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3.5 

The Last Word

By Elly Griffiths
The Last Word by Elly Griffiths digital book - Fable

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Publisher Description

Words turn deadly with an unlikely detective duo on the case of a murdered obituary writer in this literary mystery from the internationally bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway series. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and the Thursday Murder Club.

Natalka and Edwin are perfect if improbable partners in a detective agency. At eighty-four, Edwin regularly claims that he’s the oldest detective in England. He is a master at surveillance, deploying his age as a cloak of invisibility. Natalka, Ukrainian-born and more than fifty years his junior, is a math whizz, who takes any cases concerning fraud or deception. Despite a steady stream of minor cases, Natalka is frustrated. She loves a murder, as she’s fond of saying, and none have come the agency’s way. That is until local writer Melody Chambers dies.

Melody’s daughters are convinced that their mother was murdered. Edwin thinks that Melody’s death is linked to that of an obituary writer who predeceased many of his subjects. Edwin and Benedict go undercover to investigate and are on a creative writing weekend at isolated Battle House when another murder occurs. Are the cases linked and what is the role of a distinctly sinister book group attended by many of writers involved? By the time Edwin has infiltrated the group, he is in serious danger…

Seeking professional help, the investigators turn to their friend, detective Harbinder Kaur, and find that they have stumbled on a plot that is stranger than fiction.

127 Reviews

3.5
“This instalment in the series fell short of my expectations, especially in comparison to the captivating earlier books. I found the narrative to be somewhat repetitive, lacking the freshness and excitement that originally drew me in. Additionally, the introduction of numerous new characters detracted from my engagement with the main storyline, making it difficult to connect with the plot on a deeper level. One of the most significant drawbacks for me was the lack of DS Harbinder Kaur. Although she was mentioned intermittently throughout the story, her absence was felt keenly, and I couldn't help but miss her strong character and the dynamic she brought to previous instalments. Despite these shortcomings, I still believe the book is worth a read. While it may not reach the addictive heights of its predecessors, it isn't bad in any sense. It has its own merits and moments that fans of the series may appreciate, just not with the same level of enthusiasm I had for earlier entries.”

About Elly Griffiths

Elly Griffiths is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway and Brighton mystery series, as well as the standalone novels The Stranger Diaries, winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel; The Postscript Murders; and Bleeding Heart Yard. She is the recipient of the CWA Dagger in the Library Award and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She lives in Brighton, England.

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