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Liz, Pat and Thelma #2
A Pen Dipped in Poison
Signed. Sealed. Dead?
Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma never expected they would be caught up in a crime even once in their lives, let alone twice.
But when poison pen letters start landing on the doorsteps of friends and neighbours in their Yorkshire village, old secrets come to light.
With the potential for deadly consequences.
It won’t be long until the three friends are out on a case yet again…
The second totally addictive and page-turning cosy mystery featuring these very unlikely sleuths. Fans of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders will be hooked.
Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma never expected they would be caught up in a crime even once in their lives, let alone twice.
But when poison pen letters start landing on the doorsteps of friends and neighbours in their Yorkshire village, old secrets come to light.
With the potential for deadly consequences.
It won’t be long until the three friends are out on a case yet again…
The second totally addictive and page-turning cosy mystery featuring these very unlikely sleuths. Fans of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders will be hooked.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2023
About the author
J.M. Hall
3 books109 followersJ.M. Hall is an author, playwright and deputy head of a primary school. His plays have been produced in theatres across the UK as well as for radio, the most recent being Trust, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh on BBC Radio 4. His first novel, A Spoonful of Murder, is about retired primary school teachers who turn to sleuthing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
April 1, 2023
EXCERPT: In the morning, if his wife were to leave the house before him, Derek Newsome would invariably tell her to 'take care' in serious tones, as if she were some Captain-Oates-type figure who had decided against all odds to venture into an Antarctic wilderness. Most of the time Liz found this both touching and reassuring. Most of the time, it was fine and exactly what she wanted.
Most of the time.
Sometimes - sometimes - it frankly got a bit much. Sometimes she wanted her husband of thirty-three years to clap her cheerfully on the back and say words to the effect of: My darling - knock the world dead! Stuff caution! Go tango across Thirsk marketplace with a rose between your teeth!
And now, walking up the path to St Barnabus's in her Matalan fleece, shoulders hunched against a decidedly fresh breeze, was definitely one of those times.
ABOUT 'A PEN DIPPED IN POISON': Signed. Sealed. Dead?
Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma never expected they would be caught up in a crime even once in their lives, let alone twice.
But when poison pen letters start landing on the doorsteps of friends and neighbours in their Yorkshire village, old secrets come to light.
With the potential for deadly consequences.
It won’t be long until the three friends are out on a case yet again…
MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Murder, the first in this series. I'm disappointed to say that I didn't enjoy this second book quite as much. The facets I enjoyed in the first were largely missing from this.
A Pen Dipped in Poison is far less entertaining than A Spoonful of Murder was. The humour is missing, as is the tight friendship of the characters. Each of them is dealing with their own problems and, instead of sharing them as they usually do, they are keeping things close to their various chests, placing a strain on their relationships.
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.
And the theme of the poisoned pen letters and the reasons behind them just didn't quite work for me.
I hope Mr Hall returns to his earlier format for the next in the series, which I will definitely be lining up for.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#APenDippedinPoison #NetGalley
@jm_hall_writer @harpercollinsuk @avonbooksuk
T: @ HarperCollinsUK @AvonBooksUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #friendship
THE AUTHOR: J.M. Hall is a 20-something PR executive based in New York City. A Philadelphia native, he began writing fiction during his time at the University of Miami before embarking on a career in corporate communications. During the day, he can be found getting top-tier press for his clients in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fortune and USA Today.
At night, he can be found at his computer, crafting his next story.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK, and HarperCollins Audio for providing a digital ARC of A Pen Dipped in Poison by J.M. Hall for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Most of the time.
Sometimes - sometimes - it frankly got a bit much. Sometimes she wanted her husband of thirty-three years to clap her cheerfully on the back and say words to the effect of: My darling - knock the world dead! Stuff caution! Go tango across Thirsk marketplace with a rose between your teeth!
And now, walking up the path to St Barnabus's in her Matalan fleece, shoulders hunched against a decidedly fresh breeze, was definitely one of those times.
ABOUT 'A PEN DIPPED IN POISON': Signed. Sealed. Dead?
Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma never expected they would be caught up in a crime even once in their lives, let alone twice.
But when poison pen letters start landing on the doorsteps of friends and neighbours in their Yorkshire village, old secrets come to light.
With the potential for deadly consequences.
It won’t be long until the three friends are out on a case yet again…
MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Murder, the first in this series. I'm disappointed to say that I didn't enjoy this second book quite as much. The facets I enjoyed in the first were largely missing from this.
A Pen Dipped in Poison is far less entertaining than A Spoonful of Murder was. The humour is missing, as is the tight friendship of the characters. Each of them is dealing with their own problems and, instead of sharing them as they usually do, they are keeping things close to their various chests, placing a strain on their relationships.
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.
And the theme of the poisoned pen letters and the reasons behind them just didn't quite work for me.
I hope Mr Hall returns to his earlier format for the next in the series, which I will definitely be lining up for.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#APenDippedinPoison #NetGalley
@jm_hall_writer @harpercollinsuk @avonbooksuk
T: @ HarperCollinsUK @AvonBooksUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #friendship
THE AUTHOR: J.M. Hall is a 20-something PR executive based in New York City. A Philadelphia native, he began writing fiction during his time at the University of Miami before embarking on a career in corporate communications. During the day, he can be found getting top-tier press for his clients in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fortune and USA Today.
At night, he can be found at his computer, crafting his next story.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK, and HarperCollins Audio for providing a digital ARC of A Pen Dipped in Poison by J.M. Hall for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
March 21, 2023
Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma never expected they would be caught up in a crime even once in their lives, let alone twice. But when poison pen letters start landing on the doorsteps of friends and neighbours in their Yorkshire village, old secrets come to light with the potential for deadly consequences.
Liz, Pat and Thelma are all retired schoolteachers. As I haven't read the first book in the series, I was happy to see some backstory to the characters. who was it that was sending poison pen letters to staff members at their old school? This is a well written cosy mystery that's entertaining and a fun read. I liked the three main characters, but there's quite a lot of characters to keep track of. With a few twists to keep us guessing, and I did guess correctly who was writing the letters, but that takes nothing away from a good story.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #BAvonBooksUk and the author #JMHall for my ARC of #APenDippedInPoison in exchange for an honest review.
Liz, Pat and Thelma are all retired schoolteachers. As I haven't read the first book in the series, I was happy to see some backstory to the characters. who was it that was sending poison pen letters to staff members at their old school? This is a well written cosy mystery that's entertaining and a fun read. I liked the three main characters, but there's quite a lot of characters to keep track of. With a few twists to keep us guessing, and I did guess correctly who was writing the letters, but that takes nothing away from a good story.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #BAvonBooksUk and the author #JMHall for my ARC of #APenDippedInPoison in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2023
*Poison Pen Letters*
This book was just an ok listen for me story wise. I love the main characters of retired teachers and amateur detectives, Liz, Pat and Thelma. This instalment was a little busy with characters for me but the saving grace was the narrator Julie Hesmondhalgh. She has a way of bringing the characters to life and all their huffiness and personalities.
This story dragged about someone writing pen letters in the school that the ladies used to teach in. The ladies end up helping out at the school in different capacities while they try to discover who the author of the letters could possibly be. It was a bit long winded but this is a new author and I am curious to see what happens in book three, mainly due to the trio.
This book was just an ok listen for me story wise. I love the main characters of retired teachers and amateur detectives, Liz, Pat and Thelma. This instalment was a little busy with characters for me but the saving grace was the narrator Julie Hesmondhalgh. She has a way of bringing the characters to life and all their huffiness and personalities.
This story dragged about someone writing pen letters in the school that the ladies used to teach in. The ladies end up helping out at the school in different capacities while they try to discover who the author of the letters could possibly be. It was a bit long winded but this is a new author and I am curious to see what happens in book three, mainly due to the trio.
April 18, 2023
Narrated by Julie Hesmondhalgh⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story by J.M. Hall ⭐⭐⭐
This was an ok cosy mystery with so many characters that is became overwhelming at times trying to keep track.
Personally for me I like it but did not love it due to the fact that it was unnecessarily long and became representative.
Story by J.M. Hall ⭐⭐⭐
This was an ok cosy mystery with so many characters that is became overwhelming at times trying to keep track.
Personally for me I like it but did not love it due to the fact that it was unnecessarily long and became representative.
April 6, 2023
I don’t understand the signed, sealed, dead tag line from the books cover. Very misleading.
The first book with these characters was just okay.
I expected (or at least hoped) this one would move at a quicker pace. But, despite the poison pen letters (a stable of classic mysteries) nothing moves this plot forward. It tip-toes with mundane and sometimes depressing personal side plots. There is no momentum in this mystery. It’s actually shockingly simple and thus a sadly boring read. What a drag. Very disappointing.
The first book with these characters was just okay.
I expected (or at least hoped) this one would move at a quicker pace. But, despite the poison pen letters (a stable of classic mysteries) nothing moves this plot forward. It tip-toes with mundane and sometimes depressing personal side plots. There is no momentum in this mystery. It’s actually shockingly simple and thus a sadly boring read. What a drag. Very disappointing.
April 26, 2023
Lumbering and overwritten prose with badly structured sentences. Not sure how this got published - it needs a jolly good edit. I hate not finishing books but I got one chapter in and donated it.
November 30, 2023
I couldn't finish this book it was so poor. This review is going to be a random smattering of all the things I hated about this book.
The author needs to learn how to use characters properly. By page 150, there were at least 50 characters in progress. A lot of them were merely name dropped and then forgotten. Characters changed from 'Contralto Kate' to 'Soprano Kate' with absolutely no context. Names were misspelled. I spent half my time going backwards trying to figure out who most of these people were and barely any of them were central to the plot. My exclamations of 'who the hell is X' were annoying my partner they were so frequent.
The three main characters have no chemistry and even their friendship doesn't seem real. By page 150 they have met up maybe twice. You couldn't even tell that these women were friends with the way they spoke to each other like strangers. I also struggled to tell the three women apart. One is concerned about her husbands business and the other two???
A majority of the plot is spent on useless side drivel. Not only that, but the whole mystery is so dull. Someone is sending mean letters. Oh no. And apparently every one that receives one has the weakest constitution and is shattered by a letter saying something slightly mean like no one likes you. How utterly terrifying. The impact of these slightly mean letters is also overblown. The blurb makes it sound like these letters are devastating, but the ones included are so mundane.
And why these three women want to solve this mystery is not convincing at all. They don't even really stray into the meddling category. They just often happen to be around when something happens. One of them is also vehemently against the idea of being a governor at the school and then two pages later is agreeing to the job. Their motivations are not at all understandable. Second to this, I did end up reading the ending and it was so predictable. The person who was written so you don't like them ends up being the bad guy. What kind of grown person sends ambiguous poison pen letters anyway. It's a mystery better suited to a playground than the teacher's lounge.
I understand that the author was a teacher and therefore there's a connection to the UK school system, but it was so in depth that it was boring. The amount of wanking on about school terminology was dull.
I am also not from the UK, but there are also tens and tens of place names mentioned. There are also so many schools alone I couldn't keep track of them all. There is a section where the character is driving and the author keeps dropping street names as if they mean something. I understand he's from Yorkshire, but it does show some short sightedness to seem to assume your audience is from your geographical region.
The references to the first book are also out of place. There didn't seem to be any reason to rehash the plot of the first book. It added nothing to the story except to indicate the three main characters had a past. I did not see the value in this at all.
The writing itself is also very very poor. The book suffers from long winded descriptions and random tangents that offer no value to the plot. It's almost like the author had a word count to get to. Scenarios in the story also at times make very little sense. The book desperately needs a proper edit, in particular the spelling mistakes and inconsistencies, of which there are plenty.
Also from what I understand the references to murder and death are also misleading. By page 150 there was no murder and I haven't been able to find any reference to actual murder occurring in the book. It seems to serve to make the book more interesting than what it actually is. Which is mean letters and some fraud.
The author needs to learn how to use characters properly. By page 150, there were at least 50 characters in progress. A lot of them were merely name dropped and then forgotten. Characters changed from 'Contralto Kate' to 'Soprano Kate' with absolutely no context. Names were misspelled. I spent half my time going backwards trying to figure out who most of these people were and barely any of them were central to the plot. My exclamations of 'who the hell is X' were annoying my partner they were so frequent.
The three main characters have no chemistry and even their friendship doesn't seem real. By page 150 they have met up maybe twice. You couldn't even tell that these women were friends with the way they spoke to each other like strangers. I also struggled to tell the three women apart. One is concerned about her husbands business and the other two???
A majority of the plot is spent on useless side drivel. Not only that, but the whole mystery is so dull. Someone is sending mean letters. Oh no. And apparently every one that receives one has the weakest constitution and is shattered by a letter saying something slightly mean like no one likes you. How utterly terrifying. The impact of these slightly mean letters is also overblown. The blurb makes it sound like these letters are devastating, but the ones included are so mundane.
And why these three women want to solve this mystery is not convincing at all. They don't even really stray into the meddling category. They just often happen to be around when something happens. One of them is also vehemently against the idea of being a governor at the school and then two pages later is agreeing to the job. Their motivations are not at all understandable. Second to this, I did end up reading the ending and it was so predictable. The person who was written so you don't like them ends up being the bad guy. What kind of grown person sends ambiguous poison pen letters anyway. It's a mystery better suited to a playground than the teacher's lounge.
I understand that the author was a teacher and therefore there's a connection to the UK school system, but it was so in depth that it was boring. The amount of wanking on about school terminology was dull.
I am also not from the UK, but there are also tens and tens of place names mentioned. There are also so many schools alone I couldn't keep track of them all. There is a section where the character is driving and the author keeps dropping street names as if they mean something. I understand he's from Yorkshire, but it does show some short sightedness to seem to assume your audience is from your geographical region.
The references to the first book are also out of place. There didn't seem to be any reason to rehash the plot of the first book. It added nothing to the story except to indicate the three main characters had a past. I did not see the value in this at all.
The writing itself is also very very poor. The book suffers from long winded descriptions and random tangents that offer no value to the plot. It's almost like the author had a word count to get to. Scenarios in the story also at times make very little sense. The book desperately needs a proper edit, in particular the spelling mistakes and inconsistencies, of which there are plenty.
Also from what I understand the references to murder and death are also misleading. By page 150 there was no murder and I haven't been able to find any reference to actual murder occurring in the book. It seems to serve to make the book more interesting than what it actually is. Which is mean letters and some fraud.
September 10, 2023
The tagline "signed, sealed, dead?" as well as the summary on the back ("one by one, careers are ended, marriages destroyed") of the book are a bit misleading.
I hadn't read the first book, so maybe my next point is less valid for those who've read it, but I felt there were too many characters. That can be a fine and good thing, but then you need to have strong personalities. Becky, Jan, Liz, Izzy, Pat, Thelma, Kayleigh, Karen, Victoria, Nicole, Bunty, Josie, Macy, Claire, Linda, Tiff, Candice, Faith, Simone, Hope, Topsy, Rod, Liam, Derek, Teddy, Ian, Andrew, Steve, Matt, Chris, Doug - did I forget anyone? So many of these characters were often introduced either by first or last name only, and later on referred to by the other; and often these names were dropped in conversations or hints at the plot without aiding the reader in linking back to a previous encounter, so it was hard to follow.
That being said, the final revelation was surprising to me, which is good.
EDIT to say I'm really bothered by the fact there's a character in this in an abusive relationship literally getting beaten by their spouse, and it gets no resolution. Just swept under the rug.
I hadn't read the first book, so maybe my next point is less valid for those who've read it, but I felt there were too many characters. That can be a fine and good thing, but then you need to have strong personalities. Becky, Jan, Liz, Izzy, Pat, Thelma, Kayleigh, Karen, Victoria, Nicole, Bunty, Josie, Macy, Claire, Linda, Tiff, Candice, Faith, Simone, Hope, Topsy, Rod, Liam, Derek, Teddy, Ian, Andrew, Steve, Matt, Chris, Doug - did I forget anyone? So many of these characters were often introduced either by first or last name only, and later on referred to by the other; and often these names were dropped in conversations or hints at the plot without aiding the reader in linking back to a previous encounter, so it was hard to follow.
That being said, the final revelation was surprising to me, which is good.
EDIT to say I'm really bothered by the fact there's a character in this in an abusive relationship literally getting beaten by their spouse, and it gets no resolution. Just swept under the rug.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2023
I loved the first book in this series so naturally I was very excited about the second one, and boy it didn’t disappoint in any way.
This time around I didn’t guess who was behind it all, and I did last time so I was expecting to be able to crack it! The plot and pacing were absolutely perfect in this one, and I was so happy that we got to learn more about the ladies’ families. I love books with multiple characters and surprises in it (and there were plenty in this one!).
If you’re looking for cozy mystery books then definitely pick up this series, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Avon for sending me a proof of this incredible book, out in March.
This time around I didn’t guess who was behind it all, and I did last time so I was expecting to be able to crack it! The plot and pacing were absolutely perfect in this one, and I was so happy that we got to learn more about the ladies’ families. I love books with multiple characters and surprises in it (and there were plenty in this one!).
If you’re looking for cozy mystery books then definitely pick up this series, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Avon for sending me a proof of this incredible book, out in March.
October 2, 2023
Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma are great friends and I was looking forward to catching up with them in A Pen Dipped in Poison. This mystery finds them, trying to find out who is sending poison pen letters to their friends and neighbours. Along the way, secrets are revealed.
I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Murder, the first book in this series, but found myself somewhat disappointed in this one. The friendship between the women that I loved seems to be showing some cracks and they are drifting apart. Their family lives took up a lot of this book and it tended to drag for me. I also missed the humour that was present in the first book. Even the mystery didn't really pull me in. The main reason that I finished this one was the narrator, Julie Hesmondhalgh. She does a wonderful job with the voices and her expression was right on. I am hoping the next book in this series, if there is one, will go back to all the things that I loved about the first book.
I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Murder, the first book in this series, but found myself somewhat disappointed in this one. The friendship between the women that I loved seems to be showing some cracks and they are drifting apart. Their family lives took up a lot of this book and it tended to drag for me. I also missed the humour that was present in the first book. Even the mystery didn't really pull me in. The main reason that I finished this one was the narrator, Julie Hesmondhalgh. She does a wonderful job with the voices and her expression was right on. I am hoping the next book in this series, if there is one, will go back to all the things that I loved about the first book.
May 31, 2023
3.5 stars.
Thelma, Liz and Pat are back in a new mystery set in the school they've all retired from. The school is now part of a group of schools purchased and managed by a trust. There have been changes, consequently, to the curriculums, and to the style of management. A new head teacher was appointed to run the three friends' former school, and both Thelma and Liz soon find out that there are issues there.
When Kayleigh Brittain, the new head teacher, receives the first of what will be a series of nasty letters targeting teachers at the school, Thelma thinks it’s an isolated and unpleasant incident. Then Liz finds out from Jan, a friend and teacher at the school, that Jan is struggling to meet Kayleigh's requirements for results in class. Then, not long after, nasty letters begin arriving at the school, causing much pain and a further decline in morale (after Brittain's appointment) amongst the recipients, and evoking Liz's concern. The others are not as close to the problem, so don't fully appreciate the severity of the situation, despite their concern, until two incidents cause the three to come together to investigate in earnest.
The culprit wasn't really that hard to fathom, particularly with some of the clues dropped midway through the book. The reveal was satisfying, nonetheless.
Unlike the previous book in the series, the three women have drifted a little apart, as they all have their own concerns and worries, and a certain reluctance to share these with the other two. Much of the book is spent describing the friends' too many home responsibilities and worries about their husbands and the men's jobs, so the book took longer to take off for me. It was good to understand how all the letter recipients were reacting, but I will admit that the book took a lot of time laying out the situation before the plot picked up its pace.
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.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Avon Books UK for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Thelma, Liz and Pat are back in a new mystery set in the school they've all retired from. The school is now part of a group of schools purchased and managed by a trust. There have been changes, consequently, to the curriculums, and to the style of management. A new head teacher was appointed to run the three friends' former school, and both Thelma and Liz soon find out that there are issues there.
When Kayleigh Brittain, the new head teacher, receives the first of what will be a series of nasty letters targeting teachers at the school, Thelma thinks it’s an isolated and unpleasant incident. Then Liz finds out from Jan, a friend and teacher at the school, that Jan is struggling to meet Kayleigh's requirements for results in class. Then, not long after, nasty letters begin arriving at the school, causing much pain and a further decline in morale (after Brittain's appointment) amongst the recipients, and evoking Liz's concern. The others are not as close to the problem, so don't fully appreciate the severity of the situation, despite their concern, until two incidents cause the three to come together to investigate in earnest.
The culprit wasn't really that hard to fathom, particularly with some of the clues dropped midway through the book. The reveal was satisfying, nonetheless.
Unlike the previous book in the series, the three women have drifted a little apart, as they all have their own concerns and worries, and a certain reluctance to share these with the other two. Much of the book is spent describing the friends' too many home responsibilities and worries about their husbands and the men's jobs, so the book took longer to take off for me. It was good to understand how all the letter recipients were reacting, but I will admit that the book took a lot of time laying out the situation before the plot picked up its pace.
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.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Avon Books UK for this ARC in exchange for my review.
March 16, 2023
This is a cozy mystery book, which is the second book in a series. I liked this book more than the first book.
We are back with older ladies Pat, Liz and Thelma, uncovering a mystery at a primary school. The staff there have been receiving poison pen letters and the ladies have to work hard to solve the mystery.
I really enjoyed the school setting of the book, and finding out what it is like behind the scenes there. I also liked the relationship between the three women.
If you are looking for an easy to read cozy mystery with some lovely characters, to brighten up your afternoon while you have a cup of tea and a biscuit, then this is the book for you.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
We are back with older ladies Pat, Liz and Thelma, uncovering a mystery at a primary school. The staff there have been receiving poison pen letters and the ladies have to work hard to solve the mystery.
I really enjoyed the school setting of the book, and finding out what it is like behind the scenes there. I also liked the relationship between the three women.
If you are looking for an easy to read cozy mystery with some lovely characters, to brighten up your afternoon while you have a cup of tea and a biscuit, then this is the book for you.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
December 24, 2022
I received an advance copy from NetGalley.
This second book featuring three nosy retired Yorkshire schoolteachers doesn’t focus on solving a murder, but other insidious drama—someone is sending nasty messages to the staff at their old school. The sorts of vile words that inspire tears, starvation, and other acts from guilt.
I didn’t find this as strong of a book as the first. The start felt rather slow, and the sheer number of characters kept me addled. I kept reading, though, because I wanted to find out whodunnit. It turned out that I guessed the guilty party early on, but I’m still pleased with how the mystery plot played out, as it included numerous surprises.
This second book featuring three nosy retired Yorkshire schoolteachers doesn’t focus on solving a murder, but other insidious drama—someone is sending nasty messages to the staff at their old school. The sorts of vile words that inspire tears, starvation, and other acts from guilt.
I didn’t find this as strong of a book as the first. The start felt rather slow, and the sheer number of characters kept me addled. I kept reading, though, because I wanted to find out whodunnit. It turned out that I guessed the guilty party early on, but I’m still pleased with how the mystery plot played out, as it included numerous surprises.
July 9, 2023
Can’t keep up with so many characters. I’m absolutely lost on who is who. It’s too bad because I think the writing is great, and the main characters I enjoyed in the first book. But this was a similar issue in the first book it was just packed with so much extra it was hard to stay focused. It’s actually makes me pretty disappointed because the author is so clearly talented…and they’re very new (they share this at the end of the audiobook that they took a class and the wrote the first book)…they just really need a good editor.
March 29, 2023
Thank you to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second in a series, and I read and enjoyed the first. In this second book, the cast of characters is greatly augmented by being set in a school (the main three older women are all retired teachers who get pulled back in to various support roles in the running of the school). I found it very hard to keep track of all the different characters and their relationship to one another, and the numerous side plots made for a very disrupted flow of the story. Yes, the friendship between the three main characters, and their determination to persevere and find a solution to a terrible situation involving poison pen letters is laudable, but the story gets bogged down more often than not. This was too much cosy for me, but I am sure that many will find it an enjoyable read.
This is the second in a series, and I read and enjoyed the first. In this second book, the cast of characters is greatly augmented by being set in a school (the main three older women are all retired teachers who get pulled back in to various support roles in the running of the school). I found it very hard to keep track of all the different characters and their relationship to one another, and the numerous side plots made for a very disrupted flow of the story. Yes, the friendship between the three main characters, and their determination to persevere and find a solution to a terrible situation involving poison pen letters is laudable, but the story gets bogged down more often than not. This was too much cosy for me, but I am sure that many will find it an enjoyable read.
March 25, 2024
It’s taken me a while to read this book. I found it quite a hard read. There were a lot of characters to try and remember who they were and their place in the book. You might have a better memory than me and it might be easy to follow for you!
I didn’t realise this was a follow on from another book and read it as a stand alone. There are some bits pulled from the past and I felt lost in parts of the book.
I really wanted to know who the person was sending the letters so stuck with it but was disappointed with the ending, the book wasn’t all I had hoped it to be.
September 28, 2024
This one is really on me, since I already didn't love the first book... there is just too much skipped over in the background of characters for the sake of being "mysterious" to the point where I honestly just couldn't follow what was going on.
February 2, 2024
I wanted to like this - and there’s a lot about it I did. The characters are easy to get on with - if rather samey (the main three women are quite interchangeable) and the setting of a school meant I understood plenty of the references. The plot was just ok though - not particularly gripping and not particularly spellbinding in its conclusion. I enjoyed it enough to finish it but it just lacked a spark or any kind of sense of drama.
April 28, 2023
3.5⭐️
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The retiree sleuths are back and they didn’t disappoint once again. 🔥
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.
There were so many characters in this book and it took me a while to figure out who was who. But once I’d got to grips with this, I found I was reading this book more quickly. Pat’s chapters felt so different this time. I didn’t think they contained as much oomph. I really liked Liz in this read as her abrupt but caring nature really stood out. Thelma was, once again, a genius and I feel like she led this read. I thought Jan was incredibly annoying. I loved how the MCs seem so much younger than they are. I found the gossiping hilarious. It was literally like she heard it from that brother who was friends with the mum of that girl down the road that used to live in Spain. 😂
There were lots of mini sub plots in this read that it took a while to get my head around, but they all connected and tied up nicely in the end. I didn’t predict the culprit who was sending the poison pen letters at all.
Hall’s own knowledge of and experiences as a deputy head in a primary school seamlessly emanated throughout and this really added another level to this book. I also liked how he included topics such as schools turning into businesses, which made you really think.
Overall, I enjoyed this mystery and I look forward to any future work with these sleuths. A huge thank you Avonbooksuk for this review copy.
💬”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.”
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT
The retiree sleuths are back and they didn’t disappoint once again. 🔥
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.
There were so many characters in this book and it took me a while to figure out who was who. But once I’d got to grips with this, I found I was reading this book more quickly. Pat’s chapters felt so different this time. I didn’t think they contained as much oomph. I really liked Liz in this read as her abrupt but caring nature really stood out. Thelma was, once again, a genius and I feel like she led this read. I thought Jan was incredibly annoying. I loved how the MCs seem so much younger than they are. I found the gossiping hilarious. It was literally like she heard it from that brother who was friends with the mum of that girl down the road that used to live in Spain. 😂
There were lots of mini sub plots in this read that it took a while to get my head around, but they all connected and tied up nicely in the end. I didn’t predict the culprit who was sending the poison pen letters at all.
Hall’s own knowledge of and experiences as a deputy head in a primary school seamlessly emanated throughout and this really added another level to this book. I also liked how he included topics such as schools turning into businesses, which made you really think.
Overall, I enjoyed this mystery and I look forward to any future work with these sleuths. A huge thank you Avonbooksuk for this review copy.
💬”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.”
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
June 26, 2023
Its a cozy mystery. The second in a series. Centering on three retired school teachers. This mystery is about a collection of poision pen letters and it effects on the school.
I love the narrator the fact that she is a known actresses shines through. I felt the characters come alive with the narration. Having not read the 1st story i can only comment on this. I would have liked to have a little more backstory and duscussion of the main characters to make more of a story maybe you need to read the first but i thought i was missing bits of characters. The poison pen letter plot was ok but i gueesed the truth too quickly and i felt it didnt gell in places. It was quick paced and us a nice cost mystery it juat lack sonething for me. It made me want yo read the first one.
Thrre were so good twists and turns and elaborate subplots running inyo tgd main story. A good 4 star mystery worth a go maybe ill come back after teafing the 1st. Thank you net gallery for my arc
I love the narrator the fact that she is a known actresses shines through. I felt the characters come alive with the narration. Having not read the 1st story i can only comment on this. I would have liked to have a little more backstory and duscussion of the main characters to make more of a story maybe you need to read the first but i thought i was missing bits of characters. The poison pen letter plot was ok but i gueesed the truth too quickly and i felt it didnt gell in places. It was quick paced and us a nice cost mystery it juat lack sonething for me. It made me want yo read the first one.
Thrre were so good twists and turns and elaborate subplots running inyo tgd main story. A good 4 star mystery worth a go maybe ill come back after teafing the 1st. Thank you net gallery for my arc
December 21, 2022
Thelma, Liz and Pat have a new mystery to solve. Poison pen letters are being sent to teachers and staff of St.Barnabus, the school where our heroines used to teach. The new headteacher seems to be targeted in particular.
This is a second book in a series and, while I very much enjoyed the first, this one I loved. The family relationships of the characters were developed so much more. The writing was significantly better here, the pacing too. I liked the plot, did not guess who the culprit was. And the whole book had this atmosphere of an immense love for schools and teaching. It had a lot to say about educational system, where nowadays it is way more about the business side of things and money and not about children. I especially loved the epilogue. The author has found his writing style and I hope we will have more books with these wonderful characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a second book in a series and, while I very much enjoyed the first, this one I loved. The family relationships of the characters were developed so much more. The writing was significantly better here, the pacing too. I liked the plot, did not guess who the culprit was. And the whole book had this atmosphere of an immense love for schools and teaching. It had a lot to say about educational system, where nowadays it is way more about the business side of things and money and not about children. I especially loved the epilogue. The author has found his writing style and I hope we will have more books with these wonderful characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2023
This was an entertaining read but like others I found the tagline "signed, sealed, dead?" To be misleading and therefore made the story quite anticlimactic. I haven't read the previous book by this author and found that there were a lot of characters to keep track of and I found the 3 main characters were not particularly different and or interesting. Personally it seemed like the characters reaction to the letters was exaggerated, the author writes that the content of the letters was "evil" but I wouldn't agree - they seemed more slanderous and insulting than anything. The ending seemed rushed and I couldn't see how the character would have found these answers herself. There was a LOT of focus on academies and primary schools and changes to these systems which I found to be irrelevant to the story (they didn't add anything interesting) and found myself skipping over. It felt like the characters were stuck in the past and I did find myself getting frustrated with how out of touch they were. At one moment the author writes
that a character wants to "cc" someone in on a text? Was that a mistake and they meant email? I wouldn't recommend the story.
that a character wants to "cc" someone in on a text? Was that a mistake and they meant email? I wouldn't recommend the story.
September 11, 2024
I can’t really decide whether to give this book a 2.5 stars or 3 but because I like the friendship between the women and the book was good it will be 3 I think
The problem with the book was that it went on for way too long and it just waffled on about the private lives of the women way too much, had it been shortened significantly it would have been so much better and less boring, the blurb was also slightly misleading as well as the cover and that didn’t help either
The problem with the book was that it went on for way too long and it just waffled on about the private lives of the women way too much, had it been shortened significantly it would have been so much better and less boring, the blurb was also slightly misleading as well as the cover and that didn’t help either
August 3, 2023
Another enjoyable adventure with three wonderful retired teachers in North Yorkshire. School trust politics have changed St Barnabus and not for the better! A great read for anyone involved in modern day education by an author who knows his onions about schools and the mysterious ways they have evolved. No spoiler but a last line that will have all teachers nodding at. Can't wait for the third book in this series.
April 4, 2023
This was my first entry into the world of retired school, teachers, Liz, Pat and Thelma, and although I hadn’t read the first case I didn’t feel that I was left behind ( I’ll be catching up with that one as soon as possible). The audiobook was just a joy and the narrator Julia Hesmondhelgh deserves a great deal of praise for her ability to make you feel included in the story. The dialogue and relationships within this book are wonderful and by the end I felt I was leaving friends. A cosy mystery that I will certainly be recommending. Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio, Avon for allowing me to listen to the ARC of this novel.
July 2, 2023
This book is set in a town in Yorkshire with three retired primary school teachers Liz, Pat and Thelma as the main characters. It shows you the long going friendship between the women however as tensions rise in the school, the women start to slowly disagree and you see a leader. When they are asked to return to school they are confused, then they are part of it! The main story is set in a primary school with a misunderstood head master Miss Kayleigh Brittan. Boilers, almost-suicide, divorce, past relationships and nasty threats are all uncovered throughout the pages. However, in my personal opinion it could just get to the point. The pages almost grew denser as you kind of knew who the culprit was. Yet again, some events did make me want to read on and I wanted to know the motive behind the writer. Overall, I would recommend, you just have to hold on.
August 5, 2024
there were so many characters by chapter 3 and they were introduced as if i should already know who they were. i couldnt keep up i had no idea what was going on and upon reading other reviews i’m glad i wasn’t the only one
January 29, 2024
Well that was completely rubbish and completely predictable.
June 26, 2024
Found this really hard to get into, and it didn't really pull together until the very end.
March 6, 2024
How anticlimactic and utterly disappointing.
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