What a great writer Elly Griffiths is! Although the superb Ruth Galloway series is in abeyance, we still have the delightful historic crime series set in Brighton and this charming contribution to her oeuvre, featuring a group of private detectives. We written and amusing, this is an excellent novel.

Local writer Melody Chambers has been found dead and her family are convinced that she has been murdered. When Edwin, one half of a newly-founded detective agency, reads her obituary and realises that the author, too, is dead, he begins to suspect foul play. Edwin and his friend, Benedict, attend a writers’ retreat that seems to connect the deceased and when another writer is found dead, they fear that a serial killer is in their midst.

It is great to meet up, again, with the characters that we first met in The Postscript Murders, as we embark on another case with Edwin, Benedict and Natalka. Their personalities leap off the page and since their first appearance have developed into likeable, realistic characters who are a joy to read about. It was good to see Harbinder Kaur making an appearance too, albeit a cameo appearance.

The plot moves on at a good pace and is very much driven by the main characters. There is a good balance of humour and excitement with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. I particularly like how Elly Griffiths incorporates cultural references into the plot and enjoyed reading Natalka’s take on the current war in her homeland.

Fans of Elly Griffiths’ previous books will love The Last Word, and if you haven’t read anything by this author before, this series is a good place to start!

Another good book in the Harbinder series.The book is really well written, with quirky characters. A cosy mystery. Private investigators are hired to solve the murders that happen at a writers retreat. lots of twists and turns to keep your attention. Look forward to reading the next offering.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

At first I could not get into this book. I love Elly Griffiths as an author but I was, at first, disappointed. However, I was drawn in by the unexpected group of characters and I really wanted to find out who the murderer was.
Edwin, Benedict and Natalka seem an unlikely trio to solve crimes, but solve crimes they do.
This novel is worth a read. Although it took me some time to get into it I am glad I persevered. I was a little bit sad when I reached the end.

I came to this unaware that it was a spinoff from a previous book but found it perfectly readable as a standalone and an absolute delight in both content and style.

A cosy murder mystery, the story revolves around the detective agency set up by Natalka and Edwin from Griffiths’ The Postscript Murders, and a case they’re asked to take on involving the suspicious death of a famous romance writer. It’s exactly the kind of juicy investigation that Natalka loves to get her teeth into, and she quickly gets her partner Benedict involved in the sleuthing as well.

What follows, as Edwin and Benedict go incognito to a weekend writers’ retreat, and more deaths ensue, is a brilliant Christie-esqe tale of deception, betrayal and greed.

If you’ve read Griffiths, you’ll know that she’s an expert at weaving intricate plots, and here is no exception. It is further complicated by the large number of suspects; namely, all the participants at the retreat. I would have found it hard to keep track of them all, if not for Benedict’s compulsive list making, which provided a useful and frequently updated bio on each one.

For me, though, the highlight of this book, as indeed with Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series, is the characters. In Natalka, Benedict and Edwin, she has created an unlikely but lovable trio, each with a personal story that is equally as compelling as the main plot. I hope we get to meet up with them and another investigation soon.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed the storyline, the setting and all the different characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy of this book

Natalka lives in Shoreham, Sussex, with her Ukrainian mother Valentyna and her dreamer boyfriend Benedict who owns and works in his small coffeshop. Together with gay octogenarian Edwin, Natalka runs a detective agency. On a weekend at a writers retreat, they both get involved in a possible murder case that is later on investigated by their friend Harbinder Kaur. This very cosy mystery provides light entertainment and can be read as a standalone even though it is part of the Harbinder Kaur series by prolific British author Ellie Griffiths.

I think I have enjoyed every single book that I have read by Elly Griffiths and this is no exception.

This series (which isn’t really a series) is a gentle murder mystery, nothing too gory, but with enough twists to keep you second guessing. The characters are such an unlikely group of friends who wouldn’t necessarily get along but actually all compliment each other.

All in all, a great read

Another brilliant mystery from the author Elly Griffiths! This novel features the characters from The Postscript Murders, but is a standalone novel in itself.
Natalka and Edwin are running a detective agency with the help of Benedict. They come across a case of murder when Melody, a local writer, is found dead. This leads them to a writers retreat, and another murder… Along with professional detective, Harbinder Kaur, they begin their investigations.
Having read every single one of Elly Griffiths’ books, this one certainly does not disappoint. It has a great plot, fantastic characters and a touch of fun - all in all, a fabulous read.
Keep on writing, Elly, I can’t wait for the next one!!

What a read! I love this author so much and this series (which is not a series, but is a series) gets better and better. Superb characters, superb plot line, superb book.

This is the fourth mystery in the Harbinger Kaur series, based around a private investigator firm. It's a cosy read, I like the characters but it is a bit unconvincing which just spoiled it a bit for me. The writing is good and the mystery is good, as well as a touch of humour in places. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This is the fourth book in the Harbinder Kaur series by author Elly Griffiths. I have read and enjoyed all the previous books in this series but for me this one didn’t quite do it.

Author Elly Griffiths excels with the cozy thrillers and I thoroughly enjoy the Ruth Galloway series but ‘The Last Word’ didn’t quite hit the spot for me. Although it is part of a series it easily works as a standalone.

This is another case for the detective agency run by Natalka and Edwin. Natalka longs for a big case so that the duo can pit their wits against evil while at the same time dealing with the unexpected presence of her Ukrainian mother, Valentyna, who is now staying with Natalka and her boyfriend, Benedict, in their small flat. This is another cozy thriller so there is plenty of humour and side issues throughout this novel.

The duo are stirred into action when a murder case involving local writer Melody Chambers occurs. Edwin’s fascination with obituaries starts a trail that leads them to a writers’ retreat where there is another mysterious death of a writer.

The book is entertaining and there is plenty of the usual authors blend but not enough of it for my liking. Not to be put off I eagerly await Elly Griffiths next novel.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Quercus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book immensely - I like Edwin and Natalia and enjoy their interactions with Harbinder Kaur.

The premise of the murders seemed a little far fetched to me but this was outweighed by the characters and their unravelling of the mystery.

The book was fun to read and as usual I did not pick up the clues as we went!

I hope there are more to come from this group of sleuths.

I loved this book so much it had everything you could ask for in a read with a whole heap of fabulous characters it was a superb piece of writing. I have read previous books by Elly Griffiths in which some of the characters also appear and it was a joy to read about them once more and I was trying to to think who was my favourite but I can’t pick as they are all so brilliant in their own way. The plot line was excellent and trying to figure out who did what had my head going round in circles and while this a murder mystery it’s also a highly entertaining read with me laughing out loud many times! There was nothing I didn’t like about the book so don’t miss out on it as it’s just too good to miss.
Many, many thanks Elly I need more please!
My thanks also to NetGalley and Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of The Last Word, a stand-alone set in Sussex featuring PIs Natalka, Benedict and Edwin from The Postscript Murders.

Natalka and Edwin with occasional help from Benedict, have opened a detective agency, but to Natalka’s disappointment no juicy cases have come their way. That changes when they are asked to investigate the death of local author, Melody Chambers. The authorities have called it natural causes, her daughters think she was murdered. Edwin thinks he has found a clue when he realises that Melody’s obituary writer is also dead and that leads him and Benedict to a writers’ retreat and another murder. The team use their connection to DI Harbinder Kaur for help and information.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Word, which is a fun read with a convoluted plot and excellent characterisation. The novel is told from the main characters’ points of view so it offers a broad take on the investigative side while revealing virtually nothing from the perpetrator’s side, as it should be in my opinion. This allows the reader to work things out for themselves, although I doubt that any reader will get it right as it is so convoluted. Even now, having finished it I’m still not sure that I got it all.

