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An Unfortunate Christmas Murder: A charming and festive British cosy mystery
'Tis the season for gold, frankincense and murder
It's winter in the small town of Dewstow, and Margery is preparing for her first Christmas as Summerview school's kitchen manager. She's supported by her wife, Clementine, and is trying to stay focused on the task at hand.
The pair are determined to stay out of the way of the Christmas concert planning that has gripped the rest of the staff. However, they are caught in the crossfire when the stage lights collapse at the first practice, killing Mrs Large, the music teacher.
Mrs Smith, the Head of Drama, is the prime suspect and is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name. Mrs Smith is convinced that it's sabotage by her rival, Mrs Blossom, the drama teacher at Ittonvale Secondary, but there's evidence that points to her own misdeeds. Can Margery and Clementine trust their friend? And when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will they make it out in time?
A charming and festive British village mystery, perfect for fans of Robert Thorogood and Fiona Leitch.
Praise for The Dinner Lady Detectives
'This cosy crime novel has some hilarious moments and is perfect to curl up with' Heat
'A brilliant read! Bella
'A brilliant whodunnit!' Closer
'The plot is great, the character cast is spot on, and the dialogue and humor is so quick, smart, and addictive. Margery and Clem play off one another brilliantly. I cannot wait to read the next book (please say there will be one!!!!!!) and highly recommend this gem.' NetGalley review
If you are after a gentle and amusing read, this will not disappoint!' Reader review
'Heaps of fun. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the absurdities and the chaos that surrounded Clementine and Margery.' Reader review
It's winter in the small town of Dewstow, and Margery is preparing for her first Christmas as Summerview school's kitchen manager. She's supported by her wife, Clementine, and is trying to stay focused on the task at hand.
The pair are determined to stay out of the way of the Christmas concert planning that has gripped the rest of the staff. However, they are caught in the crossfire when the stage lights collapse at the first practice, killing Mrs Large, the music teacher.
Mrs Smith, the Head of Drama, is the prime suspect and is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name. Mrs Smith is convinced that it's sabotage by her rival, Mrs Blossom, the drama teacher at Ittonvale Secondary, but there's evidence that points to her own misdeeds. Can Margery and Clementine trust their friend? And when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will they make it out in time?
A charming and festive British village mystery, perfect for fans of Robert Thorogood and Fiona Leitch.
Praise for The Dinner Lady Detectives
'This cosy crime novel has some hilarious moments and is perfect to curl up with' Heat
'A brilliant read! Bella
'A brilliant whodunnit!' Closer
'The plot is great, the character cast is spot on, and the dialogue and humor is so quick, smart, and addictive. Margery and Clem play off one another brilliantly. I cannot wait to read the next book (please say there will be one!!!!!!) and highly recommend this gem.' NetGalley review
If you are after a gentle and amusing read, this will not disappoint!' Reader review
'Heaps of fun. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the absurdities and the chaos that surrounded Clementine and Margery.' Reader review
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 1, 2026
This book does what it sets out to achieve, it a cosy plot with relatable and likeable characters, with a crime to solve throughout. It is far more cosy than crime in the genre, whilst the murder mystery is at its heart the book’s strength comes from its setting. If you want an easy going lighthearted mystery read with humour sprinkled throughout this is for you. Perfect for the lead up to the holidays for an evening read.
December 18, 2025
this was a very silly book
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews