The sequel to The Marlow Murder Club, from the writer for the TV series Death in Paradise.
As I did in my review of the first book, I want to mention the obvious. It seems very similar to Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series. It is a bit similar. But there are notable differences too and it's worth noting, that as Robert Thorogood has been writing a murder mystery TV series for years and wrote four books alongside, he has been in this game far longer than Richard Osman.
It starts with an unusual and rather hilarious scenario to do with Judith Potts having a winter swim in the Thames, naked, and getting into a scenario that has her running for home in time to receive an invitation out of the blue to a pre-wedding party. She quickly proceeds to invite her friends, Suzie and Becks, known as the Marlow Murder Club and knows that something odd it going on.
When the groom ends up murdered, Judith is quick to start investigating. She's pretty relentless. I found it funny when Tanika came in, surprise surprise, as the investigating officer, and she kept trying to do her job with Judith looking over her shoulder. I think she respected Judith, knowing full well, from their previous experience, that Judith is far more than just a nosy old woman. But she seemed to want to put her head in her hands a few times.
Judith picked up on various details that were missed and Becks offered some knowledge in a hilarious fashion that was key to the case. Suzie's skills came in a bit later but she also proved invaluable.
Tanika was noted as being part of the Marlow Murder Club, making them four not three as many seemed to believe they were. She's a good police officer. Whilst she previously was someone who did everything by the book, she has become someone who doesn't look just at logic but follows her instincts and does what is best for others. She decided that finding the killer was far more important than her career. Tanika is also very human as we're given insights into her family life which she is trying to juggle with her work life. Something about her problems are more real and everyday than Judith, Suzie and Becks.
There was a sense that this book tried to focus on the ways the police works sometimes, and the inside politics that can go on.
It was a good mystery. A classic case of a death in a locked room, so how can it possibly be murder? Judith is convinced that it has to be murder and Tanika pays attention. They don't know how murder is possible, but the Marlow Murder Club know something strange has been going on and are determined to get to the bottom of it. All the suspects appear to have an alibi, of some kind, so what happened and who was responsible?
There's plenty of humour too. Becky, who offers all kinds of information and has no idea how remarkable her knowledge is. Suzie with her strange way of handling her new found passion. Judith just being...Judith.
The one thing that really, deeply, irritated me throughout, was the constant use of the phrase "Can I ask". In one conversation it was used about five times. It cropped up on a multitude of occasions and was completely and totally unnecessary. I doubt the author will be reading this, but I would like to tell him that there are other phrases to use and, in fact, the phrase was not needed at all. Because the character, usually Judith, would use the phrase and then ask the question without an answer. In general, it's a useless phrase.
There is a third book, which I intend to read. Soon, I hope.
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