Bob and Shirley's Guide to Murder

Bob and Shirley's Cozy Mystery/Murder Mystery Series #1

by Suzy K. Quinn

Bob and Shirley run a lovely country pub. They also solve murders ...

A warmly funny, gloriously British murder mystery series that can be read as standalones or part of a 10-book series. Set in a village where the pub is the heart of country life and served with warmth, wit and a very good Sunday roast..

“Murder? In our quiet, little English village?
Great Oakley is a place of hanging baskets, tearooms and riverside walks. We’ve won ‘Britain’s safest village’ 10 years running. I keep three pound coins, a box of toffees and a bottle of Peptol-Bismol on my dashboard at all times, and I’ve never needed to lock my car.

Certainly, Bevvy Hogg was disliked. She ran the local Waist Watchers group, yet came to our pub for fish and chips, treacle tart and a bottle of Chardonnay every Friday. But I don’t think she was murdered …”

When Bevvy Hogg is found dead in the Goose and Gander pub garden, with an empty treacle tart plate beside her and several dress sizes slimmer than anyone remembers, Great Oakley's winning streak as Britain's safest village comes to an abrupt end.

Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich, British murder mystery books and village whodunits with extra helpings of humour and warmth.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2026

About the author

Download your Suzy K Quinn starter library at: www.suzykquinn.com

Suzy K Quinn is a #1 Amazon Kindle bestselling British author of book club books and murder mystery books, with over 1 million books sold worldwide. She writes the Bob and Shirley cozy mystery series — set in the fictional English village of Great Oakley, where pub landlords Bob and Shirley keep stumbling across dead bodies and each other's nerves. Funny, warm, and perfect for book clubs, all Suzy's books are available free on Kindle Unlimited. Suzy lives in Essex with her husband and two daughters.
 
Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband Demi and two daughters. She is a twin, an incompetent parent of two and now fully decaffeinated. Her twin sister, Cate Quinn, is also a bestseller author. When she's not writing, she is reading rom coms and cozy mysteries.
 
Suzy loves her readers and is ALWAYS happy to chat on social media - she's @suzykquinn on all the socials. You can also get a free book at her website.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob & Shirley’s Guide To Murder by Suzy K Quinn is a wonderfully amusing light-hearted contemporary cosy crime novel which I absolutely adored. I read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep. It is the first book in the new Bob & Shirley Mystery series which promises to be fabulous.
The action is seen in the first person, alternating between married couple Bob and Shirley who own a pub in a village. Their close relationship is visible to all as the dialogue bounces between them.
A dead body in the pub garden sets Bob and Shirley up to investigate. Their amateur sleuthing certainly gives Miss Marple a run for her money. They too, are friendly with the local constabulary.
A young woman in police training is first on the scene, unfortunately her stomach does not match her enthusiasm! With each new detail that Bob points out, the female P.C. loses her stomach again! Quietly spoken and teetotal, she is in direct contrast to the previous elderly male police officer who was beer drinking and loud.
Village living brings highs and lows. There are gossip, speculation and rivalry, but also friendships, camaraderie and loyalty. We drop in on pub quizzes and lunches, fitness classes and the local Waist Watchers – who spend more time in the pub talking about losing weight than actually doing something about it! Their leader is partial to fish and chips and alcohol, as noted by Bob.
Suzy K Quinn has cleverly constructed her novel which has many references to quintessential British items and traditions. When talking about local history, Bob observes “Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond is absolutely not historically accurate.” Those of us of a certain age who grew up on the Carry-On films, will instantly recognise the character played by Sid James. This familiarity helps the reader feel like they belong to village life.
The author’s style is personable and easy to read. Every page makes the reader chuckle. “Man cannot live off prosecco foam alone. Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and a nice, cold beer are life’s essentials.” And Shirley notes: “When God was giving out charm, Bob was at the back of the line, correcting some-one’s grammar.”
Bob prides himself on his vast knowledge, but like all clever men, there are areas where the brain power is dimmer. “She’s [Bob’s daughter] gone to a pole dancing class… For years, I had hoped she’d try folk dancing. And here she is trying out Polish dance all of her own volition.” Shirley doesn’t have the heart to correct him!
I absolutely adored Bob & Shirley’s Guide To Murder. Bob and Shirley were very likable and believable lead characters. Please write fast Suzy K Quinn as I want to hear more, more, more about Bob and Shirley’s adventures.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[MrsD271015 D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a breath of fresh air. I loved the way it was written - it flowed so easily and the different perspectives of both Bob and Shirley to events was comical. I really could imagine them behind the bar having a little disagreement about bags for life and other such things.
If you love a murder mystery in a village pub mixed with some village gossip and disputes then this is definitely the book for you. I am definitely ready for the next instalment of Bob and Shirley. The best local landlords you could want when you need all the gossip.

[Georgia Tilbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of Suzy’s books and this one was no different. If you have read her Bad Mother’s series then you will already be familiar with the characters but reading this book as a stand alone would be just as good.

This book follows Bob and Shirley after they find a dead body in their pub garden. What follows is a fun, light hearted read that made me want to keep reading to find out what happened. No spoilers though!

[Lisa ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliantly wrote.

Absolutely love the style of writing done. The characters have real depth and you can perfectly visualise them. The story is well thought out and executed. Kept having to put my kindle down and sleep because it was always a “one more chapter” moment. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

[Corliss O'Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

I think I chuckled 5 or 6 times. Format was not my favorite, going back and forth between narrators. Mildly entertaining