Thoroughly enjoyed the Postscript Murders - this quirky whodunnit telling the story of three unlikely crime fighters investigating the death of Peggy Smith. a ninety year old murder consultant and the interwoven lives of some popular crime writers. I particularly enjoyed the setting as it is the town, in fact the beach where I grew up

I'm an Elly Griffiths fan. so I jumped at the chance of an ARC for this second crime mystery starring Harbinder Kaur, who's British and comes from Shoreham, whenever anyone asks her where she's from. I think she's great.

The set-up for this story is great, too.  Somehow you are immediately drawn to Peggy. She doesn't spend long with us, since she dies in the first chapter, but has a Prologue all to herself. The story zings along with all Griffiths' trademark characterisation, twists, and red herrings. You don't need to be a literary person to enjoy this, although since you probably enjoy a good crime novel, you'll undoubtedly get all the references to the crime genre from Shakespeare to Dorothy L Sayers to [cough] Elly Griffiths. There are so many authors involved in this story, and so many titles bandied about, that it's hard to keep track of which are real and which are, well, fiction.  I wonder whether Ms Griffiths fancies writing any of the great titles she's invented (well, maybe not J D Monroe's which are weird).

The descriptions of place really take you into the locations visited.  I was convinced that the Majestic Hotel in Aberdeen didn't exist  (confirmed in the Acknowledgements), but boy, does it sound like a description of the Station Hotel, of which I have fleeting, but fun memories! A crumbling warren, a Victorian edifice of granite, furnished with ultimate Scottishness throughout, including miniature stag's heads woven into the corporate carpet. Actually I don't think the Station Hotel had that, but I think the best hotel in Perth does something like it.

What is written in the Acknowledgements of books? It's the key to this mystery. I kept wanting the amateur sleuths to realise they needed to go back to the beginning, and they did, eventually. So some of my ideas were right, but as usual, Ms Griffiths kept me well dazzled by the alternatives.  

A throughly enjoyable read from a crime writing guru. Except for the 'tell-tale signs of a single occupancy home.' And what's wrong with that, Elly?  Hugely recommended.

Not the most thrilling of crime stories but nevertheless a very enjoyable read. I very interesting group of characters who muddled their way through their investigation all be it not professional but with their interaction with the local police bring the story to a successful conclusion.

I always enjoy Ely Griffiths' writing. This series is very different to her Ruth Galloway books - there is a lot more humour much of it relating to DS Harbinder Kaur's relationship with her family. The eclectic band of amateur sleuths who accompany her on her mission are querky and entertaining. The plot is complicated but draws you in. I could see this story being dramatised for television as the liveliness of the characters and the degree of precise characterisation would lend itself to that media.

I would recommend this to anyone wanting a light-hearted well-written read.

Reading The PostScript Murders is like reading a classic crime novel, you’ve got everything you could want / need. A fantastic plot and the bonus of some familiar faces! I loved this, I wish I’d read it sooner.

This is the perfect book for curling up in front of a roaring fire with. Highly recommended!

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Rich and complicated characters with intriguing back stories and a cracking storyline which kept me actively engaged. Underlying humour was subtle and delightful. Really recommend as always,

I hadn’t read any of Ellie Griffiths books before but this one was pretty good once I got into it. It read like a cozy mystery and was set by the sea which is always a plus for me. It was an entertaining read but reminded me of many tv series which I have enjoyed on many occasions.
I have more of her books on my shelf so I will read these and get more of an idea of her style of writing.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The idea of a murder victim who was a "murder consultant" is brilliant!
I loved Peggy Smith and her keen observation skills from the start. Little wonder that Peggy had made some wonderful friends at Seaview Court in Shoreham. Friends who are instantly suspicious when Peggy suddenly dies of an apparent heart attack.
The amateur sleuths are a mixed bag who have to face a number of linked murders before they get to the truth and make more connections on the way. The ex-Monk and the maths genius immigrant carer are a great combo! I was less convinced by the Sikh cop and her police colleagues.
Unfortunately there was one aspect of this mystery which repeatedly pulled me out of the story.
The point of view. The third person omniscient present tense narration kept me at arms length from the main characters. Without giving away too many spoilers, there were a number of dangerous situations where the energy and tension of the scene was lost.
It also meant that we had long passages of background narration about the characters and lots of head hopping in the eBook format which could be difficult to track at times.
I would have loved to have one main character such as the carer, Natalka, and then others introduced as she met them and shared their views in separate scenes.
Overall a great story with lots of twists and turns.

Old fashioned crime fiction at its best.
The more I read the more I enjoyed even though it’s not my normal type of read.
Peggy Smith, a 90 yr old murder consultant dies suddenly. She is found by her carer Natalka who reports her death to the local police.
DS Harbinger Kaur follows up with the help of Natalka. Benedict ( an ex Monk) and Edwin - Peggy’s neighbour.
The main characters are very well written and interesting- if a bit quirky but that adds to the charm of the book.
Unusual and enjoyable book.
4 Stars.

spoiler alert ** I very much hope that this is not the last we've seen of Natalka,Bennie and Edwin.
Such a great combination of characters,that left me with a smile for most of the book.
There's a lot of book love in this story,some decent name checking too... which is always nice.
The story itself really does feel like a cosy murder,despite leaving a trail of bodies.
All nicely resolved,all making perfect sense.
Great book 2 for Harbinder.

I really liked "The Stranger Diaries" so was really pleased to be able to read "The Postscript Murders" by Elly Griffiths. Several characters appear in this book from the other book, so there was some kind of familiarity there.

The unlikely friendship triangle of Natalka, Edwin and Benedict works really well, and the scenes of them investigating the crimes were both endearing and comic at the same time.

There was a sub-plot with Russians and Ukrainians which added another angle to the story but this was really a sub-plot.

Can't wait to read any others in this Harbinder Kaur series.

A highly entertaining old fashioned cosy crime novel with some wonderful characters very reminiscent of Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple plenty sleuthing going on a pleasant easy read.

From the first page you are captured. Peggy, a 90 year old woman keeping an 'Investigation Book' and entering in minute detail everything she observes from her window challenges our expectation of the behaviour of a 'sweet old lady'.
When Peggy is found dead, a verdict of Natural Causes is pronounced. What else would you expect at that age? Enter a trio of mismatched amateur sleuths, Peggy's carer, an ex-monk and Peggy's octogenarian neighbour. Officialdom is represented by D.S. Harbinder Kaur and her sidekick. D.S. Kaur tries to keep control of the situation but the well-meaning but irritating, exasperating, trio are always one step ahead. A constantly moving scene has more murders to keep the reader guessing. As soon as I thought 'I've got it!' I was proved wrong.
This is a fast paced, very readable crime story, full of suspense, tinged with wry humour, with likeable interesting characters.

"'Can you hear something? Footsteps.' But the footsteps have stopped now. There's silence. This, for some reasons, is the scariest thing of all. 'I can't hear anything,' says Benedict...A key turns in the lock. Instinctively, they move together into the centre of the room. The door opens. And in walks a masked figure pointing a gun at them."

When 90 year old crime fiction fan, Peggy, is found dead in her seaside apartment in Shoreham-by-Sea, this is not unexpected. Until her business cards, identifying her as a 'murder consultant', are found, alongside a note in the book she was reading - 'We are coming for you'. She'd told friend and neighbour, 80 year old Edwin (retired BBC researcher), that she was being watched. DC Harbinder Kaur begins to investigate when local, acclaimed crime novelist, Dex Challoner (whose late mother lived next door to Peggy) is shot and killed. Peggy's friends, Benedict (shy former monk and café owner) and Natalka (beautiful, mysterious and Ukrainian, also one of Peggy's carers) get 'detective fever' and along with Edwin, decide to help Harbinder discover the truth. Was Peggy murdered and what links the deaths?

Harbinder finds herself investigating a second literary mystery (after 'The Stranger Diaries'). All of the supporting characters are very well drawn and believable and the pace is consistent and just right throughout, with enough action and enough context to frame characters and events. Peggy's friends make an unlikely bunch - Edwin is observant and sweet and the growth in Benedict's confidence, and his relationship with spirited Natalka is lovely. I enjoyed getting to know Harbinder further too; she is a very likeable protagonist with flaws and a good sense of humour, alongside her conscientious determination. However, and perhaps it's because I've read a lot of books with elderly protagonists lately, this felt like 'cosy crime', not 'chilling', as I've seen it described. Very readable and throughly enjoyable all the same.

