As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or the publisher's blurb - you can find reviews like that out there already!

I really enjoyed this novel. It had the sort of cosy feel you'd expect from a Miss Marple story, with some great characters, red herrings, and a well thought out plot. The setting and backgrounds of the characters were spot on, and I wasn't surprised to learn (after reading the book) that the author is a former teacher, with first-hand knowledge of the education system.

I read a lot of books of this type, but did not guess who was behind the dastardly deeds - so bonus points to the author!

This will appeal to readers who enjoy (for instance) Miss Marple stories, and the books of Richard Osman.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

This is cozy crime at its best. The first book in the series was very good and this one was even better. I love the three main characters and the storyline in this book was brilliant. It was great to get to know more background to the main three and I very much look forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was a delight.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that can keep you guessing until the end, then look no further than J.M. Hall’s A Pen Dipped in Poison! This is the second book in Hall’s mystery series, and it follows Thelma, Liz, and Pat as they work together to solve a new case involving poison pen letters sent to teachers and staff at their former school St. Barnabus. Get ready to be entertained – this review will tell you why this book is worth your time!

What makes A Pen Dipped in Poison so enjoyable? To begin with, the characters feel very real and relatable; their family relationships are explored in greater depth compared to the first book in the series, making them all the more likeable. The writing style is also much improved here; it is sharp and witty without being overly long-winded or dull. The plot is well-paced but keeps you guessing throughout – I did guess who the culprit was early on but not the reason why until the big reveal!

I really liked Kayleigh Brittain, the new headmistress. She is wealthy, driven, enigmatic, confident and influential. She has a clear vision for the school and will stop at nothing to ensure it is achieved. She doesn’t care what others think of her, which may make her slightly callous, especially as a head teacher and she doesn’t endear herself to the children or parents, but I admired her determination and strength. A truly strong female lead character.

The themes explored in A Pen Dipped in Poison are worth mentioning too; there are some great messages about education within this book. It covers how educational systems have become focused on money instead of children, which highlights how important it is for us all to remember that education should always be about helping children learn and grow rather than just making money off them or treating them as numbers on a spreadsheet. I especially enjoyed the epilogue; it brings everything full circle with a heart-warming message of what really matters when it comes to education.

I liked that this lead on well from the first book in the series, A Spoonful of Murder, but has a very different feel with a focus on education instead of aging parents and responsibilities while retaining the lovely warm characters. I am unsure if this subject would have worked as well in the first book though and at times it felt a little too forced through, overriding the plot a little.

All in all, A Pen Dipped in Poison by J.M Hall is an excellent cozy mystery that will keep readers guessing until the end while also providing some thought-provoking commentary on educational systems today. With its easy-to-follow plot and wonderfully developed characters, this book is definitely worth your time! Whether you're looking for an entertaining read or want something a bit more meaningful, this novel offers both in equal measure! Reminiscent of Richard Osman’s book series, if you liked those, you would love these too!

Another great story by J M Hall.

After enjoying Thelma, Pat and Liz's first adventure, I wasn't disappointed with this one.
A cosy crime adventure that kept me turning the pages. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

"A Pen Dipped in Poison" by J.M. Hall is a gripping mystery novel that keeps the readers on their toes from beginning to end. The story revolves around a renowned author, Celia Davies, who is found dead in her home, and her former protégé and literary executor, Alice Chalmers, who must navigate the maze of secrets and lies that surrounded Celia's life and death.

The writing style is crisp and precise, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader into the world of the characters. The plot is well-crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with their own secrets and motivations that drive the story forward.

The author has a talent for building tension and suspense, creating an eerie atmosphere that adds to the overall feeling of unease. The pacing is excellent, with just the right amount of action and introspection to keep the story moving forward.

I throughly enjoyed the first book however this one was a bit of a let down. I was continually waiting for something to happen. Overall I found it boring.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e arc

A Pen Dipped in Poison was about sending malicious letters to target random faculty members of a school. Who was this anonymous sender? What did he or she want? This time Thelma, Pat and Liz were back in the game to find out who the culprit was.

I was feeling giddy to follow another mystery to solve with the three retired schoolteachers in Yorkshire. I actually liked how the mystery element was well-imagined. At the same time, it had maintained a feel good cozy mystery. I actually had a wrong speculation about who the culprit was. So, I must say that it was unpredictable for me. The storyline was great, too. I loved it how the author kept the story real, especially addressing issues about the business side of the educational system.

Overall, its’s a great one for a cozy mystery book to read. The reading process is pleasant better than the first one. The humor that the author has put on it is also likeable. The retro style vibe is definitely a huge plus to carry out the story all the way to the end.

Hall’s knowledge of the goings on in a primary school are obvious but I just couldn't get into this book. I DNF'd at about 30%.


I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK, Avon in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

It was nice to be back with Liz, Pat and Thelma.

This time the case they solve is about poison pen letters that are sent to staff at their old school.

So, will they find who writes them?

I recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books Uk for my approval to read and review this book.

It was so nice to revisit with Liz, Pat and Thelma as they return to solve a case of poison pen letters being sent to members of staff at their old school. Will they find the writer?? That is for you to find out and for me not to disclose any more!!! I recommend you to get this book and have a cosy afternoon on the sofa.

Retired teachers Liz, Pat and Thelma are on the case again, this time getting involved when multiple poison pen letters are sent at their former school. Can they work out who is sending them before anything more serious happens?

I found the book quite confusing, there are a LOT of characters, and I simply couldn't keep track - I find the 3 former teachers all very similar so I had to keep reminding myself who I was reading about. I did also figure out "whodunnit" very early on, and that always takes away a bit of enjoyment! That said I did like a number of the supporting characters, and wanted to know more about them - Sam, a former pupil of the 3 retired teachers, now a teacher himself, was one I particularly liked.

I could see the movie for this one as I read it, Agatha Christie poison pen letters sprinkled around a wonderful little mystery. So enjoyable to read!!
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Thank you to the publisher for the arc!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and this one has the retired cohort return to the school setting which is one that has changed from a “cosy” village school into a more corporate environment. A series of poison pen letters are the starting point for the latest mystery. In this book the trio do not interact as much as previously and as this is a major feature of the first instalment was slightly disappointing. Recommended read.

United States Publication: March 30, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

After the shock of Topsy's murder last year, Thelma, Pat, and Liz have settled back into their retirement routines - volunteering, taking care of sick loved ones and having their Thursday ‘coffee o’clock’ meet-ups. When Thelma attends the summer fayre at the school they used to teach at and becomes aware of some tension with the new head of school and the teaching staff, she uncertainly gets more involved at the school to provide an assist to the head teacher whom she feels sympathy for. The staff has been receiving poison pen letters and they are causing a lot of turmoil. Who is sending these letters and why? What is the purpose or goal of these letters? Thelma and Liz begin asking questions, while Pat is MIA after Rod's all-clear from his recent bout with cancer. Pat, in trying to keep her husband's business afloat, runs into her own mystery with who is winning the construction bids around town. Things aren't quite right, people and situations are very unsettling and the boiler at the school is keeping the building and the people in it at a tropical temperature. What is going on at St. Barnabus and can Liz, Pat, and Thelma help uncover the source of all the tension and fear?

The second installment in Hall's series featuring three retired schoolteachers turned unwilling investigators was really enjoyable. Hall is really bringing Thelma, Liz, and Pat to life through both the mysteries they fall into and their own personal lives that he chooses to include in the storylines. I really liked the plot device of poison pen letters for this title. It's fascinating to me how those letters can really stir up people even when they can recognize how untrue they are. And the author of poison pen letters is a fascinating study of the human psyche. They know just the right button of insecurity to push in the recipients of their letters. Well done, J.M. Hall, well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!

This second cozy mystery follows retired school teachers Liz, Pat, and Thelma as they track down the writer of letters being delivered to friends and neighbors containing their deepest secrets. How far will someone go to silence this writer?

I so enjoyed this book. It’s the perfect cozy murder to read snuggled up on the couch. You won’t be disappointed with this series if those are the types of books you adore.

The challenge for an author of a successful 'cosy crime' novel in which ordinary people get involved in solving murders, is how do you follow it up without it seeming ridiculous? It's a stretch of the imagination in the first place, but the chances of people with no roles in law enforcement getting involved in sleuthing two major crimes are virtually nil. So I had mixed feelings when I saw JM Hall had written a sequel to his excellent 'A Spoonful of Murder', about three retired primary school teachers who solved the murder of a friend. One of the things I liked about that book was its down-to-earth nature and a level of believability greater than in many novels of the genre.

In fact, Hall pulls off the rare feat of having our trio get involved in another crime in a way that is actually plausible (at least, within the context of a genre that is fairly unbelievable to start with). This time it isn't a murder - instead it's a serious of poison pen letters being sent to staff at the school where the three used to work. All are still involved somewhat in the school - as volunteers, governors, and of course through relationships with younger colleagues still working there. So they become drawn into the mystery of who is sending the letters - which become increasingly nasty and threatening, and have a serious impact on some of those who receive them.

As with the first book, there are various subplots that take wider themes about crime and immorality in society. In the first novel it was the way elderly people can be exploited by businesses legal, semi-legal and illegal. In this one it's about corruption and cronyism, falling short of illegality, but not seeming very fair - something that will strike a note with many UK readers in 2023 after a few years of regular scandals in government. It also takes on the academisation of schools - and whilst it does show the down sides, it is probably a more balanced view than I might have expected. As someone who experienced a school academisation first hand as a governor, I could recognise many of the things described - the obsession with statistics and glossy appearances, the weird buzz names for everything, and the sense that somehow it was all missing the point. But there is also some reflection on the better things brought by academies.

The three main characters are likeable and along with the 'big mystery' they all have more subplots involving the latest challenges in their personal lives. Although I think many younger readers like me will struggle to sympathise with people feeling sorry for themselves over being able to retire at under 60, financially comfortable.

The only thing I find a bit annoying about the style/layout is the way it switches between viewpoints and 'scenes' without a proper break being indicated - it can get confusing, particularly as I must admit I did sometimes mix up the three main characters.

If you enjoy 'cosy crime', this is one to add to your reading list. It's well written, easy to read, and enjoyable, and not as daft as the majority of books in this genre. I don't know if Hall can get away with a third featuring the same characters, but if he gives it a go, then I'll read it.

A cozy mystery book that does not disappoint and allows you to escape into the world of intrigue taking place at St Barnabus school, poison pen letters are being received by teachers with the new headmaster being the main target, can our trio of retired teachers discover the author of the hate filled missives

Second in the series and thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC

I loved the first book in this series so naturally I was very excited about the second one, and boy it didn’t disappoint in any way.

This time around I didn’t guess who was behind it all, and I did last time so I was expecting to be able to crack it! The plot and pacing were absolutely perfect in this one, and I was so happy that we got to learn more about the ladies’ families. I love books with multiple characters and surprises in it (and there were plenty in this one!).

If you’re looking for cozy mystery books then definitely pick up this series, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Avon for sending me a proof of this incredible book, out in March.

Staff at a primary school become the target of poison pen letters. The contents of the letters indicate that it must be someone close to the school. Thankfully retired teachers Pat, Thelma and Liz are on hand to help uncover the malicious letter writer.

This is the second book by J. M. Hall which features the retired primary school teachers Pat, Thelma and Liz. In the first book, A Spoonful Of Murder, the trio investigated the mysterious death of an ex-colleague. A Pen Dipped In Poison has a slightly less menacing tone as the crime involved is the sending of malicious letters, this means that this novel feels much more like a cozy mystery.

The contents of the letters show that there are lots going on in peoples lives and that even the smallest thing can tip the balance where mental health is concerned. Our sleuths point out that letters have a limited circulation unlike social media which can be much more damaging as it has a wider spread and is far quicker than the gossip grapevine.

There are a number of lighter touches that brought a smile to my face. The image of the gerbil is imprinted in my mind! J. M. Hall also seems to have tapped in to the mentality of our middle-aged women really well - a security wee before setting out on a journey is spot on.

Working in a primary school means that the author is able to describe what happens in schools when academisation takes place. The descriptions of how the primary school operates, a business rather than a place that nurtures children, is very sad and, unfortunately, very real. As Pat, Thelma and Liz dig deeper into the mystery of the anonymous letter writer they also uncover ways in which the business model of running a school can be manipulated.

I love these characters and this was a fun mystery revolving around poison pen letters and quick read.