All in all though if you do like you’re cozy crime and don’t mind putting the work in to sit down and read in more than one sitting then I think you would enjoy this. The themes explored in A Pen Dipped in Poison are worth mentioning too; there are some great messages about education within this book. It covers how educational systems have become focused on money instead of children, which highlights how important it is for us all to remember that education should always be about helping children learn and grow rather than just making money off them or treating them as numbers on a spreadsheet. I especially enjoyed the epilogue; it brings everything full circle with a heart-warming message of what really matters when it comes to education. After reading and listening to the brilliant A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall, I just had to request A Pen Dipped In Poison. Thankfully the publishers, Avon Books UK, have allowed me to read the next in the series, so I thank them for that. If you are a fan of the Richard Osman books, this should be the ideal book for you. It has all the ingredients necessary for an excellent little cosy mystery. Suspense, drama and skulduggery are woven into a great storyline which features retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma as they embark on another adventure. But when poison pen letters start landing on the doorsteps of friends and neighbours in their Yorkshire village, old secrets come to light. Extremely well-drawn characters... the plot is carefully assembled... the writing is so good... I loved this story!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I could not put this book down!

MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Murder, the first in this series. I'm disappointed to say that I didn't enjoy this second book quite as much. The facets I enjoyed in the first were largely missing from this. Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma have a brand-new mystery to solve in this witty tale - perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard OsmanCurious white envelopes have been delivered to friends and neighbours. I missed the easy banter of their Thursday morning coffee mornings at the Thirsk Garden Centre. I missed Pat's inner thoughts - here she is rather subdued, except for her nail polish. I really enjoyed A Spoonful of Murder and this book is the sequel (although both do stand alone as mysteries), featuring the same ex-school staff investigating mysterious goings on in their LEA. Only this time, instead of an unexpected death it is a series of threatening poison pen letters that are disturbing the peace at their local school, which is under new management. A charming read with a cast of characters you'll really connect with' Faith Martin, author of A Fatal EndAnd as the story is partly about the relationship amongst the friends, which was painfully strained for much of the book, this made this entry in the series somewhat less enjoyable read. That said, I still liked this book. Three Miss Marples for the price of one! Extremely well-drawn characters… the plot is carefully assembled… the writing is so good… I loved this story!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Their school, St Barnabus Primary, is not what it once was, as it is now part of Lodestone Academy Trust. As it is still close to their hearts, it does not stop Liz, Pat and Thelma from caring about what goes on there. St Barnabus is now run by the enigmatic, confident and influential headmistress Kayleigh Brittain. A forward-thinking individual with lofty plans for St Barnabus. What makes A Pen Dipped in Poison so enjoyable? To begin with, the characters feel very real and relatable; their family relationships are explored in greater depth compared to the first book in the series, making them all the more likeable. The writing style is also much improved here; it is sharp and witty without being overly long-winded or dull. The plot is well-paced but keeps you guessing throughout – I did guess who the culprit was early on but not the reason why until the big reveal!

So brilliant… I loved this so much! Perfect cosy crime – I am a big fan of this author!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ THE AUTHOR: J.M. Hall is a 20-something PR executive based in New York City. A Philadelphia native, he began writing fiction during his time at the University of Miami before embarking on a career in corporate communications. During the day, he can be found getting top-tier press for his clients in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fortune and USA Today.

I loved this so much! Perfect cosy crime - I am a big fan of this author!' NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Three Miss Marples for the price of one! There are two aspects to the storyline. There is the search for the writer of the poison pen letters, but this search also raises questions about modern teaching and academy schools.