Member Reviews

This was an intriguing slow burn crime read featuring an unusual trio of private investigators who have been approached by the daughter of a recently deceased author who suspects her mum didn’t die of a heart attack as appears but was poisoned by her husband. They find links to other seemingly natural deaths of writers that leave them questioning if they too have been poisoned and a stay at a writing retreat leaves them even more convinced. This had some fascinating characters beyond the trio who well very well formed and a very well constructed plot with a disturbing motive alongside some great character drama.

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The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

When you think of Elly Griffiths you mind goes to Ruth Galloway and the Norfolk fenlands .

I wonder if when an author brings out another series after such a popular one whether they inwardly grown when their other protagonist is mentioned ( as I have ) at a review of their lasts at new characters ?
Sorry Elly .

However we meet again Natalia , Edwin & Benedict our super sleuths of Shoreham. I love it that the author brings current world events into her books such as covid and in this one , the Ukraine war..
The plot of this one is an author has been found dead and her daughter brings in our team to help solve the mystery of what happened. all
Loved how the characters went about getting to the bottom of it all and the twists along the way.

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A book by Elly Griffiths is always to be enjoyed and this one certainly continues the trend.. it is one that should keep you thinking in advance as to the outcome.
An excellent author, who creates excellent characters, with storylines that keep you turning the pages.

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I love all of Elly Griffiths different series, the Ruth Galloway series being my favourite, and was happy to be back in the world of Natalka, Edwin and Benedict. Natalka and Edwin have set up a detective agency in Shoreham, Sussex and when local writer Melody Chambers is found dead her daughters employ the detecting duo. This leads to Edwin and Benedict signing up for a writers retreat and their investigation into other suspicious deaths.
This is more in the 'cosy crime' genre than the author's other series and it's a warm, clever and satisfying read that moves along at a good pace. I feel that I am invested in the characters now and enjoyed being back with them. The contemporary references, including to the war in Ukraine, lifts this above other series in this genre.
A hugely enjoyable read that I would recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

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Possible spoilers

I always know I'm going to enjoy a Griffiths book. There has yet to be a dud.
This one takes us back into Harbinder's world, though she very much feels like a bit part character in this one.
There's some good references that make this book very of its time, and some great lines that had me smiling.
Seems a bit too amusing to be bumping off authors.

A nice trail of clues, some quick thinking, and excellent putting of pieces together, left me with a satisfied smile on my face by the last page.
I really like this trio, though "Benny" is a firm favourite.

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I was really sad when the Dr Ruth Galloway series finished by I am really pleased that Elly Griffiths has created this new series of books, of which "The Last Word" is the latest installment. Lovely to see Natalka, Benedict and Edwin again. These books are more cosy crime than her other series but a real joy to read. Looking forward to many more to come.

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This was my second book by Elly Griffiths, but my first with the detecting friends Edwin, Natalka and Benedict. And what a cast of characters, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their habits, thoughts and interaction. The tone of the book was light, despite people might have been murdered, making me chuckle as Edwin loves opera and of course a possible suspect being into rock music can't be any good, or people discussing the underwear of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer...

Being housebound myself, not having used public transport for fifteen years perhaps, I quite enjoyed Edwin's journey to London to visit someone working for the BBC news. How that can be utterly confusing (baffling, almost overwhelming), first not knowing how to work with a card, secondly having your picture taken for a pass with a lanyard, your bag being checked. Without Edwin making to look like a fool or a confused older gentleman, negotiating all those unknown obstacles.

And a very big plus: I was happy to see, without this being emphasized, this book was inclusive. I feel like adding an exclamation mark to that: diversity! Yay! All we need next time is a character being a chronic or disabled :)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

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Elly Griffiths has again created characters which endure. This is a spectacular series from the masterful creator of the Ruth Galloway world and it is just as good. The characters are so engaging and credible and quirky - it is such a treat to watch them interact and see how they go about investigating the mysteries at the heart of the plot. Just fantastic!

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