What do you think?
Rate this book
Liz, Pat and Thelma #4
A Brush with Death
Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma have a brand-new mystery to solve in this wonderfully witty cosy mystery.
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2025
248 people are currently reading
1187 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Hall
4 books148 followersJ.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, the most recent being Trust, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh on BBC Radio 4. His first novel, A Spoonful of Murder, is about retired primary school teachers who turn to sleuthing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 3, 2025
As some of you may know, cosy crime isn’t typically my thing. I tend to prefer my crime fiction dark, disturbing and more gruesome. But there is just something about these three unlikely sleuths that won me over from the very first book, and I’m thrilled to have had another opportunity to hang out with Thelma, Pat, and Liz.
Neville Hilton is found dead from a heart attack in one of the cottages he rents out to holiday makers. Nobody seems too upset about his untimely demise. Apparently, he was a nice chap, but nobody liked him. The three former teachers are invited to Neville’s funeral by his first wife, Jay, who used to be a colleague. Jax is adamant that Neville’s death was not from natural causes. She believes he was murdered and has no qualms throwing suspicion in the direction of wife number two.
Thelma, Pat and Liz don’t really think there is anything here to “detectivate”, but they decide to take a look into things regardless. The young woman who found Neville’s body is so distraught that she can’t work, believing she should have done something that might have saved his life. Thelma, Pat, and Liz are determined to make her see none of what happened was down to her.
Once again, J.M. Hall manages to explore another thought-provoking topic. And as former teachers, it is one that is very close to the hearts of Thelma, Pat, and Liz. School inspections, where the focus is no longer on what’s best for the children. Neville was a school inspector, and it is definitely true that one of his inspections had dramatic consequences. Did the three ladies accidentally stumble upon a mystery to solve?
The clues as to what did happen are not that hard to pick up on. I was surprised that our three amateur sleuths missed them so easily. But then, true to form, they have so many other things going on. Thelma is hiding a secret, something she feels incredibly guilty about. Pat’s son and his girlfriend have moved in, but all doesn’t seem well. And Liz is struggling to keep her sugar intake down because her grandson gets very angry when she doesn’t.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. At this point, these three fabulous women feel like friends and I would absolutely jump at the opportunity of having coffee and cake (definitely the cake) at the garden centre with them on a Thursday. J.M. Hall manages to find the perfect balance between their personal lives and their “detectivating”. This cozy crime fiction series is wonderfully entertaining and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Thelma, Pat, and Liz, and I genuinely hope there’s more to come.
Neville Hilton is found dead from a heart attack in one of the cottages he rents out to holiday makers. Nobody seems too upset about his untimely demise. Apparently, he was a nice chap, but nobody liked him. The three former teachers are invited to Neville’s funeral by his first wife, Jay, who used to be a colleague. Jax is adamant that Neville’s death was not from natural causes. She believes he was murdered and has no qualms throwing suspicion in the direction of wife number two.
Thelma, Pat and Liz don’t really think there is anything here to “detectivate”, but they decide to take a look into things regardless. The young woman who found Neville’s body is so distraught that she can’t work, believing she should have done something that might have saved his life. Thelma, Pat, and Liz are determined to make her see none of what happened was down to her.
Once again, J.M. Hall manages to explore another thought-provoking topic. And as former teachers, it is one that is very close to the hearts of Thelma, Pat, and Liz. School inspections, where the focus is no longer on what’s best for the children. Neville was a school inspector, and it is definitely true that one of his inspections had dramatic consequences. Did the three ladies accidentally stumble upon a mystery to solve?
The clues as to what did happen are not that hard to pick up on. I was surprised that our three amateur sleuths missed them so easily. But then, true to form, they have so many other things going on. Thelma is hiding a secret, something she feels incredibly guilty about. Pat’s son and his girlfriend have moved in, but all doesn’t seem well. And Liz is struggling to keep her sugar intake down because her grandson gets very angry when she doesn’t.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. At this point, these three fabulous women feel like friends and I would absolutely jump at the opportunity of having coffee and cake (definitely the cake) at the garden centre with them on a Thursday. J.M. Hall manages to find the perfect balance between their personal lives and their “detectivating”. This cozy crime fiction series is wonderfully entertaining and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Thelma, Pat, and Liz, and I genuinely hope there’s more to come.
February 22, 2025
3.75/5 stars rounded up
A Brush with Death by J.M. Hall – A Cosy Mystery with a Sharp Edge
There’s something *oddly comforting* about a good cosy mystery—like a cup of tea and a biscuit, but with murder.
A Brush with Death delivers just that, featuring three retired schoolteachers-turned-sleuths who swap lesson plans for crime-solving. And honestly? They’re pretty great at it.
So, here’s the deal: Neville Hilton drops dead from a heart attack—nothing suspicious, just bad luck, right? Well, his ex-wife isn’t buying it, and neither are Liz, Pat, and Thelma. Between bites of cake and sips of tea, they start digging into the case, uncovering villagers with secrets, old grudges, and enough gossip to fuel a whole season of Midsomer Murders.
Now, I really liked the dynamic between the three ladies. They felt like that group of nosy but lovable neighbors who know everything about everyone—and honestly, they make for entertaining detectives.
The small-town drama? Top-tier.
The mystery itself? Solid, though not exactly heart-stopping. It takes its time unraveling, which is both a strength and a weakness —sometimes you’re hooked, sometimes you’re wondering if Thelma’s going to get through her slice of cake before they crack the case.
J.M. Hall’s writing is warm, witty, and engaging, though the pacing drags in places.
Still, if you love cosy mysteries with sharp, endearing characters and a plot that keeps you guessing just enough, this one’s worth a read.
Final Verdict: A charming mystery, even if it takes the scenic route.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books publishing house for the ARC!
A Brush with Death by J.M. Hall – A Cosy Mystery with a Sharp Edge
There’s something *oddly comforting* about a good cosy mystery—like a cup of tea and a biscuit, but with murder.
A Brush with Death delivers just that, featuring three retired schoolteachers-turned-sleuths who swap lesson plans for crime-solving. And honestly? They’re pretty great at it.
So, here’s the deal: Neville Hilton drops dead from a heart attack—nothing suspicious, just bad luck, right? Well, his ex-wife isn’t buying it, and neither are Liz, Pat, and Thelma. Between bites of cake and sips of tea, they start digging into the case, uncovering villagers with secrets, old grudges, and enough gossip to fuel a whole season of Midsomer Murders.
