A Spoonful of Murder: The first book in a hilarious and totally unputdownable cosy murder mystery series for fans of The Thursday Murder Club

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However, things take an alarming turn when Topsy confides in Thelma about people coming to her house, "financial misnomers" and that someone had said "It'd be better all round if she was dead. Not only am I a retired educator who meets with colleagues regularly over coffee or a meal, but I am a huge cozy mystery fan. I loved this book' NetGalley review 'Cosy mystery at its best with a cast of loveable characters, a truly satisfying read! When an elderly former colleague suffering from dementia dies, it all seems perfectly understandable that she would have mixed up her pills’ dosages and overdosed. Pat would wonder whether her son is having an affair with the Celtic poet right in the middle of cooking dinner and worrying about Topsy.

It was in parts amusing and in others poignant as we hear about older widowers being taken advantage of for money. Along with the opening line “to be involved in anything like murder quite simple it was something they would never set out to do! Of course, being retired teachers, they knew a lot of people and were observant as well as good at solving puzzles.

I did a read/listen with this book and must say that I really enjoyed the narration by Julie Hesmondhalgh. Primary teaching has always been a huge part of his life and throughout his writing career he is proud never to have lost the ability of running a slick painting table. It is a study of the impact that age and declining health have on family, the way in which the deterioration of a previously sharp mind is one of the many fears that we all face as we advance in years. From the get go, it drew its hooks in and I couldn’t wait to keep reading on to see what would happen.

It was also interesting how the author wove in so many issues into the story: caring for an ailing parent, people committing theft and fraud against seniors, broken families, financial woes, and intergenerational problems. It ticked all the correct boxes even though it was a tad (okay, a lot) longer than my usual audiobooks. Childless, and married to a college professor, Teddy, Thelma fills her days with charity work - hiding a heartbreaking secret and a inner core as vulnerable and uncertain as her more emotive friends.The course of the women's investigatory efforts is interwoven with the narrative of each of their own home lives and the goings-on around the town of Thirsk. MY THOUGHTS: A Spoonful of Murder is an entertaining cosy murder mystery starring three very down to earth retired teachers, any one of whom could be your neighbour. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with these lovely ladies and if they were ever to set out on another murder investigation, I’d quite happily join them on that mission. While on the whole A Spoonful Of Murder is a light and entertaining read, the issues around financial abuse of the elderly are very real and disturbing.