic is so much fun to read, and the camaraderie between them adds a lot of heart to the story. It's clear that Thorogood has developed each character thoughtfully over the series, but here they feel even more real and engaging than ever before.
I absolutely loved how this book kept me on the edge of my seat while still delivering those moments of witty banter and lighthearted moments that make the series so unique. If you're a fan of clever mysteries with fantastic characters, The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is a must-read! It’s easily the best one yet in the series, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Good grief, these Marlow stories just get better and better, I love every moment but the absolute best bit was right near the end, awesome!

I was super excited to read this book and I was not disappointed.
Judith, Becks and Suzie are once again in full detective mode. Filled with the usual cryptic clues and comic moments this book also had a more personal tone.
Finally some secrets of Judith’s past are revealed but no spoilers on what they are.
Cozy crime and cryptic cross word lovers this is a book for you.

Judith Potts is not her usual self, she is distracted and has no interest when a local celebrity is found dead. Her friends and partners in crime, Suzie and Becks, can’t believe that she isn’t pushing them to find the murderer, but ignores them, and won’t even answer their calls. DI Tanika Malik tries to get the three of them to look in to it, as she is now sidelined after receiving a serious complaint.

We learn more about Judith’s failed marriage when she is forced to come to terms with her step daughter’s determination to ruin her life. Suzie and Becks realise that they can still carry on investigating without Judith always being there, if with less finesse. This is a beautifully twisted and convoluted investigation, combining several storylines and racing to a thrilling conclusion. I was blind sided when the murderer was revealed, which is always a bonus. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last we hear from the Marlow Murder Club.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is a fun and engaging cosy mystery. It is the fifth visit to Marlow and two of Marlow's Famous residents have been found dead and the intrepid trio decide to solve the crime .Tanita has been suspended from the Police so they don't have her help this time and her replacement DS Brendon Perry who dislikes the Amateur Sleuths .Fast paced .a real page turner. Loved it .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

This is the fifth book in the Marlow Murder Club series, and I found it just as enjoyable as the others. Judith, Suzie and Becks are back in action, hunting down a murderer in the village, but this time, their police officer friend, Tanika is not able to help them as she has been suspended from duty. Also, Judith is a distracted by an unexpected visitor, causing her to revisit a past that even Suzie and Becks know nothing about.
The story has murders, and secrets, and puzzles to solve, a really great cosy crime mystery, long may the series continue.
Thank you for my advance copy.

It was such a joy to read this, the latest in the Marlow Murder Club series, and to be reacquainted with Judith, Susie and Becks! This time our amateur sleuths are trying to solve the murder of a well known local footballer and a famous novelist, however Judith finds herself in deep water when a face from the past turns up to accuse her of murder!
I absolutely loved this book. It’s fast paced, full of red herrings and keeps you guessing until the end. I devoured this book in a day and hope that there will be more books in this series. Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series just gets better and better. What a character Judith Potts is with her amazing sleuthing skills and her band of merry women to help. Such a great fun intriguing read not to be missed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I was absolutely thrilled to be accepted for this one on NetGalley. I have loved the Marlow Murder Club series from the start, and this instalment delivered everything I was hoping for, plus more.

It was a real treat to dive deeper into Judith Potts’ backstory. Seeing her past resurface added emotional depth and raised the stakes in a way that felt natural and gripping. The mystery itself is cleverly plotted, with multiple threads running alongside one another and plenty of twists to keep you guessing.

With Tanika sidelined at work, the group’s usual link to the police is limited, which adds tension and forces Judith, Suzie, and Becks to rely even more on each other. That strain, combined with Judith’s secrets, puts the friendships under pressure and makes the story feel more personal than ever.

Smart, funny, and packed with twists, friendship, and of course crosswords. I devoured this in one evening.

The Marlow Murder Club mysteries are one of my favourite crime series- I find the crime series a comforting yet thrilling read that leaves just me a little bit happier about the state of the world. The mysterious affair of Judith Potts is no different although the stakes are much higher as Judith Potts becomes a suspect in her late husband death and the book has a darker edge than the previous books.
The murder of a famous footballer is murder mystery A and one that Tanitha is keen for our trio of detectives to solve in a change to her usual attitude ( the reason why becomes clear later one) but Judith is strangely distracted. Becks and Susie soon pry the reason out of her- Judith has been accused of murdering her late husband.
The mystery is twisty and complex with more bodies popping up with plenty of action including posh balls, underground caves, shooting and blackmail. This is all served with a sense of suburban English normalcy which makes the ultimate reveals shocking. I had no idea who the murderer was right till the dramatic reveal.
I can’t wait till the next book is out and also looking forward to the wonderful tv series as well.

I was beyond delighted to get an ARC of the latest Marlow Murder Club, It did not disappoint. Trouble starts brewing for Judith when an unexpected person with links to her past turns up on her doorstep and starts the accusations flying. At the same time a murder happens in Marlow and the police are stumped. Tanika is being unusually co-operative..why? There is a review with spoilers but not here. The three friends freindship is tested mightily, clues and crosswords abound. Plot thickens and there are several-no, don't do that moments. Needless to say the author is in control . The ending was a little stretched but I did like it. Very satisfactory (I confess that I did guess the guilty party early on but that just seemed to make it more enjoyable- the resolution of the story being the key). It's very well written, the characters have gone from strength to strength. The series is just delicious. It's like your favourite jumper, your favourite reading snack and a glass of something all rolled into one. 5 stars without question.

Review on Bluesky

Well... haven't we all be waiting for this book with baited breath after the way the author left book four. With an unexpected visitor arriving at Judith's door... Obviously you know all this having started from the beginning and having read the previous, all cracking, books in order...
And what an unexpected, and definitely unwanted, guest Eleni turns out to be. But I will have to leave you to discover who she is and what she wants from Judith yourself - spoilers...
Meanwhile, there is also murder afoot! And, as usual, Judith, Suzie, and Becks want in on the action as "police advisers". But there is a spanner in the works as Tanika is not available to co-opt them as she has been suspended. Leaving DS Brendan Parry in charge. What could possible go wrong there!
Then murder becomes murders and the chase is on for our erstwhile amateur super sleuths to go it alone to figure out who and why, which when they eventually figure it out, it is more than shocking!
Oooo I loved this book. Especially as, with Judith a wee bit preoccupied, Susie and Becks have to come into the spotlight a wee bit more. And then with regard to Judith and her mysterious visitor, well this just brings up a load of interesting backstory for her and also provides the spark for her to really open up to her friends.
And then the main case... wowsers... although I did guess a tad early, and yes it's "one of those" solutions which I don't usually like, but it was well done, and I did have a blast reading the rest of the book so I can easily forgive the author. I mean, some of the ways that the girls used to wheedle information out of people did impress me and occasionally made me chuckle. And, at the end of the day, it did all make sense, and was wholly satisfying.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well loved series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another enjoyable adventure for these three amateur detectives. The use of crossword clues is really interesting, but I still can’t even attempt a crossword despite the explanations given here! The book is well paced and the plot has many unforeseen twists and turns before the final exposé. A great cosy murder mystery.

A footballer and an author are murdered in Marlow. Both shot dead. Alerted to the first shooting by Tamika, Judith, Becks and Suzie speak to the widow.
Shortly afterwards Tamika is suspending following information from DS Brendan Perry. This leaves DS Perry in charge of the case and he really doesn't like the trio.
Meanwhile Judith has an unwelcome visitor concerning events in her past and she is distracted by accusations the visitor brings.
Will the gang be able to solve the murders in what becomes an increasing complex case.
With all the style and panache we have seen before this fun read definitely produces the goods.
Loved it.

What a fantastic slice of cosy crime. I love Judith Potts’ sass and vim. I love the interaction between the women.
Robert Thorogood writes excellent stories.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

The run-up to Christmas means many things to me, but one of the most important is keeping an eye on NetGalley to see when I can grab an e-copy of the next Marlow Murder Club novel and then trying not to review it too early. Note, I’m very bad at the last part, because it’s not out until the 15th January.

If you’re new to the series, I should make something clear. There are other Murder Clubs out there, often populated by at least one pensioner. But this is not the Thursday Murder Club, the Asthmatic Trainspotting Murder Club, the Ambidextrous Paragliding Murder Club or whatever. I’ve read a few of these and while they can be quite enjoyable (the word “can” is doing a bit of heavy lifting there), for the most part they aren’t properly clued mysteries, more like a game of “wait for the murderer to try and kill me”. This, however… well, this is very different.

Before I get into it, a little story which is 100% true. Occasionally, I dream up plots for murder mysteries. I’m never going to write them because I’ve the attention span of a…

… sorry, something shiny distracted me. But I came up with an idea once that I’d been saving because I thought it was something that I’d never seen. And there is a distinct similarity with one of the ideas here. But this gives me another reason not to write because my idea was blunt. Very, very blunt. Comparing it to how Robert plots this book is like comparing a caveman’s club with a samurai’s katana. I thought my idea was clever, but this book, oh, it’s a clear sign of why I just review things.

This book dangles clues in front of the reader all over the place. When the villain is unmasked at the end (and to be fair, I did guess it but it was only a guess) the explanation of how they were unmasked contains so many clues that seem so obvious but were masterfully slipped past this armchair detective. And they are the best clues, the sort where you remember seeing them and not noticing their relevance.

There’s a great array of suspects from dubious journalists, slighted wives, dishonest assistants and even a local member of the aristocracy with more than one dark secret. There is so much going on, it’s hard to see how it can be tied up into a cohesive whole, but in case you are worried, it does so wonderfully.

Finally getting into Judith’s back story in some detail is a good addition to the book. We know she doesn’t talk about her former husband, but we get some more information on him now, and the reason why she doesn’t talk about him, even to her friends.

In case you missed the subtleties here, I loved this book. Loved it. I loved Murder On The Marlow Belle but this is even better. A first-rate mystery with strong lead characters and some genuine surprises. And so many clues that you’ll miss…

What a delight to be returning to the adventures of Judith Potts, Becks Starling and Suzie Harris in the glorious setting of Marlow. Fresh from their success of solving their previous case, they are thrust into a mysterious investigation. They just can't help themselves to being amateur sleuths to follow the clues that lead them into dangerous situations. It was engrossing, entertaining full of plot twists and turns with a few red herrings, humorous, and suspenseful. I was shocked at the big reveal!

Robert Thorogood is very good at the cosy mystery. The characters are great and you really do care about Judith, Becks and Suzie and poor Tanika.

The plot moves at a pace, I started reading and before I knew it I was 60% of the way through and I was wishing it wouldn't end. It was a twisty and unputdownable. I could have stayed up all night to finish it and I found i couldn't stop thinking about it.

If you'd looking for the best modern cosy mystery the Marlow Murder Club series is far superior to the Thursday murder club.

Thank you netgalley for an early look, in exchange for an honest review.

More murders to solve for Judith, Becks and Suzie. Judith Potts is accused of murdering her husband by his daughter, the result of his liaison with a local woman when they lived in Greece. Her two best friends vow to help prove she didn’t do it. But Judith has been keeping secrets. There’s also the matter of a murder to solve, that of a famous local ex-footballer. Then there’s another one! A darker story than the previous books in the Marlowe Murder Club series and perhaps the best so far.

I love these books and my reading of them has been enhanced by the tv series. I now see these characters as looking like the actors that portray them. Very clever plotting, I had no idea who the murderer was. Excellent read.

Oh it’s so good to have the ‘girls’ back. A very different story but so compelling. Has Judith’s past come back to haunt her? But then there’s the celebrities that are getting murdered. Are they linked? Can they find out what the link is? A wonderful piece of writing.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

The Marlow Murder Club are back for the next instalment. This time, a murder plot involves Judith, as well as their next crime to solve - two celebrities shot dead in very similar circumstances.


This series of books never fails to make me smile, as well as think im right there with them solving murders. The characters are so well written, and I wish I was friends with these people as they seem so much fun. This story was very well written, and we finally find out a little more of Judith's backstory - when a stranger turns up and makes her confront her past. I would love to see this series come to life on screen, and I cant wait for the next one.

This book spoils us! Not only does it tackle Judith’s backstory face on, we also get Suzie and Becks at the helm.

This is the first time in the series I’ve guessed the killer, not to be taken as bad thing, I was so invested and into the story, I was right there with them.

Thank you HQ for this ARC. A Robert Thorogood ARC is always an honour ✨

After another successful case was solved on the Marlow Belle, the past comes knocking - literally - for Judith Potts. Someone from her past has tracked her down, and the reasons she left Corfu when her husband died decades ago have come to her door and threaten to distract her from the latest case of the Marlow Murder Club. When a famous footballer is found dead in the woods behind his house, and a thriller writer follows not long after - it seems that the great and good of Marlow are being targeted, and may have been up to something neither great nor good.

This is another fantastic book in the series - I read it all in one sitting! 5*.

I’m a big fan of the Marlow Murder Club and have read all their previous exploits but this one was a bit different. As well as solving a murder, Becks, Suzy and Judith have another problem. Judith’s past is catching up with her when her stepdaughter arrives from Greece and accuses her of murdering her father,
Judith is distracted in this investigation and Tanika , their police friend also has some issues- it is left to Suzi and Becks to take up the slack and do a lot of the work! They really come into their own in this novel.
I really liked finding out more about Judith’s history and it was very touching to see how much she is supported by her friends who really don’t know whether she is guilty or not.
The local murder is of a famous footballer and very complicated so the amateur sleuths have to use all their skills to try and solve it despite getting little help from the police in the form of Sergeant Brendan Perry whilst Tanika is not available.
This would be described as cozy crime a.though I don’t know what’s cozy about several brutal murders! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and I loved catching up with Judith, Becks and Suzy- they are like old friends really.
I definitely recommend “The mysterious Affair Of Judith Potts” as a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy!

For The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts, we’re back in the familiar company of the four ladies of the Marlow Murder Club as they return in their latest investigation, written by Death in Paradise creator Robert Thorogood,

A famous footballer is shot dead in the woods behind his property and the news piques the interest of friends Judith, Becks, Suzie and Tanika. Unfortunately Tanika who is a DI with the local Police force has been suspended following complaints made by a promotion-hungry colleague, so is unable to help guide their actions. When a famous author is also murdered in a similar fashion the ladies double-down on their efforts to discover who the killer must be.

We meet the wives of the victims as different as chalk and cheese, a personal assistant as slippery as an eel with her own selfish agenda, a biographer seriously short of money, a Television Celebrity whose career has stalled and a member of the House of Lords who is being investigated for his shady activities. We grow to dislike even more the Detective Sergeant snapping at the heels of Tanika and working on her downfall as he tries to undermine the friends’ investigations.

But there’s more. Alongside the murders which need solving Judith Potts has to face those dark secrets of her past, hinted at in the previous novels, when the step-daughter of her ex-husband turns up making serious accusations!

Will Becks and Suzie, left on their own while Judith is away fighting her own battles, manage to lure the killer out into the open? Will Judith’s love of cryptic crosswords guide them into revealing who that is? Finally, can she overcome her past and join her friends in revealing who is behind these cold-blooded killings?

Read this latest, unputdownable outing for the Marlow Murder Club to find out!

Highly Recommended.

Judith, Becks, and Suzie barely have time to enjoy the residents of Marlow’s admiration before they’re drawn into another case - this time involving a victim shot through the heart. As if that weren’t enough, Judith is confronted by someone from her past who is convinced she has proof that she murdered her husband in Greece.

Judith, the undeniable star of the series, takes centre stage in the secondary mystery surrounding her husband’s death. At last, we get to dig into a plot thread that’s been teased since the very first book. It’s fascinating to see how much Judith has evolved; initially guarded about her past, she’s gradually opened up as her bond with Suzie and Becks has deepened. The character development of the trio continues to be one of the series’ strongest elements. It was also a delight to watch Suzie and Becks tackle the main investigation together while Judith is preoccupied—her love of puzzles has clearly rubbed off on them.

The only character-related downside is Tanika’s reduced role. I had really hoped the trio would became a quartet, even just a one-off, but she unfortunately sticks to her principles and stays to the sidelines.

The plot itself is engrossing and packed with twists—shootings, corruption, blackmail, secret affairs, and more. It keeps you fully captivated right to the end. Another five-star read!

It's all happening in Marlow.

Again.

Someone from Judith's past turn up, and stirs up a whole heap of trouble. She's been far too busy to give her old life any thought - until now.

And Marlow's celebrities are getting bumped off...

Obviously the Marlow Murder Club should be all over it. But with Judith's secrets, will this finish them?

Utterly brilliant