A BOOK OF MURDER

THE PEOPLE’S BOOK PRIZE WINNER VICTORIA DOWD’S LATEST MYSTERY!

If you love Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood, Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz, Faith Martin and Sophie Hannah, you’ll love this brilliant whodunnit.

A lonely fort at sea.
Nineteen guests with secrets to hide.
An invitation to die for?

The Smart women wangle an invite to crime-fiction powerhouse Anthony Lovell’s latest book launch, a weekend-long bash at his private island home.

They’re ready for an evening of wining, dining and hobnobbing with the literati.

But trouble is never far behind where the Smart women are concerned.

Late that night, Ursula is awakened by blood-curdling screams.

Anthony’s been poisoned. By the same rare — and potentially deadly — fugu fillet that was the highlight of the evening feast.

One of the guests is a murderer. But who?

As the courtroom drama unfolds, and the Smart women are called in as witnesses, Ursula’s convinced there’s more to this murder than meets the eye.

But is asking questions asking for trouble?

AN IMPOSSIBLE LOCKED-ROOM MURDER MYSTERY WITH A TOUCH OF DARK HUMOUR.

ABOUT VICTORIA DOWD
Victoria Dowd is a criminal barrister-turned-crime writer. She lives with her husband and two children, splitting her time between London and Devon, where she indulges her passion for all things Agatha Christie. Her first book won the People’s Book Prize 2021. 

PRAISE FOR VICTORIA DOWD:

“Murders, laughs and a malevolent wig-stealing monkey — this book is a riot!” Nicola Gill, author of We Are Family

“I absolutely LOVED this book . . . A perfect cocktail of devilish plot and ingenious characterisation, all laced with Dowd’s unmistakable wit. Superb!” Philippa East, author of Little White Lies & Safe and Sound

“Victoria Dowd is my go-to author for clever, witty crime fiction full of memorable characters . . . Dark, sharp and dangerously addictive.” Louise Mumford, bestselling author of Sleepless

“Lashings of dark humour, and an edgy twisty yet classic plot . . . A perfect autumn addition to my crime bookshelf!” D. E. White, bestselling author of Glass Dolls

“Sheer reading delight from beginning to end. Dowd masterfully mingles laugh out loud humour with suffocating grief in this confounding murder mystery. May the Smart women enchant readers for many more books to come.” Penny Batchelor, bestselling author of My Perfect Sister

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A crazy humorous murder mystery. Certainly something different. I thought it wonderfully written, very imaginative and creative . . . it’s like combining modern-day trauma with Gothic tragedy.” Carol S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Perfect book for a rainy day. This is a great mystery . . . I loved all the characters and I really loved the mystery element as well.” Lynn B.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I was drawn in right away with the descriptive narrations. The author has quite a way with writing her characters so you like the ones she intends you to but also makes you dislike others! It had me interested until the very end and I couldn’t wait to read how this mystery concluded! Definitely one I’d recommend!” Kristen K.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I really like this series and in my opinion, this is the beat book so far. We get a murder mystery with a little bit of humour thrown in. There's plenty of twists and clues in this well-written story . . . it's also multi-layered and atmospheric. The characters are well-developed and a mixed bunch.” Louise W.

ALSO BY VICTORIA DOWD

SMART WOMAN'S MYSTERY SERIES
Book 1: THE SMART WOMAN'S GUIDE TO MURDER
Book 2: BODY ON THE ISLAND
Book 3: THE SUPPER CLUB MURDERS
Book 4: A BOOK OF MURDER