A very different style for the author of the wonderful Ruth Galloway series. Definitely in the category of ‘Cosy Crime’ Ms Griffiths brings an unlikely crew together to solve the death of a pensioner of note.

With her usual flair, each of the main characters are fully developed and (almost) believable. With a scatter gun approach to backgrounds, this motley crew become quite loveable.

I am not a fan of cosy crime but would be tempted to read more involving these colourful folk.

When an old lady, Peggy Smith, dies of seemingly natural causes at a flat in local sheltered housing, her carer, Natalka contacts DS Harbinder Kaur to voice concerns that this may have been murder. Backed up by Peggy's octogenarian neighbour, Edwin and Benedict, a former monk who now runs a coffee shack, the unlikely trio and Harbinder discover that not only was Peggy known as a 'murder consultant'. but the various local authors who have thanked her in their acknowledgements may also be in danger.
What follows is a wonderful homage to the Golden Age of detective fiction brought bang up to date with astute observations about the literary world, wonderful social commentary that challenges assumptions about age, different cultures and sexism and contemporary references to television shows and recent authors. There are plenty of red herrings, unreliable witnesses and a little bit of a shock ending that gave me a lump in my throat.
The different characters are all so considered and fully formed. It was a delight to catch up with the dry wit and keen observations of DI Harbinder Kaur that offer a different side to the narrative than that offered by the amateur sleuths Natalka, Benedict and Edwin. The interactions between the group often made me laugh, (when Edwin gets annoyed with Benedict's mindful eating) but also gave me a lovely warm glow as they support each other, protect each other and are all up for being up for an adventure together.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read, and I would like to thank the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Definitely a Cosy Mystery.

A well written, easy to read, mystery that involves a cast of characters, all of whom are fascinating and real.
Peggy Smith is a pensioner, living in a lovely flat overlooking the sea. She's a fan of murder mysteries and spends her time either helping a local best selling author, or, making a note of things she sees from her window. Then, she is found dead. Was it natural causes, or, murder?

What follows is an intriguing tale of a small group of Peggy's friends who start to investigate her death, supported by a local DS, Harbinder Kaur. I've not read the first book that Harbinder Kaur features and this didn't impact my enjoyment as this is a solid stand alone. If you enjoy an easy to read, entertaining, murder mystery with excellent characters and a solid storyline, this is for you.

3* Solid Good Read. Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review.

This is not one but several murders to be solved all of which seem to be interlinked. Can it be a single killer and if so, what is the connection between the victims. That might sound like a job for detectives but amateur sleuths are interfering hugely in this story. In real life, they would be seen off. The first victim is an elderly lady in a care home who, it transpires, has been acting as a ‘murder consultant’ to a number of authors of detective stories. The setting in the care home is certainly not original but another resident, the murdered woman’s carer and the owner of the cafe they all use become the team trying to solve the murders. There are some well drawn characters, moments of humour and the challenge of trying to decide who is the culprit - or culprits- before the story reveals all. This is an easy, familiar read.

A lady in her nineties is found dead in her chair by her carer – nothing suspicious about that. But factor in that Peggy Smith was a ‘murder consultant’ to a bestselling author and seen perfectly well earlier in the day, carer Natalka *is* suspicious and takes the case to DS Harbinder Kaur.

Initially frustrated by the slow speed of the police investigation, Natalka recruits her own band of amateur detectives – mindful Benedict, barista and former monk, and dapper Edwin, a resident of Seaview Court and neighbour to Peggy.

The unlikely trio assist Harbinder in tracking down the culprit that’s picking off crime writers in a novel that will make avid readers, members of the bookselling community and fans of television detective programmes feel right at home. Plus, what is it that the men following Natalka want from her?

Crime isn’t usually a genre that I gravitate towards but, as a keen reader, the premise of this novel all about books, authors and publishing was too tempting! Because of this I wasn’t sure what to expect but there wasn’t the grittiness or the violence, blood and gore, which is what I thought crime fiction might be like! ‘Cosy crime’ is mentioned a handful of times in the book itself, which isn’t something I had previously associated with Elly Griffiths, but this is the second in a new series, so this may be a new direction for her. It certainly made for a gentle introduction to crime writing and is a style which I am sure many might prefer.

The pace of the novel felt just right for me – enough to keep the pages turning but not so many twists and turns that the plot feels frenetic and hard to keep up with. Each chapter features the perspective of one of the main characters and I found I got used to this quite quickly as it’s a feature that appears in a number of the books I read. What remains a mystery to me, though, is the relevance of the short phrase that accompanies each character’s name at the beginning of each chapter. The phrase crops up in the chapter, but otherwise I am not sure what it is there for. In the book, it is mentioned that Peggy likes anagrams, codes and cryptic crosswords... do they tie in with that? Or am I overthinking it? Perhaps having read the first book in this series would have made things clearer.

Despite being characters with very different lifestyles and backgrounds, Natalka, Benedict and Edwin make a brilliant trio and it’s lovely to see them become closer and fond of one another. It’s also fun to see Harbinder become fond of them, too, despite them interfering in her investigation! Other stand out characters include the hotshot bestselling author, Dex (the flag and pole on his house were a hilarious touch), Peggy’s son and daughter-in-law, Nigel and Sally, and Harbinder’s family which includes the unforgettable Sultan the German Shepherd (more from Sultan, please)!

As mentioned, this makes a great introduction to the crime novel genre and the pace, characters, and the locations of West Sussex and the north of Scotland were very well written. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this, particularly to anyone new to crime fiction or to someone who loves the world of books and publishing. Definitely one for the ‘TBR’ pile!

Many thanks to Quercus Books for the advance copy of this book from which this review is drawn.

Peggy Smith, a sprightly 90 year old and resident of Seaview Court retirement flats in Shoreham, sadly dies one afternoon sitting in her armchair. Surely there’s nothing suspicious about that? But her carer, Natalka, disagrees. However it’s only when an armed gunman confronts Natalka in Peggy’s flat that DS Harbinder Kaur is willing to take a closer look. And the fact that Peggy Smith was a murder consultant for authors.

This is the second book to feature DS Harbinder Kaur, the first being The Stranger Diaries. Is this the start of a new series for Elly Griffiths? Either way The Postscript Murders can easily be read as a standalone. There’s a wonderful array of characters that share the narration. Apart from Harbinder, there’s also Natalka - Peggy’s carer and from the Ukraine, Edwin – Peggy’s friend and co-resident of Seaview Court and Benedict - the best barista in Shoreham and a former monk. Natalka, Edwin and Benedict make for a motley crew and drive Harbinder to distraction as they attempt to find out if Peggy was murdered.

Apart from featuring sunny Shoreham, the amateur detectives head up to Aberdeen for a literary festival as all the clues seem to suggest that some authors may be in danger. I absolutely loved this part. For anyone who’s ever been to a literary festival there are lots of little things you would recognise – book bloggers discussing the merits of Ian Rankin, the VERY crowded bar and authors discussing their books and literary themes at panels. Of course this all seems alien to Natalka, Edwin and Benedict. I suspect Elly Griffiths had great fun writing these chapters.

Although this comes across as cosy crime, there is a sinister under-current throughout the book. You’re not allowed to forget that a killer is on the loose as well as some of Natalka’s fellow Ukrainians who are hunting her down. There’s a fine balance to be had in cosy crime and Elly Griffiths has written it perfectly.

As well as dealing with a crime, there’s a strong theme of relationships – some current, some in the past. DS Harbinder Kaur wonders about the best way to tell her parents she’s gay while former monk, Benedict, wonders if he’ll ever find a woman to marry. Edwin reminisces about his past lovers and Natalka misses her mother and brother. All of these are handled sensitively and create depth in the characters.

I don’t know if Elly Griffiths has plans to write more DS Harbinder Kaur books but I really hope she does. The Stranger Diaries had a Gothic feel to it and The Postscript Murders is definitely a nod to Golden Age and cosy crime books. I wonder what sub-genre Elly Griffiths will look at next.