Death Comes to Marlow is Robert Thorogood’s second installment in The Marlow Murder Club series, following the successful debut The Marlow Murder Club. This cozy mystery brings back our beloved trio of amateur sleuths—the eccentric seventy-eight-year-old crossword compiler Judith Potts, the dog-walker turned radio personality Suzie Harris, and the vicar’s wife Becks Starling. Set in the picturesque town of Marlow on the River Thames, the novel weaves an intricate tale of murder, deception, and family drama around a wedding that never happens.
Plot and Premise
The story begins with Judith’s characteristic nude swimming session in the Thames being interrupted by an encounter with an aggressive swan. This seemingly lighthearted opening takes a dark turn when Sir Peter Bailey, a local aristocrat, is found dead in his study the day before his wedding to Jenny Page, his former nurse. What appears to be a tragic accident – crushed by a falling cabinet in a locked room – soon reveals itself as something far more sinister.
Character Development
Thorogood excels at developing his central characters further from the first book. Judith remains delightfully eccentric but shows more vulnerability, particularly in her relationships with her friends. Suzie’s journey from dog-walker to local radio celebrity adds an interesting dimension to her character, while Becks’ secret financial success provides unexpected depth to the seemingly perfect vicar’s wife.
Strengths
The novel’s greatest achievement lies in its intricate plotting. The locked-room mystery is cleverly constructed, with the solution being both ingenious and satisfying. Thorogood demonstrates his expertise in misdirection, planting clues that only make sense in retrospect. The use of magnesium tape as a crucial element in the murder method is particularly inventive.
The author’s wit shines through in the dialogue and descriptions. His background as the creator of Death in Paradise is evident in how he balances humor with serious crime investigation. The relationship dynamics between the three main characters feel authentic and well-developed.
Areas for Improvement
While the mystery itself is masterfully crafted, some subplots feel underdeveloped. The cryptic crossword messages thread, while intriguing, doesn’t fully integrate with the main narrative. Additionally, some readers might find the pacing in the middle section slightly sluggish as various theories are explored and discarded.
Writing Style and Atmosphere
Thorogood’s writing style perfectly suits the cozy mystery genre. He creates a vivid sense of place, bringing Marlow to life with its riverside setting and small-town dynamics. The author skillfully balances light moments with darker themes, never letting the story become too grim despite its serious subject matter.
Series Context
This book builds successfully on The Marlow Murder Club, the first in the series, while setting up interesting possibilities for the upcoming installments—The Queen of Poisons and Murder on the Marlow Belle. Each book can be read independently, but reading them in order provides a richer experience of character development.
Technical Elements
The mystery’s construction is technically impressive. The locked-room puzzle is fair to readers – all clues are present, though cleverly disguised. The scientific elements (particularly regarding magnesium tape and timing) are well-researched and plausible.
Impact and Relevance
The novel addresses themes of class, privilege, and the facade of respectability in small English towns. The exploration of wealth’s corrupting influence and the power of appearances adds depth to what might otherwise be a simple whodunit.
Verdict
While not perfect, it’s a highly entertaining and cleverly constructed mystery that will satisfy fans of traditional British crime fiction. The book demonstrates Thorogood’s growth as a writer while maintaining the charm that made the first book successful.
Recommendations
Ideal for fans of:
- Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series
- Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries
- M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series
- Traditional British cozy mysteries
- Locked-room puzzles
Author Background
Robert Thorogood is best known as the creator of the hit BBC One TV series Death in Paradise. His experience in television writing shows in his ability to craft visual scenes and maintain narrative tension. Besides The Marlow Murder Club series, he has written several Death in Paradise novels, including A Meditation on Murder and The Killing of Polly Carter.
Final Thoughts
Despite some minor flaws, Death Comes to Marlow is a worthy addition to the cozy mystery genre. It successfully combines traditional elements with modern sensibilities, creating an engaging and satisfying read. The book leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installments in the series while delivering a complete and rewarding story in its own right.
The Marlow Murder Club series continues to evolve, promising more intriguing cases for our unconventional trio of detectives. With each book, Thorogood further develops his unique voice in the genre, blending humor, mystery, and social observation into an entertaining package that both challenges and delights readers.
While it may not revolutionize the genre, Death Comes to Marlow accomplishes what it sets out to do – provide an engaging mystery with memorable characters and clever plotting. It’s a testament to Thorogood’s skill that he can make such familiar elements feel fresh and exciting.