The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

This satisfying and twisty mystery is the third outing for Harbinder Singh and the second for Edwin, Natalya and Benedict. There are literary references galore and intriguing operatic clues to add to the mix. Two sisters engage Edwin and Natalya’s detective agency to find out who has murdered their mother and, before long, Benedict and Edwin are undercover at a writers’ retreat during which a shocking event occurs. There seem to be links between several deaths - what do they have in common? Is it the retreat or a book group run by one of the teachers? Griffiths keeps us guessing as the well-drawn characters continue their investigation. There are touches of humour, romance and the terror of war in this highly recommended book from Elly Griffiths. There is a very satisfactory ending also!

Thanks to NetGalley for this review copy.

I'm fascinated by the fact that, in book publishing, sometimes two books come out around the same time - books which, I assume, were written at similar times but in isolation - which share a great deal in common. I think, for example, of Elly Griffiths, who in 2019 settled down to write a book (The Postscript Murders) about a rag-tag group of pensioners in the south east of England banding together to solve a murder, no doubt thinking she had hit on something unique. And then BAM in 2020 Richard Osman publishes his debut novel, about a rag-tag groups of pensioners in the south east of Eng... well, you get the idea.

After The Postscript Murders, which was the second of her books to feature police detective Harbinder Kaur, the action was relocated to London when Kaur was promoted into the Met. So it is a pleasure to be firmly back with said rag-tag group (in fairness, they are not all pensioners: there is also an ex-monk-turned-coffee shop owner and a Ukrainian care worker) and in Shoreham -on-Sea again.

A series of deaths which have all been ruled natural, spark the curiosity of Edwin and Natalka, who are now running a detective agency. What links an obituary writer and a writer's retreat to the deaths?

With a plot that rattles along at a cracking pace and the brilliant characterisation that we have come to expect from Griffiths, The Last Word was a treat of a crime novel. Highly recommended.

I was interested in this book, as I've enjoyed all the previous books that I've read by this author, and I was excited to be approved for a copy to review.

I wasn't familiar with any of these characters, but I warmed to them quickly and found them very likeable. The story moved at a leisurely pace, but I was interested in the characters and the story. Once I became invested in the story, I got through it quickly, and it felt like a comforting, easy read. I liked the characters enough to read about them again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

This book is really well written, with very strong characters. A private investigation agency is hired to solve the murders that are carried out at a writers retreat.

A really easy to read crime novel, with lots of twists and turns..

Thank you to Net Galley, the author and publisher for a very enjoyable advanced copy.

The book begins with us meeting 84 year old Edwin, Benedict and Natalka in Shoreham by the English seaside, where they are investigating some suspicious deaths. This is a cozy mystery that features authors, writing retreats, a couple of murders with a bit of good old comedy thrown in. The characters are loveable, and even though this is a follow on from a previous book as previous cases are mentioned in this story you can read as a standalone, it didn't effect this book not having read it. This is a funny who dunnit with good characters and plot.
This is the first Elly Griffiths book I have read, I will be recommending and looking out for more.

You may remember Natalka, Edwin and Benedict from one of Elly Griffith's previous books, 'The Postscript Murders', where they so very nearly stole the show from DI Harbinder Kaur. I was delighted to discover the author decided to give them a book of their very own, even though it seems to be listed as the fourth book in the DI Kaur series.

Natalka and Edwin are now running a private detective agency. Their cases mostly consist of cheating spouses but if you know anything about Natalka, I'm sure you're not surprised to know she'd quite like something far juicier. Then a murder case turns up. Or does it? A local writer, Melody Chambers, is found dead in her kitchen of a suspected heart attack. Her children are convinced their stepfather murdered their mother. Sounds rather flimsy, doesn't it? Especially when you realise the kind of house Melody was living in, and how she left everything to her husband. But Edwin, who is a big fan of the obituary pages in the newspaper, thinks he might have found a link between Melody and someone who died before her.

Their sleuthing leads them to a writers' retreat. Edwin and Benedict decide to go undercover, but while there, there's another death. Who knew being an aspiring author could be this dangerous? The clues must be at the retreat somewhere. But will the trio find out what's going on and who's responsible before someone else is found dead?

There's so much more going on than just this murder mystery though. Natalka and Benedict have been living together for a while now. This was all going rather splendidly until Natalka's mother fled war-torn Ukraine and moved in with them. Three people in a one bedroom flat is just one too many. Meanwhile Natalka's brother is off fighting in the war and it's not always easy getting updates from him. I feel Griffiths tackled this topic extremely well. Obviously, Natalka is glad to know her mother is safe with her, but on the other hand she's also somewhat in the way. Who the heck vacuums at five o'clock in the morning?! And knowing the kind of person Natalka is, she'd probably prefer being able to go fight in this war with her brother.

If anyone can plot an intriguing mystery, Elly Griffiths can. But it’s the delightful cast of characters that stands out in 'The Last Word'. Each brings their own set of skills to this investigation. They're a joy to watch on their own, but they're formidable as a team. Benedict often comes across as rather insecure (surely Natalka is entirely out of his league, for instance) but he's more insightful and important to the team than he realises. Edwin, on the other hand, seems to ooze with confidence. He loves all things word related, and that will definitely come in handy this time around. Natalka, gosh, what to say about her? Hard as nails, slightly kooky, and boy, does she make me laugh. Unwillingly, I think.

As for Harbinder, she does make a few appearances but this book really isn't about her. Sometimes her help is needed but solving the case is very much up to Natalka, Edwin and Benedict. There's quite a bit to discover as the investigation continues. Edwin is convinced that multiple threads have to connect somehow, but I have to admit I didn't see it. Despite all the speculating and theorising on my part, I couldn't unravel this mystery at all. The truth turned out to be far more sinister than I anticipated.

As many have come to expect from Elly Griffiths, this is another incredibly well-plotted crime fiction novel. An intriguing mystery, wonderful characters who are also dealing with relatable issues, the beautiful setting of the writers' retreat, possibly a dash of romance, and sometimes even surprisingly witty ... there's so much to enjoy about 'The Last Word'. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Natalka, Edwin and Benedict and I'm feeling very hopeful that there might be more to come from them some time in the future.

I was really looking forward to starting this one.
I love a good murder mystery and this has all the makings of one with really likeable characters and a believable plot which all ends rather nicely.
It's a good, cosy read. Not gritty enough for me I'm afraid but entertaining nonetheless.
More Hetty Wainthropp / Rosemary and Thyme vibe than, say, Wire in the Blood but I can totally understand why others raved about it.

When writer Meldoy Chambers dies at home her daughters believe she was murdered even though the police are satisfied it was natural causes. They enlist the help of private detectives Natalka and Edwin to prove their mother was murdered.
During the investigation Natalka and Edwin discover that Melody spent time at a writers retreat and that Melody isn’t the only writer to die after being there.
Edwin and Benedict, Natalka’s boyfriend, go undercover at the retreat to find out if there is a link between the deaths but will they be putting themselves in danger.

I absolutely love this series, it gets better with each new book. This one has a great storyline with twists which had me hooked from the start.

I haven't read the previous book/the one we met the lead characters in this but this could be a stand-alone. Cozy mystery with twists and turns. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this one and loved all of the main characters, in particular Natalka who is a strong female with a great attitude. I hope her, Benedict and Edwin turn up again.
The fact that they are private investigators mean this is different to a police procedural but the the presence of Harbinder brings in the official police presence to the investigation. This means it’s the best of both worlds.
Natalka and Edwin are asked to investigate the death of a writer by her daughters who think her new husband is guilty. While investigating Natalka and Edwin uncover more deaths that are all linked, are they all suspicious and are they all murder.
The plot was well thought out with a few twists along the way to keep the reader hooked.

Delicious..
Harbinder Kaur returns in this delicious murder mystery set around a writer’s retreat. When a local writer is discovered dead, her family becomes convinced that a murder has taken place. When Edwin discovers what he considers to be a link, he and Benedict head to a suitably sinister writer’s retreat with amateur sleuthing in mind - but then another writer is found dead. What dastardly plot is afoot? Enter Harbinder Kaur. With a glorious cast of characters, an engaging plot and a compelling narrative this is escapism at its finest.

A delightful cosy mystery featuring characters, Natalka, Edwin and Benedict, from the Harbinder Kaur series. Harbinder ,herself, appears as a minor character. Natalia and Edwin have set up their own detective agency and are now employed by two sisters to investigate their mother's death.
As with most of Elly Griffiths's books, this is very much a character-driven story. The murder mystery is well plotted it a little far-fetched but is secondary to the theme of family that runs through the book.
This is a very light, easy to read book with a lovely humorous tone.

This is one of my favourite series and so I was happy to catch up with these engaging characters. As you would expect from this author, the writing, the plot and the character development are all excellent. My only quibble would be that I kept getting Harmony and Melody confused with each other. Perfect ending, though I hope it’s not the end of the series? Slightly chilling motive for the murders, although very believable.

What a totally brilliant book. Loved it so much. The characters were wonderful and just jumped off the page. I really felt I was immersed in the storyline. I am a huge fan of Elly's work and this did not disappoint.

A ridiculously cozy crime with a cherry on top. For the fourth Harbinger Kaur mystery, we’re back with Natalka, Benedict and Edwin. Edwin and Natalka have now started a private investigator firm, mainly trailing cheating spouses. That is, until a client alleging her mother has been murdered shows up, at the same time as Edwin are finding odd coincidences in the posthumous obituaries of an old journalist friend.

To be perfectly honest, in this novel the mystery is unconvincing and incidental. We’re treated to a weekend at a writers retreat where Edwin and Benedict goes undercover, and a strange book group with suspects that Edwin gets invited to. Other than that, it’s mostly about the relationships and families of Natalka, Benedict and Edwin. Oh, and the war in Ukraine (Natalka is Ukrainian). Harbinger Kaur makes a couple of cameo appearances. Still, it’s a very cozy novel, nice and warm as a blanket, and I do like the main characters and spending time with them.

So, two stars for the mystery, one extra star for everything else.

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In Shoreham, Sussex, Natalka lives with her partner Benedict, a former monk and current proprietor of a coffee 'shack' near the shore. She runs a detective agency with their friend, Edwin, an 84-years-young gay man. One day, she gets a call from the daughter of a recently deceased author who insists that her mother was actually murdered by her stepfather. She and her sister want Natalka and Edwin to investigate. They do. Odd coincidences rapidly follow. A bit of digging leads them to a writer's retreat. Edwin and Benedict attend a weekend and connections are discovered. When disaster strikes, it's clear that something odd is going on, but what is it?

This book revisits the detecting team and setting from The Postscript Murders--Harbinder Kaur makes an appearance in this book as well. But you definitely do not have to have read the previous book to enjoy this one (although it's a great book that I can also recommend). I was thrilled to see another book with this cast of characters--they are wonderful. Natalka is a strong, no-nonsense, smart woman who is shouldering a lot. Benedict is still figuring out what his life is about and struggling with insecurity and doubt. Edwin has had a long eventful life and has a great attitude towards each day. he is also witty. I loved this book. It's a page-turner. The mystery was well done. The writing is superb. It made me laugh in places. I liked the fact that it was about books and writing. Most of all, I loved spending time with the characters. This is a fabulous book and I hope it's not the last we see of Shoreham, Natalka, Edwin, and Benedict!

I loved this book! Just this year I picked up my first Elly Griffiths book and boy am I glad that I did. How have I gone so long without reading this amazing crime author. This book was just what I needed to get out of a semi book slump, nothing was appealing to me and I just wanted something good that I could get lost in.

It was wonderful to have a book that focused on Natalia, Edwin and Benny. DI Harbinder was there of course, but she was in the background. These 3 were the stars this time and I loved it. Hot on the case of a dead romance writer, they soon find themselves with many dead writers…. Coincidence? I think not. This book was fun to read, following the clues with these characters, of course I didn’t pick it 😅

A massive thanks to Quercus for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on January 30th.

There is no denying that Elly Griffiths is one of the best and most prodigious crime fiction writers today . Whether it be The Ruth Galloway series or The Brighton Mysteries you know you are going to be hooked from start to finish.

The Postscript Murders published in 2021 introduced a new crime solving trio; Edwin, Natalka and Benedict; a curious threesome but who are a delight from start to finish- each bringing their own approach and 'quirks' to solving the death of a friend. They also joined forced with DI Harbinger Kaur introduced in the excellent The Stranger Diaries.

The Last Word reintroduces us to the crime solving three- two of which have formed a private investigation agency. In a similar vein to The Postscript Murders, there is a literary theme - this time focussing around the attendees of a writers' retreat and subsequent deaths. The local Brighton /Shoreham/Sussex settings will be familiar to many and are obviously places of affection for the author which further bring the books alive.
Elly Griffiths, like Ann Cleeves, creates characters that are fully formed with strengths and flaws ( without being eccentric) ; their vulnerabilities add to the reader's depth of wanting the key protagonists to succeed.

Association to Anthony Horowitz and the Susan Ryeland series could be made with the connection to the world of publishing and authors; but Elly Griffith's books have their own distinct style and heart. As a reader you are fully on the side of the Edwin, Natalka and Benedict to solve the crime in their own curious and inimitable manner.

The Last Word is full of conundrums and paths that take the reader in many directions and with an extensive cast list. The 'cosy crime' label (which doesn't work for me and is somewhat a media labelling gimmick) could be attributed to this book but somehow this, like many other books, plays down the underlying violence and criminal intent which is prevalent.

This is a great read and highly recommended to all lovers of good crime problem-solving novels and certainly an excellent alternative( or companion) to the books of a certain Mr Osman.

Elly Griffiths has created three/four great series and this is another winner to add to her body of work. ( Where is the TV series of at least one of them?)

Quite an emotional book by Ely Griffiths with romance and sentiment running through it. The tale is told with the same level of finesse that all her other books are told with. A myriad of engaging and interesting characters with well thought out murders and twists, Highly enjoyable.