Now, I really liked the dynamic between the three ladies. They felt like that group of nosy but lovable neighbors who know everything about everyone—and honestly, they make for entertaining detectives.
The small-town drama? Top-tier.
The mystery itself? Solid, though not exactly heart-stopping. It takes its time unraveling, which is both a strength and a weakness —sometimes you’re hooked, sometimes you’re wondering if Thelma’s going to get through her slice of cake before they crack the case.
J.M. Hall’s writing is warm, witty, and engaging, though the pacing drags in places.
Still, if you love cosy mysteries with sharp, endearing characters and a plot that keeps you guessing just enough, this one’s worth a read.
Final Verdict: A charming mystery, even if it takes the scenic route.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books publishing house for the ARC!
March 15, 2025
The fourth instalment in this lovely cosy mystery series, centred around a group of retired primary school teachers, and imbued with admiration for their motivation, resourcefulness and capability.
This time our unlikely heroines are investigating the death of an Ofsted inspector, ostensibly from natural causes but there are several things which don't add up.
A lighthearted, compassionate and humorous read, drawing brilliantly on the author's experiences as a Deputy Headteacher.
Superb narration by Julie Hesmondhalgh
This time our unlikely heroines are investigating the death of an Ofsted inspector, ostensibly from natural causes but there are several things which don't add up.
A lighthearted, compassionate and humorous read, drawing brilliantly on the author's experiences as a Deputy Headteacher.
Superb narration by Julie Hesmondhalgh
March 29, 2025
Couldn’t finish. So erratic.
June 23, 2025
An enjoyable cosy mystery. The first I’ve read in this series with retired teachers as the main characters, but I didn’t think it dampened the story and I enjoyed it so much I’m soon to get my hands on the previous three!
February 13, 2025
Cleaner Chelsey Barlow is rushing to clean one of the holiday cottages on her route when she discovers the body of the owner, Neville Hilton. The look on his face, head thrown back as if he was howling, fills her with terror. Something just doesn't feel right. Apart from the dead body, the holiday let is immaculately tidy and there's a strange yellow line painted on the living room wall. Hopefully, retired teachers Liz, Pat and Thelma will be able to figure out what happened.
Aspiring writers are frequently told to write about what they know, to write about something they are passionate about. Author J. M. Hall has done just that in his Liz, Pat & Thelma series which features three retired primary school teachers who solve mysteries. A Brush With Death comes across as his most passionate book in the series. I love these books, which are frequently compared with The Thursday Murder Club series. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading both series but I find myself identifying with this series more often as I'm a retired teacher myself and the setting is North Yorkshire so many of the locations are familiar.
The description of the discovery of the body of Neville Hilton immediately brings a sense of dread, along with lots of questions. If someone had been staying in the holiday cottage why was it so clean? What was Neville doing in the cottage? Why had the tenant left early? Why is there a mysterious yellow line painted on the wall? When it is decided that Neville died of a heart attack it would have been easy to brush these questions aside if it hadn't been for Neville's ex-wife, Jax, convinced that something untoward had happened. When something disturbing happens in North Yorkshire the locals know that they can rely on Liz, Pat and Thelma to investigate.
It's the skills the three women have honed as primary school teachers that make the story so enjoyable. They are excellent at asking probing questions and know immediately when someone is lying. They're organised, meticulous, dogged, and can think outside the box, all of which means they leave no stone unturned as they dig into Neville's final hours.
Much of the investigation focuses on Neville's role as an Ofsted inspector. Having survived quite a few Ofsted inspections in my career everything that was written rang true for me, particularly the emphasis academy chains place on "Ofsted preparedness". The impact of inspections on staff and schools has been carefully woven into the mystery, showing the devastating consequences of a poor judgment. As I read my emotions constantly switched between immense sadness and all-consuming rage. This element of the storyline will probably resonate more with anyone who has worked in a school but I hope it sheds a light for those readers not as closely connected.
As the investigation takes various twists and turns the three women also have to balance issues taking place in their own lives, all of which make you feel as if any of them could be a relative, neighbour or friend. Liz is struggling to manage her diabetes, luckily her young grandson is on a crusade and is ensuring her diet is healthy. Pat has her son and his girlfriend living at home. They're arguing and Pat doesn't want to interfere but she can't help worrying. Thelma is keeping secrets from everyone, she's worried about a mysterious letter she's received but doesn't want to share its contents.
During the search for answers we meet a range of characters, some are prickly, others are engaging. Those who work closely with children come across as passionate about their jobs and show the numerous ways individuals and schools go above and beyond for the children in their care.
Passion is the crux of the story. By the conclusion, I felt incredibly sad for the way in which different people had been impacted by events and the demise of another. Luckily, there are tiny rays of hope for some. It's with sadness that I said farewell to Liz, Pat and Thelma. Reading the acknowledgements the author explains that he has now retired from teaching, I hope this means that we won't have to wait long for the next book in the series.
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 Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social
Aspiring writers are frequently told to write about what they know, to write about something they are passionate about. Author J. M. Hall has done just that in his Liz, Pat & Thelma series which features three retired primary school teachers who solve mysteries. A Brush With Death comes across as his most passionate book in the series. I love these books, which are frequently compared with The Thursday Murder Club series. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading both series but I find myself identifying with this series more often as I'm a retired teacher myself and the setting is North Yorkshire so many of the locations are familiar.
The description of the discovery of the body of Neville Hilton immediately brings a sense of dread, along with lots of questions. If someone had been staying in the holiday cottage why was it so clean? What was Neville doing in the cottage? Why had the tenant left early? Why is there a mysterious yellow line painted on the wall? When it is decided that Neville died of a heart attack it would have been easy to brush these questions aside if it hadn't been for Neville's ex-wife, Jax, convinced that something untoward had happened. When something disturbing happens in North Yorkshire the locals know that they can rely on Liz, Pat and Thelma to investigate.
It's the skills the three women have honed as primary school teachers that make the story so enjoyable. They are excellent at asking probing questions and know immediately when someone is lying. They're organised, meticulous, dogged, and can think outside the box, all of which means they leave no stone unturned as they dig into Neville's final hours.
Much of the investigation focuses on Neville's role as an Ofsted inspector. Having survived quite a few Ofsted inspections in my career everything that was written rang true for me, particularly the emphasis academy chains place on "Ofsted preparedness". The impact of inspections on staff and schools has been carefully woven into the mystery, showing the devastating consequences of a poor judgment. As I read my emotions constantly switched between immense sadness and all-consuming rage. This element of the storyline will probably resonate more with anyone who has worked in a school but I hope it sheds a light for those readers not as closely connected.
As the investigation takes various twists and turns the three women also have to balance issues taking place in their own lives, all of which make you feel as if any of them could be a relative, neighbour or friend. Liz is struggling to manage her diabetes, luckily her young grandson is on a crusade and is ensuring her diet is healthy. Pat has her son and his girlfriend living at home. They're arguing and Pat doesn't want to interfere but she can't help worrying. Thelma is keeping secrets from everyone, she's worried about a mysterious letter she's received but doesn't want to share its contents.
During the search for answers we meet a range of characters, some are prickly, others are engaging. Those who work closely with children come across as passionate about their jobs and show the numerous ways individuals and schools go above and beyond for the children in their care.
Passion is the crux of the story. By the conclusion, I felt incredibly sad for the way in which different people had been impacted by events and the demise of another. Luckily, there are tiny rays of hope for some. It's with sadness that I said farewell to Liz, Pat and Thelma. Reading the acknowledgements the author explains that he has now retired from teaching, I hope this means that we won't have to wait long for the next book in the series.
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 Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social
July 7, 2025
This was a nice easy read, but a little boring. I am personally not a fan of books with an older generation of detectives, but that is a completely personal preference!
September 3, 2025
another enjoyable read that's well paced and reflects true life with humour and friendship
December 28, 2025
An intriguing cosy mystery set in Yorkshire. Three retired teachers find themselves investigating the death of ex-ofsted inspector Neville. Police say Neville died of a heart attack, but why has a pale yellow line been painted down the wall of the room where he died?
Jax, Neville's ex-wife, thinks that Nev's current wife, Ffion, had something to do with it. She ropes Thelma, Pat and Liz into an unofficial investigation.
I liked the idea of retired teachers solving mysteries, but having three ladies with quite similar personalities did confuse me a bit. The POV of the story changes quite often too as each lady goes off on different strands of investigating. This did leave me a bit lost in some places.
As this is the 4th book in the series, I perhaps would've connected better to the characters if I'd read the previous books. But it does work as a standalone too.
The mystery itself was intriguing and something a little different, as the characters questioned if it was technically even a crime.
I enjoyed the rural Yorkshire setting and also the references to education and ofsted.
Great cosy mystery that fans of the Thursday Murder Club would enjoy.
Jax, Neville's ex-wife, thinks that Nev's current wife, Ffion, had something to do with it. She ropes Thelma, Pat and Liz into an unofficial investigation.
I liked the idea of retired teachers solving mysteries, but having three ladies with quite similar personalities did confuse me a bit. The POV of the story changes quite often too as each lady goes off on different strands of investigating. This did leave me a bit lost in some places.
As this is the 4th book in the series, I perhaps would've connected better to the characters if I'd read the previous books. But it does work as a standalone too.
The mystery itself was intriguing and something a little different, as the characters questioned if it was technically even a crime.
I enjoyed the rural Yorkshire setting and also the references to education and ofsted.
Great cosy mystery that fans of the Thursday Murder Club would enjoy.
March 28, 2025
I enjoyed much about this book, as I liked the characters, but struggled a bit towards the end as I began to lose interest in the story. It was also spoilt a bit by errors in the script. Typos, missed words, errors etc however few can spoil a good read. And there were a few in this book.
March 23, 2025
I don’t need to be told 77 times that someone has hay fever and is sneezing.
February 18, 2025
ARC provided by Avon Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
This was a bit of a surprise in that I actually enjoyed this one. But I still had some of the same issues that I had with the previous ones, which was a bit disappointing. That said, I thought the mystery itself was pretty good with lots of red herrings and twists up until the end.
Thelma, Pat and Liz are three retired teachers who now investigate mysteries. This time there is a death, but not a murder, just some things that make the ex wife of the deceased suspicious. The ladies are reluctant, but eventually become engrossed with the mystery. I became quite invested in the murder too and was happy to go along with the ladies to find out what really happened. I did figure it out, but some of the hows eluded me till the end. Which for me always makes for a good plot. I really appreciated how there were so many suspects to start off and how each was eliminated until there was one person left standing.
I also really liked the little epigraphs at the start of each chapter. There is a heat wave in this part of England and the epigraphs really helped to set the scenes with little tips on how to beat the heat and other goings on in the towns in the area. They were a lot of fun. I also really liked the descriptions of how the heat was making everyone feel and how protective they were of each other to make sure everyone was safe. Nicely done.
My biggest issue with this story and the series as a whole, is that these women don’t really act that much like they are friends. They felt a little bit friendlier this time around, but still, they all sort of go off on their own to solve the mystery, then meet up to debrief about what they have found. Sometimes they go off in pairs, usually at the behest of one of them, but they don’t always clue in the other what they are up to. I don’t know, but if I was solving a mystery with a friend, I think there would be more time spent together solving it? I also still can’t really tell the three women apart, who is married to who, and who their children are and their issues. But that might be a me thing.
The final thing about this series, and this book in particular, is the focus on the educational system in England. I get it, it is set in England, they are retired teachers, so let’s solve a mystery that has to do with the schools. But as someone who doesn’t understand much about the british education system, especially with this book, part of the story didn’t make much sense to me. Being an educator myself I understood the part about how hard the state evaluations can be, but we don’t usually shut down schools that fail one evaluation, we help them try to get better first. It also sounds like they are privatizing their schools, big corporations taking over the village schools. That can’t be right, can it? As an outsider I just needed a bit more background on this to help me understand some of the emotions and motives of the characters involved.
I still did enjoy this one, and it is probably my favorite of the three books that I have read in this series. You certainly don’t have to have read the others, in order to enjoy this one, but it wouldn’t hurt either. I think fans of the series will be happy with this new installment. If you like cozy mysteries set in a small village in England then you might just want to give this series a chance.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
This was a bit of a surprise in that I actually enjoyed this one. But I still had some of the same issues that I had with the previous ones, which was a bit disappointing. That said, I thought the mystery itself was pretty good with lots of red herrings and twists up until the end.
Thelma, Pat and Liz are three retired teachers who now investigate mysteries. This time there is a death, but not a murder, just some things that make the ex wife of the deceased suspicious. The ladies are reluctant, but eventually become engrossed with the mystery. I became quite invested in the murder too and was happy to go along with the ladies to find out what really happened. I did figure it out, but some of the hows eluded me till the end. Which for me always makes for a good plot. I really appreciated how there were so many suspects to start off and how each was eliminated until there was one person left standing.
I also really liked the little epigraphs at the start of each chapter. There is a heat wave in this part of England and the epigraphs really helped to set the scenes with little tips on how to beat the heat and other goings on in the towns in the area. They were a lot of fun. I also really liked the descriptions of how the heat was making everyone feel and how protective they were of each other to make sure everyone was safe. Nicely done.
My biggest issue with this story and the series as a whole, is that these women don’t really act that much like they are friends. They felt a little bit friendlier this time around, but still, they all sort of go off on their own to solve the mystery, then meet up to debrief about what they have found. Sometimes they go off in pairs, usually at the behest of one of them, but they don’t always clue in the other what they are up to. I don’t know, but if I was solving a mystery with a friend, I think there would be more time spent together solving it? I also still can’t really tell the three women apart, who is married to who, and who their children are and their issues. But that might be a me thing.
The final thing about this series, and this book in particular, is the focus on the educational system in England. I get it, it is set in England, they are retired teachers, so let’s solve a mystery that has to do with the schools. But as someone who doesn’t understand much about the british education system, especially with this book, part of the story didn’t make much sense to me. Being an educator myself I understood the part about how hard the state evaluations can be, but we don’t usually shut down schools that fail one evaluation, we help them try to get better first. It also sounds like they are privatizing their schools, big corporations taking over the village schools. That can’t be right, can it? As an outsider I just needed a bit more background on this to help me understand some of the emotions and motives of the characters involved.
I still did enjoy this one, and it is probably my favorite of the three books that I have read in this series. You certainly don’t have to have read the others, in order to enjoy this one, but it wouldn’t hurt either. I think fans of the series will be happy with this new installment. If you like cozy mysteries set in a small village in England then you might just want to give this series a chance.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
December 31, 2024
Neville Hilton was an inspector for Ofsted. He treated guidelines as rules, was a stickler for tick-box over nuance, and unmindful of the lives he ruined. Remarried and now a senior academic within the Lodestone Multi-academy Trust, his future looked secure. Unfortunately, a CVA has just killed him. He was found, sitting in the living room of a guest house which he rented out in the grounds of his home by Chelsey, the young cleaner. Thelma, Liz and Pat, retired primary school teachers, had known him, but not well, and known his reputation for finding fault rather better. They know his first wife, Jax, because she had worked with Thelma. By coincidence, she runs the cleaning company and is concerned that Chelsey is now traumatised by thinking that she had failed to save Neville. The trio are locally famous for solving mysteries, so are not overly surprised when Jax asks them to investigate the death and find some way of assuaging the girl’s concern. But the death is not suspicious, he had heart problems. Perhaps something had triggered the heart attack. His new job, for example? He’d also been the subject of a hate e-mail attack following his report on a small primary school which had led to it’s closure, his new wife seems more interested in her horse than in him, and someone had had a screaming match with him around the time of his death. All pretty mundane really, but still Chelsey had to be saved. What could possibly go wrong?
This is the fourth book in the series, but no previous knowledge is required. Liz, Pat and Thelma are solid, believable characters and their family lives help with the verisimilitude of retired primary school (a category which provides a particularly incisive wisdom) teachers living in a tranquil environment; old friends with active minds. The writing is equally tranquil, a gentle, indeed loving, tone, a voice that you can hear as you read. A non-murder mystery, a cosy non-crime; or is it? There are strange goings on and unexpected tensions, which have to be unravelled or connected, so the plot is that of a standard detective story in which clues have to be found, red herrings avoided and a satisfactory solution provided. It is not particularly difficult to solve, but the joy is in the reading as much as in the puzzle solving.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
This is the fourth book in the series, but no previous knowledge is required. Liz, Pat and Thelma are solid, believable characters and their family lives help with the verisimilitude of retired primary school (a category which provides a particularly incisive wisdom) teachers living in a tranquil environment; old friends with active minds. The writing is equally tranquil, a gentle, indeed loving, tone, a voice that you can hear as you read. A non-murder mystery, a cosy non-crime; or is it? There are strange goings on and unexpected tensions, which have to be unravelled or connected, so the plot is that of a standard detective story in which clues have to be found, red herrings avoided and a satisfactory solution provided. It is not particularly difficult to solve, but the joy is in the reading as much as in the puzzle solving.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
January 21, 2025
With thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this as an EARC ahead of publication.
In the fourth instalment of this series, retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are called in by an old colleague to investigate the death of her ex-husband. Neville Hilton, former Ofsted inspector and employee of the Lodestone Multi-academy Trust, dies tragically of a heart attack, but no crime was committed. At least according to the police. Unconvinced, and certain his new wife had something to do with it, Neville’s ex-wife asks Liz, Pat and Thelma to investigate and the trio soon find themselves caught up in more than they bargained for.
It was so nice to be back with Liz, Pat and Thelma in J.M. Hall’s latest book. In this addition to the series we find ourselves back to its roots – investigating a mystery quite closely related to education. I have to say, I do think this is where the series shines – J.M. Hall’s background in education is woven throughout and it feels like a very realistic portrayal. I always feel a sense of nostalgia while reading/listening to these books, remembering the conversations I overheard growing up when my mum worked at our primary school. Particularly in this book we are privy to the stressor that is the Ofsted inspection and I felt the author did a commendable job of offering different views on how teachers, and schools more generally, can find themselves affected by both the anticipation and outcome of these inspections.
As always, the relationship between Liz, Pat and Thelma was a real highlight, and I found myself feeling like a fourth member of their group. The warmth of their friendship really comes through in their interactions and I love how they work so well together – both when they are physically together and the ways in which they play to their strengths when apart for the good of the group’s investigations. I will say that their characters and friendship have developed throughout the series so while I do think this could be read as a first introduction to the series, I would also absolutely recommend checking out the earlier books.
This book asks a lot of questions about ‘what is a crime?’ and the power someone’s words can have over you. It’s certainly a book I’ll be thinking about a lot going forward, and the power our words can have. Overall, another fantastic outing with Liz, Pat and Thelma, and I’m excited to see what comes next.
In the fourth instalment of this series, retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are called in by an old colleague to investigate the death of her ex-husband. Neville Hilton, former Ofsted inspector and employee of the Lodestone Multi-academy Trust, dies tragically of a heart attack, but no crime was committed. At least according to the police. Unconvinced, and certain his new wife had something to do with it, Neville’s ex-wife asks Liz, Pat and Thelma to investigate and the trio soon find themselves caught up in more than they bargained for.
It was so nice to be back with Liz, Pat and Thelma in J.M. Hall’s latest book. In this addition to the series we find ourselves back to its roots – investigating a mystery quite closely related to education. I have to say, I do think this is where the series shines – J.M. Hall’s background in education is woven throughout and it feels like a very realistic portrayal. I always feel a sense of nostalgia while reading/listening to these books, remembering the conversations I overheard growing up when my mum worked at our primary school. Particularly in this book we are privy to the stressor that is the Ofsted inspection and I felt the author did a commendable job of offering different views on how teachers, and schools more generally, can find themselves affected by both the anticipation and outcome of these inspections.
As always, the relationship between Liz, Pat and Thelma was a real highlight, and I found myself feeling like a fourth member of their group. The warmth of their friendship really comes through in their interactions and I love how they work so well together – both when they are physically together and the ways in which they play to their strengths when apart for the good of the group’s investigations. I will say that their characters and friendship have developed throughout the series so while I do think this could be read as a first introduction to the series, I would also absolutely recommend checking out the earlier books.
This book asks a lot of questions about ‘what is a crime?’ and the power someone’s words can have over you. It’s certainly a book I’ll be thinking about a lot going forward, and the power our words can have. Overall, another fantastic outing with Liz, Pat and Thelma, and I’m excited to see what comes next.
September 1, 2025
Thoughts 🧠
A Brush with Death is another charming and engaging installment in J.M. Hall’s cozy mystery series. Liz, Pat, and Thelma, the retired teacher trio, are back at it, and their camaraderie is just as delightful as ever. The mix of wit, warmth, and clever sleuthing makes their adventures a joy to follow. Even as newcomers to the series, I found it easy to jump right in and connect with the characters.
Summary 📝
The story kicks off when Neville Hilton, a former acquaintance of one of the ladies, dies of an apparent heart attack. His ex-wife, however, suspects there’s more to the story, and when the police seem disinterested, Liz, Pat, and Thelma take it upon themselves to investigate. As they dig deeper into the village gossip, old grudges, and quirky motives, the three friends uncover a web of secrets that has been hidden for years.
The mystery is paced steadily, with just enough twists to keep readers engaged without overwhelming the narrative. Hall balances the intrigue with rich character moments, showing the ladies’ intelligence, determination, and genuine friendship. The village of Melmbury itself is vividly depicted, from the cozy cottages to the bustling local scenes, giving the story a grounded, believable setting.
What I Loved
The trio shines brightest when working together, using their keen observation and deductive skills to piece together the puzzle. The humor and warmth in their interactions add depth and charm, making the story feel more like spending time with old friends than simply following a mystery. The dialogue-heavy style might be a bit much for some readers, but it suits the series’ cozy, conversational vibe.
The mystery itself, while not overly complex, is satisfying and well-constructed. Even when I had some early guesses about the culprit, Hall’s character-driven narrative kept me invested in the journey rather than just the solution.
Overall Thoughts
A Brush with Death is a delightful cozy mystery, perfect for anyone who enjoys a gentle whodunit with heart, humor, and a strong sense of community. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Liz, Pat, and Thelma or discovering them for the first time, this novel is an enjoyable escape into amateur sleuthing and village life. I’m already looking forward to seeing what the trio investigates next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.
A Brush with Death is another charming and engaging installment in J.M. Hall’s cozy mystery series. Liz, Pat, and Thelma, the retired teacher trio, are back at it, and their camaraderie is just as delightful as ever. The mix of wit, warmth, and clever sleuthing makes their adventures a joy to follow. Even as newcomers to the series, I found it easy to jump right in and connect with the characters.
Summary 📝
The story kicks off when Neville Hilton, a former acquaintance of one of the ladies, dies of an apparent heart attack. His ex-wife, however, suspects there’s more to the story, and when the police seem disinterested, Liz, Pat, and Thelma take it upon themselves to investigate. As they dig deeper into the village gossip, old grudges, and quirky motives, the three friends uncover a web of secrets that has been hidden for years.
The mystery is paced steadily, with just enough twists to keep readers engaged without overwhelming the narrative. Hall balances the intrigue with rich character moments, showing the ladies’ intelligence, determination, and genuine friendship. The village of Melmbury itself is vividly depicted, from the cozy cottages to the bustling local scenes, giving the story a grounded, believable setting.
What I Loved
The trio shines brightest when working together, using their keen observation and deductive skills to piece together the puzzle. The humor and warmth in their interactions add depth and charm, making the story feel more like spending time with old friends than simply following a mystery. The dialogue-heavy style might be a bit much for some readers, but it suits the series’ cozy, conversational vibe.
The mystery itself, while not overly complex, is satisfying and well-constructed. Even when I had some early guesses about the culprit, Hall’s character-driven narrative kept me invested in the journey rather than just the solution.
Overall Thoughts
A Brush with Death is a delightful cozy mystery, perfect for anyone who enjoys a gentle whodunit with heart, humor, and a strong sense of community. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Liz, Pat, and Thelma or discovering them for the first time, this novel is an enjoyable escape into amateur sleuthing and village life. I’m already looking forward to seeing what the trio investigates next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.
January 29, 2025
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc.
I went into this not realising it was the fourth book in a series and whilst you can read it standalone I do think there are certain things that would have been improved if I had read previous entries, like the relationship between the women.
