The Last Word Is Death cover art

The Last Word Is Death

Val & Arbie Mysteries, Book 2

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The Last Word Is Death

By: Faith Martin
Narrated by: John Hopkins
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About this listen

 A cosy romp of cream teas, double-barrelled names and murder.' THE SUN The new book in the Val and Arbie mysteries from the multi-million-copy selling author Faith Martin.

One of these guests has a date with death…

Arbuthnot ‘Arbie’ Swift arrives at Dashwood House, a glamorously modern hotel in the up-and-coming resort of Galton-next-the-Sea, but all plans for a relaxing stay are scuppered when one of the guests is found dead.

The body is found in the writing room, the victim part of a set visiting the seaside town for an engagement party, which happens to include Arbie’s old friend, Val.

Familiar with Val and Arbie’s previous experience in solving puzzling crimes, the bride asks the pair to investigate. They quickly discover that the victim had no shortage of enemies, and many of the guests are up to no good. But who is simply hiding a secret, and who is hiding murder?

©2025 Faith Martin (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers Amateur Sleuths Cosy Crime Fiction Domestic Thrillers Literature & Fiction Mystery Thriller & Suspense Crime
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Such a strangely cozy murder mystery. I grew up on Christie and this felt quite akin to her works, but with a sprinkling of cheeky fun.
The Narrator was absolutely brilliant! I curled up and he took me away into the world of the story with his effortless, charming talent.
I rarely rate 5 stars but this earned it. Thank you.

A fantastic story and i simply loved the narrator!

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I love that this is really great take on the Golden Age and enjoyably complex but it doesn't take itself too seriously. if you hadn't listened to the first one you would be confused why Arby let's Val have her way, I would like to hear a bit of that rehashed in each book. The performance was so good as well!

so much fun!

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This is an excellent next chapter in Arby and Val's story. Thoroughly enjoyed it and a great double twist at the end. I thought I knew who did it for ages and I did but author did an excellent job of inserting doubt and then flipping it back.

So entertaining!

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Very funny and a fabulous reader. Cosy crime with fun period details. Highly recommended, and Val and Arbie are a wonderful pair of protagonists.

A great listen

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