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The Bad Girls Detective Agency #3
Murder on the Menu
Since Amber started the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency, she’s felt the pressure. So – determined not to let it get to her – she whisks her two best friends and colleagues, Jeanie and Clio, off for a weekend retreat at a beautiful castle on an island.
The girls are all excited to experience world-famous chef Amelie la Fontaine’s tasting menu.
But none of them expect there to be another dish being served that revenge. And when Amelie is found, dead, in her locked tower bedroom, the Bad Girls know this is a case that only they can solve…
The girls are all excited to experience world-famous chef Amelie la Fontaine’s tasting menu.
But none of them expect there to be another dish being served that revenge. And when Amelie is found, dead, in her locked tower bedroom, the Bad Girls know this is a case that only they can solve…
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2025
93 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Katie Marsh
15 books232 followersHello and welcome to my GoodReads page. Thank you for visiting!
I wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime in my forties. My debut novel was a World Book Night pick and my books are published in ten languages.
I live in the countryside and love strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of my children. ‘Murder on the Dancefloor'’, the second in my Bad Girls Detective Agency crime series, will be published by Boldwood Books in March 2024.
Do come and chat on instagram - I'm @katiemarshauthor.
Katie x
I wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime in my forties. My debut novel was a World Book Night pick and my books are published in ten languages.
I live in the countryside and love strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of my children. ‘Murder on the Dancefloor'’, the second in my Bad Girls Detective Agency crime series, will be published by Boldwood Books in March 2024.
Do come and chat on instagram - I'm @katiemarshauthor.
Katie x
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 26, 2024
I tried, I really tried... But it was just not for me. The plot is confusing, the characters stay flat despite a lot of unnecessary information about their background (I don't care whether a character has a lot of siblings who are only mentioned once and play no further role in the story) and there were a lot of very strange events. The three middle-aged (how come, middle aged? The lead character Amber is only 46!) women behave like twenty-somethings, run around without doing much except making the wrong decisions.
The first chapter was great though!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this review copy.
The first chapter was great though!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this review copy.
January 21, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this one. I had such a fun time with The Bad Girls Detective Agency again.
The atmosphere, the sleuthing but especially the relationship between the three women is so amazing and heartwarming. They go through thick and thin together no matter what. Everyone is unique in their own way but they work perfect together.
The atmosphere, the sleuthing but especially the relationship between the three women is so amazing and heartwarming. They go through thick and thin together no matter what. Everyone is unique in their own way but they work perfect together.
July 15, 2025
RECENZIJA
#3 Ubojstvo na meniju - Katie Marsh
5⭐️
Treći dio donosi urnebes. Cure su odlucile otvoriti detektivsku agenciju, ali prije toga treba se opustiti. Ali vikend zamisljen kao odmor zavrsava sa dozom ubojstva. Super mi je treći dio ovog vrckastog, laganog i pitkog serijala. Idealan za ljeto i opustanje.
#mojapreporuka
#3 Ubojstvo na meniju - Katie Marsh
5⭐️
Treći dio donosi urnebes. Cure su odlucile otvoriti detektivsku agenciju, ali prije toga treba se opustiti. Ali vikend zamisljen kao odmor zavrsava sa dozom ubojstva. Super mi je treći dio ovog vrckastog, laganog i pitkog serijala. Idealan za ljeto i opustanje.
#mojapreporuka
January 21, 2025
Murder On the Menu is the third book in The Bad Girls Detective Agency series by Katie Marsh. Amber and her two friends and co-workers at Bad Girls' Detective Agency, Jeanie and Clio, are on a weekend trip at a castle on an island and they are there to experience the tasting menu of a world famous chef. However a bad storm hits the island and creates a great atmosphere for a locked room murder mystery.
What worked for me is the atmosphere and the setting. I love thrillers and mysteries set on islands, during storms, and this one had that element. I liked that the book was told from the povs of all three friends which enabled us to 'see' the events happening rather than learning about them later. The plot was decent and overall i enjoyed the entire experience of reading it.
What didn't work me is character development. I wish the characters were more fleshed out, the main characters as well as the side characters. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the pacing and building the mystery. At no point did i get that sense of danger that the characters would have been experiencing and that was a letdown. However if you like locked room murder mysteries in isolated settings, you can give it a try.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a review copy.
What worked for me is the atmosphere and the setting. I love thrillers and mysteries set on islands, during storms, and this one had that element. I liked that the book was told from the povs of all three friends which enabled us to 'see' the events happening rather than learning about them later. The plot was decent and overall i enjoyed the entire experience of reading it.
What didn't work me is character development. I wish the characters were more fleshed out, the main characters as well as the side characters. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the pacing and building the mystery. At no point did i get that sense of danger that the characters would have been experiencing and that was a letdown. However if you like locked room murder mysteries in isolated settings, you can give it a try.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a review copy.
February 6, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love a good locked room murder mystery, and this is a great example, although in this case, it's a locked island. There are twists and turns throughout the book that kept me guessing on the identity of the murderer. Everyone on the island is a suspect, and the three main characters are kept running for their lives while they investigate the murders.
Katie is fantastic at descriptive writing, and her details of the island and the castle make it easy to see it all in your mind as you're reading.
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series of books, and this is the first one I have read. I was a little worried that I would get lost with the backstory for the three women, but thankfully I didn't need to worry. There are references to their past cases and earlier relationships, but they didn't stop me from enjoying the story or the characters. Although now I am encouraged to read the two earlier books.
Katie is fantastic at descriptive writing, and her details of the island and the castle make it easy to see it all in your mind as you're reading.
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series of books, and this is the first one I have read. I was a little worried that I would get lost with the backstory for the three women, but thankfully I didn't need to worry. There are references to their past cases and earlier relationships, but they didn't stop me from enjoying the story or the characters. Although now I am encouraged to read the two earlier books.
