A Spoonful of Murder (The Retired Teacher Mysteries, Book 1) cover art

A Spoonful of Murder (The Retired Teacher Mysteries, Book 1)

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A Spoonful of Murder (The Retired Teacher Mysteries, Book 1)

By: J.M. Hall
Narrated by: Julie Hesmondhalgh
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About this listen

‘Fabulous, cosy, mystery… Wonderful… Absolutely perfect for fans of Richard Osman!’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Introducing the three unlikeliest sleuths you'll ever meet…

Every Thursday, three retired school teachers have their ‘coffee o’clock’ sessions at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.

But one fateful week, as they are catching up with a slice of cake, they bump into their ex-colleague, Topsy.

By the next Thursday, Topsy’s dead.

The last thing Liz, Thelma and Pat imagined was that they would become involved in a murder.

But they know there’s more to Topsy’s death than meets the eye – and it’s down to them to prove it…

Sit down with a cup of tea and this perfectly witty, page-turning cosy crime novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Death in Paradise and Midsomer Murders will be hooked from the very first page.

Readers love A Spoonful of Murder:

Warm characters and wonderful writing… It’s steeped in Yorkshire like a mug of hot, strong tea… I loved it’ SJ Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot

OutstandingI read this in and day and could not put it down… Had me gripped from the first page… Made me howl with laughter…If you loved The Thursday Murder Club you going to love this book’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Three Miss Marples for the price of one… The plot is carefully assembled, rather like a patchwork quilt, with each element placed just so’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh how brilliant was this book?! I must have read it in about two servings as I just couldn't put it down… Had great comical moments throughout. A really good murder mystery book’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What a fantastic read! It gave me all the cosy… Really enjoyable characters that you feel like you've known for years once you finish the book. It was the perfect pace, and easy to follow. Love, love, loved this book’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Absolutely loved this book!! I really enjoyed the characters and the sweet story line!! I was up all night reading and couldn't put the book down!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely loved this cosy mystery… Keeps you turning the pages. It's an easy read and perfect for these cold winter nights’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Charming… The plot is cosy and tricky, with just the right blend of Miss Marple, interesting and quirky characters, secrets… colourful cardigans, and of course, heaps of tea and warm companionship. I loved this book’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cosy mystery at its best with a cast of loveable characters, a truly satisfying read!’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Poignant and relatable, I want these ladies as my friends!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A joy to readLots twists and turns, this is a great debut’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is a joy, I really, really loved it… A five star read’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cosy Crime Fiction Culinary Adventures Detective Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Mystery Small Town & Rural Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Fiction Crime Murder Witty British Women Detectives

Critic Reviews

Warm characters and wonderful writing… It’s steeped in Yorkshire like a mug of hot, strong tea… I loved it’ SJ Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot

‘An absorbing read about everyday life falling foul of murder’ Faith Martin, author of A Fatal End

All stars
Most relevant
Brilliant! Such a great story and read perfectly. I loved listening to it and enjoyed the story very much.

A wonderful story to listen to in the car.

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Great story, fabulous narration (and accent), Very relatable listen as a teacher. Loved the side plots for each character alongside the main mystery. This book kept me great company on my long drives to and from work. Now I've got the second one lined up!

A cosy and enjoyable listen

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Mildly entertaining but very predictable. Writing and performance just average. nothing wrong with it but nothing much to recommend either. Yawn.

Very predictable

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While I found this book interesting, narration good, it became hard to follow from time to time and found I had to rewind to fit the pieces together.

Not quite there for me

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I enjoyed this gentle tale of murder with many moments that created smiles and even laughter. It was a bit like the down to earth, sensible and thoughtful ladies from my aquarobics group were solving a murder.

And I also liked the more serious side of drawing attention to the situation older people find themselves in with scammers using technology and more traditional methods to trick them out of their money.

Also loved the Yorkshire accent of the reader and the setting.

Enjoyable spoonful

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