Amber, Clio and Janie aka the Bad Girls Detective Agency are back and hoping for a bit of R&R on a weekend retreat hosted by a celebrity chef. However Amber's birthday festivities don't get off to the best start with a rocky boat ride to the island and a strange collection of staff and guests. As you imagine, murder is not far around the corner and the girls find themselves investigating, and at times, fighting for their own lives.

The premise of the book is excellent, with such a small cast of characters to choose from and nowhere to escape to. It makes for a very claustrophobic setting and you've never quite sure who is going to be next.

A brilliant next installment of one of my favourite cosy crime series.

Murder on the Menu is the third book in the series but I don't think you need to have read the others to enjoy and understand this one! I've enjoyed this series. 3 friends join forces to solve crimes.

Murder on the Menu is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, and I've also read the previous two.

This time, our trio are off to an island retreat to sample some delicious food. However, the weather is appalling, and no sooner have they arrived than they discover they're trapped on the island. Things only get worse when a murder takes place.

This third outing with the Bad Girls Detective Agency took a little while to get going, but then it was quite a swift read. I struggled a little bit to decipher which character's POV the story was being told from (it was my fault for not paying enough attention), and I felt some of the fab humour from the first book was missing.

The mystery revealed itself well, and the lack of mobile technology to help our detectives added a good dynamic to the tale.

A solid read.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

Excellent read from Katie Marsh . I’ve not read any of Katie’s books before , but I’m sure she’s an author I’ll be looking for in the future. Loved the intricacies of this book, good characters and an excellent storyline. Recommended.

Murder On The Menu is the third book in the bad girls Detective agency by Katie Marsh and I must say I have yet to find a series that brings me as much joy as this one does. This time they’re celebrating Amber‘s birthday and she just so happens to win tickets to the opening of La Fontaine a resort and restaurant that first started in Miami and she couldn’t believe her luck. When they first arrive, they’re excited to not only meet the host and celebrity chef, but Amber is even more surprised when less than an hour later she finds her dead in her little cozy room upstairs. from those protesting the resorts opening to a celebrity, gossip magazine reporter who the chef seemed to fear, and even her assistant Melissa the suspects are plentiful, but who would want to kill an American celebrity chef all the way on a tiny island in Scotland. things get more confusing when they find others dead including the reporter, not only that the murderer isn’t even the biggest twist of this book.. can I just say in the first book and this book I love Amber‘s inner and outer dialogue and how they’re absolutely opposite of each other. These books are so funny. I find it impossible to put down not to mention the twist and turns in the plot I find the author to be a talented writer in a great cozy mystery inventor and OMG the lol moments don’t end. I freaking love these books and this one was so super funny. I just loved it! I like that we get to know more about Amber and her backstory. I don’t want to give anything away. Just know if you’ve read book one and book 2 or if you haven’t read it you should still read this one book 3 these are great books and as I said and keep saying, I just love them!#NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks, #MurderOnTheMenu, #TheBadGirlsDetectiveAgency, #KatieMarsh,

ARC provided by Boldwood Books via Netgalley.

In the third instalment of the ‘Bad Girls Detective Agency’ series, Amber, Clio and Jeanie have won a trip to a luxury castle retreat on a remote island. The perfect opportunity to relax, right? But when world-famous chef and retreat owner Valerie la Fontaine turns up dead, it doesn’t take long for the Bad Girls to launch a new investigation to find the killer before they strike again…

I’ve read the first two books in this series and really enjoyed them so was looking forward to reading this. While I do think the earlier books offer some useful context to the characters and their backgrounds (a few references will seem out of place without having read them), I don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy this book.

Straight from the first page we were thrown into the action. I was hooked from the start and was really intrigued to see how the tension built to that point. There are quite a few suspects but not in a confusing way and the author did a great job of keeping me guessing throughout so I didn’t see the twists coming. While still serious, the book was sprinkled with humour and a really entertaining read.

The thing that makes these books for me is the characters: Amber, Clio and Jeanie. We spend time with each of them giving us a well-rounded picture of what’s going on, and we learn what is happening alongside them. Amber is arguably our main character in this book, but Clio and Jeanie are still very fleshed out. They have a strong friendship and it feels like you’re a part of that when reading.

Overall, this was a great addition to the series and one I’d definitely recommend for an entertaining murder mystery that keeps you on your toes, particularly if you’re a fan of non-detective detective stories.

Having come to this novel without realising it was part of an established series, I was surprised at how accessible the story was for brand new readers. Katie Marsh has done a great job of creating lush, vibrant locations and well rounded characters who you truly want to root for.

A fun book and well written. I was exhausted by the end with all the rushing about, which kind of was the point I guess. Maybe some slower sections would have helped, but overall good read and would recommend.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series. Amber's friends have planned a surprise birthday weekend for her, but their escape to the chateau doesn't go entirely as planned.

I read the previous two books in this series, and I enjoyed them both, so I was looking forward to this. The storytelling was humorous, and the characters made me smile. It was also an entertaining murder mystery that kept me guessing. If you haven't read the previous two books, I think this would work as a standalone, but I would recommend the previous two books as well.

Amber, Clio and Jeanie have strong personalities, and I appreciate their friendship. This is the type of book that I might choose if I was in the mood for something fun and sassy, or something to make me giggle.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Even though this book can be read as a stand-alone, I felt like I was missing out on all the previous action and character development from the first two books, so I felt like I was missing out by jumping straight into this one. To be honest, I couldn’t really get into the story. If I don’t connect with the characters, I struggle to stay invested in the plot, no matter how fast-paced or exciting it might be. And this story is fast-paced. Someone seems to die, or almost die, on practically every page.

The tone was a bit too light-hearted, silly, and breezy for my taste. You also have to like British humor and endure occasional unknown words and references if you're American. However, I did enjoy the group of possible suspects and the way everyone has a believable motive. If you like following breadcrumbs in whodunits in an isolated setting, this book might be right up your alley.

I love these characters! They don't back down or take shit from anyone, which I greatly admire. This is part of a fun, cozy mystery series that is hilarious and perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan.

I am always eager to read mysteries involving a murder in a remote location where we have to figure out who among a limited group of people is the culprit. In Murder on the Menu, three friends head off to a foodie retreat at an island castle, but before they even get settled, the chef is brutally murdered. I enjoyed the characters, especially Amber, but couldn't really get into the plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley! From the book cover I was thinking more about a cooking murder type novel. But I was pleasantly surprised at the content inside. Throughly enjoyed this locked room thriller. I look forward to reading more from this author

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This is book 3 in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, and it's a smasher. I really like the dynamic between Clio, Amber and Jeanie, three feisty middle-aged women who take no crap from anyone.

Like the first book focusing mainly on Clio and the second on Jeanie, this has Amber as the main character, and there is an interesting personal component to the story for her. It's her birthday and she gets invited on a weekend away with her two BFFs to a luxury retreat with food from a world-renowned female chef from France.

Unfortunately, the retreat is on an island that gets cut off by bad weather, so when the bodies start to pile up on a dark and stormy night, there are only a handful of suspects, and they have to solve the case against the clock before they fall victim themselves to a murderer they are trapped with in very close proximity.

This is fast-paced, entertaining and easy to read. There is proper sleuthing and getting into danger going on, and it's all wrapped up in the relationships of the women with their friends and family. I found this compelling and was truly surprised by the ending, but equally charmed by the friendship of three strong women who stick together through anything. Recommended.

4.25 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. I usually don’t like thrillers, but this one was really good. The book is a total of 238 pages long. It is a mystery and thriller. The story is the third in the series The Bad Girls Detective Agency series. Honestly, I had not read the previous books, but a reader could read this one before reading the others. It is an English/British story, so some of the terminology or references are unknown to this American, but that shouldn’t stop a reader from reading. The story starts off with a prologue and keeps in order on time, so it doesn’t really confuse the reader. There are a total of 37 chapters. Each chapter gives a different perspective from each of the women that work in the detective agency. They are lifelong friends that each have their own lives within and without the detective agency. Without spoiling too much there is murder, mystery, and mayhem in this book, but nothing too crazy. It has really good twists and turns that make the reader want to continue reading. The normal reactions to seeing a dead body and feeling exhausted are described and give the book a lighter feel. Plus the main characters are dynamic women who have multiple titles in life besides just being friends or mothers. They are fully themselves and recognize how important each of themselves is to each other. Specifically the book feels more human that way if that makes sense. There is some light humor while also being serious at times. The book was really good and definitely worth reading. Also I’d recommend reading the other books in the series.

Murder on the Menu is the third installment in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, which follows a trio of women in their 40s solving murders in their hometown of Sunshine Sands. Having read the first two books back-to-back, I’ve grown quite familiar to the characters and their quirks. This time, the spotlight is on Amber — a former detective with a strong sense of justice and a knack for bending the rules to get results.

Set on a dark and stormy island during what’s supposed to be a relaxing birthday weekend, the trio finds themselves once again chasing a killer. But here's the twist: they’re all trapped inside the same castle as the culprit.

The book is loyal to its trademark British humour, with witty banter and nostalgic callbacks to childhood memories), while introducing a new lineup of eccentric suspects. It’s an entertaining, lighthearted read that offers thrills, female camaraderie, and some laugh-out-loud moments.

However, the frequent flashbacks to childhood didn’t always feel necessary and occasionally disrupted the flow of the mystery.

Overall, this is an enjoyable palate cleanser—perfect for those looking to break up heavier reads with a fun, cozy whodunnit.

This was a fun mystery! It had me giggling at points. I didn’t realise this was part of a series so I’ll have to go back and read the others now!

Book three in this series and although you don’t have to have read the first two, they are great reads and will give you some hilarious and endearing backstory on
Amber, Jeanie and Clio.

After some crazy times, the ladies are hoping for a relaxing weekend on an island retreat, but that wouldn’t be any fun for us, would it? Pretty early on in their trip, a body is found and The Bad Girls’ Detective Agency are back to work.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first two, which I loved. The plot didn’t really grip me and there was less humour. Where is the Nutella???

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Katie Marsh and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

In MURDER ON THE MENU, written by Katie Marsh, Amber is supposed to be on a luxurious weekend, but three dead bodies and a killer following her make for trouble. Amber and her Bad Girls Detective Agency employees and friends, Jennie and Clio, spend a weekend at Chateau and enjoy the food provided by Valerie la Fontaine, a world-famous chef. Clio wins the trip to attend the new facility.

I easily followed the plot of this book. I wish I cared more about the characters. I like the murder-on-the-loose premise, but I think the prologue is unnecessary. Thank you, Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of MURDER ON THE MENU.

situational-humor, friends, friendship, family-drama, family-dynamics, private-investigators, local-law-enforcement, cozy-crime, verbal-humor, contemporary, investigation, island-life, locked-room-mystery, ex-cop, storms, murders, poisons, suspense, thriller, relationships, unputdownable, family-by-choice, fear, danger*****

Birthday celebrations on an island can be murderous or It was dark and stormy on an isolated island.
Three friends in their mid-forties won a fun trip to an isolated island. But the weather is nasty and the rest of the guests can't get to it. Neither can the police. The first body is that of the celebrity chef, yet it doesn't stop there but only gets scarier. And then there's the one liners and repartee to go along with the goofy situations and a twisty plot full of almost convincing sneaky red herrings. I knew this series was going to turn into a real winner! Laughed my sox off!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected reader's proof from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thanks!
Avail Jan 18, 2025 #MurderontheMenu by Katie Marsh #BadGirlsDetectiveAgencyBk3 #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks #CozyMystery #TrappedOnAnIsland #MurderMystery #Humour