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The Kit Pelham Mysteries #2
Lies and Dolls
A pacy, laugh-out-loud funny whodunnit set in the world of cult sci-fi fandom, this novel sees the return of neurodiverse sleuth Kit Pelham as she investigates the destruction of rare vintage action figures and an actual murder at a rare toy museum. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, J. M. Hall, Ian Moore and Andrew Cartmel.
Professional cult sci-fi fan Kit Pelham returns in this laugh-out-loud-funny follow-up to The Fan Who Knew Too Much.
When Kit and her best friend Binfire head to a stately home in Lincolnshire to view five ultra-rare Vixens from the Void action figures – the main exhibit at the opening of a new toy museum – they come across more than just nerds and toy-collectors. The figures are stolen from their glass case and, just as Kit and Binfire begin to get their heads around this mystery, they start to reappear, broken into pieces, left for their distraught owners to discover.
And that's when the real killings start.
Professional cult sci-fi fan Kit Pelham returns in this laugh-out-loud-funny follow-up to The Fan Who Knew Too Much.
When Kit and her best friend Binfire head to a stately home in Lincolnshire to view five ultra-rare Vixens from the Void action figures – the main exhibit at the opening of a new toy museum – they come across more than just nerds and toy-collectors. The figures are stolen from their glass case and, just as Kit and Binfire begin to get their heads around this mystery, they start to reappear, broken into pieces, left for their distraught owners to discover.
And that's when the real killings start.
- GenresMystery
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
4 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Nev Fountain
52 books45 followersNev Fountain, born Steven John Fountain, is an English writer, best known for his comedy work with writing partner Tom Jamieson on the radio and television programme 'Dead Ringers'.
He is currently writing for Dead Ringers and the satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
He has written three humorous murder-mystery novels, collectively called 'The Mervyn Stone Mysteries', and a serious thriller called 'Painkiller'.
His latest book, 'The Fan Who Knew Too Much' was released in July this year.
Nev was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire and now resides in Surrey.
He is currently writing for Dead Ringers and the satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
He has written three humorous murder-mystery novels, collectively called 'The Mervyn Stone Mysteries', and a serious thriller called 'Painkiller'.
His latest book, 'The Fan Who Knew Too Much' was released in July this year.
Nev was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire and now resides in Surrey.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 20, 2025
Kit and her best friend go to a Lincolnshire home to look at action figures from the show Vixens From The Void ahead of their inclusion in a toy museum. They meet other fans and toy collectors, and then the toys are stolen. The toys begin to reappear broken, and then actual bodies appear.
This is the second Kit Pelham novel, so it refers to events that took place in the prior book. It really doesn't have much impact on the opening, except that the other characters are glad she’s present, especially when the theft occurs. The other collectors are geeks in their own way, and Kit recognizes that she might be on the spectrum. She's sensitive to sounds and crowds, must eat certain calorie amounts for each meal, and thinks of things around her with movie or series versions, complete with the year. It absolutely works in this context; faced with TV show fans and other geeky references, she really isn't odd at all. Having a controlling girlfriend constantly tracking her movements and demanding loaded conversations, as well as a misogynistic podcaster harassing her, also allows us to sympathize with her.
There are lots of geeky references throughout the book, since this is a story about geeky toy collectors. They all have a secret that they're hiding, and the characters all have quirks. One by one, the dolls are dismembered and are accompanied by rhymes reminiscent of Agatha Christie. There are five dolls and ten rhymes, so once the dolls are done for, then people are next. Kit is put through an emotional wringer as the book progresses. She gathers clues, and there are plenty of red herrings as we go. The conclusion surprised me, and felt very in keeping with the Agatha Christie references. It's a compelling story and kept me riveted.
This is the second Kit Pelham novel, so it refers to events that took place in the prior book. It really doesn't have much impact on the opening, except that the other characters are glad she’s present, especially when the theft occurs. The other collectors are geeks in their own way, and Kit recognizes that she might be on the spectrum. She's sensitive to sounds and crowds, must eat certain calorie amounts for each meal, and thinks of things around her with movie or series versions, complete with the year. It absolutely works in this context; faced with TV show fans and other geeky references, she really isn't odd at all. Having a controlling girlfriend constantly tracking her movements and demanding loaded conversations, as well as a misogynistic podcaster harassing her, also allows us to sympathize with her.
There are lots of geeky references throughout the book, since this is a story about geeky toy collectors. They all have a secret that they're hiding, and the characters all have quirks. One by one, the dolls are dismembered and are accompanied by rhymes reminiscent of Agatha Christie. There are five dolls and ten rhymes, so once the dolls are done for, then people are next. Kit is put through an emotional wringer as the book progresses. She gathers clues, and there are plenty of red herrings as we go. The conclusion surprised me, and felt very in keeping with the Agatha Christie references. It's a compelling story and kept me riveted.
December 31, 2025
The second mystery featuring Kit Pelham, super nerd, maintains the slightly darker focus Nev Fountain has had since finishing his Mervyn Stone books. (They’re all set in the same universe and fixated with the same fictional TV show, Vixens From The Void.)
This one is a conscious riff on Agatha Christie, where instead of a series of murders there’s a series of thefts and mishaps concerning rare action figures. It’s a marvellously Nev Fountain-ish twist full of the kind of nerdy references (and references to references) that he excels at. The mystery is kept afloat for almost the entire book.
Kit continues to be an unusual sort of hero, highly socially awkward but insightful, brilliant but capable of missing (without wishing to spoil anything) significant character flaws in other people. Fountain hasn’t forgotten the Chekhov’s Gun pointed at Kit since the end of The Fan Who Knew Too Much, but it seems like the payoff will come in Book #3 or later.
If there’s a weak link it’s the escalation of the (so far whimsical) scale of crime to something more violent and consequential near the end. It feels a bit like whiplash, especially where it concerns Kit, who doesn’t have much time to react to the changes. On the plus side though this puts Kit, and the next book on an interesting footing.
This one is a conscious riff on Agatha Christie, where instead of a series of murders there’s a series of thefts and mishaps concerning rare action figures. It’s a marvellously Nev Fountain-ish twist full of the kind of nerdy references (and references to references) that he excels at. The mystery is kept afloat for almost the entire book.
Kit continues to be an unusual sort of hero, highly socially awkward but insightful, brilliant but capable of missing (without wishing to spoil anything) significant character flaws in other people. Fountain hasn’t forgotten the Chekhov’s Gun pointed at Kit since the end of The Fan Who Knew Too Much, but it seems like the payoff will come in Book #3 or later.
If there’s a weak link it’s the escalation of the (so far whimsical) scale of crime to something more violent and consequential near the end. It feels a bit like whiplash, especially where it concerns Kit, who doesn’t have much time to react to the changes. On the plus side though this puts Kit, and the next book on an interesting footing.
July 24, 2025
I thought it would be a long time before I found a novel as good as 'The Fan Who Knew Too Much' - but surprise, surprise - here it is!
Despite dismembering several of his cast of characters the author has written another fine comedy caper which sparkles with dark humour and originality.
The world of fanatical Sci-fi fans is transposed to a country house setting allowing for a very innovative take on the classic locked-room mystery.
It's a rare treat in this age of woke to find characters so unashamedly non-PC.
The plot quite cleverly spoofs Agatha Christie's masterpiece 'And Then There Were None' but adds several original twists and turns. I'm pretty sure if Dame Agatha was around today to read it she would have a jolly good laugh along with the rest of us. And John Dickson Carr might well tip his hat to a new rival amidst locked-room mystery experts.
Despite dismembering several of his cast of characters the author has written another fine comedy caper which sparkles with dark humour and originality.
The world of fanatical Sci-fi fans is transposed to a country house setting allowing for a very innovative take on the classic locked-room mystery.
It's a rare treat in this age of woke to find characters so unashamedly non-PC.
The plot quite cleverly spoofs Agatha Christie's masterpiece 'And Then There Were None' but adds several original twists and turns. I'm pretty sure if Dame Agatha was around today to read it she would have a jolly good laugh along with the rest of us. And John Dickson Carr might well tip his hat to a new rival amidst locked-room mystery experts.
January 2, 2026
Lies and Dolls is a return to the world of Kit Pelham after The Fan Who Knew Too Much and sees Kit and Binfire on their way to Lincolnshire for the opening of a rare toy museum which will be housing some rare figurines from the Vixens of the Void series. Soon the figures go missing and start turning up in pieces. And then there are actual murders. I said in my review of the first book that it could have used being a bit shorter and that the plot was insane - this is even more outlandish on the plot front, but felt like it had had a tighter edit. The world is more absurd than ever, and Kit keeps making the wrong choices in her personal life, but it's got plenty of black humour as well as another uttlerly bonkers mystery plot. Looking at the "Readers also enjoyed" choices, this is more unrealistic in many ways than the Peter Grant books - and they have magic - but it's definitely less realistic than the Andrew Cartmel series too but they are similar in some other ways.
July 31, 2025
Lies and Dolls is one of those books that feels like it’s having just as much fun as the reader. Nev Fountain builds this odd, quirky satire, mystery, and a pinch of absurdity without being too much. The humour has that British sharpness I know many people love.
The pacing kept me reading, although there are layers, so don't breeze over it! If you’re someone who loves a mystery with a streak of cleverness running through it — think unusual characters, quirky setups, and dialogue that'll have you chuckling — this hits the mark. I'd definitely recommend you read the first book in this fandom to fully appreciate this one!
Pllayful and inventive, a go-to for the nerdy, quirky, and whodunit fans.
The pacing kept me reading, although there are layers, so don't breeze over it! If you’re someone who loves a mystery with a streak of cleverness running through it — think unusual characters, quirky setups, and dialogue that'll have you chuckling — this hits the mark. I'd definitely recommend you read the first book in this fandom to fully appreciate this one!
Pllayful and inventive, a go-to for the nerdy, quirky, and whodunit fans.
August 21, 2025
The characters were almost too quirky. They didn't feel like real people but embodied stereotypes to the full extent. They are also supposed to be in their 30s (or maybe older in some cases) and they felt like barely adult (17-20). Full review soon.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews