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Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone
Mrs. Sidhu – unofficial Aunty to everyone, caterer, and amateur sleuth from Slough – spices up the lives of Berkshire's elite with both her mouth-watering dishes and her sharp detective skills. But when she stirs up trouble among the rich and ruthless, she finds herself an outsider in her own community. Banished to the kitchen by her boss and sentenced to an endless loop of aubergine bhajis, Mrs. Sidhu seizes the opportunity to whip up a new recipe for success – getting a job as a private chef at an exclusive celebrity rehab retreat. But when a therapist is found dead in the quiet village, Mrs Sidhu’s appetite for mystery is rekindled. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that the killer is picking victims through a twisted raffle at the village fete. Is a vengeful spirit returning to exact a horrifying revenge, or is there an impostor among the residents hiding a deadly secret? ‘Stuffed with warmth and wicked, cross-cultural observations, Dead and Scone is a dollop of cosy crime goodness’ Vaseem Khan, bestselling author of The Malabar House series ‘I loved it. Suk Pannu stands out as a writer with real depth and insight into human nature. Mrs Sidhu – Slough's answer to Miss Marple – is a wonderful creation’ S.J. Bennett, bestselling author of The Windsor Knot
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2023
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January 7, 2024Got to 32% in a state of complete bafflement about the style (weirdly choppy scenes and a sense of temporal disconnect, plus the sensation of having landed on book 17 of a series that didn't seem to exist) and then read reviews and discovered it's an adaptation of a long running radio show, and suddenly all made sense. I have a feeling the radio show would be amazing because there's a ton of good jokes and great set up, but it's not working for me as a novel. In part I suspect a lot of the character will have been carried by Meera Syal in performance and that doesn't come through on the page. DNF.
February 3, 2025
4.5*
Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone is an entertaining cosy mystery set in the "home county" of Berkshire, UK. It's author Suk Pannu's first foray into narrative fiction, having had an illustrious career as a screenwriter of television series including Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, and more recently the popular radio and television series Mrs. Sidhu Investigates, featuring the heroine of this book, caterer and amateur detective Mrs. Sidhu.
Widowed Mrs. Sidhu lives in Slough, UK with her adult son Tez, and earns a limited income by making endless aubergine bhajis for her employer Mr. Varma, to be sold in the frozen section of his cash-and-carry. Her own catering business is currently in a state of hiatus, following an embarrassing incident at a local wedding.
However, karma is smiling on Mrs. Sidhu. She receives an offer to provide catering services at the exclusive Benham House Retreat Wellness Centre, run by celebrity wellbeing "expert" Dr. Eardley, known to popular culture as "Dr. Feelgood". This opportunity brings her back into the orbit of DCI Burton and the opportunity to apply her special "Indian Aunty" skills in investigating a murder - that of Benham House therapist Dr. Wendy Calman, brutally murdered in her picturesque Benham Village thatched cottage while cooking a batch of scones for the upcoming Benham House fête.
Clues at the crime scene quickly identify Dr. Calman's boarder Patrick Kirby, who works as a gardener and nightwatchman at Benham House, as the prime suspect. Kirby clearly suffers from some sort of mental illness, but Mrs. Sidhu is convinced that he isn't the killer. There are clear links between the current crime and a notorious cult-related double suicide that occurred in Benham village on Midsummer Night 1997. Has the mysterious William Mackey, former cult-leader, returned to wreak havoc on the staff and patients of the Benham House Retreat? Or is the motive for the crime something more prosaic, such as the controversial planned real estate development by local entrepreneur Tony Hammond?
Meanwhile, Mrs. Sidhu must balance her investigative activities with her duties at Benham House, the demands of Mr. Varma, and the presence of her "Respected Sister-in-Law" Daljeet (privately referred to as "Daljeet the Dalek"), visiting from India.
While Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone is marketed as the first in a new series of cosy mysteries featuring the eponymous heroine, other reviewers have pointed out that the backstory contained in the preceding television and radio series provides an enhanced understanding of the central characters and premise. I haven't had the benefit of watching or listening to either, but realise I do have access via my Acorn TV subscription, so will be remedying that soon!
Suk Pannu's background as a screenwriter is evident in the snappy dialogue and pacing, although the frequent switches between characters and scenes sometimes got a little bewildering. The central characters of Mrs. Sidhu and DCI Burton are compelling and their repartee amusing. The contrast in setting between Mrs. Sidhu's suburban home in Slough and the plush residences and landscaped gardens in Benham is marked. There isn't actually a village of that name in Berkshire, although the hamlet of Marsh Benham a few miles to the west of Newbury might fit the bill, including the nearby Benham Park (currently on the market for for £26m), a once grand country pile that would prove an appropriate setting for a luxurious "wellness retreat".
While a little longer (at 347 pages) than usual for a "cosy", Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone packs a punch in terms of content and is well deserving of its nomination to the shortlist in the prestigious Val McDermid Debut Novel section of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2024.
Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone is an entertaining cosy mystery set in the "home county" of Berkshire, UK. It's author Suk Pannu's first foray into narrative fiction, having had an illustrious career as a screenwriter of television series including Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, and more recently the popular radio and television series Mrs. Sidhu Investigates, featuring the heroine of this book, caterer and amateur detective Mrs. Sidhu.
Widowed Mrs. Sidhu lives in Slough, UK with her adult son Tez, and earns a limited income by making endless aubergine bhajis for her employer Mr. Varma, to be sold in the frozen section of his cash-and-carry. Her own catering business is currently in a state of hiatus, following an embarrassing incident at a local wedding.
However, karma is smiling on Mrs. Sidhu. She receives an offer to provide catering services at the exclusive Benham House Retreat Wellness Centre, run by celebrity wellbeing "expert" Dr. Eardley, known to popular culture as "Dr. Feelgood". This opportunity brings her back into the orbit of DCI Burton and the opportunity to apply her special "Indian Aunty" skills in investigating a murder - that of Benham House therapist Dr. Wendy Calman, brutally murdered in her picturesque Benham Village thatched cottage while cooking a batch of scones for the upcoming Benham House fête.
Clues at the crime scene quickly identify Dr. Calman's boarder Patrick Kirby, who works as a gardener and nightwatchman at Benham House, as the prime suspect. Kirby clearly suffers from some sort of mental illness, but Mrs. Sidhu is convinced that he isn't the killer. There are clear links between the current crime and a notorious cult-related double suicide that occurred in Benham village on Midsummer Night 1997. Has the mysterious William Mackey, former cult-leader, returned to wreak havoc on the staff and patients of the Benham House Retreat? Or is the motive for the crime something more prosaic, such as the controversial planned real estate development by local entrepreneur Tony Hammond?
Meanwhile, Mrs. Sidhu must balance her investigative activities with her duties at Benham House, the demands of Mr. Varma, and the presence of her "Respected Sister-in-Law" Daljeet (privately referred to as "Daljeet the Dalek"), visiting from India.
While Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone is marketed as the first in a new series of cosy mysteries featuring the eponymous heroine, other reviewers have pointed out that the backstory contained in the preceding television and radio series provides an enhanced understanding of the central characters and premise. I haven't had the benefit of watching or listening to either, but realise I do have access via my Acorn TV subscription, so will be remedying that soon!
Suk Pannu's background as a screenwriter is evident in the snappy dialogue and pacing, although the frequent switches between characters and scenes sometimes got a little bewildering. The central characters of Mrs. Sidhu and DCI Burton are compelling and their repartee amusing. The contrast in setting between Mrs. Sidhu's suburban home in Slough and the plush residences and landscaped gardens in Benham is marked. There isn't actually a village of that name in Berkshire, although the hamlet of Marsh Benham a few miles to the west of Newbury might fit the bill, including the nearby Benham Park (currently on the market for for £26m), a once grand country pile that would prove an appropriate setting for a luxurious "wellness retreat".
While a little longer (at 347 pages) than usual for a "cosy", Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone packs a punch in terms of content and is well deserving of its nomination to the shortlist in the prestigious Val McDermid Debut Novel section of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2024.
March 24, 2024
Mrs Sidhu’s Dead & Scone is the first novel by BBC scriptwriter, Suk Pannu. Regular listeners will recognise Mrs Sidhu from his series, Mrs Sidhu Investigates. After a faux pas during an important wedding, Sidhu’s Fine Catering Services is suddenly unpopular, and Mrs Sidhu is reduced to using her exceptional catering skills on producing bulk aubergine bhajis for freezing and sale in Mr Varma’s cash & carry shops.
Any wonder that the call from Sienna Sampson at the Benham House Retreat telling her that Dr Stephen Eardley (aka Dr Feelgood, Mrs Sidhu has one of his self-help books) has an emergency that requires her talents, she takes the pots off the burners and hops in her Nissan Micra to find out what’s needed. Which turns out to be chef for the annual fete, as the woman who volunteered to do them, therapist Dr Wendy Calman, hasn’t turned up.
Interest piqued by overheard conversations, Mrs Sidhu walks around to her cottage, only to find a rather grisly sight: Dr Calman, throat slit, a pot of jam on the stove, boiled dry, scones in the oven burnt to a crisp, and a trail of coins leading to the garden. DCI Leslie Barton, whom she has helped with a few previous cases (although he might state it differently) is fixated on the Retreat’s gardener as the culprit but, from a few other clues, Mrs Sidhu discounts this. But proving his innocence might prove challenging…
Before the true perpetrator is revealed, there are ancient symbols and a curse associated with standing stones, a residential development, raffle tickets, a stalker, several secrets and lies, a surprise revelation from an Indian aunt, an enlightenment cult, and four more deaths. Mrs Sidhu is good at getting the wrong end of the stick.
In the later chapters, DCI Barton summarises: “What you need to understand about Mrs Sidhu is that there is not a bad bone in her body. She’s an extraordinary woman, whose first and only instinct is to help people who are in trouble. But I think we can all see that she has a problem. A severe problem. She’s nosy to the point of obsession, she’s irritating, and she never listens to anyone. Not only that, her imagination is so wild that she allowed a person with a fragile a grip of reality to convince her of the existence of a cult here in Benham village.”
While this is a somewhat enjoyable cosy mystery: it does have plenty of red herrings and a good twist, it might appeal more to readers already familiar with the protagonist, who may care to read more of this cast.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK.
Any wonder that the call from Sienna Sampson at the Benham House Retreat telling her that Dr Stephen Eardley (aka Dr Feelgood, Mrs Sidhu has one of his self-help books) has an emergency that requires her talents, she takes the pots off the burners and hops in her Nissan Micra to find out what’s needed. Which turns out to be chef for the annual fete, as the woman who volunteered to do them, therapist Dr Wendy Calman, hasn’t turned up.
Interest piqued by overheard conversations, Mrs Sidhu walks around to her cottage, only to find a rather grisly sight: Dr Calman, throat slit, a pot of jam on the stove, boiled dry, scones in the oven burnt to a crisp, and a trail of coins leading to the garden. DCI Leslie Barton, whom she has helped with a few previous cases (although he might state it differently) is fixated on the Retreat’s gardener as the culprit but, from a few other clues, Mrs Sidhu discounts this. But proving his innocence might prove challenging…
Before the true perpetrator is revealed, there are ancient symbols and a curse associated with standing stones, a residential development, raffle tickets, a stalker, several secrets and lies, a surprise revelation from an Indian aunt, an enlightenment cult, and four more deaths. Mrs Sidhu is good at getting the wrong end of the stick.
In the later chapters, DCI Barton summarises: “What you need to understand about Mrs Sidhu is that there is not a bad bone in her body. She’s an extraordinary woman, whose first and only instinct is to help people who are in trouble. But I think we can all see that she has a problem. A severe problem. She’s nosy to the point of obsession, she’s irritating, and she never listens to anyone. Not only that, her imagination is so wild that she allowed a person with a fragile a grip of reality to convince her of the existence of a cult here in Benham village.”
While this is a somewhat enjoyable cosy mystery: it does have plenty of red herrings and a good twist, it might appeal more to readers already familiar with the protagonist, who may care to read more of this cast.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK.
October 23, 2023
The writing style was clever and involved. You really needed to have your wits about you to keep up with everything that was going on. Every time you thought that the mystery was solved, there was always something that wasn't quite adding up.
The story is split into 4 parts, with each part then split further into chapters. Each part title page has a quote from Mrs Sidhu's Memoires which was interesting. The first part starts off with a prologue then has numbered chapters. The other parts start off with a chapter dedicated to Midsummers Day in 1997, before having numbered chapters.
The chapters themselves were fairly long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. There was an interesting flow to the book. Due to the twists and turns there was a circular feel to it.
The characters were excellent. They had a number of layers to them which added to the mystery. I loved the way the main character tried to work out the layers to these characters in an effort to solve the mystery. She did amuse me.
The characters also gave you something to think about. This added that extra something to the story as a whole.
Lastly the settings. I enjoyed reading about the retreat and the surrounding village. Together they made an excellent backdrop to the story and helped to add to the mystery.
Overall an enjoyable read, full of twists and turns with an amusing main character. I do feel that the main character really pulled the story together and made me want to keep on reading.
The story is split into 4 parts, with each part then split further into chapters. Each part title page has a quote from Mrs Sidhu's Memoires which was interesting. The first part starts off with a prologue then has numbered chapters. The other parts start off with a chapter dedicated to Midsummers Day in 1997, before having numbered chapters.
The chapters themselves were fairly long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. There was an interesting flow to the book. Due to the twists and turns there was a circular feel to it.
The characters were excellent. They had a number of layers to them which added to the mystery. I loved the way the main character tried to work out the layers to these characters in an effort to solve the mystery. She did amuse me.
The characters also gave you something to think about. This added that extra something to the story as a whole.
Lastly the settings. I enjoyed reading about the retreat and the surrounding village. Together they made an excellent backdrop to the story and helped to add to the mystery.
Overall an enjoyable read, full of twists and turns with an amusing main character. I do feel that the main character really pulled the story together and made me want to keep on reading.
July 16, 2023
I really wanted to like this a lot more than I did - it sounded just like something I'd love. I'm not sure exactly where it fell over in the execution, for me, and wondered if perhaps I needed to have already known Mrs Sidhu from the radio shows perhaps?
It does have all the elements for a cosy crime- a village fete, a suspicious murder, a mental health and wellbeing retreat venue all in a village with a gruesome murder in the past! But I took a long time to get any kind of feel for Mrs Sidhu and even by the end I wasn't quite sure who she was, how old she was, or how I felt about her.
Aspects of the story did tickle me - when she sets up an emergency office in her toilet, for example, to escape her sister in law!
But I think I just wanted a little bit more all round...a bit more character, and a bit more humour, and a bit more to Mrs Sidhu.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
It does have all the elements for a cosy crime- a village fete, a suspicious murder, a mental health and wellbeing retreat venue all in a village with a gruesome murder in the past! But I took a long time to get any kind of feel for Mrs Sidhu and even by the end I wasn't quite sure who she was, how old she was, or how I felt about her.
Aspects of the story did tickle me - when she sets up an emergency office in her toilet, for example, to escape her sister in law!
But I think I just wanted a little bit more all round...a bit more character, and a bit more humour, and a bit more to Mrs Sidhu.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
October 26, 2023
Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone is a total treat of a read, being fast paced, witty, funny and totally captivating. I absolutely loved it and it’s one of my favourite reads this year!
February 6, 2025
Endearing quirky Indian woman turned detective. Clever story with moments of humour.
May 12, 2024
I have long enjoyed the radio plays (also written by Pannu) and was really happy when they announced a TV series. It was frustrating to realise I had to wait until the paperback was released, but the moment it came out, it was in my basket.
I enjoyed this story, it had everything from complex red herrings to cults and 25 year old mysteries that still needed to be solved.
Heartily recommend, especially if you listened to the radio plays or watched the show with the wonderful Meera Syal.
I enjoyed this story, it had everything from complex red herrings to cults and 25 year old mysteries that still needed to be solved.
Heartily recommend, especially if you listened to the radio plays or watched the show with the wonderful Meera Syal.
October 12, 2023
I do love a good cosy mystery .. and this one is right up my street!
Mrs Sidhu is a caterer - and amateur sleuth; she can't help getting involved! Having upset a lot of people she is banished to the kitchen so decides to try for the private chef vacancy at an exclusive celebrity retreat. However, when a dead body turns up, Mrs Sidhu just can't avoid getting involved ...
This is a delightful mystery, full of intrigue and bursting with humour. Quite often with a new series, it takes me time to get 'bedded in' but I felt as if I knew Mrs Sidhu from the very beginning. So much going on, this one entertained from first to last and left me with a smile on my face and a sigh of satisfaction. Can't wait til the next one = and I'm enjoying the new series of these mysteries on the Drama channel. Suk Pannu has created a cracking series which I will be very happy to follow. 5*.
Mrs Sidhu is a caterer - and amateur sleuth; she can't help getting involved! Having upset a lot of people she is banished to the kitchen so decides to try for the private chef vacancy at an exclusive celebrity retreat. However, when a dead body turns up, Mrs Sidhu just can't avoid getting involved ...
This is a delightful mystery, full of intrigue and bursting with humour. Quite often with a new series, it takes me time to get 'bedded in' but I felt as if I knew Mrs Sidhu from the very beginning. So much going on, this one entertained from first to last and left me with a smile on my face and a sigh of satisfaction. Can't wait til the next one = and I'm enjoying the new series of these mysteries on the Drama channel. Suk Pannu has created a cracking series which I will be very happy to follow. 5*.
February 16, 2025
Rounded up from 4.5
I'd heard of the TV and radio show Mrs Sidhu investigates so when I found out this book was written by the same person who wrote the original radio series, along with The Kumars at No 42 (loved that show back in the day), I knew I had to give it a go.
Mrs Sidhu ends up catering at an exclusive rehab retreat at Benham house. She's intent on doing the best job possible when she stumbles across the body of Dr Calman, one of the therapists from the retreat. Her sleuthing skills are put to the test when a troubled young man connected to the retreat becomes the prime suspect, but she's not convinced.
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was nicely paced, with quirky characters and gentle humour throughout.
Mrs Sidhu is a great character. Far too nosy for her own good, which gets her into trouble quite a bit. But she still can't let a mystery lie and refuses to let a person who she thinks is innocent go to jail for a murder they didn't commit.
I loved the back and forth between Mrs Sidhu and DCI Burton, who seemed equal parts exasperated with her and secretly glad of her company.
Now, I will say I got the whodunnit about halfway through the book, but I was kept on my toes, doubting if I'd got it right or not.
If you're looking for a gentle yet intriguing mystery, I would highly recommend this book to you.
I'd heard of the TV and radio show Mrs Sidhu investigates so when I found out this book was written by the same person who wrote the original radio series, along with The Kumars at No 42 (loved that show back in the day), I knew I had to give it a go.
Mrs Sidhu ends up catering at an exclusive rehab retreat at Benham house. She's intent on doing the best job possible when she stumbles across the body of Dr Calman, one of the therapists from the retreat. Her sleuthing skills are put to the test when a troubled young man connected to the retreat becomes the prime suspect, but she's not convinced.
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was nicely paced, with quirky characters and gentle humour throughout.
Mrs Sidhu is a great character. Far too nosy for her own good, which gets her into trouble quite a bit. But she still can't let a mystery lie and refuses to let a person who she thinks is innocent go to jail for a murder they didn't commit.
I loved the back and forth between Mrs Sidhu and DCI Burton, who seemed equal parts exasperated with her and secretly glad of her company.
Now, I will say I got the whodunnit about halfway through the book, but I was kept on my toes, doubting if I'd got it right or not.
If you're looking for a gentle yet intriguing mystery, I would highly recommend this book to you.
September 26, 2023
On Midsummers day, 1997, Wiliam Mackie, founder of The E-cult, sacrificed Justin and Sandra Pollock then disappeared. The village of Benham, where this took place, recovered from this event and by now is a picture-postcard spot, preparing for the annual Midsummer festivities, including a Bring-and-Buy sale, Raffle, Carnival and Fête on the Green and Scones (with Cream and Jam). Mrs Sidhu, chef and caterer has been hired to provide the latter, as well as catering for the staff and clients (aka patients) at the Benham House Retreat. She has a history of ‘helping’ the police solve murders but is not thinking about such things, her mind being occupied by Mr Varma, her martinet of a boss from whom she has temporarily escaped, her hapless teenage son, Tez, and an unwelcome visit from her sister-in-law Daljeet (the dalek). Unfortunately, Dr Wendy Calman, one of the therapists at the Retreat, manages to get herself murdered and it looks like Mackie has returned (tricky since he has been officially dead for many years). Mrs Sidhu links up with her old ‘friend’ DI Burton and commences to ‘help’ the investigation.
This is billed as a cosy crime, based on the comedic writing, although the murder scenes are not treated this way. The characters of Sidhu and Burton were originally created for a radio series (with which I was unfamiliar so have had a quick listen on the web). It isn’t necessary to know the previous events because the book works well as a standalone. However, I think the light-hearted, tongue in cheek style probably works better when heard rather than read (I see a first series has also been released on Acorn TV). The plot is complicated, partly because there is a lot of leaping off to the domestic sub-plots, and partly because Mrs Sidhu sometimes jump-cuts between scenes, a technique which works less well in text than it does on the screen or radio. Apart from some nuances I was not surprised by the dénouement, but it was a pleasant enough read overall.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
This is billed as a cosy crime, based on the comedic writing, although the murder scenes are not treated this way. The characters of Sidhu and Burton were originally created for a radio series (with which I was unfamiliar so have had a quick listen on the web). It isn’t necessary to know the previous events because the book works well as a standalone. However, I think the light-hearted, tongue in cheek style probably works better when heard rather than read (I see a first series has also been released on Acorn TV). The plot is complicated, partly because there is a lot of leaping off to the domestic sub-plots, and partly because Mrs Sidhu sometimes jump-cuts between scenes, a technique which works less well in text than it does on the screen or radio. Apart from some nuances I was not surprised by the dénouement, but it was a pleasant enough read overall.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
December 17, 2023
This is an intriguing and entertaining mystery with cosy elements: a clever and wise caterer, food, a well plotted and solid mystery
It's a bit slow at the beginning but the pace gets faster after the initial chapters and I couldn't put it donw.
I hope there will be more novels featurhing Mrs Sidhu.
This one is recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a bit slow at the beginning but the pace gets faster after the initial chapters and I couldn't put it donw.
I hope there will be more novels featurhing Mrs Sidhu.
This one is recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 13, 2024
Thrilling and fun
October 27, 2025
A good fun read with lots of twists
February 9, 2024
Audiobook - whoever narrates her son, has made him sound like a total imbecile - his dialogue ruins the experience
November 13, 2023
Mrs Sidhu has quite the reputation. To some she is a caterer and to others she is a sleuth. After a catering event went wrong, Mrs Sidhu life now revolves around making copious amounts of aubergine bhajis, but there’s only so many she can make before she cracks. So when Mrs Sidhu is given the opportunity to be a chef at Benham House Retreat, an exclusive rehab facility she knows she can’t say no. Then Dr Wendy Calman, one of the therapists is found dead and the alleged murder is identified. But is this an open and shut case? As Mrs Sidhu starts to investigate other secrets start to appear.
I grew up watching Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 which are shows that I loved because the main characters were from the South Asian community and this was the only representation I saw of people that looked like me and references to my culture on TV. As soon as I saw that this book was written by Suk Pannu who also wrote for these shows I immediately added it to my reading list.
I would describe the story as cozy crime but with a desi twist. The story was well constructed and had me engrossed from the first chapter especially because the book starts with the murder of a therapist by an unknown person. The story really kept me on my toes and had so many twists and turns that I could have never have guessed the ending. The village of Benham sounded perfect with a very close community but as we learn the village has quite a sinister history. The narrative moves between the past and the present. In the present Mrs Sidhu is investigating the death of Dr Calman and in the past we are given an insight into the cult leader that infiltrated the village and the events that unfolded in 1997. As Mrs Sidhu quickly learns Dr Calman wasn’t the only target and there is a serial killer targeting other victims. It’s up to Mrs Sidhu now to discover who the perpetrator is and at the same time try and save other potential victims.
I loved Mrs Sidhu. She is described as an aunty but she breaks the stereotype of what an Indian aunty is. I would have much preferred to interact with an aunty like Mrs Sidhu than the aunties I have encountered. Mrs Sidhu was a cool and fascinating character. She's very inquisitive and she's a pretty brilliant investigator. She clearly gives the police a run for their money because she ends up working with them on cases. She’s a very determined person and once she starts to look into something she sticks with it until she finds the answer she is looking for so she can solve the case. She’s also very creative making her own ID card to help her obtain information. At the same time she’s also quite funny and her sense of humour comes through especially when she names her sister in law Daljeet the Dalek.
I enjoyed the book so much that since I’ve finished reading I have started to listen to the audiobook and have also added the Mrs Sidhu Investigates radio episodes and TV show to my list.
If you’re a fan of cozy crime with a strong main character then this is the book for you.
I grew up watching Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 which are shows that I loved because the main characters were from the South Asian community and this was the only representation I saw of people that looked like me and references to my culture on TV. As soon as I saw that this book was written by Suk Pannu who also wrote for these shows I immediately added it to my reading list.
I would describe the story as cozy crime but with a desi twist. The story was well constructed and had me engrossed from the first chapter especially because the book starts with the murder of a therapist by an unknown person. The story really kept me on my toes and had so many twists and turns that I could have never have guessed the ending. The village of Benham sounded perfect with a very close community but as we learn the village has quite a sinister history. The narrative moves between the past and the present. In the present Mrs Sidhu is investigating the death of Dr Calman and in the past we are given an insight into the cult leader that infiltrated the village and the events that unfolded in 1997. As Mrs Sidhu quickly learns Dr Calman wasn’t the only target and there is a serial killer targeting other victims. It’s up to Mrs Sidhu now to discover who the perpetrator is and at the same time try and save other potential victims.
I loved Mrs Sidhu. She is described as an aunty but she breaks the stereotype of what an Indian aunty is. I would have much preferred to interact with an aunty like Mrs Sidhu than the aunties I have encountered. Mrs Sidhu was a cool and fascinating character. She's very inquisitive and she's a pretty brilliant investigator. She clearly gives the police a run for their money because she ends up working with them on cases. She’s a very determined person and once she starts to look into something she sticks with it until she finds the answer she is looking for so she can solve the case. She’s also very creative making her own ID card to help her obtain information. At the same time she’s also quite funny and her sense of humour comes through especially when she names her sister in law Daljeet the Dalek.
I enjoyed the book so much that since I’ve finished reading I have started to listen to the audiobook and have also added the Mrs Sidhu Investigates radio episodes and TV show to my list.
If you’re a fan of cozy crime with a strong main character then this is the book for you.
September 16, 2023
Cosy mystery can be hard to do right - and for me, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. It felt disjointed and staccato, I’m still not sure quite what happened at the end, and the characters felt a bit flat and either unbelievable or cookie cut out. I could see it being a series, but sadly not one I think I’d be pursuing.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
October 9, 2024
An enjoyable read but the murder mystery plot was utter nonsense. Would have liked to have read more about Mrs Sidhu's life in Slough and less about the Wellness retreat.
October 23, 2023
Before I started reading this book, I was excited by the whole premise of it.
A cosy mystery, chef to the celebs and ameteur sleuthing all put together in one book, I knew I'd love this!
Then I spotted that it was already on TV and that Mrs Sidhu actually had already been established on her own radio 4 show, Mrs Sidhu investigates.
I was then a little concerned that I'd feel as though I'd missed something or that the character would present as fully developed.
I was pleasantly surprised then, to find that this was written in a way that didn't make me feel like I'd missed too much already.
I think having not been a book before, past cases were talked about, but in a way that any first in a series would do and this flowed within the storyline of this book.
Mrs Sidhu was a great character to get to grips with and explore.
Unfortunately, I had seen the TV advert before reading and so I just couldn't help envisioning their chosen actress (I won't mention just in case) - luckily I did find that what I was reading fitted perfectly with this image though.
In her catering role, Mrs S gets involved in the investigation as one of the therapists at the celeb rehab centre is found dead.
I loved that she appears to be a bumbling, comic character - not a great people person in general, but easily able to connect when interviewing or questioning.
These traits made for some real laugh out loud moments and had me smiling throughout.
The case overall was well planned out and delivered and although I had many theories, there was a good amount of twists to keep you guessing for a good portion of the book.
I did work out the killer before the reveal, but as I often say, this isn't always a bad thing. The tying up of the case, the journey that the other characters make to get to this point, generally makes the remaining pages enjoyable still, as in this case.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with some great characters. I really hope that this continues as a series of books as I'd be keen to see what Mrs Sidhu stumbles across next.
A cosy mystery, chef to the celebs and ameteur sleuthing all put together in one book, I knew I'd love this!
Then I spotted that it was already on TV and that Mrs Sidhu actually had already been established on her own radio 4 show, Mrs Sidhu investigates.
I was then a little concerned that I'd feel as though I'd missed something or that the character would present as fully developed.
I was pleasantly surprised then, to find that this was written in a way that didn't make me feel like I'd missed too much already.
I think having not been a book before, past cases were talked about, but in a way that any first in a series would do and this flowed within the storyline of this book.
Mrs Sidhu was a great character to get to grips with and explore.
Unfortunately, I had seen the TV advert before reading and so I just couldn't help envisioning their chosen actress (I won't mention just in case) - luckily I did find that what I was reading fitted perfectly with this image though.
In her catering role, Mrs S gets involved in the investigation as one of the therapists at the celeb rehab centre is found dead.
I loved that she appears to be a bumbling, comic character - not a great people person in general, but easily able to connect when interviewing or questioning.
These traits made for some real laugh out loud moments and had me smiling throughout.
The case overall was well planned out and delivered and although I had many theories, there was a good amount of twists to keep you guessing for a good portion of the book.
I did work out the killer before the reveal, but as I often say, this isn't always a bad thing. The tying up of the case, the journey that the other characters make to get to this point, generally makes the remaining pages enjoyable still, as in this case.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with some great characters. I really hope that this continues as a series of books as I'd be keen to see what Mrs Sidhu stumbles across next.
July 8, 2023
Mrs Sidhu, chef and crime solver, is a wonderful creation. Her indomitable curiosity is set against the wiles of a cunning murderer who has returned to the scene of an old crime and begun to kill again, picking off people involved in that most English of institutions, the village fete for which Mrs Sidhu is caterer. Everyone, including her old friend/rival Chief Inspector Burton, seems to doubt her observations and intuitions as she explores, evaluates and eavesdrops her way to unravelling the puzzle of the mysterious deaths. Meanwhile she also has to wrestle with her career, manage her son, Tez, and cope with her sister’s visit from India.
Tense and twisty, “Dead and Scone” is intriguing and funny, a compulsive read. It builds up to a surprising conclusion, but one that has been carefully prepared. Mrs Sidhu is great company; we recognise her everyday difficulties while admiring her determination to solve the crimes and to prove her doubters else wrong.
Tense and twisty, “Dead and Scone” is intriguing and funny, a compulsive read. It builds up to a surprising conclusion, but one that has been carefully prepared. Mrs Sidhu is great company; we recognise her everyday difficulties while admiring her determination to solve the crimes and to prove her doubters else wrong.
July 7, 2023
Mrs Sidhu has to manage a busy catering company (her aubergine bhaji is much in demand), her late husband has left her with debts, she has an indolent scallywag of a son and to top it all there’s a surprise, and not particularly welcome, visit from her sister-in-law, Daljeet ‘the dalek’. When a job opportunity arrives in a country village Mrs Sidhu sees an opportunity to escape her everyday life and the attentions of Daljeet the dalek, but when a body is found in this rural idyll things get more spicy than Mrs Sidhu’s aubergine bhaji.
This was a great read with lots of fantastic characters and so many plot twist and turns. The author manages to balance some great humour alongside the macabre; the perfect village harbours some dark secrets! Cosy crime par excellence.
This was a great read with lots of fantastic characters and so many plot twist and turns. The author manages to balance some great humour alongside the macabre; the perfect village harbours some dark secrets! Cosy crime par excellence.
October 5, 2023
After a few pages of this book I wasn’t sure whether to bother continuing - but I’m very glad that I did! When you get past the rather ominous Indian Auntie stereotyping the characters start to jump from the page and the writing had me laughing out loud at times. So glad I continued to read!
October 16, 2023
Mrs Sidhu - a caterer with a taste for solving mysteries - has been brought to life by Meera Syal in two series of Mrs Sidhu Investigates on Radio 4 (2017 & 2019) and, more recently in Acorn TV's Mrs Sidhu Investigates (2023). Now, in Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone, Slough's answer to Miss Marple is making her print debut!
Having never listened to the radio show or watched the series, I went in to Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone completely cold but Suk Pannu does an excellent job of introducing new readers to Slough's unofficial Aunty. Although her sleuthing skills have earned her the grudging respect of the dour DCI Burton, Mrs Sidhu's penchant for crime has made her an outcast in her own community. It turns out no one likes it when the caterer exposes the groom's uncle as a thief right in the middle of the wedding of the year. Sentenced her boss to making endless batches of aubergine bhaji, Mrs Sidhu practically jumps at the chance to cater a fete hosted by Benham House, Berkshire's premium celebrity wellness retreat. But when one of the therapists is murdered, Mrs Sidhu rapidly finds herself cooking up more than just cream teas...
Although billed as 'cosy' crime, Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone has more than its share of darker moments. Mrs Sidhu is, at the start of the novel, suffering from a crisis of confidence. She's also grieving for her husband: a process complicated by the unexpected arrival of her sister-in-law Daljeet, and the inability of her son Tez to spend time anywhere other than bed. Several of the side characters are dealing with some fairly weighty issues, plus there's a link between the murder and a supposedly deceased cult leader whose presence in the village led to a suspected murder-suicide some years before. Whilst there is plenty of humour in the novel, it is mostly of the darker variety.
That said, there are also some slapstick moments in the book. Whilst I found these incidents amusing, the sudden changes in tone were somewhat disorientating. I suspect this would be less evident in a radio play or TV show where audio and visual clues can indicate the change (there's something of the Midsomer Murders TV adaptation about Mrs Sidhu and tonally, I do think the two are similar) but, in a novel, the sudden movement from a comedic 'job interview gone wrong' to a series 'discovery of the dead body' scene was rather jarring.
I also struggled to really get a feel for Mrs Sidhu herself. She's clearly an interesting, three-dimensional character with a range of foibles but, for some reason, she felt a little flat on the page. Although it was interesting to follow her thought processes, I can't say these really gave me much insight into her character (with the notable exception of several sequences in which she explores her grief and her fears for the future of her business, which were really well handled). Overall, I much preferred the scenes in which Mrs Sidhu was interacting with other characters, as the dialogue is quick, witty, and often very funny. Her interactions with DCI Burton are particular highlights and I would have liked to see more of them in the book.
The narrative itself is perfectly solid with some excellent red herrings and some great descriptions of character and place (as well as some mouth-watering evocations of food!). Although there were rather a lot of supporting characters - some of whom were a tad thinly drawn - I soon found myself able to distinguish between them and was rapidly drawn into the petty rivalries and long-buried secrets of Benham's great and good.
As mentioned above, there is more than a touch of Midsomer Murders about Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone. Death in Paradise is another show that springs to mind and I suspect that fans of both series will enjoy the 'cosy-crime-with- a-macabre-twist' stylings of Mrs Sidhu. This is Suk Pannu's debut as a novelist so perhaps it is unsurprising that, at times, the book felt a little more like a script than a novel to me. This did however, make it an easy and very 'visual' read and I'll definitely be going to check out Mrs Sidhu's other adventures as a result!
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Having never listened to the radio show or watched the series, I went in to Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone completely cold but Suk Pannu does an excellent job of introducing new readers to Slough's unofficial Aunty. Although her sleuthing skills have earned her the grudging respect of the dour DCI Burton, Mrs Sidhu's penchant for crime has made her an outcast in her own community. It turns out no one likes it when the caterer exposes the groom's uncle as a thief right in the middle of the wedding of the year. Sentenced her boss to making endless batches of aubergine bhaji, Mrs Sidhu practically jumps at the chance to cater a fete hosted by Benham House, Berkshire's premium celebrity wellness retreat. But when one of the therapists is murdered, Mrs Sidhu rapidly finds herself cooking up more than just cream teas...
Although billed as 'cosy' crime, Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone has more than its share of darker moments. Mrs Sidhu is, at the start of the novel, suffering from a crisis of confidence. She's also grieving for her husband: a process complicated by the unexpected arrival of her sister-in-law Daljeet, and the inability of her son Tez to spend time anywhere other than bed. Several of the side characters are dealing with some fairly weighty issues, plus there's a link between the murder and a supposedly deceased cult leader whose presence in the village led to a suspected murder-suicide some years before. Whilst there is plenty of humour in the novel, it is mostly of the darker variety.
That said, there are also some slapstick moments in the book. Whilst I found these incidents amusing, the sudden changes in tone were somewhat disorientating. I suspect this would be less evident in a radio play or TV show where audio and visual clues can indicate the change (there's something of the Midsomer Murders TV adaptation about Mrs Sidhu and tonally, I do think the two are similar) but, in a novel, the sudden movement from a comedic 'job interview gone wrong' to a series 'discovery of the dead body' scene was rather jarring.
I also struggled to really get a feel for Mrs Sidhu herself. She's clearly an interesting, three-dimensional character with a range of foibles but, for some reason, she felt a little flat on the page. Although it was interesting to follow her thought processes, I can't say these really gave me much insight into her character (with the notable exception of several sequences in which she explores her grief and her fears for the future of her business, which were really well handled). Overall, I much preferred the scenes in which Mrs Sidhu was interacting with other characters, as the dialogue is quick, witty, and often very funny. Her interactions with DCI Burton are particular highlights and I would have liked to see more of them in the book.
The narrative itself is perfectly solid with some excellent red herrings and some great descriptions of character and place (as well as some mouth-watering evocations of food!). Although there were rather a lot of supporting characters - some of whom were a tad thinly drawn - I soon found myself able to distinguish between them and was rapidly drawn into the petty rivalries and long-buried secrets of Benham's great and good.
As mentioned above, there is more than a touch of Midsomer Murders about Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone. Death in Paradise is another show that springs to mind and I suspect that fans of both series will enjoy the 'cosy-crime-with- a-macabre-twist' stylings of Mrs Sidhu. This is Suk Pannu's debut as a novelist so perhaps it is unsurprising that, at times, the book felt a little more like a script than a novel to me. This did however, make it an easy and very 'visual' read and I'll definitely be going to check out Mrs Sidhu's other adventures as a result!
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
August 11, 2024
When I picked up “Dead and Scone” by Suk Pannu, I had no idea that Mrs Sidhu was already a well-established character with her own BBC radio and TV series. This revelation came as a surprise, and I wonder if my initial impressions of the book were influenced by this lack of background knowledge. The story seemed to start abruptly, not giving me enough time to get acquainted with Mrs Sidhu, which might have been less jarring had I been familiar with her previous adventures.
Despite this, “Dead and Scone” proved to be a quick, entertaining, and cosy read, albeit with a darker undertone. The plot revolves around a luxury wellness retreat where Mrs Sidhu, a caterer and amateur sleuth, finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery. The setting is intriguing, and the story is peppered with twists and red herrings that keep the reader guessing.
One of the book’s strengths is its clever plot. The murder mystery is well-crafted, and the luxury wellness retreat provides a unique backdrop for the unfolding drama. However, I felt that the change of scene and pace might have been better suited for a TV adaptation rather than a novel. The narrative sometimes felt more like a script, which isn’t surprising given Mrs Sidhu’s origins in radio and television.
I was particularly excited about the culinary aspect of the story, expecting baking to play a significant role. However, this element was not as prominent as I had hoped. While Mrs Sidhu’s catering business is central to the plot, the culinary details were somewhat overshadowed by the murder mystery.
The book features a large cast of supporting characters, but unfortunately, many of them are not fully developed. This made it challenging to connect with them and follow their motivations. However, there were moments of humour that stood out.
The dialogue in “Dead and Scone” is well-written and engaging, but the overall writing style felt choppy at times. This contributed to a sense of disconnection from the story. As someone who enjoys a smooth, flowing narrative, this was a bit of a drawback for me.
I really wanted to love this book, especially since I’m on the lookout for a culinary cosy mystery series to get hooked on. While “Dead and Scone” has its merits, I found myself wanting more in terms of character development, humour, and depth. Mrs Sidhu is a fascinating character with a lot of potential, but I felt that this book didn’t fully showcase her charm and wit.
“Dead and Scone” by Suk Pannu is a mixed bag. It’s a quick and entertaining read with a clever plot and moments of humour, but it falls short in character development and narrative flow. If you’re a fan of the Mrs Sidhu radio or TV series, you might enjoy this book more than I did. For those new to the franchise, like myself, it might be worth exploring Mrs Sidhu’s other adventures to get a better sense of her character before diving into this novel.
Thank you to Exclusive Books for this gifted copy.
Despite this, “Dead and Scone” proved to be a quick, entertaining, and cosy read, albeit with a darker undertone. The plot revolves around a luxury wellness retreat where Mrs Sidhu, a caterer and amateur sleuth, finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery. The setting is intriguing, and the story is peppered with twists and red herrings that keep the reader guessing.
One of the book’s strengths is its clever plot. The murder mystery is well-crafted, and the luxury wellness retreat provides a unique backdrop for the unfolding drama. However, I felt that the change of scene and pace might have been better suited for a TV adaptation rather than a novel. The narrative sometimes felt more like a script, which isn’t surprising given Mrs Sidhu’s origins in radio and television.
I was particularly excited about the culinary aspect of the story, expecting baking to play a significant role. However, this element was not as prominent as I had hoped. While Mrs Sidhu’s catering business is central to the plot, the culinary details were somewhat overshadowed by the murder mystery.
The book features a large cast of supporting characters, but unfortunately, many of them are not fully developed. This made it challenging to connect with them and follow their motivations. However, there were moments of humour that stood out.
The dialogue in “Dead and Scone” is well-written and engaging, but the overall writing style felt choppy at times. This contributed to a sense of disconnection from the story. As someone who enjoys a smooth, flowing narrative, this was a bit of a drawback for me.
I really wanted to love this book, especially since I’m on the lookout for a culinary cosy mystery series to get hooked on. While “Dead and Scone” has its merits, I found myself wanting more in terms of character development, humour, and depth. Mrs Sidhu is a fascinating character with a lot of potential, but I felt that this book didn’t fully showcase her charm and wit.
“Dead and Scone” by Suk Pannu is a mixed bag. It’s a quick and entertaining read with a clever plot and moments of humour, but it falls short in character development and narrative flow. If you’re a fan of the Mrs Sidhu radio or TV series, you might enjoy this book more than I did. For those new to the franchise, like myself, it might be worth exploring Mrs Sidhu’s other adventures to get a better sense of her character before diving into this novel.
Thank you to Exclusive Books for this gifted copy.
December 6, 2025
Mrs Sidhu: an ordinary woman from Slough, widow, mother, caterer, unofficial Aunty to everyone, and a great observer of people. Or, if you ask DCI Leslie Burton, who, she believes, needs her sleuthing expertise, he would describe her as: nosy to the point of obsession, irritating, never listens, and is completely invested in the idea that she alone can solve crime.
In this debut cosy crime novel, Mrs Sidhu is delighted when she is offered a position as chef in an exclusive celebrity rehab clinic located in a quiet Berkshire village. It's a far cry from her cramped Slough kitchen, where she has been banished to make endless batches of aubergine bhajis for her employer Mr Varma, after upsetting clients at a wedding with her amateur sleuthing.
In no time, Mrs Sidhu is throwing herself into her new role, but when the clinic's psychologist is found murdered she cannot help but deploy her detection skills, and discovers that the murderer is picking off victims who brought tickets for the Village fete raffle. Who is next on the murderer's list? And can Mrs Sidhu stop them in time?
For me, it felt as though this novel took a little while to get underway, whilst characters established, and scenes were set, and the flow between scenes and settings wasn't always smooth. However, once it hit its stride I was absolutely all in and really hooked.
The characterisation is good. I enjoyed Mrs Sidhu's quirky character and the way she tenaciously works through her observations of events and people. She sometimes adds 2 and 2 and makes 6, leading to mishaps and mayhem, but ultimately her instincts prove right. The dynamic between Mrs Sidhu and the grumpy DCI Burton is also a delight.
The plot line is engaging with plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep you guessing, and there's a strong comedic element, which, if you were a fan of Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, as I was, you'll enjoy. (Suk Pannu wrote for both series, as well as other BBC Radio 4 comedy programmes).
It did occasionally read as if there might be other, previous novels in the series prior this one because of some references and allusions, but no, it IS a debut, and it turns out that the full backstory is to be found in Mrs Sidhu Investigates - a successful radio series, and then subsequently a TV series of the same name, which both precede this novel. However, this didn't spoil my enjoyment. I'll now be checking both out to discover more, especially as Meera Syal plays Mrs Sudhu!
With potential appeal to fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series, I enjoyed this first outing for Slough's very own Asian Miss Marple, and I'm looking forward to the second instalment, Mrs Sidhu's Just Desserts, which comes out in 2026!
In this debut cosy crime novel, Mrs Sidhu is delighted when she is offered a position as chef in an exclusive celebrity rehab clinic located in a quiet Berkshire village. It's a far cry from her cramped Slough kitchen, where she has been banished to make endless batches of aubergine bhajis for her employer Mr Varma, after upsetting clients at a wedding with her amateur sleuthing.
In no time, Mrs Sidhu is throwing herself into her new role, but when the clinic's psychologist is found murdered she cannot help but deploy her detection skills, and discovers that the murderer is picking off victims who brought tickets for the Village fete raffle. Who is next on the murderer's list? And can Mrs Sidhu stop them in time?
For me, it felt as though this novel took a little while to get underway, whilst characters established, and scenes were set, and the flow between scenes and settings wasn't always smooth. However, once it hit its stride I was absolutely all in and really hooked.
The characterisation is good. I enjoyed Mrs Sidhu's quirky character and the way she tenaciously works through her observations of events and people. She sometimes adds 2 and 2 and makes 6, leading to mishaps and mayhem, but ultimately her instincts prove right. The dynamic between Mrs Sidhu and the grumpy DCI Burton is also a delight.
The plot line is engaging with plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep you guessing, and there's a strong comedic element, which, if you were a fan of Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, as I was, you'll enjoy. (Suk Pannu wrote for both series, as well as other BBC Radio 4 comedy programmes).
It did occasionally read as if there might be other, previous novels in the series prior this one because of some references and allusions, but no, it IS a debut, and it turns out that the full backstory is to be found in Mrs Sidhu Investigates - a successful radio series, and then subsequently a TV series of the same name, which both precede this novel. However, this didn't spoil my enjoyment. I'll now be checking both out to discover more, especially as Meera Syal plays Mrs Sudhu!
With potential appeal to fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series, I enjoyed this first outing for Slough's very own Asian Miss Marple, and I'm looking forward to the second instalment, Mrs Sidhu's Just Desserts, which comes out in 2026!
August 6, 2023
Mrs Sidhu runs a catering business but work has dried up following a misunderstanding at a wedding. As a result, Mrs Sidhu takes a job at a local wellness retreat and finds herself caught up in a murder with links to a cult.
Before reading Mrs Sidhu's 'Dead And Scone' by Suk Pannu I wasn't aware of the character, so both the author and character are very new to me. The novel fits well into the cozy crime genre, featuring many of the tropes we usually see; amateur detectives, village setting, and a hobby/business that allows them to get involved with events.
Mrs Sidhu is a strange character, she seems to go out of her way to avoid being liked. Not only is she still grieving the loss of her husband, she's also struggling to make ends meet after a disaster at a local wedding she was catering. She's observant, intelligent and analytical, however, she has no filter and it is saying things as she sees them that lands her in trouble.
When Mrs Sidhu is offered the opportunity to do the catering at a high-end wellness retreat her nosiness and tendency to be economical with the truth means that she becomes embroiled in a murder. One of the therapists is killed and there are connections to a cult that existed in the village years before. Two members of the cult committed suicide and the cult leader set fire to their home, then disappeared. Following reports that he had died in South America, everyone is surprised that the cult appears to have risen again.
There is a lot of humor in the story with the author poking fun at romantic encounters and self-help books. The majority of the humor, however, comes from the way in which Mrs Sidhu insinuates herself into the police investigation. As far as Mrs Sidhu is concerned, the police are helping her. There are hints at previous encounters between Mrs Sidhu and the police officer leading the investigation and I wonder if this is part of the radio plays. Listening to these may give the reader a greater understanding of the relationship between the two and more insight into Mrs Sidhu herself.
At times there are some dark tones and a real sense of menace. The conclusion is cleverly crafted with a villain that is impossible to spot, quite a few red herrings along the way keep the reader guessing. For me, however, I just couldn't seem to get into a rhythm reading this and really feel I should have loved it more than I did.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Threads
@debbiehartuk
Before reading Mrs Sidhu's 'Dead And Scone' by Suk Pannu I wasn't aware of the character, so both the author and character are very new to me. The novel fits well into the cozy crime genre, featuring many of the tropes we usually see; amateur detectives, village setting, and a hobby/business that allows them to get involved with events.
Mrs Sidhu is a strange character, she seems to go out of her way to avoid being liked. Not only is she still grieving the loss of her husband, she's also struggling to make ends meet after a disaster at a local wedding she was catering. She's observant, intelligent and analytical, however, she has no filter and it is saying things as she sees them that lands her in trouble.
When Mrs Sidhu is offered the opportunity to do the catering at a high-end wellness retreat her nosiness and tendency to be economical with the truth means that she becomes embroiled in a murder. One of the therapists is killed and there are connections to a cult that existed in the village years before. Two members of the cult committed suicide and the cult leader set fire to their home, then disappeared. Following reports that he had died in South America, everyone is surprised that the cult appears to have risen again.
There is a lot of humor in the story with the author poking fun at romantic encounters and self-help books. The majority of the humor, however, comes from the way in which Mrs Sidhu insinuates herself into the police investigation. As far as Mrs Sidhu is concerned, the police are helping her. There are hints at previous encounters between Mrs Sidhu and the police officer leading the investigation and I wonder if this is part of the radio plays. Listening to these may give the reader a greater understanding of the relationship between the two and more insight into Mrs Sidhu herself.
At times there are some dark tones and a real sense of menace. The conclusion is cleverly crafted with a villain that is impossible to spot, quite a few red herrings along the way keep the reader guessing. For me, however, I just couldn't seem to get into a rhythm reading this and really feel I should have loved it more than I did.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Threads
@debbiehartuk
October 20, 2023
I normally love a village-set cozy murder mystery but this one just didn't work for me. While I did find some of Mrs. Sidhu's characteristics endearing and quirky in a fun way, she was ultimately quite annoying. She doesn't have any self awareness and makes terrible decisions that immediately impact her life. For example, when she keeps postponing joining her sister in law and her son at the model village, she could so easily have said that she was working for the whole day and if she did end up manging to join them, it would be a happy surprise. She even states that using her job as an excuse was a respectable way to avoid spending time with Daljeet, but instead she keeps lying that she'll be there soon. Setting up an office in her bathroom is a terrible idea and I don't believe that Mrs. Sidhu would honestly not consider how bad it would make her look if she was caught cooking food in there.
That being said, when everyone does decide to sit down and confront her intervention-style, her meek acceptance is riddiculous. She didn't 'lead a young patient astray', nobody told her that Emily was a patient despite the fact that multiple people saw her talking to Emily and that, as someone who works for the retreat, she should have been told who is staff and who isn't. And of course Johnny and his agent are in the wrong for lying to their police escort and sneaking away with a patient to shoot a secret video on a site where a cult actually performed their rituals. How on earth would anyone in the middle of a multiple murder investigation be expected to ignore that?
I understand that the author wanted to have Mrs. Sidhu at her lowest point and convinced she was being delusional to amplify the gratification of then solving the mystery, but her downfall was rushed and unbelievable. If it had turned out that Dr. Feelgood, Johnny Snakeskin, and his agent were actually in the cult and were caught in the end, I would have been able to accept them all piling poorly thought out blame onto Mrs. Sidhu, but as that wasn't the case, it was just irritating.
That being said, when everyone does decide to sit down and confront her intervention-style, her meek acceptance is riddiculous. She didn't 'lead a young patient astray', nobody told her that Emily was a patient despite the fact that multiple people saw her talking to Emily and that, as someone who works for the retreat, she should have been told who is staff and who isn't. And of course Johnny and his agent are in the wrong for lying to their police escort and sneaking away with a patient to shoot a secret video on a site where a cult actually performed their rituals. How on earth would anyone in the middle of a multiple murder investigation be expected to ignore that?
I understand that the author wanted to have Mrs. Sidhu at her lowest point and convinced she was being delusional to amplify the gratification of then solving the mystery, but her downfall was rushed and unbelievable. If it had turned out that Dr. Feelgood, Johnny Snakeskin, and his agent were actually in the cult and were caught in the end, I would have been able to accept them all piling poorly thought out blame onto Mrs. Sidhu, but as that wasn't the case, it was just irritating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2025
A wonderfully endearing murder mystery set in small town Berkshire with a great protagonist and plot.
Mrs Sidhu is a great main character. A clever twist on the "nosey Indian aunty" stereotype she is intelligent, resourceful and absolutely invested in everyone else's business (also a great cook the food all through the book had me peckish). The author really takes the time to walk us through her thought process and simultaneously explore her character and viewpoint. The prose is very good. Genuinely creepy at times, funny in others, all around clever and quick. But the plot is where this book truly shines. Very fast paced, complicated, full of twists and turns that kept my attention till the end. Everything is resolved nicely and the killers identity at the end is well foreshadowed throughout but not so heavily that I guessed it.
Only a few complaints. The introduction to the book was a bit odd, I got the distinct impression I had come into the middle of an ongoing story. I even checked the back and front just to see if I had accidentally picked up book 2 or 3 in a series. From what I understand now, this is because the author previously wrote a radio drama with this character where she has had several prior adventures. There's nothing wrong with a character that has had previous "off screen" stories that are not part of the books narrative (Sherlock Holmes does this) but I think this could have been done in a less bewildering manner here. Next, the large supporting cast leads to some of the side characters feeling slightly underbaked, so when they became important to the plot I struggled to really care about them. Finally, the ending of the book seemed slightly rushed. The protagonist has a MAJOR setback just before the end and then recovers from it way too fast in my opinion. There should have been more time to let that breathe before jumping to the end.
However this is a great first novel from this author and it made me want to look into anything else he's put out, as well as his previous radio show.
Mrs Sidhu is a great main character. A clever twist on the "nosey Indian aunty" stereotype she is intelligent, resourceful and absolutely invested in everyone else's business (also a great cook the food all through the book had me peckish). The author really takes the time to walk us through her thought process and simultaneously explore her character and viewpoint. The prose is very good. Genuinely creepy at times, funny in others, all around clever and quick. But the plot is where this book truly shines. Very fast paced, complicated, full of twists and turns that kept my attention till the end. Everything is resolved nicely and the killers identity at the end is well foreshadowed throughout but not so heavily that I guessed it.
Only a few complaints. The introduction to the book was a bit odd, I got the distinct impression I had come into the middle of an ongoing story. I even checked the back and front just to see if I had accidentally picked up book 2 or 3 in a series. From what I understand now, this is because the author previously wrote a radio drama with this character where she has had several prior adventures. There's nothing wrong with a character that has had previous "off screen" stories that are not part of the books narrative (Sherlock Holmes does this) but I think this could have been done in a less bewildering manner here. Next, the large supporting cast leads to some of the side characters feeling slightly underbaked, so when they became important to the plot I struggled to really care about them. Finally, the ending of the book seemed slightly rushed. The protagonist has a MAJOR setback just before the end and then recovers from it way too fast in my opinion. There should have been more time to let that breathe before jumping to the end.
However this is a great first novel from this author and it made me want to look into anything else he's put out, as well as his previous radio show.
March 22, 2025
Having seen the TV programs, I found this a confusing and rather frustrating read.
I think this was partly because the cover and blurb promise something that is completely different to what the book actually is. The person who is murdered in the first chapter is indeed a newcomer to the village, who is trying to make scones for a village bring and buy sale, and keeps burning them – and the raffle tickets do appear very briefly a couple of times, (and right at the end, when finally we get the fete, and they are part of the solution) – but other than that, it’s a very different story.
The scone-maker is actually a therapist, who worked at the wellness retreat / recovery venue for people with significant mental health problems, where the book is actually set – and most of the characters that Mrs Sidhu meets are patients and staff there. She suspects that the murders that happen in the book are linked to a long-ago cult, as the victims also have their throats cut, and their house set on fire, like some of the original cult members did. Not exactly the cozy, quirky tale you might have been expecting – and one which the publishers presumably felt wouldn’t be as popular as what they have decided to sell it as instead!
The quirky bits of Mrs Sidhu trying to avoid her unexpected sister-in-law, and her catering distributor, to go sleuthing, should provide some light relief. However, these then lead to a darker cry-for-help narrative, which feels a bit of an odd handbrake turn – and rather unfair, given the Mrs Sidhu that we’re used to.
Marketed as “a delightfully warm and funny debut culinary cosy crime mystery”, you have to wonder if the people who designed the cover – and the authors quoted on it – have actually read any of the book!
I think this was partly because the cover and blurb promise something that is completely different to what the book actually is. The person who is murdered in the first chapter is indeed a newcomer to the village, who is trying to make scones for a village bring and buy sale, and keeps burning them – and the raffle tickets do appear very briefly a couple of times, (and right at the end, when finally we get the fete, and they are part of the solution) – but other than that, it’s a very different story.
The scone-maker is actually a therapist, who worked at the wellness retreat / recovery venue for people with significant mental health problems, where the book is actually set – and most of the characters that Mrs Sidhu meets are patients and staff there. She suspects that the murders that happen in the book are linked to a long-ago cult, as the victims also have their throats cut, and their house set on fire, like some of the original cult members did. Not exactly the cozy, quirky tale you might have been expecting – and one which the publishers presumably felt wouldn’t be as popular as what they have decided to sell it as instead!
The quirky bits of Mrs Sidhu trying to avoid her unexpected sister-in-law, and her catering distributor, to go sleuthing, should provide some light relief. However, these then lead to a darker cry-for-help narrative, which feels a bit of an odd handbrake turn – and rather unfair, given the Mrs Sidhu that we’re used to.
Marketed as “a delightfully warm and funny debut culinary cosy crime mystery”, you have to wonder if the people who designed the cover – and the authors quoted on it – have actually read any of the book!
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