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Liz, Pat and Thelma #3
A Clock Stopped Dead
A wonderfully witty British cosy mystery for fans of Richard Osman
Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are giving up their coffee morning for a brand-new mystery. The perfect cosy crime story for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman
Retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma are happiest whiling away their hours over coffee, cake and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.
But when their good friend Marguerite claims to have uncovered a mysterious charity shop that has since vanished, they simply can’t resist investigating.
Before long, our trio of unlikely sleuths find themselves embroiled in a race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery – but who has a secret to hide and how far will they go to keep it concealed?
Only time will tell . . .
Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are giving up their coffee morning for a brand-new mystery. The perfect cosy crime story for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman
Retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma are happiest whiling away their hours over coffee, cake and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.
But when their good friend Marguerite claims to have uncovered a mysterious charity shop that has since vanished, they simply can’t resist investigating.
Before long, our trio of unlikely sleuths find themselves embroiled in a race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery – but who has a secret to hide and how far will they go to keep it concealed?
Only time will tell . . .
336 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2024
221 people are currently reading
1127 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Hall
11 books13 followersJ.M. Hall is a 20-something PR executive based in New York City. A Philadelphia native, he began writing fiction during his time at the University of Miami before embarking on a career in corporate communications. During the day, he can be found getting top-tier press for his clients in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fortune and USA Today.
At night, he can be found at his computer, crafting his next story. PRIVATE RELATIONS is his first novel, and he is already hard at work on his next novel, TEENAGE DREAM.
Follow him on Twitter at @JMHall628
At night, he can be found at his computer, crafting his next story. PRIVATE RELATIONS is his first novel, and he is already hard at work on his next novel, TEENAGE DREAM.
Follow him on Twitter at @JMHall628
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
April 12, 2024
EXCERPT: 'Your train was cancelled yesterday, so you went for a walk and found this weird charity shop, saw a strange clock, got locked in and then got out again?'
Marguerite's podgy hand flew to her mouth, almost batting the tantric crystals clean across the scuffed floor tiles of Mrs Hall's Pantry. 'Oh goodness gracious me,' she said, and gave a neighing peal of laughter. 'You must think I'm a complete numpty!'
Pat smiled faintly, making a considerable effort not to look as if she agreed.
'I went back,' said Marguerite. 'I wasn't working this morning, so I went back to the charity shop. I wanted to go back and see how much this clock I saw cost. At that point I hadn't twigged that it wasn't real.' She paused dramatically.
'And?'
'It wasn't there!'
'The clock?'
'No, the whole shop. When I went back this morning, the whole shop had just vanished!'
ABOUT 'A CLOCK STOPPED DEAD': Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are giving up their coffee morning for a brand-new mystery. The perfect cosy crime story for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman
Retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma are happiest whiling away their hours over coffee, cake and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.
But when their good friend Marguerite claims to have uncovered a mysterious charity shop that has since vanished, they simply can’t resist investigating.
Before long, our trio of unlikely sleuths find themselves embroiled in a race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery – but who has a secret to hide and how far will they go to keep it concealed?
MY THOUGHTS: I quite enjoyed catching up with this trio of ex-school teachers, but I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. I think, because there is simply too much dialogue. Far too much. Understandable perhaps with the author being a playwright first and foremost. So I shall temper that comment by saying 'far too much dialogue for a novel.' I find it very hard to get a sense of place or character with so much dialogue and so little of anything else.
I do love the characters, Pat, Liz and Thelma. There's a little conflict between them in this installment that leaves Pat wondering if, after twenty-five years, give or take, they were all growing apart now that the common bond of teaching that had drawn them together was gone.
There are adjustments to be made all round. Two of the women have their adult children return home unexpectedly, Pat has to come to terms with her aging, and Thelma has something to learn about her husband.
There are some beautifully humorous moments such as when Pat's husband Rod is trying to plan a holiday for them, and the feud between Polly, Thelma's workmate at a (different) charity shop, and the manager of said shop. The window display scene is priceless.
But the mystery . . . the mystery is messy and hard to follow. There are psuedo-supernatural elements that only cloud the issues, too many extra characters and simply too much going on with all the different side-stories. The author seems to have thrown everything but the kitchen sink into this - but wait, I may be wrong, he may well have thrown the kitchen sink in as well - I'm sure there was a mention of dishes being done . . .
To be quite honest, I was more interested in what was going on in the lives of these three women than I was in the mystery.
I do love the lead ins to each chapter, a la Winnie-the-Pooh, e.g. CHAPTER FIVE Two friends don't fall out and a plan is hatched
My least favorite book of the series so far.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#AClockStoppedDeadJMHall #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: J.M. Hall is an author, playwright and deputy head of a primary school. His plays have been produced in theatres across the UK as well as for radio.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of A Clock Stopped Dead by J.M. Hall for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Marguerite's podgy hand flew to her mouth, almost batting the tantric crystals clean across the scuffed floor tiles of Mrs Hall's Pantry. 'Oh goodness gracious me,' she said, and gave a neighing peal of laughter. 'You must think I'm a complete numpty!'
Pat smiled faintly, making a considerable effort not to look as if she agreed.
'I went back,' said Marguerite. 'I wasn't working this morning, so I went back to the charity shop. I wanted to go back and see how much this clock I saw cost. At that point I hadn't twigged that it wasn't real.' She paused dramatically.
'And?'
'It wasn't there!'
'The clock?'
'No, the whole shop. When I went back this morning, the whole shop had just vanished!'
ABOUT 'A CLOCK STOPPED DEAD': Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are giving up their coffee morning for a brand-new mystery. The perfect cosy crime story for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman
Retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma are happiest whiling away their hours over coffee, cake and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.
But when their good friend Marguerite claims to have uncovered a mysterious charity shop that has since vanished, they simply can’t resist investigating.
Before long, our trio of unlikely sleuths find themselves embroiled in a race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery – but who has a secret to hide and how far will they go to keep it concealed?
MY THOUGHTS: I quite enjoyed catching up with this trio of ex-school teachers, but I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. I think, because there is simply too much dialogue. Far too much. Understandable perhaps with the author being a playwright first and foremost. So I shall temper that comment by saying 'far too much dialogue for a novel.' I find it very hard to get a sense of place or character with so much dialogue and so little of anything else.
I do love the characters, Pat, Liz and Thelma. There's a little conflict between them in this installment that leaves Pat wondering if, after twenty-five years, give or take, they were all growing apart now that the common bond of teaching that had drawn them together was gone.
There are adjustments to be made all round. Two of the women have their adult children return home unexpectedly, Pat has to come to terms with her aging, and Thelma has something to learn about her husband.
There are some beautifully humorous moments such as when Pat's husband Rod is trying to plan a holiday for them, and the feud between Polly, Thelma's workmate at a (different) charity shop, and the manager of said shop. The window display scene is priceless.
But the mystery . . . the mystery is messy and hard to follow. There are psuedo-supernatural elements that only cloud the issues, too many extra characters and simply too much going on with all the different side-stories. The author seems to have thrown everything but the kitchen sink into this - but wait, I may be wrong, he may well have thrown the kitchen sink in as well - I'm sure there was a mention of dishes being done . . .
To be quite honest, I was more interested in what was going on in the lives of these three women than I was in the mystery.
I do love the lead ins to each chapter, a la Winnie-the-Pooh, e.g. CHAPTER FIVE Two friends don't fall out and a plan is hatched
My least favorite book of the series so far.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#AClockStoppedDeadJMHall #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: J.M. Hall is an author, playwright and deputy head of a primary school. His plays have been produced in theatres across the UK as well as for radio.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of A Clock Stopped Dead by J.M. Hall for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 26, 2024
This was my first book with Thelma, Pat and Liz as more or less enthusiastic amateur sleuths. And although I liked it, I think I must go back and read the first two books, because I was sometimes really struggling with these characters. At a certain point they all blended together and I had to go back and see who’s married to whom and what is happening with children moving back home and husbands changing careers. However, I’m a fan of these kind of books (no need I think to mention other authors/series here) and it turned out to be a nice read. Not spectacular though, but maybe this is because I couldn’t get my head around the ‘supernatural’ part of the story and thus on figuring out what was really happening.
What made this book enjoyable for me was the fact that Thelma, Pat and Liz are very unlikely crime solvers, and the setting of a small village where everybody knows everybody – and secrets galore!
Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for this review copy.
What made this book enjoyable for me was the fact that Thelma, Pat and Liz are very unlikely crime solvers, and the setting of a small village where everybody knows everybody – and secrets galore!
Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for this review copy.
February 15, 2024
Adorable cover but a story that never hooked me in.
This one might have suffered from me not having read book 1 or 2 but I typically find that cozy mysteries stand well on their own - because the mystery typically starts and ends in one book. But this one just did not work for me.
First, I couldn't keep track of narrators. It would change often (mid chapter, mid page, mid paragraph), each character voice sounded the same - typically the only way to tell who was who was by their kids. And WOW! The added cast of the kids and their partners and/or exes. For me, it overwhelmed the story with drama and characters I never felt connected to and was frustrated when their emotions would overwhelm the page and stop the mystery.
The fact that, at almost 90%, we're still left wondering what was going on - it was just too long and didn't hold my attention right from the get-go. I wish I'd like this one but it just didn't work for me.
This one might have suffered from me not having read book 1 or 2 but I typically find that cozy mysteries stand well on their own - because the mystery typically starts and ends in one book. But this one just did not work for me.
First, I couldn't keep track of narrators. It would change often (mid chapter, mid page, mid paragraph), each character voice sounded the same - typically the only way to tell who was who was by their kids. And WOW! The added cast of the kids and their partners and/or exes. For me, it overwhelmed the story with drama and characters I never felt connected to and was frustrated when their emotions would overwhelm the page and stop the mystery.
