Bang to Rights: dark and witty British seaside crime that's still kind of cosy

by Jo Bavington-Jones

'If you're a fan of Richard Osman, you simply have to make sure this series is next on your list.'

Bang to Rights is a fast-paced and blackly comic tale of murder amongst the artworks of a seaside town, and the much anticipated sequel to The Write Way to Die. When more bodies start turning up at the art installations scattered around the seaside town of Folkestone, best friends Amy and Jenny panic. Can The Exhibitionist really be back? Did they get the wrong man the previous summer? There’s only one way to find out, so the friends turn amateur detective once more as they bumble their way through stakeouts and stalking of a killer who is literally painting the town red with the blood of his victims.

Praise for The Write Way to Die

'These books comfortably stand alongside Mr Osman’s fabulous creations.'

'A writing masterclass.'

'A brilliantly fun, darkly comedic “whodunnit”.'

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2024

About the author

Jo Bavington-Jones lives on the Kent coast with her partner, the photographer Dirk Seyfried, and the neighbours' cats. And sometimes a very friendly fox called Samantha.

Jo came to writing late in life after many years of working to pay the bills, and bringing up her son. After learning her craft writing women's fiction, Jo finally turned to a life of crime during the first Covid lockdown, and The Write Way to Die series was born. Jo says crime fiction is definitely her first love, and has just finished book five in the series.

Reviews

[Karen's World · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute pleasure to read this book, set in Folkestone where myself and the author live. It’s centred around the Triennial art pieces around the town, with a few murders taking place. This is true cozy crime with some laughter as that is what this author is all about. Highly recommend this and the previous book The Write Way To Die.

[Mum With A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous cosy murder mystery! This is the second instalment in the series, and it was a brilliant whodunnit that kept me guessing until the end.

Set in Folkestone, England, Amy and Jenny are back. Against the backdrop of the Triennial Festival, a series of murders raises the unsettling possibility that the notorious Exhibitionist Killer has returned. But is it really the same killer, or is someone playing copycat?

The plot continues to thicken as more bodies are discovered, and the author certainly doesn't hold back when it comes to the gruesome details of the killer's crimes.

The characters are likeable and easy to connect with. I especially enjoyed Amy's new love interest, who fits naturally into the story and adds another enjoyable dimension to the series. Alongside the mystery, there are plenty of humorous moments balanced with genuine emotional depth, as the impact of the murders leaves everyone feeling shaken.

I would definitely recommend this series to fans of cosy mysteries with a darker edge, and I'm already looking forward to reading the next instalment!

[Oundle Crime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Folkestone, post-COVID, where the annual art festival is underway. The previous year’s festival had been marred by a murderer who’d decorated the art pieces dotted around the town with his victims, but when the killer’s body had been found it was presumed he’d committed suicide. The main characters of this novel, Amy and Jenny, had something to do with that, so when more bodies appear on exhibits at the current festival they worry they might be found out, start investigating, and get themselves in all sorts of trouble. Although a bit gory at times, this comedy novel was laugh-out-loud funny in places, with well-drawn characters and locations. I thought it was a really good, light-hearted read - perfect for when your grey matter needs a rest!
Review by Norfolk Gal, Oundle Crime

[Dirk Seyfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read The Write Way To Die, the prequel to Bang To Rights, I was very much looking forward to the release of this book. It certainly lives up to, and in some places surpasses, the first book, with the same dark humour and gory deaths around the town of Folkestone. Being a resident of the town, I found it fascinating to be able to picture the various locations in my mind's eye as I progressed through the story. The humour and dialogue between the two main protagonists is as lively as the first book, with the characters really growing as the story progresses. Here's hoping there's a third book in the series. Black humour with a bit of gory murder, what's not to like!

[Julie Wassmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a great fan of crime novels set in real locations and this author has firmly placed Folkestone on the map as a fascinating setting within a narrative that cleverly manages to chart the pursuit of the perpetrator of a set of gory serial murders with just the right amount of black humour. Recommended.

[Fiona Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent second book in this series

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Bang to Rights, as I did The Write Way to Die. Jenny and Amy's relationship has me in creases at times and moved at others. I could definitely see a little of myself in Willem's personality and I also own the same mug as him (gift from my boss 🙈!). Living in Folkestone, the setting was vivid and real for me. Being a town that is bursting with creative talent, Jo has managed to bring the arts all into one brilliant deadly read. Well done Jo.