The Queen of Poisons – Robert Thorogood

Published By: HQ
Pages: 352
Released On: 18/01/2024

Geoffrey Lushington, Mayor of Marlow, dies suddenly during a Town Council meeting. When traces of aconite – also known as the queen of poisons – are found in his coffee cup, the police realise he was murdered. But who did it? And why?

The police bring Judith, Suzie and Becks in to investigate as Civilian Advisors right from the start, so they have free rein to interview suspects and follow the evidence to their heart’s content, which is perfect because Judith has no time for rules and standard procedure. But this case has the Marlow Murder Club stumped. Who would want to kill the affable Mayor of Marlow? How did they even get the poison into his coffee? And is anyone else in danger? The Marlow Murder Club are about to face their most difficult case yet . . .

*****

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I absolutely adored the first two previous Marlow books – The Marlow Murder Club and Death Comes to Marlow – and I think they’re actually the best cosy crime novels around currently, and I suppose some of that comes from his experience writing for Death In Paradise. They’re everything you want from a crime novel: unsolved murder, sketchy characters, red herrings – but with the added comfort of knowing that it will all be solved in the end, so you just enjoy the journey to get there.

Our main trio of Judith, Suzy and Becks are back, alongside policewoman Tanika. They’re absolutely delightful characters and they’ve grown so much throughout the series. Judith is without a doubt my absolute favourite. She’s just fantastic and fabulous and wonderful, and all the positive adjectives. She is a wonder of a creation. Suzy and Becks are fascinating in their own way, and there’s nothing wrong about them whatsoever, but no-one holds a candle to Judith in my opinion.

Like most crime novels – cosy or otherwise – there is definitely a sense of stretching the truth, as to what would be allowed in an investigation, but I don’t much care. It works in the context and reminds you that this is a fictional story. I like it just the way he writes it. It sucks you in and you’re on this rollercoaster alongside the characters.

It’s been a while since I read the previous book in the series so was worried I’d be lost, but you’re thrown straight back in and you’re hooked from page one, and you instantly remember who everyone is and the context in which we know them.

I have recommended this series to a number of friends who have gone on to really enjoy it, and I will do exactly the same with this new offering.

It doesn’t matter how many whodunnits I read, when you get a good one, it’s impossible to be confident with guessing who the killer is. And this is another one of them. I adore Thorogood’s writing, and he works red herrings and twists throughout like a master – which is probably why I love Death in Paradise so much. But I couldn’t figure it out at all. Everyone has their possibilities and you become certain about someone, and then a spanner is thrown into the work and it blows wide open again.

Don’t get me wrong, I have enjoyed the likes of Richard Osman’s cosy crime series, and I don’t like to compare but they’re too similar not to mention something. But there is something about these ones that stand out for me, and annoyingly for a wordsmith, I can’t fully explain why. It’s just a feeling that I get when I read them. I really do recommend picking up book one and giving it a chance. If you like traditional cosy whodunnits then you will thoroughly enjoy this series.

I really hope this isn’t the end of the series. I know there’s the risk of repetitiveness, but I trust him to add enough originality to keep it fresh. But I haven’t heard either way whether this was the end of a trilogy or if the series will continue, but I’ll keep my eye out.

I’ve also just read that they’re adapting the first book into a television series which I am unbelievably excited about. I love the likes of Midsomer Murders, Lewis, Morse, Endeavour, and Miss Marple, and I think this is a perfect addition.