The fact that, at almost 90%, we're still left wondering what was going on - it was just too long and didn't hold my attention right from the get-go. I wish I'd like this one but it just didn't work for me.
October 30, 2024
A Clock Stopped Dead is the third book in the Liz, Pat and Thelma series by British playwright J.M. Hall. When part-time teacher, Maguerite McAllister has what she later decides is a vision, she tells her former colleague Pat Taylor about it: a misty night, a cancelled train, a wander down a lane into a spooky charity shop full of men’s clothing, a Napoleon clock stopped at two-fifty, and a dark presence growling out “Why have you come here?“ She flees. But when she checks the next day, it isn’t there.
Pat relays the mysterious tale to her friends, Liz and Thelma, also retired teachers, at their regular Thursday coffee chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre cafe. When they decide to check out the scene, devoid of any charity shop, they learn of a fatal car accident close by, and get talking to the younger sister of the female victim, Terri Stanley. Brid reveals that her sister was recently widowed, and had hooked up with a rather undesirable man whom she knew before she married.
Posing as potential buyers, they check out the house where Mal Stanley fell to his death, and Pat gets a weird deja-vu feeling. Even though the trio decide there’s nothing for them to find out, Pat goes with Marguerite to a psychic who tells Pat that someone has a question for her, while Liz learns from the local Vicar that Sunny View Lodge is not haunted.
As everything they learn leads to an even more complicated story, each of the women is also distracted by what’s happening at home: husbands planning older-person vacations or abandoning vicarship to deliver parcels; sons estranged from wives or hooking up with untrustworthy exes, all distracting from the main game.
While this book easily stands alone, the reader who has read the previous books might find the three (rather one-dimensional) protagonists more endearing and find it easier to distinguish their narratives. For the new reader, Liz, Pat and Thelma, except for their domestic situations, sound very much the same and, without constantly flipping back and checking, it can be difficult to remember which one of them, in this convoluted plot, knows which vital detail that hasn’t been shared when they fall out (again).
Some reviewers have said that the perpetrator is easy to pick, but perhaps the problem is more that, even at 90%, it’s unclear what crime, if any, has been committed, and by this time some readers will be either too bored, or too confused, to care. The Monday/Tuesday discrepancy never seems to be resolved. May appeal to some fans of cosy crime.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK.
Pat relays the mysterious tale to her friends, Liz and Thelma, also retired teachers, at their regular Thursday coffee chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre cafe. When they decide to check out the scene, devoid of any charity shop, they learn of a fatal car accident close by, and get talking to the younger sister of the female victim, Terri Stanley. Brid reveals that her sister was recently widowed, and had hooked up with a rather undesirable man whom she knew before she married.
Posing as potential buyers, they check out the house where Mal Stanley fell to his death, and Pat gets a weird deja-vu feeling. Even though the trio decide there’s nothing for them to find out, Pat goes with Marguerite to a psychic who tells Pat that someone has a question for her, while Liz learns from the local Vicar that Sunny View Lodge is not haunted.
As everything they learn leads to an even more complicated story, each of the women is also distracted by what’s happening at home: husbands planning older-person vacations or abandoning vicarship to deliver parcels; sons estranged from wives or hooking up with untrustworthy exes, all distracting from the main game.
While this book easily stands alone, the reader who has read the previous books might find the three (rather one-dimensional) protagonists more endearing and find it easier to distinguish their narratives. For the new reader, Liz, Pat and Thelma, except for their domestic situations, sound very much the same and, without constantly flipping back and checking, it can be difficult to remember which one of them, in this convoluted plot, knows which vital detail that hasn’t been shared when they fall out (again).
Some reviewers have said that the perpetrator is easy to pick, but perhaps the problem is more that, even at 90%, it’s unclear what crime, if any, has been committed, and by this time some readers will be either too bored, or too confused, to care. The Monday/Tuesday discrepancy never seems to be resolved. May appeal to some fans of cosy crime.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK.
March 20, 2024
'A Clock Stopped Dead' is the third time we get to hang out with Liz, Thelma and Pat. For those who don't know, these three ladies are retired teachers who meet up at a café every Thursday for cake, coffee, and a chat. But somehow they always seem to get sucked into solving a mystery, and they sure have their work cut out for them this time. I think you could possibly get away with reading this as a stand-alone, but as you should all know by now there is a law that says series should be read in order from beginning to end (😉) and if you want to get a really good feel for these characters and their relationships ... Don't skip a book.
When Marguerite's train is canceled late at night, she goes off for a walk along some foggy roads, for reasons I still can't quite fathom. She comes across a charity shop, but when she makes the visit again the next day in broad daylight, the shop is gone. Ooooh, spooky! On its own, this might not mean much to anybody. But there just happens to be a car accident in that same area on that same night, and as we all know : there is no such thing as a coincidence.
A rather intriguing mystery that probably added a few lines to my forehead along the way. I just couldn't figure out how these events were connected, what Marguerite saw or thought she saw, or even if she was entirely sane. The whole idea of spiritualism and a hint of the supernatural causes a bit of friction between Pat and Thelma as well. To believe or not to believe.
I must admit that the mystery part of the story took a bit of a backseat for me. I found I was way more invested in the lives of these three friends. There is so much going on, apart from the little differences of opinion that actually made me worry about the friendship. Someone is struggling with growing older, someone is planning a holiday, children are moving back home, someone has a change of career ... It's all quite believable and relatable. Every day issues so many of us deal with too. Despite their differences, the dynamics between Liz, Thelma and Pat work like a charm and in an odd sort of way they seem to complete one another. Even if they might not quite realise that themselves.
As for the puzzle that needed solving, it took me a while but in the end I figured things out before the reveal. Though not before Pat and Thelma, who are obviously smarter than I am. In hindsight, it all seemed rather obvious and easier to solve than the previous cases. Maybe if I hadn't been so distracted by the every day goings-on of the characters, I would have seen it earlier. Not that I'm complaining.
These three friends feel like they could easily be my friends, even if I'm not quite at their age. But it always feels as if I could just pull up a chair and join in with their conversations. Be it about what goes on at home, or solving a mystery. 'A Clock Stopped Dead' is yet another enjoyable and entertaining cosy mystery in this series and I do so hope there will be more, as I alway love spending time with Liz, Thelma and Pat.
When Marguerite's train is canceled late at night, she goes off for a walk along some foggy roads, for reasons I still can't quite fathom. She comes across a charity shop, but when she makes the visit again the next day in broad daylight, the shop is gone. Ooooh, spooky! On its own, this might not mean much to anybody. But there just happens to be a car accident in that same area on that same night, and as we all know : there is no such thing as a coincidence.
A rather intriguing mystery that probably added a few lines to my forehead along the way. I just couldn't figure out how these events were connected, what Marguerite saw or thought she saw, or even if she was entirely sane. The whole idea of spiritualism and a hint of the supernatural causes a bit of friction between Pat and Thelma as well. To believe or not to believe.
I must admit that the mystery part of the story took a bit of a backseat for me. I found I was way more invested in the lives of these three friends. There is so much going on, apart from the little differences of opinion that actually made me worry about the friendship. Someone is struggling with growing older, someone is planning a holiday, children are moving back home, someone has a change of career ... It's all quite believable and relatable. Every day issues so many of us deal with too. Despite their differences, the dynamics between Liz, Thelma and Pat work like a charm and in an odd sort of way they seem to complete one another. Even if they might not quite realise that themselves.
As for the puzzle that needed solving, it took me a while but in the end I figured things out before the reveal. Though not before Pat and Thelma, who are obviously smarter than I am. In hindsight, it all seemed rather obvious and easier to solve than the previous cases. Maybe if I hadn't been so distracted by the every day goings-on of the characters, I would have seen it earlier. Not that I'm complaining.
These three friends feel like they could easily be my friends, even if I'm not quite at their age. But it always feels as if I could just pull up a chair and join in with their conversations. Be it about what goes on at home, or solving a mystery. 'A Clock Stopped Dead' is yet another enjoyable and entertaining cosy mystery in this series and I do so hope there will be more, as I alway love spending time with Liz, Thelma and Pat.
March 19, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for a copy. The plot sounded really interesting as I am a teacher but I struggled with the plot. The beginning hooks you in with a mysterious shop that appears one foggy night but vanishes the next. 3 friends try to discover if their friend Maggie is crazy or not. I wanted to love it but there was a lot of dialogue with the three woman with significant others/children. It felt like it didn't advance the plot and I sadly didn't finish. I wanted to love this book but for me personally, I needed a bit more action. I also know this is the third book and maybe having more background would be helpful so I will definitely read the first and learn the style of the author.
December 12, 2023
4.5 stars
A Clock Stopped Dead is the third instalment of the adventures of retired teachers and part-time sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma. These stories are perfect for readers looking for cosy mysteries filled with small town drama and scandal, with sometimes a little murder thrown in. I have thoroughly enjoyed J. M. Hall's story telling, of which this instalment is no exception. The characters are so ordinary and real I feel like I could bump into them in my local garden centre and there is something so charming about that.
While this is not my favourite of the three, this was a fun story with a unique twisty plot. It was more predictable than the previous books, but the stakes did feel higher and it was entertaining nonetheless.
This is a series that needs to be read in order due to learning about the lives of our amateur sleuths and references to previous books so keep that in mind!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A Clock Stopped Dead is the third instalment of the adventures of retired teachers and part-time sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma. These stories are perfect for readers looking for cosy mysteries filled with small town drama and scandal, with sometimes a little murder thrown in. I have thoroughly enjoyed J. M. Hall's story telling, of which this instalment is no exception. The characters are so ordinary and real I feel like I could bump into them in my local garden centre and there is something so charming about that.
While this is not my favourite of the three, this was a fun story with a unique twisty plot. It was more predictable than the previous books, but the stakes did feel higher and it was entertaining nonetheless.
This is a series that needs to be read in order due to learning about the lives of our amateur sleuths and references to previous books so keep that in mind!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 17, 2024
I'm having a really hard time finishing this, which is such a shame. The mystery is interesting and well paced. My problem is that it just seems so terribly sexist.
The female main characters (Pat, Liz, and Thelma) are one-dimensional. They are preoccupied with their age, their children/lack thereof, and their husbands. They are nosy and naggy with their loved ones, and they have tortured internal monologues. The men are closed off and emotionally unavailable. It's very "men are from Mars; women are from Venus", and it gives the book a very outdated vibe, despite the current-day setting and pop culture references.
And speaking of outdated, the "affair" that Liz's son Tim had with the older barmaid was not that. He was 18 and still in high school (or whatever they call it in Britain). It was really inappropriate of the barmaid to do that. I don't think they were harsh enough on how inappropriate that was.
This series, but this book especially, has drawn heavily on Agatha Christie mysteries. This one has several parts that are similar, if not identical, to Sleeping Murder. The denouement is very similar to 4:50 from Paddington. It also leans on the almost "schoolmarm" conversational style that Miss Marple would employ, like when Thelma can tell that people are lying to her. The leads also compare the people they interview to similar people from their past, like Miss Marple would do. I don't necessarily dislike that, but I think it should be more clear that these stories are modern retellings of Agatha Christies.
And how many times are you going to write "shambolic"? While we're at it, wayyyyy too many "it rang a bell in her mind, but what could it be?". It's very tiresome and gets stale fast.
Culprit is easy to guess.
Edit: Thelma not Theresa
Edit 2: Liz's son not Pat's son
The female main characters (Pat, Liz, and Thelma) are one-dimensional. They are preoccupied with their age, their children/lack thereof, and their husbands. They are nosy and naggy with their loved ones, and they have tortured internal monologues. The men are closed off and emotionally unavailable. It's very "men are from Mars; women are from Venus", and it gives the book a very outdated vibe, despite the current-day setting and pop culture references.
And speaking of outdated, the "affair" that Liz's son Tim had with the older barmaid was not that. He was 18 and still in high school (or whatever they call it in Britain). It was really inappropriate of the barmaid to do that. I don't think they were harsh enough on how inappropriate that was.
This series, but this book especially, has drawn heavily on Agatha Christie mysteries. This one has several parts that are similar, if not identical, to Sleeping Murder. The denouement is very similar to 4:50 from Paddington. It also leans on the almost "schoolmarm" conversational style that Miss Marple would employ, like when Thelma can tell that people are lying to her. The leads also compare the people they interview to similar people from their past, like Miss Marple would do. I don't necessarily dislike that, but I think it should be more clear that these stories are modern retellings of Agatha Christies.
And how many times are you going to write "shambolic"? While we're at it, wayyyyy too many "it rang a bell in her mind, but what could it be?". It's very tiresome and gets stale fast.
Culprit is easy to guess.
Edit: Thelma not Theresa
Edit 2: Liz's son not Pat's son
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2025
Before I start my review, I picked this up not knowing it was part of a series and thus read this without having read the previous books.
While the premise of the book (three retired teachers solving the mystery of the vanishing charity shop) was promising, I feel like this fell flat. There was too much book for the actual story and none of it felt overly plausible. There was also no urgency to solving the mystery, which I think meant the whole plot dawdled not just in a ‘cosy crime’ way but in a true dawdling with no purpose way.
I am open to reading the books in the series prior to this as I can see from reviews that this seems to have been inconsistent with the rest.
While the premise of the book (three retired teachers solving the mystery of the vanishing charity shop) was promising, I feel like this fell flat. There was too much book for the actual story and none of it felt overly plausible. There was also no urgency to solving the mystery, which I think meant the whole plot dawdled not just in a ‘cosy crime’ way but in a true dawdling with no purpose way.
I am open to reading the books in the series prior to this as I can see from reviews that this seems to have been inconsistent with the rest.
September 16, 2024
This is the second book I’ve read by this author, with this title being the third in the series featuring Liz, Pat & Thelma. I really enjoy this genre of books surrounding the older generation and their adventures, I find it so entertaining! As with the previous book, I loved the friendship between the women and the way they come together but also the depth, we as readers, are able to see of their individual lives. Who doesn’t love a bit of a mystery trail with a trio of brave, funny women on the case!? Thank you to @avon for the advanced copy of this title
March 20, 2025
I ran through this book. I have loved this series since I read the 1st book so when I heard and 3rd was out I couldn’t wait to read it. Now knowing there’s going to be some short stories and a 4th book I’m very excited.
If you want a cosy murder then this is the book and worth the read.
If you want a cosy murder then this is the book and worth the read.
July 29, 2025
i’ve never read what could be described as a “cosy mystery” but i think this is that & i’ve quickly come to the conclusion it is not for me. sweet book overall but i am probably not the target audience i fear and that’s okay!!!!! 🫶
March 22, 2024
Marguerite has had an unnerving experience.
A Clock Stopped Dead is tongue in cheek, hugely entertaining and a cracking romp of a mystery story.
The structure is incredibly well plotted. As J.M. Hall presents mini cliff-hangers throughout each chapter as well as totally engaging epigraphs at the start of each one, A Clock Stopped Dead is the kind of book to keep a reader turning the page almost against their will. I love the way that, just as you think you’ve got a handle on what is going on, something else is dropped into the plot through the nosiness or conversations of Liz, Thelma and Pat, so that the repercussions ripple outwards, drawing you in more and more. Reading A Clock Stopped Dead is a bit like watching waves on a beach – impossible to predict just how they might break each time but mesmerising.
There’s a gentle humour throughout, that is enhanced by the private thoughts and personal situations of Pat, Liz and Thelma and particularly through the words they choose not to say. Their family tribulations and relationships, their ageing anxieties and so on make them warm and relatable characters. The dynamics between the three ladies shift and reform too in a very realistic manner akin to real friendships so that J.M. Hall brings them to vivid life. In fact, once A Clock Stopped Dead is finished and the various mysteries resolved, I found the final few pages quite emotional.
Given that A Clock Stopped Dead is a cosy murder mystery that is absorbing and entertaining, what gives it extra relatability and enjoyment for the reader is the exploration of human nature presented. There’s the impact of grief, self-delusion and deception. The challenges of new relationships and established marriages, of love and friendship blend in too so that this truly feels a story concerning real people about whom the reader feels strongly. This is wonderful storytelling.
I so enjoyed A Clock Stopped Dead. I find myself wondering what the ladies are up to now and longing to read more about them
A Clock Stopped Dead is tongue in cheek, hugely entertaining and a cracking romp of a mystery story.
The structure is incredibly well plotted. As J.M. Hall presents mini cliff-hangers throughout each chapter as well as totally engaging epigraphs at the start of each one, A Clock Stopped Dead is the kind of book to keep a reader turning the page almost against their will. I love the way that, just as you think you’ve got a handle on what is going on, something else is dropped into the plot through the nosiness or conversations of Liz, Thelma and Pat, so that the repercussions ripple outwards, drawing you in more and more. Reading A Clock Stopped Dead is a bit like watching waves on a beach – impossible to predict just how they might break each time but mesmerising.
There’s a gentle humour throughout, that is enhanced by the private thoughts and personal situations of Pat, Liz and Thelma and particularly through the words they choose not to say. Their family tribulations and relationships, their ageing anxieties and so on make them warm and relatable characters. The dynamics between the three ladies shift and reform too in a very realistic manner akin to real friendships so that J.M. Hall brings them to vivid life. In fact, once A Clock Stopped Dead is finished and the various mysteries resolved, I found the final few pages quite emotional.
Given that A Clock Stopped Dead is a cosy murder mystery that is absorbing and entertaining, what gives it extra relatability and enjoyment for the reader is the exploration of human nature presented. There’s the impact of grief, self-delusion and deception. The challenges of new relationships and established marriages, of love and friendship blend in too so that this truly feels a story concerning real people about whom the reader feels strongly. This is wonderful storytelling.
I so enjoyed A Clock Stopped Dead. I find myself wondering what the ladies are up to now and longing to read more about them
September 30, 2025
Charming at first, but I couldn’t keep up with all the side characters and whatever they had going on. So many red herrings that I could no longer see the forest through the trees and it honestly felt like the author was making it up as he went along.
April 24, 2025
Meh. I normally like this genre of people of a certain age solving mysteries but I couldn’t get into this one and skimmed the last third of it. I think I’m spoiled by Richard Osman and his Thursday Murder Club series. I won’t read another book in the JM Hall series.
December 3, 2023
***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
The very definition of a cozy mystery; in the Richard Osman vein of older people solving crimes. I hadn’t realised this was the third of a series when I began, although it didn’t seem to make too much difference - any reference to previous antics were explained or didn’t impact greatly on the plot.
For me, this one seemed to have a little too much book for the actual plot it contained. The main characters are often mentioning or revisiting the same as-yet-unresolved issues, without making too much headway on them until quite late in the book.
I’m sure a lot of people will really enjoy this book and it’s predecessors, for me it was a little too cozy and I wanted a little more mystery and edge.
I did notice quite a lot of spelling errors and grammatical mistakes; as this is an advance reading proof I assume these will be corrected before it’s published properly.
The very definition of a cozy mystery; in the Richard Osman vein of older people solving crimes. I hadn’t realised this was the third of a series when I began, although it didn’t seem to make too much difference - any reference to previous antics were explained or didn’t impact greatly on the plot.
For me, this one seemed to have a little too much book for the actual plot it contained. The main characters are often mentioning or revisiting the same as-yet-unresolved issues, without making too much headway on them until quite late in the book.
I’m sure a lot of people will really enjoy this book and it’s predecessors, for me it was a little too cozy and I wanted a little more mystery and edge.
I did notice quite a lot of spelling errors and grammatical mistakes; as this is an advance reading proof I assume these will be corrected before it’s published properly.
February 15, 2024
A big thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I just couldn't follow or get into this story. The chapters moved from one person to the next and there were so many things that really had nothing to do with the story. At end I really didn't care who did what to who.
I just couldn't follow or get into this story. The chapters moved from one person to the next and there were so many things that really had nothing to do with the story. At end I really didn't care who did what to who.
May 20, 2024
As a general rule, I don't like giving a 1 star but this really was not an enjoyable read. I had some many moments when I muttered 'just get on with it' 😡😡 The only reason I suffered theough it, is I don't like not finishing a book more!
August 11, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
A Clock Stopped Dead is the third cozy mystery featuring retired teachers Liz, Pat, and Thelma by J.M. Hall. Released 11th March 2023 by HarperCollins on their Avon, UK imprint, it's 330 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
The ladies are back on the trail when an acquaintance describes a disappearing charity shop and twigs their interest into getting to the bottom of things, which leads indirectly to more serious skullduggery. The entire "disappearing shop" trope is fascinating (and a little creepy) and the author does a great job running with the setup.
The protagonists are believable and appealing. The writing is smoother than the debut book, and the mystery well wrought and satisfying. The author has apparently found his stride. It is, however, VERY dialogue heavy and sometimes a trifle unwieldy for that reason. The audiobook might be a good compromise in this case.
Despite being the third book in the series, it works well as a standalone, although the ongoing interpersonal relationships and developments from earlier books will possibly give some spoilers for their earlier history.
Four stars. This would be a good choice for fans of Osman's excellent Thursday Murder club books, as well as Laurien Berenson's Peg & Rose series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Clock Stopped Dead is the third cozy mystery featuring retired teachers Liz, Pat, and Thelma by J.M. Hall. Released 11th March 2023 by HarperCollins on their Avon, UK imprint, it's 330 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
The ladies are back on the trail when an acquaintance describes a disappearing charity shop and twigs their interest into getting to the bottom of things, which leads indirectly to more serious skullduggery. The entire "disappearing shop" trope is fascinating (and a little creepy) and the author does a great job running with the setup.
The protagonists are believable and appealing. The writing is smoother than the debut book, and the mystery well wrought and satisfying. The author has apparently found his stride. It is, however, VERY dialogue heavy and sometimes a trifle unwieldy for that reason. The audiobook might be a good compromise in this case.
Despite being the third book in the series, it works well as a standalone, although the ongoing interpersonal relationships and developments from earlier books will possibly give some spoilers for their earlier history.
Four stars. This would be a good choice for fans of Osman's excellent Thursday Murder club books, as well as Laurien Berenson's Peg & Rose series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 26, 2024
I’m new to all this reading lark and didn’t realise this was book 3 of a series until my friend pointed it out 😂 in hindsight I should have stopped reading and read the others first as I was confused by the characters background/families etc all through the book, although it didn’t impact my understanding, it was hard following all the names and who was related to who etc. I enjoyed this book but it was fairly slow in the middle. I did however like how at the end it all tied together and no stone was left unturned and I deffo didn’t see the twist/ending coming!
September 25, 2024
It was ok.
It wasn’t the Richard Osman kind of thing I was expecting or hoping for, and the characters are slightly underwhelming. If you pay attention and read it fast, it’ll probably be a bit better, but some overused phrases, cliché stereotyping, and slow plot lines made me bored whilst reading it, so it took a while.
The overall plot and ending was fairly good though, which is why it’s more like 3.5 stars.
It wasn’t the Richard Osman kind of thing I was expecting or hoping for, and the characters are slightly underwhelming. If you pay attention and read it fast, it’ll probably be a bit better, but some overused phrases, cliché stereotyping, and slow plot lines made me bored whilst reading it, so it took a while.
The overall plot and ending was fairly good though, which is why it’s more like 3.5 stars.
August 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I feel like it was a solid book, and maybe a few mini shocks but ultimately quite predictable. Like I guessed what had happened with the death, I just didn't know who did it so props to me I guess. I don't think its my favourite, but also the winter January vibes were not the one on the warmest week of the year, so that probably doesn't help my view of the book lol.
I feel like it was a solid book, and maybe a few mini shocks but ultimately quite predictable. Like I guessed what had happened with the death, I just didn't know who did it so props to me I guess. I don't think its my favourite, but also the winter January vibes were not the one on the warmest week of the year, so that probably doesn't help my view of the book lol.
