sadly I just didnt like the writing. the characters may have been a little too out of my comfort zone, and the pace was like trudging through muddy water.

Enjoyed this one very much, another great cozy suspense from author J.M. Hall. Never disappoints, highly recommend

A Clock Stopped Dead is the third book in the Liz, Pat and Thelma series by British playwright J.M. Hall. When part-time teacher, Maguerite McAllister has what she later decides is a vision, she tells her former colleague Pat Taylor about it: a misty night, a cancelled train, a wander down a lane into a spooky charity shop full of men’s clothing, a Napoleon clock stopped at two-fifty, and a dark presence growling out “Why have you come here?“ She flees. But when she checks the next day, it isn’t there.

Pat relays the mysterious tale to her friends, Liz and Thelma, also retired teachers, at their regular Thursday coffee chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre cafe. When they decide to check out the scene, devoid of any charity shop, they learn of a fatal car accident close by, and get talking to the younger sister of the female victim, Terri Stanley. Brid reveals that her sister was recently widowed, and had hooked up with a rather undesirable man whom she knew before she married.

Posing as potential buyers, they check out the house where Mal Stanley fell to his death, and Pat gets a weird deja-vu feeling. Even though the trio decide there’s nothing for them to find out, Pat goes with Marguerite to a psychic who tells Pat that someone has a question for her, while Liz learns from the local Vicar that Sunny View Lodge is not haunted.

As everything they learn leads to an even more complicated story, each of the women is also distracted by what’s happening at home: husbands planning older-person vacations or abandoning vicarship to deliver parcels; sons estranged from wives or hooking up with untrustworthy exes, all distracting from the main game.

While this book easily stands alone, the reader who has read the previous books might find the three (rather one-dimensional) protagonists more endearing and find it easier to distinguish their narratives. For the new reader, Liz, Pat and Thelma, except for their domestic situations, sound very much the same and, without constantly flipping back and checking, it can be difficult to remember which one of them, in this convoluted plot, knows which vital detail that hasn’t been shared when they fall out (again).

Some reviewers have said that the perpetrator is easy to pick, but perhaps the problem is more that, even at 90%, it’s unclear what crime, if any, has been committed, and by this time some readers will be either too bored, or too confused, to care. The Monday/Tuesday discrepancy never seems to be resolved. May appeal to some fans of cosy crime.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book along with the previous books. I love the characters Liz., Pat and Thelma. I love their adventures they go through along with their friendship.

I highly recommend this book.

This is the second book I’ve read in the series and I loved it as much as the first. Being a retired teacher myself, I instantly felt like I had something in common with the main characters, whom I loved, and their relationships with each other. The setting is one of my favourite places in England, so I could picture the scenes as they were described.
Whilst this is not a slow, plodding plot, it’s not a thriller and therefore a great bedtime read. Highly recommend this book.
I read an ARC copy of the book via #netgalley.

A Clock Stopped Dead by J.M. Hall

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are giving up their coffee morning for a brand-new mystery. The perfect cosy crime story for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman

Retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma are happiest whiling away their hours over coffee, cake and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.

But when their good friend Marguerite claims to have uncovered a mysterious charity shop that has since vanished, they simply can’t resist investigating.

Before long, our trio of unlikely sleuths find themselves embroiled in a race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery – but who has a secret to hide and how far will they go to keep it concealed?

Only time will tell . . .

My Opinion

I went to a launch event and heard the author reading a bit of this book and whilst it sounded amazing I just haven't had the time to sit down and enjoy the mystery. Our three main characters are very quickly investigating when they hear about a disappearing charity shop. Set in an area I am familiar with it is great to be back with the three retired teachers.

In order to fully enjoy this book I do believe that you have to read the books in order.

Rating 4/5

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, with this title being the third in the series featuring Liz, Pat & Thelma. I really enjoy this genre of books surrounding the older generation and their adventures, I find it so entertaining! As with the previous book, I loved the friendship between the women and the way they come together but also the depth, we as readers, are able to see of their individual lives. Who doesn’t love a bit of a mystery trail with a trio of brave, funny women on the case!? Thank you to @avon for the advanced copy of this title.

I love books with OAP detectives. They make me feel all cosy and I just hope I’m like that when I’m older.

It was lovely to be back with Liz Pat & Thelma. I love their personalities and you can definitely tell they are old teachers.
Their sleuthing days are definitely not behind them, although this time it’s a little different.

I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy the mystery in this one as it was a bit more obscure, but I did.

It was easy to read and although there were some bits that were a bit full on. There were some questionable moments where either everything was happening or not a lot. The pace was a bit up and down.

It was a good read that kept me guessing.

This series is great if you’re a fan of cosy crime.

this book was intriguing but also lacked in certain aspects. I think because it was book 3 in a series and i din't realise it, i struggled with certain characters etc.
i am a fan of this genre so i think i will go back and read the other books in the future

A Clock Stopped Dead is the third cozy mystery featuring retired teachers Liz, Pat, and Thelma by J.M. Hall. Released 11th March 2023 by HarperCollins on their Avon, UK imprint, it's 330 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The ladies are back on the trail when an acquaintance describes a disappearing charity shop and twigs their interest into getting to the bottom of things, which leads indirectly to more serious skullduggery. The entire "disappearing shop" trope is fascinating (and a little creepy) and the author does a great job running with the setup.

The protagonists are believable and appealing. The writing is smoother than the debut book, and the mystery well wrought and satisfying. The author has apparently found his stride. It is, however, VERY dialogue heavy and sometimes a trifle unwieldy for that reason. The audiobook might be a good compromise in this case.

Despite being the third book in the series, it works well as a standalone, although the ongoing interpersonal relationships and developments from earlier books will possibly give some spoilers for their earlier history.

Four stars. This would be a good choice for fans of Osman's excellent Thursday Murder club books, as well as Laurien Berenson's Peg & Rose series.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A fun cosy crime caper with a group of retired teachers turned sleuths. This is part of a series and I'd definitely recommend reading those first as there were references I didn't get and the characters backgrounds are not explored fully in this installment. A good solid cosy crime but read the others to get the best from this

Whilst I really enjoyed the other books in this series, I really struggled to get into this book. It was probably more to do with me than the book but ultimately I didn’t finish it. Sorry.

In *A Clock Stopped Dead*, J.M. Hall crafts a delightful and engaging mystery featuring a trio of retired teachers turned amateur sleuths. Pat, Liz, and Thelma, whose bond is strengthened over countless hours of coffee, cake, and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café, are at the heart of this charming tale. Their peaceful routine takes a thrilling turn when a friend recounts a disturbing experience at a charity shop that exudes an eerie atmosphere. Intriguingly, the shop, along with all its mysteries, has vanished without a trace.

Hall skillfully blends humor, intrigue, and the warmth of friendship as these three endearing characters dive headfirst into the mystery. Their determination to unravel the truth about the vanishing shop propels them into a suspenseful race against time, uncovering secrets and confronting hidden motives along the way.

The narrative is driven by Hall's well-crafted characters, whose distinct personalities and camaraderie make them relatable and lovable. Pat's curiosity, Liz's analytical mind, and Thelma's intuition create a dynamic team, each bringing their unique strengths to the investigation. The plot is well-paced, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the very end.

What makes *A Clock Stopped Dead* particularly engaging is the way Hall weaves in themes of aging, friendship, and the pursuit of purpose beyond retirement. The setting of the Thirsk Garden Centre café adds a cozy, familiar backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the unfolding mystery, creating a perfect balance between comfort and suspense.

In conclusion, *A Clock Stopped Dead* is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and those who appreciate stories centered on enduring friendships. J.M. Hall has crafted a compelling tale that keeps readers hooked from start to finish, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming yet thrilling escape.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

I'm always glad to catch up with Liz, Pat, and Thelma even if this is not my fav in the series.
The mystery is slow burning but there's a lot going on and I enjoyed it.
It can be read as a stand alone but reading the series in order gives more details
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Retired teachers Pat, Liz, and Thelma return in this third book in a series of cozy mysteries. In this tale, they become involved in figuring out a "supernatural" occurrence experienced by a friend. Car accidents and sudden deaths as well as a theatre production and real estate are all involved. The story had me guessing and the end was a surprise. I had some difficulty getting into the story, as the first part dwells a lot on the "supernatural" occurrence. Family issues of the three teachers also form a secondary thread in this novel.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries set in the UK will find this an intriguing read, although be ready for the British English. It is not necessary to have read the first two books in the series to enjoy this one. While it is a creepy story at first glance, there is no overt violence or intimacy, just a few swear words that fit in the context.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Fantastic. Love J M Halls works. Have started my collection to re-read when the mood suits. The stories flow effortlessly and you get to know each character whilst working out the whodunnits ⭐️

Retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma are happiest whiling away their hours over coffee, cake and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café. But when their good friend tells them about an unsettling experience she had in a sinister-feeling charity shop, they simply can’t resist investigating…Because the entire shop has vanished into thin air. Before long, our trio of unlikely sleuths find themselves embroiled in a race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery – but who has a secret to hide and how far will they go to keep it concealed? This is part of a series…. Note to publishers…..please put that on the cover somewhere?? It would have helped to have read the previous books to know the characters better but it was still a fun cozy with interesting characters and a clever plot.

The third Thelma, Pat and Liz mystery finds them investigating when one of their friends said a thrift store vanished overnight.

I did not realize this was a series when I started it (it was not marked on the cover), and so I was not used to the way these characters go in the book. It alternates between their three perspectives. I think people should read the others before this one to be more familiar with the writing style.

I was unaware this book was part of a series before I requested it, but it worked find as a standalone. Perhaps reading the previous books first would have helped me *know* the main characters better so I could have just focused on the plot. I did like the writing style of the author and the mystery plot was solid. So I think I'll go back and read the first two books and maybe revisit this one.

The synopsis said this series is perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, and I agree that if you enjoy this series then you should try this one out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This the is third outing for Pat, Liz and Thelma, our retired school teacher threesome. A Clock Stopped Dead tells the story of a mysterious disappearing charity shop, and is full of suspicious activity with a strange death.

I have read the previous two stories, and I'll still admit to having difficulty separating Pat, Liz and Thelma in my mind, even after three books! I enjoyed the comedic Margueritte and her foray into the supernatural, but I do feel like there was too much dialogue for a novel.

Overall, an enjoyable cosy mystery, it was fun to catch up with the trio.