The Juniper Key: A Losers Club Murder Mystery

Losers Club #5

by Yvonne Vincent

Vik Island weight-loss group, Losers Club, is on the mainland for the Police Scotland Bravery Awards and, even better, they’re staying in a posh hotel. With housekeeping trollies full of free stuff just lying about the place, waiting for the unwary pilferer, Mrs Hubbard’s only regret is that she didn’t bring a bigger handbag.

Diet sheets have been abandoned and Gordon’s dungarees are straining at the seams, so what could be nicer than a gentle stroll up Bennachie to offset all those breakfast sausages? Anything. Anything could be nicer because this is no gentle stroll.

When the Losers stumble upon the body of a young woman on the hillside, they quickly become entangled in a web of deceit surrounding local road protestors. The very police officers awarding them for bravery seem determined to write off the death as a drug overdose, and it is up to Losers Club to convince them otherwise.

Soon, the hunt is on for an elusive whistleblower, and the Losers find themselves pitted against the establishment. As the conspiracy deepens and the bodies start piling up, they realise that they can trust no one.

Genres: Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Scotland

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2023

About the author

As a child, I loved reading. I spent my life with my nose in a book and, when finally forced back into the real world, I wrote poetry and stories. My hero was Pam Ayres and all I wanted to be when I grew up was a librarian, so that I could be around books all the time.

Of course, life takes you on different paths. Somehow, writing poems and stories got lost along the way. I was too busy partying in London through my twenties then being a mum through my thirties and forties. But on an August morning in 2018, at the tender age of forty-eight, I decided to create a blog on Facebook. Ten minutes later, Growing Old Disgracefully was born and the love of writing came flooding back. Encouraged by my lovely readers, I finally got off my lazy behind, put fingers to keyboard and wrote my first book, The Big Blue Jobbie, then another, and another.

Once more, I have a head full of stories and I can’t wait to tell them to you.

Reviews

[Alison Goss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun outing in the Losers Club series, bringing back its delightfully quirky cast of characters. This time, the gang heads away from their familiar stomping grounds on Vik Island, off to mainland Scotland, and straight into a fresh mix of murder, mystery, and off-beat adventure.

The change of setting keeps things interesting, and the group’s oddball banter is as entertaining as ever. It’s easy to enjoy spending time with these characters — their dynamic is a big part of what makes this series so appealing.

This is cosy murder mystery at it's best - light-hearted fun to enjoy for a few hours.
If you’ve enjoyed previous Losers Club books, you’ll likely have fun with this one — it’s another chance to hang out with a lovable, chaotic crew in a new and colourful setting.

[Diana Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

convoluted , with leftovers for the next time

The Losers are on a winning streak, having saved the laird’s diamond, and due for a reward. Sgt. “badmouth” Wilson is along with them and making life interesting for Dunderheid, as the Losers find a new corpse and do what the do they do best. They solved the crime, of course. And it looks like Dunderheid will perhaps make more appearances in the future. Overall, a twisted tale, with corruption in high places being quietly removed, thanks to the Losers.

[Kristina Trawick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick reads, but some seriously bad language

Each book there is a new crime to solve and the Losers Club gets involved up to their armpits. In this story a young woman is found dead on a hip where several m people have been camping in protest of a new and wider roadway. Funny dialog as usual for the most part. I do have to say , though, that the potty mouth on the sargent is getting old. Do Scottish cops really talk like that? I am far from prudish and have been known to freely use some "bad" words. But she takes it way over the top with the name calling.

[Terry Polston · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much more to learn about the club members. Eileen is still a spark in the dark. What she lacks in language skills she makes up for in computer research skills. Mrs Hubbard has even more interesting stuff in her past. Sgt Wilson is very inventive with her expletives - cover the children's ears (eyes). All in all, a great cast of characters. Dunderheid confuses me as to what his real purpose is. The epilogue helped but not completely.

[Mrs Vivienne Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant story.

I love these characters . Definitely NOT losers. They are winners to me. Penny and Jim are great but Sgt Wilson and Mrs Hubbard and Sandra Next Door just make me laugh. Now I just have to be patient till the next story comes out. Thank you so much Yvonne!

[Penny Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant as usual

I do not like to give away the story of the books I enjoy, I would rather you make up your own mind. My mind and sense of humour is as my family are always happy to confirm, slightly bizarre, I find it helps as through this life I go. Read the books from the first one and enjoy the series.

[John Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever a series of books are great to get someone as a gift then these are it The Losers Club 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 number 7 coming soon.
This book is for me so far the best of the bunch but in saying that you need to read the others first,o get a feel of the characters first off second to imagine how each person is in looks / ways because that will help you read these books.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

while waiting to receive their Police Scotland award, the Losers Club get involved in another murder case, this time with road protesters, corrupt charity, the Aberdeen drug scene, and more dodgy politicians.
love this series, really need more!!!

[Tessa Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Losers are Winners!

I am now a firm fan. Witty, suspenseful and sometimes just plain laugh out loud funny.
Be careful I’d you read these books on public transport, it could get embarrassing. 🤣

[Jon Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dae yersel ' s favour and read these

The losers club series are some of the best books I've read this year.
Funny, emotional and thrilling.
The characters are outstandingly well written.
I think I love Sergeant Wilson.

[Carola Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite

This one had a good plot, the Loseres were quite good but Sergeant Wilson name calling everyone was fun for a bit but then got boring and almost insulting all was too much. Apart from that I did enjoy the story.

[John Paul Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juniper Key

Yvonne Vincent does it again. Another Losers Club book even better than the last. If there is a better author of crime books with a quirky sense of humour around at the moment I haven't read them. Well tallyho on to the next one

[Rodger Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story.

This book follows in from the other Losers Club books. In some not as good but still very enjoyable. First class mix of humour and mystery.
Now, on to the next book in the series👍

[Nancy and Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters continue to evolve

Yvonne Vincent has created a community of crime solving friends---friends that are so different from each other, and so caring about others. And they solve mysteries! Book 5 was great

[Deborah Cutler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best yet. Love these books. Always make me laugh.

[Irene Soulsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losers club

This is the best one yet, Yvonne you had me laughing out loud ,and the twist and turns of the plot had me gripped

[Moira Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love these books

I can’t stop reading these books, I love all of the characters, the stories amazing! Please tell me there are more on the way

[Andy Wicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got a bit dark

I really enjoyed this except for the part in the middle which seemed rather dark. But the humour came back and I was lost in it again.

[Irena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

This is a very good read, it has a nice trail of clues to keep you guessing but not so easy to solve it gets boring. Looking forward to next one.

[Kim Jurgonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is hysterical and the mysteries are pretty good too. Yvonne Vincent's books are easy reads and fun to listen to the audio books too.

[Ryan Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read!

I love the twists and turns! The sense of humor is quite rich too! I recommend the whole tootin’ series!

[Yvonne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good read

I love the jokes . The humor and the way the cases unfold. . Can’t wait to read the next one