January 25, 2025
Murder on the Menu is the third book in The Bad Girl's Detective Agency series and is the second book in the series that I've read.
I loved the settings, they were the perfect scene setter, adding to the atmosphere and whole 'locked island' vibe. what could possibly go wrong...a remote private island, in a storm and with no internet...bring it on!
Catching up with the girls again was fun, there were plenty of laughs to be had with their antics and repartee. They're great characters, guaranteed to leave you smiling.
I enjoyed the book immensely, it's a well paced cosy murder/mystery with some brilliant twists and an ending that had me blindsided.
I loved the settings, they were the perfect scene setter, adding to the atmosphere and whole 'locked island' vibe. what could possibly go wrong...a remote private island, in a storm and with no internet...bring it on!
Catching up with the girls again was fun, there were plenty of laughs to be had with their antics and repartee. They're great characters, guaranteed to leave you smiling.
I enjoyed the book immensely, it's a well paced cosy murder/mystery with some brilliant twists and an ending that had me blindsided.
January 20, 2025
Quick easy read. Third in the series and I found I’m really starting to connect to the characters.
August 21, 2025
This was an easy read. The stories flow well and are a fun read
March 27, 2025
3.5 stars.
The three ladies of the Bad Girls Detective Agency are on a weekend retreat at a castle on an island. The weather turns out to be awful, with rain pouring down, winds breaking tree branches, and no cell reception. This is particularly bad when Amber literally crashes into a room to find the world famous chef and owner of the retreat, Amelie la Fontaine, bludgeoned to death.
Almost immediately after, another guest is poisoned, and Amber, Clio and Jeanie are desperate to find out who the killer is. With the police unable to arrive (there is a landline so Amber did report the death) for hours, the Bad Girls Detective Agency must not only protect the remaining people at the retreat from harm, but must also find the killer.
Coupled with the already high tension of the situation, Amber worries about the financial health of the agency, and wonders why the retreat's manager is dogging her footsteps. For someone with trust issues, and years of police training, Amber is highly suspicious.
The women unearth lots of secrets and Amber figures out who the killer is, while gaining some information that shakes her up considerably.
This had the feeling of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None", though I will state that Dame Christie's is better. That said, much as I found Clio irritating, again, she was less so this time around (compared to book two). I like Amber and her competence, and Jeanie is getting much better at the whole sleuthing thing.
The three women's friendship remains critical to them solving the situation and I like that a lot. While this is the third in a series, author Katie Marsh provides enough backstory and detail in this book to read this without missing anything critical about the trio, or their past adventures.
I think this was better than book two, and I hope the trio get to solve more mysteries together.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The three ladies of the Bad Girls Detective Agency are on a weekend retreat at a castle on an island. The weather turns out to be awful, with rain pouring down, winds breaking tree branches, and no cell reception. This is particularly bad when Amber literally crashes into a room to find the world famous chef and owner of the retreat, Amelie la Fontaine, bludgeoned to death.
Almost immediately after, another guest is poisoned, and Amber, Clio and Jeanie are desperate to find out who the killer is. With the police unable to arrive (there is a landline so Amber did report the death) for hours, the Bad Girls Detective Agency must not only protect the remaining people at the retreat from harm, but must also find the killer.
Coupled with the already high tension of the situation, Amber worries about the financial health of the agency, and wonders why the retreat's manager is dogging her footsteps. For someone with trust issues, and years of police training, Amber is highly suspicious.
The women unearth lots of secrets and Amber figures out who the killer is, while gaining some information that shakes her up considerably.
This had the feeling of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None", though I will state that Dame Christie's is better. That said, much as I found Clio irritating, again, she was less so this time around (compared to book two). I like Amber and her competence, and Jeanie is getting much better at the whole sleuthing thing.
The three women's friendship remains critical to them solving the situation and I like that a lot. While this is the third in a series, author Katie Marsh provides enough backstory and detail in this book to read this without missing anything critical about the trio, or their past adventures.
I think this was better than book two, and I hope the trio get to solve more mysteries together.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
January 8, 2025
Loved this book! I’m a big fan of the remote island setting with limited suspects and this was no exception. I loved the slow unraveling and mysteries that were uncovered throughout. The trio is always hilarious and I loved reading more about that then. I will say I tend to be able to guess the killers in Marsh’ books but it doesn’t make me enjoy them any less. It was a tad cheesy at times but not bad. Overall a fun and quick read I’d recommend to fans of the series, as well as fans of the Finley Donovan series! I got this book as an ARC through net galley.
January 22, 2025
Oh my goodness, this book was just wonderful – frenetically paced and edge-of-the-seat storytelling, laugh-out-loud funny, those wonderful friendships, and sheer fun from its beginning (and such a gripping opening chapter…) to its perfect end.
Amber has never been too keen on birthday celebrations – they bring back bad memories – but she’s determined to make the best of it when Clio wins a trip to La Fontaine, a new luxury island resort. It doesn’t help that the Bad Girls Detective Agency is struggling, propped up by money from her savings – but she’s determined to plaster on a smile for her two best friends, Clio and Jeanie. But it doesn’t turn out to be much of a break – they’ve hardly arrived when she finds celebrity chef Valerie lying dead in her turret retreat, and there’s little doubt she’s been murdered. There’s no internet or phone signal, but there is a landline to call in the police – but they can’t attend because a worsening storm makes it impossible to get there. And that means no-one else can arrive or leave either – so the murderer must be there too, and there are plenty of suspects. And as our detective trio do their level best to investigate, more deaths follow – and the pool of suspects gets ever smaller as the storm continues to rage.
The plot quite deliciously twists and turns, with some real surprises along the way – it does help a little to know the main characters’ back stories for some of them, but you could happily pick up this book as a standalone and equally enjoy it. Well really, how couldn’t you? With that wonderfully claustrophobic setting, an unlocked gun cabinet, the secret passages, malfunctioning walkie-talkies, the addition of poison to the mix, multiple suspects, the many red herrings, as well as a bit of drug-trafficking – oh, and so much more!
But this is a locked door mystery with a real difference, because it’s also side-splittingly funny. I know humour can be quite a personal thing, but it certainly hit the perfect note for me – particularly the exchanges between the three close friends. And all the laughs certainly don’t detract from the mounting tension – the pacing is just perfect, totally frenetic at times but with those precious quieter moments to take stock, compare notes, and reflect on their lives. And the friendship between them is as warm and wonderful as ever – despite being severely tested at times, and complicated by some of their discoveries.
I really thought this was the best so far in this fantastic series – I raced through it, often rather breathlessly, and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment. You might think locked door mysteries have been done so many times before – but never quite like this one! So entertaining, and tremendous fun – but really well plotted and with moments of poignancy that catch you by surprise. Just wonderful – I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
Amber has never been too keen on birthday celebrations – they bring back bad memories – but she’s determined to make the best of it when Clio wins a trip to La Fontaine, a new luxury island resort. It doesn’t help that the Bad Girls Detective Agency is struggling, propped up by money from her savings – but she’s determined to plaster on a smile for her two best friends, Clio and Jeanie. But it doesn’t turn out to be much of a break – they’ve hardly arrived when she finds celebrity chef Valerie lying dead in her turret retreat, and there’s little doubt she’s been murdered. There’s no internet or phone signal, but there is a landline to call in the police – but they can’t attend because a worsening storm makes it impossible to get there. And that means no-one else can arrive or leave either – so the murderer must be there too, and there are plenty of suspects. And as our detective trio do their level best to investigate, more deaths follow – and the pool of suspects gets ever smaller as the storm continues to rage.
The plot quite deliciously twists and turns, with some real surprises along the way – it does help a little to know the main characters’ back stories for some of them, but you could happily pick up this book as a standalone and equally enjoy it. Well really, how couldn’t you? With that wonderfully claustrophobic setting, an unlocked gun cabinet, the secret passages, malfunctioning walkie-talkies, the addition of poison to the mix, multiple suspects, the many red herrings, as well as a bit of drug-trafficking – oh, and so much more!
But this is a locked door mystery with a real difference, because it’s also side-splittingly funny. I know humour can be quite a personal thing, but it certainly hit the perfect note for me – particularly the exchanges between the three close friends. And all the laughs certainly don’t detract from the mounting tension – the pacing is just perfect, totally frenetic at times but with those precious quieter moments to take stock, compare notes, and reflect on their lives. And the friendship between them is as warm and wonderful as ever – despite being severely tested at times, and complicated by some of their discoveries.
I really thought this was the best so far in this fantastic series – I raced through it, often rather breathlessly, and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment. You might think locked door mysteries have been done so many times before – but never quite like this one! So entertaining, and tremendous fun – but really well plotted and with moments of poignancy that catch you by surprise. Just wonderful – I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
December 20, 2024
Format: Ebook
ARC provided by Boldwood Books via Netgalley.
In the third instalment of the ‘Bad Girls Detective Agency’ series, Amber, Clio and Jeanie have won a trip to a luxury castle retreat on a remote island. The perfect opportunity to relax, right? But when world-famous chef and retreat owner Valerie la Fontaine turns up dead, it doesn’t take long for the Bad Girls to launch a new investigation to find the killer before they strike again…
I’ve read the first two books in this series and really enjoyed them so was looking forward to reading this. While I do think the earlier books offer some useful context to the characters and their backgrounds (a few references will seem out of place without having read them), I don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy this book.
Straight from the first page we were thrown into the action. I was hooked from the start and was really intrigued to see how the tension built to that point. There are quite a few suspects but not in a confusing way and the author did a great job of keeping me guessing throughout so I didn’t see the twists coming. While still serious, the book was sprinkled with humour and a really entertaining read.
The thing that makes these books for me is the characters: Amber, Clio and Jeanie. We spend time with each of them giving us a well-rounded picture of what’s going on, and we learn what is happening alongside them. Amber is arguably our main character in this book, but Clio and Jeanie are still very fleshed out. They have a strong friendship and it feels like you’re a part of that when reading.
Overall, this was a great addition to the series and one I’d definitely recommend for an entertaining murder mystery that keeps you on your toes, particularly if you’re a fan of non-detective detective stories.
ARC provided by Boldwood Books via Netgalley.
In the third instalment of the ‘Bad Girls Detective Agency’ series, Amber, Clio and Jeanie have won a trip to a luxury castle retreat on a remote island. The perfect opportunity to relax, right? But when world-famous chef and retreat owner Valerie la Fontaine turns up dead, it doesn’t take long for the Bad Girls to launch a new investigation to find the killer before they strike again…
I’ve read the first two books in this series and really enjoyed them so was looking forward to reading this. While I do think the earlier books offer some useful context to the characters and their backgrounds (a few references will seem out of place without having read them), I don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy this book.
Straight from the first page we were thrown into the action. I was hooked from the start and was really intrigued to see how the tension built to that point. There are quite a few suspects but not in a confusing way and the author did a great job of keeping me guessing throughout so I didn’t see the twists coming. While still serious, the book was sprinkled with humour and a really entertaining read.
The thing that makes these books for me is the characters: Amber, Clio and Jeanie. We spend time with each of them giving us a well-rounded picture of what’s going on, and we learn what is happening alongside them. Amber is arguably our main character in this book, but Clio and Jeanie are still very fleshed out. They have a strong friendship and it feels like you’re a part of that when reading.
Overall, this was a great addition to the series and one I’d definitely recommend for an entertaining murder mystery that keeps you on your toes, particularly if you’re a fan of non-detective detective stories.
December 28, 2024
This book was billed as perfect for fans of the tv series The Traitors, and as I love that I thought I would give the book a try. Unfortunately the book doesn’t have much in common with The Traitors at all, other than it being mostly set in a castle.
I didn’t realise this book was part of series, so I haven’t read the previous books. The book seemed to work OK as a standalone but I did think the characters were quite flat and boring. Maybe if I’d read the other books I would have more of a connection with them.
Ex police officer Amber runs the Bad Girls Detective Agency with her two best friends from school, Clio and Jeanie. Clio organises a relaxing weekend for them at the soft launch of a new luxury hotel on an island. When the host is found dead, and more bodies are discovered, can the agency find out whodunnit?
This was an easy read but it felt a bit basic to me. The plot wasn’t very well linked and it seemed like each character was running around the place like a headless chicken, randomly discovering things. The main characters in the story are meant to be in their mid 40s but their behaviour seems childish at times. There could have been so much tension and atmosphere in this book and there just wasn’t at all.
I’m not sure if the author took inspiration from And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie, but the trapped on a building on an island in a storm with a killer doesn’t seem a very original premise these days.
I wanted to like this book but it fell very flat for me and I was bored for most of it. I slogged through to find out who the killer was but even that was predictable so it was a bit of a let down for me. If you’ve read the previous books in the series you might enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy.
I didn’t realise this book was part of series, so I haven’t read the previous books. The book seemed to work OK as a standalone but I did think the characters were quite flat and boring. Maybe if I’d read the other books I would have more of a connection with them.
Ex police officer Amber runs the Bad Girls Detective Agency with her two best friends from school, Clio and Jeanie. Clio organises a relaxing weekend for them at the soft launch of a new luxury hotel on an island. When the host is found dead, and more bodies are discovered, can the agency find out whodunnit?
This was an easy read but it felt a bit basic to me. The plot wasn’t very well linked and it seemed like each character was running around the place like a headless chicken, randomly discovering things. The main characters in the story are meant to be in their mid 40s but their behaviour seems childish at times. There could have been so much tension and atmosphere in this book and there just wasn’t at all.
I’m not sure if the author took inspiration from And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie, but the trapped on a building on an island in a storm with a killer doesn’t seem a very original premise these days.
I wanted to like this book but it fell very flat for me and I was bored for most of it. I slogged through to find out who the killer was but even that was predictable so it was a bit of a let down for me. If you’ve read the previous books in the series you might enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy.
December 21, 2024
Murder On The Menu is the third book in the bad girls Detective agency by Katie Marsh and I must say I have yet to find a series that brings me as much joy as this one does. This time they’re celebrating Amber‘s birthday and she just so happens to win tickets to the opening of La Fontaine a resort and restaurant that first started in Miami and she couldn’t believe her luck. When they first arrive, they’re excited to not only meet the host and celebrity chef, but Amber is even more surprised when less than an hour later she finds her dead in her little cozy room upstairs. from those protesting the resorts opening to a celebrity, gossip magazine reporter who the chef seemed to fear, and even her assistant Melissa the suspects are plentiful, but who would want to kill an American celebrity chef all the way on a tiny island in Scotland. things get more confusing when they find others dead including the reporter, not only that the murderer isn’t even the biggest twist of this book.. can I just say in the first book and this book I love Amber‘s inner and outer dialogue and how they’re absolutely opposite of each other. These books are so funny. I find it impossible to put down not to mention the twist and turns in the plot I find the author to be a talented writer in a great cozy mystery inventor and OMG the lol moments don’t end. I freaking love these books and this one was so super funny. I just loved it! I like that we get to know more about Amber and her backstory. I don’t want to give anything away. Just know if you’ve read book one and book 2 or if you haven’t read it you should still read this one book 3 these are great books and as I said and keep saying, I just love them!#NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks, #MurderOnTheMenu, #TheBadGirlsDetectiveAgency, #KatieMarsh,
February 2, 2025
Katie Marsh brings back the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency for another nail-biting mystery readers will not want to put down: Murder on the Menu.
Setting up your own detective agency is not for the faint-hearted and Amber knows this only too well. There is a lot riding on the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency and she vows to do whatever it takes to make the business a success. But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Feeling the pressure, Amber is looking forward to finding some time to relax and unwind, so she’s over the moon when she wins an all-expenses paid trip to a luxury castle on a remote island. With her best friends in tow, Amber is determined to have the time of her life. However, little does she realise that chaos, mayhem and murder are going to follow!
With the chance to sample world-famous chef Valerie La Fontaine’s tasting menu, the girls are beyond excited. However, they hadn’t counted on finding Valerie dead inside a locked room in a tower! Someone clearly had revenge on their mind and the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency find themselves with another case to solve. Can they find out who killed Valerie and bring a killer to justice? Or will a murderer intent on revenge end up getting away with it?
Katie Marsh’s Murder on the Menu is a fun-packed, hilarious and engrossing mystery that skillfully balances tension, suspense, humour and intrigue. Full of twists and turns that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, this enjoyable whodunnit will have them eager for the next adventure featuring the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Setting up your own detective agency is not for the faint-hearted and Amber knows this only too well. There is a lot riding on the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency and she vows to do whatever it takes to make the business a success. But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Feeling the pressure, Amber is looking forward to finding some time to relax and unwind, so she’s over the moon when she wins an all-expenses paid trip to a luxury castle on a remote island. With her best friends in tow, Amber is determined to have the time of her life. However, little does she realise that chaos, mayhem and murder are going to follow!
With the chance to sample world-famous chef Valerie La Fontaine’s tasting menu, the girls are beyond excited. However, they hadn’t counted on finding Valerie dead inside a locked room in a tower! Someone clearly had revenge on their mind and the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency find themselves with another case to solve. Can they find out who killed Valerie and bring a killer to justice? Or will a murderer intent on revenge end up getting away with it?
Katie Marsh’s Murder on the Menu is a fun-packed, hilarious and engrossing mystery that skillfully balances tension, suspense, humour and intrigue. Full of twists and turns that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, this enjoyable whodunnit will have them eager for the next adventure featuring the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 8, 2025
Amber, Clio and Jeanie win a hotel retreat to sample the fine dining of a famous chef. But within hours of their arrival they are stranded due to a storm and there is a killer In their midst…
Murder on the Menu is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series (I have read and reviewed the second book on my blog).
It has been a fraught year with murders and the mayhem of everydauy life. So Amber, Clio and Jeanie are looking forward to a well earned break. Sadly fate and a killer have other ideas and the detectives are soon at work trying to find the murderer, fighting against the weather and a whole host of secrets and lies.
There are several mentions of events in earlier books but no significant spoilers. Jeanie’s sisters don’t feature in this book so there are fewer characters to keep track of and a little less humour. Poor Amber has lots of financial worries and the murder provides a useful distraction!
The detectives are on their own as the police can't access the island due to the storm. Then the phone lines are cut and there is no help available so the trio need to investigate to keep themselves and the other guests safe. I feel proud of myself for actually guessing the killer correctly but I had no clue about the motive.
The style of writing is easy to read and I liked the strong character development and depiction. There are classic elements such as locked door murders, secret passageways and an isolated location. Technology is of limited help due to the storm so the detectives need to rely on their own powers of deduction.
Murder on the Menu is an entertaining murder mystery and I enjoyed being reunited with the Bad Girls Detective Agency again.
Murder on the Menu is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series (I have read and reviewed the second book on my blog).
It has been a fraught year with murders and the mayhem of everydauy life. So Amber, Clio and Jeanie are looking forward to a well earned break. Sadly fate and a killer have other ideas and the detectives are soon at work trying to find the murderer, fighting against the weather and a whole host of secrets and lies.
There are several mentions of events in earlier books but no significant spoilers. Jeanie’s sisters don’t feature in this book so there are fewer characters to keep track of and a little less humour. Poor Amber has lots of financial worries and the murder provides a useful distraction!
The detectives are on their own as the police can't access the island due to the storm. Then the phone lines are cut and there is no help available so the trio need to investigate to keep themselves and the other guests safe. I feel proud of myself for actually guessing the killer correctly but I had no clue about the motive.
The style of writing is easy to read and I liked the strong character development and depiction. There are classic elements such as locked door murders, secret passageways and an isolated location. Technology is of limited help due to the storm so the detectives need to rely on their own powers of deduction.
Murder on the Menu is an entertaining murder mystery and I enjoyed being reunited with the Bad Girls Detective Agency again.
January 6, 2025
2.8/5
This book had an intriguing premise—comedic mysteries and whodunits are always a draw for me. The story follows three middle-aged best friends who run a small detective agency. What begins as a weekend getaway with celebrity chef Valerie quickly turns into a murder-filled mystery.
Unfortunately, the execution fell short. The pacing was off, with the first murder occurring before sufficient character and world-building took place. While there were attempts to establish deep lore and playful banter, these efforts did little to make the characters feel multidimensional or engaging. Their relationships with one another and the plot felt surface-level, leaving the narrative lacking in emotional depth.
For a murder mystery, the tension and suspense were surprisingly absent. While certain scenes were set up for thrilling moments, they often failed to deliver. The major plot twist around the 70% mark felt unnecessary, tying back to the main characters’ storylines in a way that felt forced rather than meaningful.
That said, the killer’s reveal was genuinely surprising, and the unraveling of the mystery itself was enjoyable. The investigative elements were detailed and well thought out, though the story dragged toward the end with excessive dialogue and an overly drawn-out conclusion.
Overall, while the concept was engaging, the execution felt amateurish, leaving a promising story feeling flat.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book had an intriguing premise—comedic mysteries and whodunits are always a draw for me. The story follows three middle-aged best friends who run a small detective agency. What begins as a weekend getaway with celebrity chef Valerie quickly turns into a murder-filled mystery.
Unfortunately, the execution fell short. The pacing was off, with the first murder occurring before sufficient character and world-building took place. While there were attempts to establish deep lore and playful banter, these efforts did little to make the characters feel multidimensional or engaging. Their relationships with one another and the plot felt surface-level, leaving the narrative lacking in emotional depth.
For a murder mystery, the tension and suspense were surprisingly absent. While certain scenes were set up for thrilling moments, they often failed to deliver. The major plot twist around the 70% mark felt unnecessary, tying back to the main characters’ storylines in a way that felt forced rather than meaningful.
That said, the killer’s reveal was genuinely surprising, and the unraveling of the mystery itself was enjoyable. The investigative elements were detailed and well thought out, though the story dragged toward the end with excessive dialogue and an overly drawn-out conclusion.
Overall, while the concept was engaging, the execution felt amateurish, leaving a promising story feeling flat.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 19, 2025
I’m always on the lookout for more cosy crime authors, so when the opportunity to review Murder on the Menu by Katie Marsh arose, I jumped on it.
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, and I haven’t read the previous two. I found that this book worked well on its own, there weren’t any confusing bits where I felt like I was missing vital information.
The setting worked well, the island isolated by the storm, and the run down castle, produced an excellent atmosphere for this thrilling tale.
I liked the characters, and though I suspect I would have understood them better if I’d started with book one, they were all well enough portrayed that they felt real.
