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.

A welcome return to this cosy mystery series with friends Pat, Thelma and Liz, where they are once again pulled into investigating an unusual occurrence. This time it is when a friend tells them about a disappearing shop.
With its of little twists and turns and absolutely delightful characters, the reader is carried along as the ladies pursue the clues to uncover what exactly is happening.
Another enticing read buy J. M. Hall.

A Clock Stopped Dead was a great cosy mystery. It had interesting characters and an enjoyable storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

This was my first foray into this series with these characters and I can tell you now I’ll be going back and reading the first two in this series! What an enjoyable read! I couldn’t put it down!
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Thank you to the publisher for an early read of this one!!

What a amazing cosy mystery story with great storyline and great characters. Really liked the writing style and the cover is beautiful will definitely read more from this author.

A Clock Stopped Dead is the third in a cozy mystery series that revolves around our 3 main characters, Liz, Pat, and Thelma. They are retired school teachers who live in a small town in England. It’s all very cozy until you take into account that they consider themselves amateur sleuths and involve themselves in local murders!

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, but found that this one was a bit too slow for me and it couldn’t really hold my attention. I would still really recommend this series!

Thank you to Avon Books for my copy of this!

Retired teachers Pat , Liz and Thelma are back and they don’t disappoint.
Marguerite a friend of the sleuthing trio has a strange experience where a charity shop suddenly disappears!
The experience of Marguerites is hard to believe but the trio don’t hang about and try and get to the bottom of the weird incident.
There are amateur dramatics and a car crash to add in to the mystery which makes the cosy mystery a perfect read .
I really like the dynamic between Pat , Liz and Thelma and the characters have grown throughout the series and I enjoy learning more about the home lives and their families.
An easy to read book which kept me gripped.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

It's a welcome return to the retired teachers who meet in a garden centre cafe and it's JM Hall's best yet.

A Clock Stopped Dead is an entertaining cosy murder. It's a pleasure to catch up with Liz, Pat and Thelma at Thirsk Garden Centre cafe, Yorkshire.

This is the oddest mystery to date. In this third outing for the retired teachers, they are confronted with a bizarre event. A charity shop apparently goes missing. There's quite a bit of suspicious activity at play and a death and it keeps you guessing until the end.
Alongside the mystery we also have more insights into Liz, Pat and Thelma, who, being retired teachers you can see how they connect together well, as well as leading their separate lives. They're very well written.

A Clock Stopped Dead is a curious, unique read and that's where its qualities lie.

If cosy mysteries are your bag, then give how about giving this a try.

It may be a third outing, after A Spoonful of Murder and a Pen Dipped In Poison, but it can still be read as a standalone.

Another great instalment from retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma and their sleuthing ways around Thirsk
This time it’s the great mystery of the disappearing charity shop, their friend Marguerite claims to have encountered a charity shop at an abandoned place on a foggy night, which has since disappeared - which I personally found a little too far fetched, with too many sub plots and I ended up confused.
However as this is the third book in the series, I love that we are really getting to know the characters and their families, especially their husbands.
Thanks @jm_hall_writer, @avonbooksuk & @netgalley for a perfect, witty, cosy mystery series