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Rachel Walker
Unlucky for Some
The mums are back… with the hangover from hell!
After a few socially awkward months at the school playground (being accused of murder will do that), Rachel is relieved that spring has finally arrived. Even more surprising? Natasha is being nice. Suspiciously nice.
So when Rachel and Frankie are invited to Natasha's Boozy Bingo birthday night out, they do what any sensible mums would assume the worst… then go anyway. But the morning after brings hangovers, regrets… and a missing person.
With a cryptic Instagram post and hazy memories, panic sets in fast. Even more so when DI Harding shares CCTV footage of a hooded figure leaving the hotel.
Dragged back into sleuthing (and loving every second), Rachel and Frankie reform The Jam Sandwich Detectives, questioning hungover mums, reigniting old friendships with the police, and discovering that everyone is hiding something.
As evidence piles up and suspicions multiply, one thing becomes this was no ordinary night out… and someone is running out of time.
Unlucky for Some is a laugh-out-loud cozy crime packed with amateur sleuthing and the kind of trouble only mums on a night out could land themselves in. It's perfect for fans of Motherland , The Thursday Murder Club and Bad Sisters .
After a few socially awkward months at the school playground (being accused of murder will do that), Rachel is relieved that spring has finally arrived. Even more surprising? Natasha is being nice. Suspiciously nice.
So when Rachel and Frankie are invited to Natasha's Boozy Bingo birthday night out, they do what any sensible mums would assume the worst… then go anyway. But the morning after brings hangovers, regrets… and a missing person.
With a cryptic Instagram post and hazy memories, panic sets in fast. Even more so when DI Harding shares CCTV footage of a hooded figure leaving the hotel.
Dragged back into sleuthing (and loving every second), Rachel and Frankie reform The Jam Sandwich Detectives, questioning hungover mums, reigniting old friendships with the police, and discovering that everyone is hiding something.
As evidence piles up and suspicions multiply, one thing becomes this was no ordinary night out… and someone is running out of time.
Unlucky for Some is a laugh-out-loud cozy crime packed with amateur sleuthing and the kind of trouble only mums on a night out could land themselves in. It's perfect for fans of Motherland , The Thursday Murder Club and Bad Sisters .
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
About the author
Clare Thompson
4 books11 followersAfter studying Film at university, Clare worked as a production co-ordinator in the television industry for several years, where she organised crews and made cups of tea for presenters. She now co-ordinates two young children, organises school bags and occasionally gets to drink a hot cup of tea herself!
Clare is a Penguin WriteNow shortlistee, who lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, two children and far too much Lego. She writes for both adults and children, and tapping away at her keyboard helps to keep her anxiety in check so that she can deal with the chaos of mum life.
Clare is a Penguin WriteNow shortlistee, who lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, two children and far too much Lego. She writes for both adults and children, and tapping away at her keyboard helps to keep her anxiety in check so that she can deal with the chaos of mum life.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is the second book featuring Frankie and Rachel , aka the Jam Sandwich detectives, and it is another fun read. The ladies are invited to Natasha's birthday celebrations which ends up as a weekend away featuring bingo and lots of drinking. There they meet Natasha's cousin Lisa who disappears the next morning. Blood is found and cameras show an assault on a woman wearing a very similar dress to Lisa's.
I really like this duo. They are quite different but work well together. Frankie is more reserved whereas Rachel is very outspoken. This book deals with coercive control but it is handled very well and I found the whole topic very interesting and it was clear how trapped someone could feel in that situation. The whole social media aspect was interesting and to be honest, a bit frightening and stalker-ish and I found that really added to the story. I flew through it as it was easy and exciting to read and I look forward to seeing what these two ladies get involved in next.
I really like this duo. They are quite different but work well together. Frankie is more reserved whereas Rachel is very outspoken. This book deals with coercive control but it is handled very well and I found the whole topic very interesting and it was clear how trapped someone could feel in that situation. The whole social media aspect was interesting and to be honest, a bit frightening and stalker-ish and I found that really added to the story. I flew through it as it was easy and exciting to read and I look forward to seeing what these two ladies get involved in next.
Review of advance copy
When will I learn? Cosy mysteries are just not for me, so I can’t really give a fair opinion. This is quite amusing at times, but as it contains so many things that I dislike, I had force myself to keep reading. I am sure that I am not being fair to it, so please read some more positive reviews. Frankie and Rachel have previously solved a murder mystery, so their friends know that they can be relied upon to investigate a potential crime. They are not really looking forward to Natasha’s birthday party, and are surprised to be invited. When Lisa goes missing and there are reports of a bloodstained victim, everyone fears the worst. The two women investigate, with the blessing of the police officer. Things are not as they seem. This book is clearly part of a series and I think that you will either love it or find it tedious.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A fun read from Clare Thompson.
The book covers the growing issue with the current rise in coercive control and trauma but it did so in a manner that didn’t underestimate its effects but equally it recognised the importance of strong friendships and the way that women bond and help one another.
An interesting read that despite the subject remained light hearted and funny but it still had a strong message.
Thank you to Clare Thompson and the brilliant team at Bloodhound for the early copy of this book.
The book covers the growing issue with the current rise in coercive control and trauma but it did so in a manner that didn’t underestimate its effects but equally it recognised the importance of strong friendships and the way that women bond and help one another.
An interesting read that despite the subject remained light hearted and funny but it still had a strong message.
Thank you to Clare Thompson and the brilliant team at Bloodhound for the early copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was another outing for Rachel and Frankie the Jam Sandwich detectives, this time investigating not a murder, but a missing person on a birthday weekend away. Unfortunately, the missing person is one other than Natasha cousin!
For me, the fact it was all set over a weekend felt a bit rushed in places, but the two main characters are still very engaging and there are great touches of humour throughout the book
A nice cozy crime adventure.
Thanks to Bloodhound books for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
For me, the fact it was all set over a weekend felt a bit rushed in places, but the two main characters are still very engaging and there are great touches of humour throughout the book
A nice cozy crime adventure.
Thanks to Bloodhound books for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a great follow up to The Jam Sandwich Detectives, and I really enjoyed spending time with Frankie and Rachel again. The action unfolds over a Mums' birthday weekend away where one of the party goes missing after perhaps one too may Proseccos... Our interpid detectives try to find her dead or alive assisted - and hindered - by the other mums. An easy page-turning cosy read with lots of nice details that fans of the original will enjoy. TIP: read The Jam Sandwiches Detectives first as there are references to it including spoilers throughout this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you BloodHound Books for the chance to read and review this book 📖
I read the Jam Sandwich detectives and could not wait to get stuck into this follow up novel. This is an excellent book with a lot of twists and turns and even though it hasn't got that grip factor of the first novel it's still a really good book.
Frankie and Rachel have been invited on Natasha's birthday trip. What sets out to be a Bingo bonanza turns Into a drunken hazy night with a missing person and hidden going ons.
I read the Jam Sandwich detectives and could not wait to get stuck into this follow up novel. This is an excellent book with a lot of twists and turns and even though it hasn't got that grip factor of the first novel it's still a really good book.
Frankie and Rachel have been invited on Natasha's birthday trip. What sets out to be a Bingo bonanza turns Into a drunken hazy night with a missing person and hidden going ons.
Review of advance copy
Another humorous yet realistic storyline. No murder involved but an abduction which is why I rated it a 4.
Nothing gritty or gory within this but a light read concerning a poignant subject. Written and flowed well. Interesting and relatable realistic characters. A refreshing read ghat was really refreshing and enjoyable
Nothing gritty or gory within this but a light read concerning a poignant subject. Written and flowed well. Interesting and relatable realistic characters. A refreshing read ghat was really refreshing and enjoyable
May 3, 2026
A fun read! Hapless Mums Rachel & Frankie are back in their amateur detective roles, following a fellow Mum’s birthday night out. This is a sequel but can be read as a standalone, although there are several references to the original story. I would now like to read the original to understand more what they were referring to! Would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The second instalment from the jam sandwich detectives, a cosy crime storyline that sees’s our amateur sleuths Rachel and Frankie searching for Lisa, cousin of the birthday girl, whose birthday weekend they are celebrating. A rare mum’s weekend away is looking to be far from a celebration that was intended.
May 26, 2026
A good cozy mystery book by the author who gave us the jam sandwich detectives . This is book 2 in the series and the girls are back.
I really loved the first book but this book although good didn’t grip me like the first even though I love the characters. I’ll be interested to see what happens in the next book.
I really loved the first book but this book although good didn’t grip me like the first even though I love the characters. I’ll be interested to see what happens in the next book.
May 26, 2026
A real ‘page turner’, I didn’t want to put it down! A great read. I look forward to finding out what this group of Mums do next
May 27, 2026
Just finished Unlucky for Some, and loved it (maybe even more than book 1). Feel like I know the characters now, great story line kept me guessing. Will there be a book 3??
May 23, 2026
The story in 3 emojis: 🪩🥪👀
Highlights from the book:
•Return of The Jam Sandwich Detectives
•Multiple POV
•Cosy Mystery
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Unlucky for some” is the second book of the Rachel Walker series, or as I like to call it The Jam Sandwich Detectives’ series!
This time the mums were based in a hotel but that didn’t stop them getting caught up in a potential crime that needed investigating - but at least they made time to eat a jam sandwich!
This book was very funny and full of mystery as the detectives got to work.
I really hope there will be more from this bunch of school mums!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews