The Last Word Is Death (The Val & Arbie Mysteries, Book 2) cover art

The Last Word Is Death (The Val & Arbie Mysteries, Book 2)

 Preview
Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Last Word Is Death (The Val & Arbie Mysteries, Book 2)

By: Faith Martin
Narrated by: John Hopkins
Try Standard free

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.99

Buy Now for $25.99

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?

Readers have fallen in love with The Last Word is Death

'Absolutely gorgeous storytelling with characters and setting perfect for the time frame’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This one is perfect for readers who love Agatha Christie-style stories and cosy murder mysteries. A great second book!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'It has the hallmarks of an Agatha Christie mystery’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

©2025 Faith Martin (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers Amateur Sleuths Cosy Crime Fiction Domestic Thrillers Literature & Fiction Mystery Thriller & Suspense Crime

Critic Reviews

'The perfect "country house" murder mystery, written in a style reminiscent of the great mysteries of the golden age. The book is terrific fun. A sassy pair of sleuths, quaint seaside setting, puzzling murder, and a guest list of larger-than-life suspects.. delightfully entertaining.' Jane Bettany, author of the Violet Brewster mysteries
All stars
Most relevant
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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.