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Retired Yorkshire school teachers Liz, Pat and Thelma meet up every Thursday morning for "coffee o'clock" at at the Thirsk Garden Centre Café. I’ve more qualms about this book, but I feel like I’m just ranting and not reviewing so I’m just gonna stop now. And who are the pushy real estate agent and her rather dishy young assistant, who always seem to be hanging around Topsy's home?
Thelma, is outwardly strong and practical and can always 'find the exact words the other two are fumbling for'.Liz is a lifelong worrier with a sweet and sensitive conscience, most likely to be on hand when someone is needed 'to dispense tissues, wipes, and make gentle conversation'. The style was slow and meandering, especially at first, and I often put the book down, wondering when it would ignite, but each time, I was drawn back to pick it up to read ‘just another couple of chapters’ until I was hooked. I also wished after the fact that I’d read it in print form just because the plot has some complexity and twists and turns, and I would have like to go back and re-read some bits. According to its billing, it should appeal to fans of Richard Osman's, "The Thursday Murder Club" and there are certainly some obvious parallels - not least the group of pensioners who get together for their regular "coffee o'clock sessions" in the café at the local garden centre on a Thursday!
I loved Julie Hesmondhalgh narrating this book It really added to the cosy crime aspect and the subtle humour present throughout which she brought through so well when reading. I smiled at some of the names that were used, like ‘Mandy Pinder-that-was’ for an ex-pupil from their school and a son’s girlfriend the ‘Celtic Poet’. When Topsy is found dead in her home the following week Liz, Pat and Thelma suspect that there might be more to her death than meets the eye. It’s all there - so many threads woven into the fabric of realistic everyday existence, and touching, in some cases poignantly, on the effect our actions can have on those around us.The story follows Thelma, Liz, and Pat, three retired teachers who meet every week at the Thirsk Garden Cafe. It gave me all the cosy … Really enjoyable characters that you feel like you've known for years once you finish the book. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. The story took on some delicate issues which we know happens all to regularly and my heart went out to the victim.
I was hooked right up until the end and I had many guesses as to who was responsible for Topsy’s death, and what was going on.
I loved this book' NetGalley review 'Cosy mystery at its best with a cast of loveable characters, a truly satisfying read!
When an elderly former colleague suffering from dementia dies, it all seems perfectly understandable that she would have mixed up her pills’ dosages and overdosed. Topsy is a victim in more ways than one, and each of those elements of her story serve to muddy the waters, and keep the truth of the whole story hidden until the very last moment. While the mystery and the ladies antics were somewhat humorous, there are some serious issues dealt with in this story. During one such meeting, they bump into their former colleague, the once-redoubtable Topsy, accompanied by her daughter KellyAnne. I must have read it in about two servings as I just couldn't put it down… Had great comical moments throughout.There are plenty of subplots and backstories that all get wrapped up before the "reveal" moment at the end. There are pleasant moments of well-observed human behaviour and some warm, gentle humour is also in evidence. The three friends have to be my favourite characters, they were very different from one another but came together to see their sleuthing through and get justice for their friend.
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