Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker have been partners for decades, both personally as a couple and professionally as dinner ladies at a local school. Lately, they've formed a new partnership as the Dinner Lady Detectives. In this 6th book of the series, they are drawn in to another mystery when Mr Fitzgerald, friend, owner of an antique/junk shop, and a school governor is found dead at the bottom of his stairs, holding an unusual object. The young police trainee is told to consider it an accident, but things aren't sitting right with him, so he goes to Margery and Clementine for help. Of course, the rest of the school crew jumps in to help.

This is an enjoyable series and this book continues in the same vein. The characters are fun to spend time with and often make me laugh. The setting is fun and the squabbles between teachers are often amusing. In this book, Jack the terrier was a delightful addition to the story. As a crocheter myself, I loved the prominent role that had throughout the book. When I picked this book up I was in the mood for a cozy and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading it. When I had to set it aside for a while to do some pesky household tasks, I looked forward to getting back to it so I could find out what happened. It's a light read with different storylines weaving together to create the story. You don't need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, although previous cases are referenced. Enough information is given so readers aren't left wondering what is being talked about, but not so much that spoilers are given, so if someone wanted to go back and read ear;lier books, that experience wouldn't be ruined.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a DRC.

LIES. DECEIT. CUTE DOGS.

I absolutely love following Margery and Clementine on their crazy situations and sleuthing and this 6th part did not disappoint. This book felt so in sync with the rest of the series but also elevated. I loved the, no spoilers, scheming involved in this crime.

There has been a change up in staffing at school leaving the headteacher being demoted and replaced. His replacement is hard and stern, a big change for the school and everyone in it. All while an unexpected death happens, it all feels suspicious to the Baker-Butchers. Margery and Clementine find themselves more intertwined in this case than ever…

I am yet to be disappointed with a Dinner Lady Detective’s instalment and if you like the series this wont be the one! Looks like we’re in for a 7th and that is great news!

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for this ARC. An honour!

I love reading about Margery and Clementine's previous exploits and jumped at the chance to read this one early. It definitely didn't disappoint.

Filled with the usual cast of funny characters (Rose is my favourite) and some new ones added in, this kept me guessing for quite a bit. Lots of red herrings thrown in for confusion as always, which I enjoyed.

These books feel like a lovely cosy cup of tea....with some murder thrown in. If you liked the others, you'll definitely love this.

These are not your garden variety detectives! Margery and Clementine are an older married couple who work together as school dinner ladies, and also solve the town's murders in their spare time. This is a part 6 of Dinner Lady Detectives series. I haven't read the previous parts, and I don't think it's needed in order to enjoy this one. The author does a good job providing enough background info.

In the past, the school had had a streak of bad luck with people ending up dead on the school grounds. And now Mr Fitzpatrick, an oddities shop owner and school governor, is found dead at his shop. The new headteacher wants the dinner lady detectives to keep their sleuthing strictly away from the school, and avoid implicating school into another drama.

This is a small town, cozy mystery, as advertised. And while it's got its funny and charming moments, it's slow paced with many ordinary staff room problems thrown in with the murder plot. I'm sure others will appreciate it for what it is, but I prefer a bit more murder mystery, and less mundane life problems in my crime novels, and so it's 3.75 from me, rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.