Plotting has never been one of the author’s greatest strengths and this is no different. There are too many coincidences and serendipitous events for it to have any authenticity and she twists herself in knots with the solution. That, however, is not the point. It is immensely entertaining with all sorts of literary and musical clues, plenty of suspects and an elusive motive.

The real power of the novel lies in the authenticity of the characters. Natalka is a force of nature, Edwin a smart and sprightly 85 year old and Benedict a rather naive former monk. Their interactions are a joy and very relatable as they stumble from one scenario to the next.

The Last Word is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Natalka, Benedict and Edwin are back (following on from The Postscript Murders) and are tasked with investigating a murder case, involving author Melody Chambers. The trail ends up leading the team to a writers retreat where they go undercover and find a number of possible suspects.

I enjoyed catching up with all the characters from the previous book… although there was less Harbinder Kaur in this one. The characters are all well written, have interesting relationships and their personalities shine through. I also enjoyed the moments of humour throughout the story. I find books based on authors and other books intriguing, therefore enjoyed the overall theme of the novel. Although the story was well written, the overall mystery was quite unbelievable and didn’t make complete sense. This is a good read though for those who like a fun, cosy crime mystery. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

A lighthearted cozy read, told with humour. I enjoyed the story, although a tad unbelievable in parts. It was a good stand alone story however it has made me want to read the previous stories in the series.

The characters are well written and likeable, the atmosphere of the surrounds are very realistic….i must visit soon! The back story of the Ukrainian people and their current situation brings a great deal of realism to the characters

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Private Investigators Edwin & Natalka are asked to look into the death of a local writer whose daughters are convinced was murdered. The trail then leads to a writer’s retreat and another suspicious death.
It’s a cozy mystery with characters that feel like old friends, particularly to anyone who has read ‘The Postscript Murders’. Although the book features DI Harbinder Kaur it focuses more on Edwin, Natalka and her partner Benedict. It’s as much about these three characters and Natalka’s mother as it is a crime novel.
I thought it was a little far fetched at times, for instance when Benedict is given a dead author’s laptop by a vicar who has never met him before, however it’s an easy lighthearted read and no doubt will appeal to many.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Quercus for an ARC

The Last Word is part of the Harbinder Kaur series, this features the original crime busting crew of Edwin, Benjamin and Natalya who first appeared in The Postscript Murders. Their private eye agency is called upon by 2 sisters to investigate their mother's death and the team find themselves uncovering other suspicious or are they deaths.

Known for her Ruth Galloway series, Elly Griffiths gives us another hugely popular series, featuring likeable characters and plots which entertain and twist and turn along the way.

Having read all the previous Khan novels by the author I was really looking forward to diving into this one. I wasn't disappointed it lived up to the previous three, I would say I enjoyed Bleeding Heart Yard more but this book was a close second. Despite having the same main police character the feel and plot of the book is very different from Bleeding Heart Yard it was a true testament to the author that she can write in such a way using the same character but giving such a different book there is no cut and paste style of series writing here at all.

While each of the previous have all been different with unique styles but all have had that classic Agatha feel to them with a cast of sinister characters, rich plots with twists and subtle social judgement and observations. This novel is no exception it is a brilliant addition the Khan series it's cosy classic crime at its sinister best.

Told from the 3rd person POV by the four main characters we return to Khans hometown and the characters of the second book in series, it was great to see these characters develop and to hear what had became of them. Out of all four book the ones set here have the most cosy crime almost twee feel about them. The characters feel familiar and I was drawn to them I like how they are very judgemental but in a funny way, they way this written makes them feel real. I love their inner monologues with themselves, very good characterisation, really engaging and true.

The plot here is interesting and manages to keep you guessing till the end , I liked the little subtle twists and I thought the motive and the way the murders were carried out were brilliantly thought out and unique. I also like how the writer gets in subtle messages about what is going on the real world and relevant topics/news that are happening without it being a soap box for her own views.

The ending was good and set up the characters for a another novel, I wonder what the next book will be like but I would bet it on being another cracker.