Overall this is a very solid cozy mystery and I certainly enjoyed myself throughout and whilst I figured out who the culprit was somewhat early it was mainly down to a process of elimination and using the clues given rather than figuring it out based on what the best twist would be as some other mysteries I've read are guilty of so well done on that front.
The letdowns for me were the women themselves. I just didn't really feel their friendship outside of a few moments. Now, granted, this could be partly because I haven't read the other books to see their history, but I think a large part of it was down to the interactions when the women were together and, secondly, how all over the place and separated the women were, which leads me to my next criticism.
I felt like most of the time the women were all doing their own thing rather than being more of a team and we kept jumping between different perspectives quite abruptly which was a bit disorienting. Sections where the gang spilt up is totally fine but it felt like most of the time the women were each doing their own investigation and then would occasionally meet up to debrief when I would have preferred the opposite, the women mostly working together but occasionally doing their own thing.
Despite these criticisms though I did have a good time reading this and I did stay engaged throughout, as although I figured out aspects of the mystery early the actual how and why of certain clues (like the yellow line) eluded me until it was explained. And I'm going to be putting the other books in this series on my Goodreads TBR as I'm curious how this group started.
I went into this not realising it was the fourth book in a series and whilst you can read it standalone I do think there are certain things that would have been improved if I had read previous entries, like the relationship between the women.
Overall this is a very solid cozy mystery and I certainly enjoyed myself throughout and whilst I figured out who the culprit was somewhat early it was mainly down to a process of elimination and using the clues given rather than figuring it out based on what the best twist would be as some other mysteries I've read are guilty of so well done on that front.
The letdowns for me were the women themselves. I just didn't really feel their friendship outside of a few moments. Now, granted, this could be partly because I haven't read the other books to see their history, but I think a large part of it was down to the interactions when the women were together and, secondly, how all over the place and separated the women were, which leads me to my next criticism.
I felt like most of the time the women were all doing their own thing rather than being more of a team and we kept jumping between different perspectives quite abruptly which was a bit disorienting. Sections where the gang spilt up is totally fine but it felt like most of the time the women were each doing their own investigation and then would occasionally meet up to debrief when I would have preferred the opposite, the women mostly working together but occasionally doing their own thing.
Despite these criticisms though I did have a good time reading this and I did stay engaged throughout, as although I figured out aspects of the mystery early the actual how and why of certain clues (like the yellow line) eluded me until it was explained. And I'm going to be putting the other books in this series on my Goodreads TBR as I'm curious how this group started.
July 2, 2025
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
A Brush with Death is the Nonstop Readerfourth cozy mystery featuring retired teachers Liz, Pat, and Thelma by J.M. Hall. Released 13th March 2025 by HarperCollins on their Avon imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents.
The ladies are back on the trail when a former (unlamented) acquaintance's heart attack might not be all it seems. The ex-wife's convinced it's dodgy. So the stalwart ladies dive in again amidst enormous amounts (mountains) of village gossip, long held grudges, and eccentric motives. The language is clean, the vibe is cozy, and the denouement and resolution are tidy and satisfying.
The protagonists are believable, down to earth, and appealing. The writing is smoother than the earlier books, 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.
Despite being the fourth 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. It's not derivative, but it does have the same general vibe.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Brush with Death is the Nonstop Readerfourth cozy mystery featuring retired teachers Liz, Pat, and Thelma by J.M. Hall. Released 13th March 2025 by HarperCollins on their Avon imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents.
The ladies are back on the trail when a former (unlamented) acquaintance's heart attack might not be all it seems. The ex-wife's convinced it's dodgy. So the stalwart ladies dive in again amidst enormous amounts (mountains) of village gossip, long held grudges, and eccentric motives. The language is clean, the vibe is cozy, and the denouement and resolution are tidy and satisfying.
The protagonists are believable, down to earth, and appealing. The writing is smoother than the earlier books, 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.
Despite being the fourth 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. It's not derivative, but it does have the same general vibe.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 11, 2025
From the Amazon reviews: ‘An immersive and really satisfying mystery’ Faith Martin
‘As an iced drink in a heatwave … These characters and their families feel like old friends. A fantastic addition to the series.’ Fiona Leitch
Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma have a brand-new mystery to solve in this wonderfully witty cosy mystery.
From the synopsis: Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
The author is a retired British primary school teacher, so he really knows what he's talking about. This is the first of his books I've read and while it's good, I'm not sure I'm going to read the earlier ones. I really like his main characters, love the glimpses of their home life after retirement, but the picture of small-town communities dying and brilliantly run primary schools being swallowed up by corporations is pretty depressing.
I did enjoy the mystery of how and why Neville Hilton had a heart attack.
‘As an iced drink in a heatwave … These characters and their families feel like old friends. A fantastic addition to the series.’ Fiona Leitch
Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma have a brand-new mystery to solve in this wonderfully witty cosy mystery.
From the synopsis: Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
The author is a retired British primary school teacher, so he really knows what he's talking about. This is the first of his books I've read and while it's good, I'm not sure I'm going to read the earlier ones. I really like his main characters, love the glimpses of their home life after retirement, but the picture of small-town communities dying and brilliantly run primary schools being swallowed up by corporations is pretty depressing.
I did enjoy the mystery of how and why Neville Hilton had a heart attack.
February 7, 2025
'A Brush with Death' by J. M. Hall.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I'm a big fan of this series and this installment didn't let me down. It kept me guessing right till the end and there was plenty of twists and turns throughout it. I love the trio of ladies Liz, Pat and Thelma and I would definitely call on these ladies if I needed help with a murder.
If you're a fan of cozy crime then give this series a go :)
Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma have a brand-new mystery to solve in this wonderfully witty cosy mystery.
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
Thanks to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read a copy in return for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I'm a big fan of this series and this installment didn't let me down. It kept me guessing right till the end and there was plenty of twists and turns throughout it. I love the trio of ladies Liz, Pat and Thelma and I would definitely call on these ladies if I needed help with a murder.
If you're a fan of cozy crime then give this series a go :)
Retired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma have a brand-new mystery to solve in this wonderfully witty cosy mystery.
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
Thanks to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read a copy in return for an honest review.
March 7, 2025
J.M. Hall continues his series about three plucky retired teachers solving mysteries in “A Brush with Death.”