May 1, 2025
This is the third in the series of retired primary school teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma. I enjoyed the first two and whilst I did enjoy this one too, I found the plot less enjoyable than the previous and at times, a little bit silly. I’m also still struggling to separate the identities of the three main characters as well. However I will look forward to reading the next in the series.
October 9, 2024
A nice and cosy mystery - want to read the others in the series when I’m up in Yorkshire!
May 10, 2025
Liz, Pat and Thelma are retired school teachers who like to think of themselves as amateur sleuths. When their friend, Margeruite, tells them of a charity shop she stumbled across that then disappeared, they need to solve the mystery.
I liked the characters in this and even though I've not read the two previous books it was easy to catch up with what was happening in their lives.
The mystery though was confusing and disappointing. There were so many extra characters brought in with side stories I lost track of the main story at times.
I liked the characters in this and even though I've not read the two previous books it was easy to catch up with what was happening in their lives.
The mystery though was confusing and disappointing. There were so many extra characters brought in with side stories I lost track of the main story at times.
January 29, 2025
Another pleasant well constructed story easy reading and thoughtful writing
March 4, 2025
Enjoyed plot despite typos
November 10, 2024
A bit long winded for me altho not a bad plot.
November 11, 2024
This was actually really good . I'm definitely gonna be listening/ reading more of his books
March 11, 2024
A disappearing charity shop is the scene of a tragic car accident one foggy January evening. Pat, Thelma and Liz investigate the spooky goings-on and encounter events which put their friendship to the test.
A Clock Stopped Dead by J. M. Hall is the third book in a series featuring retired primary school teachers Pat, Thelma and Liz, and is set in North Yorkshire. The book sits well in the cosy crime genre and can easily be read as a standalone novel, however, reading the previous two books will give you an insight into a few of the characters mentioned in this book.
The story has a supernatural element right from the beginning and this thread is continued throughout the book. Marguerite, an ex-colleague of the investigative trio, wanders down an isolated country lane and stumbles across a mysterious charity shop. Upon entering the shop she feels that something isn't quite right, and when a strange apparition appears she bolts. Returning the next day Marguerite finds only a piece of waste ground, the charity shop has disappeared.
Hearing about the eerie event Pat, Thelma and Liz are sceptical until they learn that a woman was killed in a car accident in the same spot at the same time. The trio begin to wonder if there is something to their friend's story and begin to investigate.
The investigation leads to a troubled family and a house that seems to be frozen in time. Pat in particular is affected by the house, she has a sense of deja vu, and this maintains the ghostly theme.
Strong feelings about whether they should be supporting Marguerite's belief that mysterious forces are at play causes a rift in the trio. The rift is widened as they go off in separate directions investigating and Pat makes a new friend, Jamie. I did like Jamie, although he was stereotypical, as he allowed us to see a different side to Pat.
Set around North Yorkshire means that the places mentioned are familiar and I felt as if I was with the trio when places were visited. What really endears me to the books though are the characters. I love how Pat, Thelma and Liz use their skills developed as primary school teachers to help them solve crimes; organised, teacher stares, using silence as an interrogation technique and knowing when someone, even an adult, is lying.
All the different threads come together in the conclusion. What had happened and why were not a surprise but I certainly hadn't figured out how and who.
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
A Clock Stopped Dead by J. M. Hall is the third book in a series featuring retired primary school teachers Pat, Thelma and Liz, and is set in North Yorkshire. The book sits well in the cosy crime genre and can easily be read as a standalone novel, however, reading the previous two books will give you an insight into a few of the characters mentioned in this book.
The story has a supernatural element right from the beginning and this thread is continued throughout the book. Marguerite, an ex-colleague of the investigative trio, wanders down an isolated country lane and stumbles across a mysterious charity shop. Upon entering the shop she feels that something isn't quite right, and when a strange apparition appears she bolts. Returning the next day Marguerite finds only a piece of waste ground, the charity shop has disappeared.
Hearing about the eerie event Pat, Thelma and Liz are sceptical until they learn that a woman was killed in a car accident in the same spot at the same time. The trio begin to wonder if there is something to their friend's story and begin to investigate.
The investigation leads to a troubled family and a house that seems to be frozen in time. Pat in particular is affected by the house, she has a sense of deja vu, and this maintains the ghostly theme.
Strong feelings about whether they should be supporting Marguerite's belief that mysterious forces are at play causes a rift in the trio. The rift is widened as they go off in separate directions investigating and Pat makes a new friend, Jamie. I did like Jamie, although he was stereotypical, as he allowed us to see a different side to Pat.
Set around North Yorkshire means that the places mentioned are familiar and I felt as if I was with the trio when places were visited. What really endears me to the books though are the characters. I love how Pat, Thelma and Liz use their skills developed as primary school teachers to help them solve crimes; organised, teacher stares, using silence as an interrogation technique and knowing when someone, even an adult, is lying.
All the different threads come together in the conclusion. What had happened and why were not a surprise but I certainly hadn't figured out how and who.
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
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