The mystery was a good one, and although I had suspicions of the culprit near the beginning, I couldn’t be sure until all was revealed. There were many excellent candidates for the murderer!
The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that the story was much more towards the thriller end of the cosy crime genre. I prefer my cosy crimes much more cosy! However, this book whiled away a few hours very pleasantly, and I liked everything else.
Overall, this was an exciting mystery with plenty of atmosphere. If you like your cosy crimes thrilling, then this book would be a good fit for you.
I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
TW: very claustrophobic secret passageways
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, and I haven’t read the previous two. I found that this book worked well on its own, there weren’t any confusing bits where I felt like I was missing vital information.
The setting worked well, the island isolated by the storm, and the run down castle, produced an excellent atmosphere for this thrilling tale.
I liked the characters, and though I suspect I would have understood them better if I’d started with book one, they were all well enough portrayed that they felt real.
The mystery was a good one, and although I had suspicions of the culprit near the beginning, I couldn’t be sure until all was revealed. There were many excellent candidates for the murderer!
The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that the story was much more towards the thriller end of the cosy crime genre. I prefer my cosy crimes much more cosy! However, this book whiled away a few hours very pleasantly, and I liked everything else.
Overall, this was an exciting mystery with plenty of atmosphere. If you like your cosy crimes thrilling, then this book would be a good fit for you.
I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
TW: very claustrophobic secret passageways
January 26, 2025
What an opener!!! It’s got tense, instilled some fear in me and I’ve got to admit, it made me chuckle a little. All good signs that I’m in for a treat!
So you go away with your besties to an exclusive island hotel launch for a birthday break and the day job of crime solving follows you? I can’t decide whether Amber is relieved at the idea of solving a murder or not when she’s meant to be celebrating her birthday with Clio and Jeanie.
I really like the way each of the girls brings something different to their investigations. Between them they unravel the clues and ask the pertinent questions. The suspects around them really do not like being questioned especially about their relationship with the victim – the girls are definitely hitting a few nerves there!!
I have to mention Jocelyn. Marsh has encapsulated in Jocelyn the über fan. The obsessive individual who is seriously excitable. She just made me chuckle when I met her… oh and the toilet trip 😂🤐😂🤐
Marsh has delivered a tense murder mystery locked room or rather storm bound style. I felt the dark foreboding weather cloud hanging over me. I didn’t want this trio to upset the culprit by their investigations. That said there are moments of lightheartedness especially when the Bad Girls are together which made this murder mystery an entertaining read.
So you go away with your besties to an exclusive island hotel launch for a birthday break and the day job of crime solving follows you? I can’t decide whether Amber is relieved at the idea of solving a murder or not when she’s meant to be celebrating her birthday with Clio and Jeanie.
I really like the way each of the girls brings something different to their investigations. Between them they unravel the clues and ask the pertinent questions. The suspects around them really do not like being questioned especially about their relationship with the victim – the girls are definitely hitting a few nerves there!!
I have to mention Jocelyn. Marsh has encapsulated in Jocelyn the über fan. The obsessive individual who is seriously excitable. She just made me chuckle when I met her… oh and the toilet trip 😂🤐😂🤐
Marsh has delivered a tense murder mystery locked room or rather storm bound style. I felt the dark foreboding weather cloud hanging over me. I didn’t want this trio to upset the culprit by their investigations. That said there are moments of lightheartedness especially when the Bad Girls are together which made this murder mystery an entertaining read.
December 13, 2024
Murder on the Menu is the third installment in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, which follows a trio of women in their 40s solving murders in their hometown of Sunshine Sands. Having read the first two books back-to-back, I’ve grown quite familiar to the characters and their quirks. This time, the spotlight is on Amber — a former detective with a strong sense of justice and a knack for bending the rules to get results.
Set on a dark and stormy island during what’s supposed to be a relaxing birthday weekend, the trio finds themselves once again chasing a killer. But here's the twist: they’re all trapped inside the same castle as the culprit.
The book is loyal to its trademark British humour, with witty banter and nostalgic callbacks to childhood memories), while introducing a new lineup of eccentric suspects. It’s an entertaining, lighthearted read that offers thrills, female camaraderie, and some laugh-out-loud moments.
However, the frequent flashbacks to childhood didn’t always feel necessary and occasionally disrupted the flow of the mystery.
Overall, this is an enjoyable palate cleanser—perfect for those looking to break up heavier reads with a fun, cozy whodunnit.
Set on a dark and stormy island during what’s supposed to be a relaxing birthday weekend, the trio finds themselves once again chasing a killer. But here's the twist: they’re all trapped inside the same castle as the culprit.
The book is loyal to its trademark British humour, with witty banter and nostalgic callbacks to childhood memories), while introducing a new lineup of eccentric suspects. It’s an entertaining, lighthearted read that offers thrills, female camaraderie, and some laugh-out-loud moments.
However, the frequent flashbacks to childhood didn’t always feel necessary and occasionally disrupted the flow of the mystery.
Overall, this is an enjoyable palate cleanser—perfect for those looking to break up heavier reads with a fun, cozy whodunnit.
January 15, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Katie Marsh for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder on the Menu coming out January 18, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Since Amber started the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency, she’s been feeling the pressure. So – when she and her best friends win a trip to a new luxury castle retreat on a remote island – she hopes it will be a chance to relax in style.
The girls are all excited to experience world-famous chef Valerie la Fontaine’s tasting menu.
But none of them expect there to be another dish being served that weekend: revenge. And when Valerie is found dead inside a locked room in a tower, the Bad Girls know this is a case that only they can solve…
I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I love mysteries. I thought the beginning started with a bang. I was thinking it was more of a cozy based on the summary, but then it didn’t feel as cozy. There were more thriller elements to the book. But I loved the setting and the characters were really interesting. I would read more books by this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries!
Since Amber started the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency, she’s been feeling the pressure. So – when she and her best friends win a trip to a new luxury castle retreat on a remote island – she hopes it will be a chance to relax in style.
The girls are all excited to experience world-famous chef Valerie la Fontaine’s tasting menu.
But none of them expect there to be another dish being served that weekend: revenge. And when Valerie is found dead inside a locked room in a tower, the Bad Girls know this is a case that only they can solve…
I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I love mysteries. I thought the beginning started with a bang. I was thinking it was more of a cozy based on the summary, but then it didn’t feel as cozy. There were more thriller elements to the book. But I loved the setting and the characters were really interesting. I would read more books by this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries!
December 18, 2024
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series. Amber's friends have planned a surprise birthday weekend for her, but their escape to the chateau doesn't go entirely as planned.
I read the previous two books in this series, and I enjoyed them both, so I was looking forward to this. The storytelling was humorous, and the characters made me smile. It was also an entertaining murder mystery that kept me guessing. If you haven't read the previous two books, I think this would work as a standalone, but I would recommend the previous two books as well.
Amber, Clio and Jeanie have strong personalities, and I appreciate their friendship. This is the type of book that I might choose if I was in the mood for something fun and sassy, or something to make me giggle.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series. Amber's friends have planned a surprise birthday weekend for her, but their escape to the chateau doesn't go entirely as planned.
I read the previous two books in this series, and I enjoyed them both, so I was looking forward to this. The storytelling was humorous, and the characters made me smile. It was also an entertaining murder mystery that kept me guessing. If you haven't read the previous two books, I think this would work as a standalone, but I would recommend the previous two books as well.
Amber, Clio and Jeanie have strong personalities, and I appreciate their friendship. This is the type of book that I might choose if I was in the mood for something fun and sassy, or something to make me giggle.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
March 31, 2025
Ambra Nagra is the owner of the Bad Girls Detective Agency. It's her birthday and her friends (Clio and Jeanie) have arranged for an exclusive preview of the new Chateau la Fontaine island retreat for the celebration. Even though Amber dislikes celebrating her birthday, she is looking forward to tasting food made by the renowned chef Valerie la Fontaine.
A storm starts to roll in on their way over to the isalnd retreat and essentially renders them the only guests on the island until the storm dies. A situation ripe for a mysterious murder. The Bad Girls Detective Agency must figure out who the killer is, while ensuring that none of them become the next victims.
A thrilling and fast paced mystery that I sped through. I liked the three lead characters as they all have different strengths that play off each other. I did not realize that this was part of a series when I got it and will definitely go back and read the others. Not having read the first ones does not impact on reading this as a standalone.
A storm starts to roll in on their way over to the isalnd retreat and essentially renders them the only guests on the island until the storm dies. A situation ripe for a mysterious murder. The Bad Girls Detective Agency must figure out who the killer is, while ensuring that none of them become the next victims.
A thrilling and fast paced mystery that I sped through. I liked the three lead characters as they all have different strengths that play off each other. I did not realize that this was part of a series when I got it and will definitely go back and read the others. Not having read the first ones does not impact on reading this as a standalone.
January 4, 2025
Murder on the Menu by Katie Marsh
3.5/5
Started off 2025 with my first Netgalley ARC!
'Murder on the menu' is the third book in the "Bad Girls Detective Agency" series. I had not read any of the other books in the series prior to picking this one up but found I didn't need to.
Amber and her two best friends, Jeannie and Clio run a detective agency and head away on what is meant to be a relaxing weekend at a castle recently acquired by a well renowned chef, little did they know what the weekend would turn into when said chef is found dead.
The book was a nice cruisy read that got into the action quickly. It had a good pace but also described the characters and history enough that if you hadn't read any others in the series it didn't matter, but also didn't drag on for those who may have been familiar with the characters.
It was really enjoyable! I found myself wanting to read more about Amber, Jeannie and Clio and so have now bought the other two books in the series to read ☺️
3.5/5
Started off 2025 with my first Netgalley ARC!
'Murder on the menu' is the third book in the "Bad Girls Detective Agency" series. I had not read any of the other books in the series prior to picking this one up but found I didn't need to.
Amber and her two best friends, Jeannie and Clio run a detective agency and head away on what is meant to be a relaxing weekend at a castle recently acquired by a well renowned chef, little did they know what the weekend would turn into when said chef is found dead.
The book was a nice cruisy read that got into the action quickly. It had a good pace but also described the characters and history enough that if you hadn't read any others in the series it didn't matter, but also didn't drag on for those who may have been familiar with the characters.
It was really enjoyable! I found myself wanting to read more about Amber, Jeannie and Clio and so have now bought the other two books in the series to read ☺️
December 4, 2024
Received this as an Arc Reader from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I read by Katie Marsh, but not the first in this series but didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not reading the other books first. This follows the Bad Girl Detective Agency on a weekend away for Ambers birthday but it all ends in disasters when people start dropping dead. I found there to be unnecessary plots points about the characters which didn’t add anything to the story. I didn’t expect the plot twist but I feel like it wasn’t weaved together well and ended up being kind of confusing for me. If the story had been fleshed out and maybe 50 pages longer then I feel it could have been better but without the unnecessary details about the characters and other storylines making it confusing to follow.
December 6, 2024
Birthday celebrations on an island can be murderous or It was dark and stormy on an isolated island.
Three friends in their mid-forties won a fun trip to an isolated island. But the weather is nasty and the rest of the guests can't get to it. Neither can the police. The first body is that of the celebrity chef, yet it doesn't stop there but only gets scarier. And then there's the one liners and repartee to go along with the goofy situations and a twisty plot full of almost convincing sneaky red herrings. I knew this series was going to turn into a real winner! Laughed my sox off!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected reader's proof from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thanks!
Avail Jan 18, 2025 #MurderontheMenu by Katie Marsh #BadGirlsDetectiveAgencyBk3 #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks #CozyMystery #TrappedOnAnIsland #MurderMystery #Humour
Three friends in their mid-forties won a fun trip to an isolated island. But the weather is nasty and the rest of the guests can't get to it. Neither can the police. The first body is that of the celebrity chef, yet it doesn't stop there but only gets scarier. And then there's the one liners and repartee to go along with the goofy situations and a twisty plot full of almost convincing sneaky red herrings. I knew this series was going to turn into a real winner! Laughed my sox off!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected reader's proof from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thanks!
Avail Jan 18, 2025 #MurderontheMenu by Katie Marsh #BadGirlsDetectiveAgencyBk3 #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks #CozyMystery #TrappedOnAnIsland #MurderMystery #Humour
January 16, 2025
MURDER ON THE MENU is a delightfully smooth casual cozy Mystery set in a renovated castle on an isolated Island off the coast of Great Britain. A famous chef is about to open a new resort in the castle and three best friends are among the first five visitors, attending a weekend soft launch, together with a temporarily wheelchair-bound older lady and a charming but presumptuous celebrity-journalist. A dangerous imminent storm, no Wi-Fi nor cell service, no way back to the mainland till the storm finally subsides--all that and a Killer both vicious, indefatigable, and elusive. The one hope is that the three best friends form a private investigative Agency, and the owner has two decades of police experience. However, the odds are heavily stacked against anyone's survival...
Release: January 18 2025
Bad Girls Detective Agency Book 3
Release: January 18 2025
Bad Girls Detective Agency Book 3
February 11, 2025
Favorite Quotes:
She had babysat Jeanie’s two-year-old twins a couple of months before, and had aged a decade in four hours.
I think this is officially the worst meet up we have ever had, including that time we went to the park in the rain and a tramp peed in my bag.
The more Jeanie looked at the castle, the more crumbling it appeared to be. It was like her body since having kids– neglected, sagging, mouldering quietly away unnoticed, the bottom of the priority list.
‘Back off!’ Jeanie could feel blood in her mouth. ‘Whoever the hell you are, you have two pissed off and starving midlife women in here with you, so just give up now, okay?’
My Review:
This was a well-plotted mystery that seemed unsolvable, even for the ever-intrepid trio of the Bad Girls Detective Agency. The little pea in my brain certainly was not getting anywhere from spinning in place with the odd events occurring and the dearth of clues collected, and the general tone felt more tense than cozy. However, Ms. Marsh’s signature wit and lashings of amusing humor kept it from being too angsty. It was a long, cold, and tiresome night on empty stomachs for the group as they navigated irksome people and kept stumbling upon bodies.
She had babysat Jeanie’s two-year-old twins a couple of months before, and had aged a decade in four hours.
I think this is officially the worst meet up we have ever had, including that time we went to the park in the rain and a tramp peed in my bag.
The more Jeanie looked at the castle, the more crumbling it appeared to be. It was like her body since having kids– neglected, sagging, mouldering quietly away unnoticed, the bottom of the priority list.
‘Back off!’ Jeanie could feel blood in her mouth. ‘Whoever the hell you are, you have two pissed off and starving midlife women in here with you, so just give up now, okay?’
My Review:
This was a well-plotted mystery that seemed unsolvable, even for the ever-intrepid trio of the Bad Girls Detective Agency. The little pea in my brain certainly was not getting anywhere from spinning in place with the odd events occurring and the dearth of clues collected, and the general tone felt more tense than cozy. However, Ms. Marsh’s signature wit and lashings of amusing humor kept it from being too angsty. It was a long, cold, and tiresome night on empty stomachs for the group as they navigated irksome people and kept stumbling upon bodies.
August 3, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love a good, locked-room murder mystery, and this is a great example, although in this case, it's a locked island. There are twists and turns throughout the book that kept me guessing on the identity of the murderer. Katie is fantastic at descriptive writing, and her details of the island and the castle make it easy to see it all in your mind as you're reading.
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series of books, and this is the first one I have read. I was a little worried that I would get lost with the backstory for the three women, but thankfully, I didn't need to worry. There are references to their past cases and earlier relationships, but they didn't stop me from enjoying the story or the characters. Although now I am encouraged to read the two earlier books.
This is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series of books, and this is the first one I have read. I was a little worried that I would get lost with the backstory for the three women, but thankfully, I didn't need to worry. There are references to their past cases and earlier relationships, but they didn't stop me from enjoying the story or the characters. Although now I am encouraged to read the two earlier books.
December 22, 2024
Murder on the Menu is the third book in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series, and I've also read the previous two.
This time, our trio are off to an island retreat to sample some delicious food. However, the weather is appalling, and no sooner have they arrived than they discover they're trapped on the island. Things only get worse when a murder takes place.
This third outing with the Bad Girls Detective Agency took a little while to get going, but then it was quite a swift read. I struggled a little bit to decipher which character's POV the story was being told from (it was my fault for not paying enough attention), and I felt some of the fab humour from the first book was missing.
The mystery revealed itself well, and the lack of mobile technology to help our detectives added a good dynamic to the tale.
A solid read.
This time, our trio are off to an island retreat to sample some delicious food. However, the weather is appalling, and no sooner have they arrived than they discover they're trapped on the island. Things only get worse when a murder takes place.
This third outing with the Bad Girls Detective Agency took a little while to get going, but then it was quite a swift read. I struggled a little bit to decipher which character's POV the story was being told from (it was my fault for not paying enough attention), and I felt some of the fab humour from the first book was missing.
The mystery revealed itself well, and the lack of mobile technology to help our detectives added a good dynamic to the tale.
A solid read.
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