I could not put this book down! What a perfect book…! I loved the three main characters… I highly recommend.’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ And the theme of the poisoned pen letters and the reasons behind them just didn't quite work for me. But as they work to uncover the truth, they begin to wonder just how far someone will go to silence this poison pen...

Masterful storytelling and delightfully retro-style detective ladies make A Pen Dipped in Poison an imaginative and eventful read. Think Miss Marple with attitude coupled with a strong sense of togetherness, probably just about sums up Liz, Pat and Thelma. Like Jane Marple, these characters though quirky and slightly twee can think outside the box and around corners. I guess that is what comes of them being retired school teachers. Just like with their last outing, there is much more going on than merely solving this mystery. Each one of these friends is dealing with issues at home, and while they may be friends, it seems they are reluctant to share any of it with each other. There is lots of talk about retirement (of the husbands), there are children who can't seem to settle in life, there are health issues, and as they grow older there is that feeling that time is running out. Not exactly something you just throw out over cake and coffee on a Thursday. After reading and listening to the brilliant A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall, I just had to request A Pen Dipped in Poison. Thankfully the publishers, Avon Books UK, have allowed me to read the next in the series, so I thank them for that. If you are a fan of the Richard Osman books, this should be the ideal book for you. It has all the ingredients necessary for an excellent little cosy mystery. Suspense, drama and skulduggery are woven into a great storyline which features retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma as they embark on another adventure. I loved this so much! Perfect cosy crime - I am a big fan of this author!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Three Miss Marples for the price of one!

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Masterful storytelling and delightfully retro-style detective ladies make A Pen Dipped In Poison an imaginative and eventful read. Think Miss Marple with attitude coupled with a strong sense of togetherness, probably just about sums up Liz, Pat and Thelma. Like Jane Marple, these characters though quirky and slightly twee can think outside the box and around corners. I guess that is what comes of them being retired school teachers. The dynamic, highly efficient and seemingly Teflon-coated new headmistress is making an impact and upsetting people. Then the discovery of a poison pen letter at a school summer fair was something of a surprise, but hopefully an isolated incident. Their school, St Barnabus Primary, is not what it once was, as it is now part of Lodestone Academy Trust. As it is still close to their hearts, it does not stop Liz, Pat and Thelma from caring about what goes on there. St Barnabus is now run by the enigmatic, confident and influential headmistress Kayleigh Brittain. A forward-thinking individual with lofty plans for St Barnabus. Inside are letters revealing the deepest secrets they have tried to hide.As one by one, careers are ended, marriages destroyed and no one is beyond suspicion, the three friends decide enough is enough. Curious white envelopes have been delivered to friends and neighbours. Inside are letters revealing the deepest secrets they have tried to hide.

All in all though if you do like you’re cozy crime and don’t mind putting the work in to sit down and read in more than one sitting then I think you would enjoy this. I missed the easy banter of their Thursday morning coffee mornings at the Thirsk Garden Centre. I missed Pat's inner thoughts - here she is rather subdued, except for her nail polish. A charming read with a cast of characters you’ll really connect with’ Faith Martin, author of A Fatal End A charming read with a cast of characters you'll really connect with' Faith Martin, author of A Fatal End The ingredients for the perfect modern cosy crime: intrigue, characters you care about and a good dollop of humour' Ian Moore, author of Death and CroissantsThe author has a long career in education so is well placed to capture school life, the organisation, and the interactions between staff members. The dynamic of a staff room is always fascinating for an outsider and here we do get a glimpse behind the curtain including some of the passive aggressiveness over coffee.

And as the story is partly about the relationship amongst the friends, which was painfully strained for much of the book, this made this entry in the series somewhat less enjoyable read. That said, I still liked this book.Malice and mayhem spur a school reunion of three modern Marples – and some of their Thirsk community learn a lesson they’ll never forget!’ Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, author of A Murder of Crows Malice and mayhem spur a school reunion of three modern Marples - and some of their Thirsk community learn a lesson they'll never forget!' Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, author of A Murder of Crows

Sitting in the conservatory with her after-lunch cup of tea she tried to rake her thoughts in the same way as she'd planned to rake leaves, but whenever she gathered ideas from one thought, along came a gust of another idea, scattering them again.”The language is realistic up to a point, mainly because you do not see that many profanities littered throughout the narrative, which I am pleased about. So, kudos to the author for that and for the various twists and misdirection’s scattered throughout the story. So brilliant… I loved this so much! Perfect cosy crime – I am a big fan of this author!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sinister envelopes have been delivered to friends and neighbours of our intrepid trio. Inside are letters and secrets revealing the past that they have tried to hide. Careers are ended, marriages destroyed, and no one is beyond suspicion. Something sinister seems to be behind it all, and it may be closer to home than the trio think. The three friends decide to take matters into their own hands, despite the protestations of family members. A Pen Dipped in Poison was a very slow burner cosy mystery and I loved the primary school setting of Lodestone Academy and the case the trio were trying to solve more than the first book. This can be read as a stand alone, however, I personally liked having read the first one beforehand as I already knew the protagonists personalities and relationships.