The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood is one of the book series I recommend the most to friends and family (in fact: I chose it for my secret Santa last year!). They are fantastic murder mysteries and the main group of characters are also super hilarious; a winning combination. And, in the latest instalment, Thorogood adds a theatrical group into the mix. Needless to say, lots of drama ensues and not just on stage…
About Murder on the Marlow Belle
When the larger-than-life Oliver Beresford, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS) goes missing after a party on a boat on the Thames, his wife knows there is only one person who can help: Judith Potts.
But they soon discover that Oliver wasn’t a very popular member of MADS. And as the question becomes not “who may have wanted to cause him harm” but, rather, “who didn’t want Oliver out of their lives”, they wonder whether they may be out of their depths this time…
My review
In addition to our core trio, and the wonderful DS Tanika Malik who once again is simultaneously exasperated and impressed by Judith & co, the world of The Marlow Murder Club expands with each new book. This time around we meet the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society and its eclectic members. If there’s one place that’s rife with secrets, divas, backstabbing and egos, its that of the theatre so needless to say this made for a brilliant environment for a good old-fashioned whodunnit. Additionally, Judith joining MADS to investigate them from the inside was a particularly brilliant decision by Thorogood. She was taken out of her normal comfort zone, and it was wonderful to see her character develop and get to experience another side to her.
While she was rehearsing with MADS there was little time for her normal wild swimming escapades and because of that there weren’t nearly enough altercations with swans for my liking though… but, aside from that, I relished every scene with our incredibly clever pensioner. She’s a dark horse and undoubtedly will have a lot more unexpected skills and secrets up her sleeves in future instalments than we can possibly imagine. I cannot wait!
Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood is just wonderful. Forget the lavish and exotic setting of Death on the Nile, clearly a water-based mystery needs to take place on the Thames so readers have the opportunity to relish the gossip and misdirections only a small-town community can provide. And you don’t have to read all the books before this one to follow along with the plot, although I do recommend starting at the beginning. These novels are such fun that once you dive into one you simply have to read them all.
Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me, but this has not impacted this honest review.