When cantankerous Neville Hilton is found dead in his holiday let, apparently from a heart attack, there seems to be more than meets the eye. So when Liz, Pat and Thelma get called to dig into the situation, they work hard to reveal some interesting tidbits. Will they determine if someone is actually responsible for his death somehow? And if so, why? And will the solve the small mysteries they each seem to encounter in their own personal lives?
Hall again does a good job of creating humor and tense situations to create a fun mystery with fun and intriguing characters. He throws in plenty of clues and misdirections to keep the reader guessing.
One disclaimer: this novel does contain some occasional usage of coarse language.
Fans of series like Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club,” Robert Thorogood’s “The Marlow Murder Club” and Peter Boland’s “The Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries” will love “A Brush with Death,” which is due out March 13.
Five stars out of five.
Avon provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
When cantankerous Neville Hilton is found dead in his holiday let, apparently from a heart attack, there seems to be more than meets the eye. So when Liz, Pat and Thelma get called to dig into the situation, they work hard to reveal some interesting tidbits. Will they determine if someone is actually responsible for his death somehow? And if so, why? And will the solve the small mysteries they each seem to encounter in their own personal lives?
Hall again does a good job of creating humor and tense situations to create a fun mystery with fun and intriguing characters. He throws in plenty of clues and misdirections to keep the reader guessing.
One disclaimer: this novel does contain some occasional usage of coarse language.
Fans of series like Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club,” Robert Thorogood’s “The Marlow Murder Club” and Peter Boland’s “The Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries” will love “A Brush with Death,” which is due out March 13.
Five stars out of five.
Avon provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
March 12, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Do you like cozy crime books? Then this one is for you!
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz, and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure his current wife was involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from the Melmbury slice to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
In the sweltering summer heat, can our unlikely trio untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?
I read this in 2 sittings and was thoroughly hooked to it to find out the culprit. If you put on your thinking cap and use the clues presented you can just about solve the case along with the characters. Hopefully there's more from this series! I loved the gathering of the clues and helping solve the case.
Do you like cozy crime books? Then this one is for you!
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz, and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure his current wife was involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from the Melmbury slice to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
In the sweltering summer heat, can our unlikely trio untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?
I read this in 2 sittings and was thoroughly hooked to it to find out the culprit. If you put on your thinking cap and use the clues presented you can just about solve the case along with the characters. Hopefully there's more from this series! I loved the gathering of the clues and helping solve the case.
July 7, 2025
I think this series gets better each time. I really enjoyed the mystery - there were several 'suspects' with plausible motives and it really wasn't at all clear who had done it and how. One did wonder why Ffion had married Neville, but all the characters were intriguing, multi-layered and well drawn. It's odd that the dates were those of this year and we have had a bit of a heatwave in July, though not as bad yet as the one in the book. I love reading about places I know well, plus the odd invented one, and I felt the main characters' relationships were warmer this time and their family backstories interesting and relatable (I am about the same age as the three sleuths).
My only disappointment, yet again, were the mistakes such as different names for the same person on the same page, misspellings of several local names and Cleveland Bay, uneven spacing between sentences and questionable car marques (can Thelma *really* have a Corsair after all this time, unless it's an American one...?!). I know publishing budgets are tight and many think proofreading a luxury, but removing obvious errors does add to the quality of the reader's experience and it's a pity to have these really good stories let down even a little.
My only disappointment, yet again, were the mistakes such as different names for the same person on the same page, misspellings of several local names and Cleveland Bay, uneven spacing between sentences and questionable car marques (can Thelma *really* have a Corsair after all this time, unless it's an American one...?!). I know publishing budgets are tight and many think proofreading a luxury, but removing obvious errors does add to the quality of the reader's experience and it's a pity to have these really good stories let down even a little.
December 30, 2024
This fourth book by J M Hall is my favourite so far. The characters of Pat, Thelma and Liz have become more rounded and likeable as the three retired schoolteachers with a knack for solving crimes. This time they are approached by an ex colleague, Jax, who runs a business cleaning holiday lets in the local area, who is convinced that her ex husband was murdered by his second wife, despite the Police confirming that his death was caused by a heart attack………
Initially our crime fighting trio are reluctant to investigate this seemingly natural death, however they are convinced otherwise after meeting the young woman who is distraught and unable to return to work after discovering Neville’s dead body in one of the holiday lets. As they investigate this seemingly innocent death, an altogether different side of Neville comes to light and they soon discover that no one actually liked him. But did someone dislike him enough to murder him??
I read this in one sitting and it kept me guessing until (nearly) the end……. Cosy crime at its best. I’m very much hoping that there will be a fifth book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Initially our crime fighting trio are reluctant to investigate this seemingly natural death, however they are convinced otherwise after meeting the young woman who is distraught and unable to return to work after discovering Neville’s dead body in one of the holiday lets. As they investigate this seemingly innocent death, an altogether different side of Neville comes to light and they soon discover that no one actually liked him. But did someone dislike him enough to murder him??
I read this in one sitting and it kept me guessing until (nearly) the end……. Cosy crime at its best. I’m very much hoping that there will be a fifth book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 14, 2025
A brush with Death is the fourth book in J.M. Hall's Liz, Pat and Thelma series. Retired school teachers and crime solving trio are brought into a new investigation by a friend after the death of her ex husband, Neville Hilton. The police are uninterested in investigating what seems like an ordinary heart attach. Convinced that there is something else going on Liz, Pat and Thelma set out and begin to quickly uncover the secrets that may have lead to Neville's murder.
I was unaware that this was a series when I started but had to problem jumping into the story. I really enjoyed getting to know these three friends and thought the book did a great job balancing the mystery with interesting details of our lead's personal lives. The mystery itself was easy to follow and had some interesting twists. I will immediately be seeking out the first three books in the series and will be keeping an eye out for the next installments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was unaware that this was a series when I started but had to problem jumping into the story. I really enjoyed getting to know these three friends and thought the book did a great job balancing the mystery with interesting details of our lead's personal lives. The mystery itself was easy to follow and had some interesting twists. I will immediately be seeking out the first three books in the series and will be keeping an eye out for the next installments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2025
I fear that J M Hall’s novels have been overshadowed by those of Richard Osman which is a shame because, although there are similarities between the two authors stories, I think J M Hall’s are better. This is another outing with familiar characters and just as good as the previous books about the retired school teachers. The plot is plausible and the big reveal at the end as to how everything happened makes complete sense but is impossible to predict. If I have any criticism of the book it’s that I can’t remember who is married to who and who their offspring are - I overcame this by writing myself a list but a character list at the beginning of the book may be helpful. Having said that there may well be one at the front of the books but I have no way of knowing this as I listened to them on audio. The audio books are brilliantly read by Julie Hesmondhalgh who manages to bring everything to life. Her chats with J M Hall’s at the end of the audio books are also worth listening to as they are delightful.
April 13, 2025
The retired school teacher amateur sleuths are back.
Liz, Thelma and Pat are looking in to the death of Neville Hilton.
Neville wasn't a likeable chap he had plenty to say about everything, so wasn’t short of enemies, but would any of them be prepared to kill him?
It seems that Neville dies from a heart attack , but the trio find that somethings don’t add up and don’t point to a death by natural causes .
Neville was an OFSTED inspector and one of the last jobs he did really brought the school to its knees and everything seems to point to this inspection leading to his death.
But who could have done it, or wasn’t Nevilles death as sinister as the ladies think?
I love this series the ladies are real down to earth characters and the style of writing makes it a dream to read .
There is humour , murder , and the retired primary school teachers not forgetting the slices of cake which when mixed together makes an enjoyable read.
Looking forward to the trio’s next case .
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.
Liz, Thelma and Pat are looking in to the death of Neville Hilton.
Neville wasn't a likeable chap he had plenty to say about everything, so wasn’t short of enemies, but would any of them be prepared to kill him?
It seems that Neville dies from a heart attack , but the trio find that somethings don’t add up and don’t point to a death by natural causes .
Neville was an OFSTED inspector and one of the last jobs he did really brought the school to its knees and everything seems to point to this inspection leading to his death.
But who could have done it, or wasn’t Nevilles death as sinister as the ladies think?
I love this series the ladies are real down to earth characters and the style of writing makes it a dream to read .
There is humour , murder , and the retired primary school teachers not forgetting the slices of cake which when mixed together makes an enjoyable read.
Looking forward to the trio’s next case .
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.
December 15, 2025
A Brush with Death by J.M. Hall
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
My Opinion
A Brush with Death was a great addition to the series. Pat, Liz and Thelma are lovely characters. A light-hearted, lovely, cosy crime novel.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Retired schoolteachers Pat, Liz and Thelma don’t know what to think. The death of Neville Hilton is not a crime. Just your standard, if tragic, heart attack. At least that’s what the autopsy shows.
But his ex-wife isn’t convinced. She’s sure the current Mrs Hilton is involved – maybe she wasn’t at some horse event, as she told police.
And so the three friends step away from their slices of cake to investigate.
As the trio delve into the village’s secrets, they uncover more than they bargained for – angry residents with old grudges and the echoes of a damning report that ruined lives all those years ago…
Can these unlikely sleuths untangle the web of lies and uncover the truth before anybody else dies?
My Opinion
A Brush with Death was a great addition to the series. Pat, Liz and Thelma are lovely characters. A light-hearted, lovely, cosy crime novel.
Rating 4/5
February 14, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, this is becoming a really good cozy crime series, which features retired primary school teachers who have taken in some amateur sleuthing.
The characters are flawed as well as being clever and separately charming and inspiring and enter this mystery with some reluctance. An ex Ofsted inspector has been found dead, traumatising the cleaning lady who found him. Although at first glance it appears a heart attack the three ladies fee a deeper investigation is needed.
The plot is funny, charming and deals with lots of human problems and emotions, which are easy for the reader to relate to. I enjoyed the ending and was not expecting it and was for the last half eager to have the death explained.
I look forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are flawed as well as being clever and separately charming and inspiring and enter this mystery with some reluctance. An ex Ofsted inspector has been found dead, traumatising the cleaning lady who found him. Although at first glance it appears a heart attack the three ladies fee a deeper investigation is needed.
The plot is funny, charming and deals with lots of human problems and emotions, which are easy for the reader to relate to. I enjoyed the ending and was not expecting it and was for the last half eager to have the death explained.
I look forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2025
It's the latest outing for Pat, Thelma and Liz, three retired primary school teachers who have turned their hand to solving mysteries by putting their teacher skillset to good work.
I've read all of the books in this series and I can really see how the characters have developed but, and I cannot work out why this is the case, I cannot remember who is who in the recurring cast or whose husband is who. Oddly, the new characters just from this story are perfectly distinguishable.
For any teachers please be aware that there is a lot of discussion of Ofsted, academisation and schools being swallowed up. Please take this as a trigger warning because it was distressing.
It's a good mystery and it really does celebrate the remarkable skillset of the veteran teacher. Thanks Netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I've read all of the books in this series and I can really see how the characters have developed but, and I cannot work out why this is the case, I cannot remember who is who in the recurring cast or whose husband is who. Oddly, the new characters just from this story are perfectly distinguishable.
For any teachers please be aware that there is a lot of discussion of Ofsted, academisation and schools being swallowed up. Please take this as a trigger warning because it was distressing.
It's a good mystery and it really does celebrate the remarkable skillset of the veteran teacher. Thanks Netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Brush with Death is the fourth installment in a series featuring a group of ladies in a quaint English town. While this is part of a series, I found it to be readable as a standalone. I will admit, I was a little lost at the beginning, not having read the previous books. However, I was able to quickly catch up with the characters and their relationships as the story unfolded.
This book delivers a classic murder mystery vibe. While fans of J.M. Hall's previous work will likely enjoy this latest offering, I wasn't completely captivated. If you're already invested in this series, I'd recommend picking this one up. However, if you're a newcomer to the author and are searching for a fresh and exciting mystery, you might want to explore other options.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Brush with Death is the fourth installment in a series featuring a group of ladies in a quaint English town. While this is part of a series, I found it to be readable as a standalone. I will admit, I was a little lost at the beginning, not having read the previous books. However, I was able to quickly catch up with the characters and their relationships as the story unfolded.
This book delivers a classic murder mystery vibe. While fans of J.M. Hall's previous work will likely enjoy this latest offering, I wasn't completely captivated. If you're already invested in this series, I'd recommend picking this one up. However, if you're a newcomer to the author and are searching for a fresh and exciting mystery, you might want to explore other options.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews