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Murder Most Unladylike #9
Death Sets Sail
The final novel in the number-one bestselling, award-winning Murder Most Unladylike series.
Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are in Egypt, where they are taking a cruise along the Nile. They are hoping to see some ancient temples and a mummy or two; what they get, instead, is murder.
Also travelling on the SS Hatshepsut is a mysterious society called the Breath of Life: a group of genteel English ladies and gentlemen, who believe themselves to be reincarnations of the ancient pharaohs. Three days into the cruise their leader, Theodora Miller, is found dead in her cabin, stabbed during the night. It soon becomes clear to Daisy and Hazel that Theodora's timid daughter Hephzibah, who is prone to sleepwalking, is being framed. And within the society, everyone has a reason to want Theodora dead...
Daisy and Hazel leap into action and begin to investigate their most difficult case yet. But there is danger all around, and only one of the Detective Society will make it home alive...
Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are in Egypt, where they are taking a cruise along the Nile. They are hoping to see some ancient temples and a mummy or two; what they get, instead, is murder.
Also travelling on the SS Hatshepsut is a mysterious society called the Breath of Life: a group of genteel English ladies and gentlemen, who believe themselves to be reincarnations of the ancient pharaohs. Three days into the cruise their leader, Theodora Miller, is found dead in her cabin, stabbed during the night. It soon becomes clear to Daisy and Hazel that Theodora's timid daughter Hephzibah, who is prone to sleepwalking, is being framed. And within the society, everyone has a reason to want Theodora dead...
Daisy and Hazel leap into action and begin to investigate their most difficult case yet. But there is danger all around, and only one of the Detective Society will make it home alive...
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2020
246 people are currently reading
4196 people want to read
About the author
Robin Stevens
52 books2,588 followersRobin's books are: Murder Most Unladylike (Murder is Bad Manners in the USA), Arsenic for Tea (Poison is Not Polite in the USA), First Class Murder, Jolly Foul Play, Mistletoe and Murder, Cream Buns and Crime, A Spoonful of Murder, Death in the Spotlight and Top Marks for Murder. She is also the author of The Guggenheim Mystery, the sequel to Siobhan Dowd's The London Eye Mystery.
Robin was born in California and grew up in an Oxford college, across the road from the house where Alice in Wonderland lived. She has been making up stories all her life.
When she was twelve, her father handed her a copy of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and she realised that she wanted to be either Hercule Poirot or Agatha Christie when she grew up. When it occurred to her that she was never going to be able to grow her own spectacular walrus moustache, she decided that Agatha Christie was the more achieveable option.
She spent her teenage years at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, reading a lot of murder mysteries and hoping that she’d get the chance to do some detecting herself (she didn’t). She then went to university, where she studied crime fiction, and then worked at a children's publisher.
Robin lives in England with her husband and her pet bearded dragon, Watson.
Robin was born in California and grew up in an Oxford college, across the road from the house where Alice in Wonderland lived. She has been making up stories all her life.
When she was twelve, her father handed her a copy of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and she realised that she wanted to be either Hercule Poirot or Agatha Christie when she grew up. When it occurred to her that she was never going to be able to grow her own spectacular walrus moustache, she decided that Agatha Christie was the more achieveable option.
She spent her teenage years at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, reading a lot of murder mysteries and hoping that she’d get the chance to do some detecting herself (she didn’t). She then went to university, where she studied crime fiction, and then worked at a children's publisher.
Robin lives in England with her husband and her pet bearded dragon, Watson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 631 reviews
August 8, 2020
"final novel" whyyyyyy 😭😭😭
my heart is so full i love my girls
my heart is so full i love my girls
March 20, 2023
rereading this review has convinced me that i fully am unable to use a comma correctly rip my eng lang gcse
_
I can’t believe this series is over :(
_
I can’t believe this series is over :(
August 14, 2020
Fantastic end to the series, one of my new favourites! A direct ode to Poirot similar to the best in the series, First Class Murder. Love Daisy and Hazel's friendship and the direction of their lives now the series is over.
May 30, 2021
OMG!😭 This was the last book in the “murder most unladylike” series and I can’t tell how sad am I feeling😭
I love Daisy amd Hazel , they are my best fictional friends….I love this series so so so much!!!!!❤️ I don’t want this series to be ever finished , I want it to keep going😂 The good thing is that our talented author “Robin Stevens” has written more books including Daisy and Hazel but they are like collection of short stories. I can’t wait to read them❤️
I think that this book was the only book which I disliked a bit😞 Well, I liked it but not as much as I liked the other books in this series❤️ I didn’t like the atmosphere, this book sets in Egypt. The good thing about this book was that all the detectives worked all together like a family😊
Daisy, Hazel, Amina , Alexander and George , they together solved the case. Even Hazel’s father, her sisters, Uncle Felix and Aunt Lucy were there😂 I didn’t expect all of them to be in a single book❤️
I really like that how Hazel’s father didn’t forbid her to detect , he never likes Hazel mixing up with murders but in this book, he did let her to detect😊 I also liked that how Hazel’s sister, May, helped them detecting and she played an important part in solving the murder mystery at the end. When Hazel thinks that Daisy had died , that moment was really heartbreaking😭 But…..Robin Stevens will never leave you with a sad ending😁❤️ Because there was a big twist in the end😁
I loved that how easily all the characters found their true love in this book😂 Daisy, Hazel and even George found their true love❤️ I am really suprised that why does Hazel always gets a shock when she comes to know that Daisy is homosexual😂 She knows about it from a longggg time but I am happy that Daisy confessed that she is homosexual❤️
And there was a small twist about it😁
Once again, I figured out who the murderer was, just like I did in the last book😂 Well, after reading so many great books in this series, I think that I have become a genius in solving mysteries😂❤️ But I still enjoyed reading it because I love Daisy and Hazel’s friendship.
I loveddd how Daisy unexpected stands up and asks the ship sailor to handover her the case and shows him that she and Hazel are secret policewomen. That was soooo cool😂 At first, everybody laughs at them but when she and Hazel shows them their police badges, everybody was gasping😂😂
This book was really very good and I like this new character-Amina❤️ She is a sweet girl and is very friendly😊 Other than the unmasking of the murderer, there were a ton of twists and turns which I liked a lot!!!❤️
I loved it❤️
Go for it….
I love Daisy amd Hazel , they are my best fictional friends….I love this series so so so much!!!!!❤️ I don’t want this series to be ever finished , I want it to keep going😂 The good thing is that our talented author “Robin Stevens” has written more books including Daisy and Hazel but they are like collection of short stories. I can’t wait to read them❤️
I think that this book was the only book which I disliked a bit😞 Well, I liked it but not as much as I liked the other books in this series❤️ I didn’t like the atmosphere, this book sets in Egypt. The good thing about this book was that all the detectives worked all together like a family😊
Daisy, Hazel, Amina , Alexander and George , they together solved the case. Even Hazel’s father, her sisters, Uncle Felix and Aunt Lucy were there😂 I didn’t expect all of them to be in a single book❤️
I really like that how Hazel’s father didn’t forbid her to detect , he never likes Hazel mixing up with murders but in this book, he did let her to detect😊 I also liked that how Hazel’s sister, May, helped them detecting and she played an important part in solving the murder mystery at the end. When Hazel thinks that Daisy had died , that moment was really heartbreaking😭 But…..Robin Stevens will never leave you with a sad ending😁❤️ Because there was a big twist in the end😁
I loved that how easily all the characters found their true love in this book😂 Daisy, Hazel and even George found their true love❤️ I am really suprised that why does Hazel always gets a shock when she comes to know that Daisy is homosexual😂 She knows about it from a longggg time but I am happy that Daisy confessed that she is homosexual❤️
And there was a small twist about it😁
Once again, I figured out who the murderer was, just like I did in the last book😂 Well, after reading so many great books in this series, I think that I have become a genius in solving mysteries😂❤️ But I still enjoyed reading it because I love Daisy and Hazel’s friendship.
I loveddd how Daisy unexpected stands up and asks the ship sailor to handover her the case and shows him that she and Hazel are secret policewomen. That was soooo cool😂 At first, everybody laughs at them but when she and Hazel shows them their police badges, everybody was gasping😂😂
This book was really very good and I like this new character-Amina❤️ She is a sweet girl and is very friendly😊 Other than the unmasking of the murderer, there were a ton of twists and turns which I liked a lot!!!❤️
I loved it❤️
Go for it….
August 11, 2020
I know this series is meant for younger audiences, but since starting the series about I think four years ago I'm too invested I can't stop.
Last book, not sure how I felt. I think it was a very good mystery, and the element of cult dealings and people murdering each other for power is very interesting. What's also interesting is the crime is different as in not only are they trying to find the murderer, they are also trying to prove someone who they think is innocent, innocent.
I don't know if this series is getting too long for me or not complex enough, or I'm just not young enough, but I have been getting less interested, and at times, bored. The only thing I wish was more refreshing in this book would have been the setting, as the cabins and things are quite similar to First Class Murder.
At times, I felt the book was a little too melodramatic, but then again I think that adds to the whole light of it, as in it's not meant to be a too serious and gruesome crime, more a cosy crime in a way with schoolgirls (although the whole thing with them pretending to be real policewomen WAS ridiculous).
One thing I did absolutely adore in the change in Hazel's personality. Being of ethnic background myself, I could always relate to Hazel and how she felt out of place and odd at times next to a beautiful girl like Daisy with blonde hair and blue eyes. I loved how she's taking control now, and developing her own fiery and stubborn personality and although she'll forever be the Watson to Holmes, and always the vice-president, I think it's more of a partnership between them now...
Not everything tied up though! I am still missing action on:
○ Alexander and Hazel's romance - where does it go?
○ Daisy and Amina - does that lead anywhere?
○ Need more stuff on where they went next - do they become real detectives?
Waiting for May Wong's story to tie up those ends.
→3.25 stars
Last book, not sure how I felt. I think it was a very good mystery, and the element of cult dealings and people murdering each other for power is very interesting. What's also interesting is the crime is different as in not only are they trying to find the murderer, they are also trying to prove someone who they think is innocent, innocent.
I don't know if this series is getting too long for me or not complex enough, or I'm just not young enough, but I have been getting less interested, and at times, bored. The only thing I wish was more refreshing in this book would have been the setting, as the cabins and things are quite similar to First Class Murder.
At times, I felt the book was a little too melodramatic, but then again I think that adds to the whole light of it, as in it's not meant to be a too serious and gruesome crime, more a cosy crime in a way with schoolgirls (although the whole thing with them pretending to be real policewomen WAS ridiculous).
One thing I did absolutely adore in the change in Hazel's personality. Being of ethnic background myself, I could always relate to Hazel and how she felt out of place and odd at times next to a beautiful girl like Daisy with blonde hair and blue eyes. I loved how she's taking control now, and developing her own fiery and stubborn personality and although she'll forever be the Watson to Holmes, and always the vice-president, I think it's more of a partnership between them now...
Not everything tied up though! I am still missing action on:
○ Alexander and Hazel's romance - where does it go?
○ Daisy and Amina - does that lead anywhere?
○ Need more stuff on where they went next - do they become real detectives?
Waiting for May Wong's story to tie up those ends.
→3.25 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2020
What a great end to a fantastic series! I started reading this series around 6 years ago and immediately loved it. It was one of the first truly gripping mysteries I have read and Daisy and Hazel soon became my favourite detectives.
I loved how this book began at Deepdean and included Hazel’s family and the Junior Pinkerton’s. Combined with an Egyptian murder mystery this really was a fulfilling conclusion and a brilliant ending to a series that I’ve loved from the start.
- Detective Society Forever
I loved how this book began at Deepdean and included Hazel’s family and the Junior Pinkerton’s. Combined with an Egyptian murder mystery this really was a fulfilling conclusion and a brilliant ending to a series that I’ve loved from the start.
- Detective Society Forever
January 16, 2025
☆5 STARS!
⁀➷ 📜 pull the trigger on the gun i gave you when we met, i wanna be close to you. actually sobbing btw, you think i’m joking for the giggles but my vision is in fact blurry atm!! murder most unladylike is i think potentially one of my fav series of all time now, from the characters, mystery, aesthetics, relationships — everything!! i literally never wanted to let go of my sherlock & watson variants ever, and now i MUST? prepare for a long review LMAO.
”i remember daisy saying, ‘hazel’ — quite clearly — though no one else says they heard that.”
｡ﾟﾟ･｡･ﾟﾟ｡
ﾟ。 hazel wong — #watson
ﾟ･｡･ i remember in book 1 thinking i felt terrible about how insecure she was, that she didn’t feel like she fit. well, guess who’s literally the president of the detective society now??? ugh, i’ve always had a special space in my heart for watsons, as they are the heart. without them, the story can’t push a long. truly, i adored her growth. i appreciate stevens putting accurate research into her chinese heritage, and making it a vital part of her identity!! hazel genuinely just felt so alive and like a real person, i feel like i know her inside and out!
｡ﾟﾟ･｡･ﾟﾟ｡
ﾟ。 daisy wells — #madamsuper
ﾟ･｡･ my reincarnated sherlock holmes princess! fun fact: she’s the funniest character in this book and i won’t argue. she’s honestly so ridiculous, but i love it and i love how unwavering she is. not once did her confidence bunk down, daisy always knew she was intelligent. her personality is so easy to love, she’s so set on being the best ever in the world, and tbh like yea i fully believe she could do whatever she wanted. her fate in this book genuinely scared me, but i knew they were going to keep it happy for a middle grade novel, and thank god bc i love her so much.
the plot was SO interesting. i’m so glad we explored egypt and had a cult for our final book LMAO. the plot twist for the killer, again GENUINELY GOBSMACKED ONCE MORE??? did not expect it. when people say these books only get better, they are NOT lying.
characters & relationships highlight of the book i FEAR! first of all DAISY AND AMINA. fav trope ever is blondie princess with her brown baddie gf like yes?! not to mention, the Muslim rep, and i mentioned this in my last review but amina’s usage of baba still makes me so so happy like twin!! and hazel and alexander you two idiot fools in love. they were THEE slowburn bc wdym they took 7 books and kissed at the very end?! babies ever. george my desi king i adore you, and love his friendship/banter w daisy it’s PERFECT. only thing we were missing is INSPECTOR PRIESTLY?? where was my fav?!!!
and who would i be if i didn’t speak about daisy & hazel alone?? i think the reason the holmes & watson archetype is so well loved is because of how well they compliment each other whilst they also need each other. one is buzzing off of logic whereas the other is more grounded. throughout the stories, hazel became more daisyish whilst daisy became more hazelish. you can tell the author loves sherlock holmes (plus the bbc version too LMFAO) based off of the sheer amount of references and how the ending played out.
”detective society forever.”
overall…
i think this author actually crawled into my brain and wrote this series bc it had everything i possibly could’ve ever loved?!! 1930s detective school girls who are a holmes and watson duo, a lesbian relationship, a cute friends to lovers, and insanely written murder mysteries?!!! will def reread but for now, i will miss my girls so much :( goodbye, daisy and hazel.❤️🩹
——
rtc im going to miss these girls terribly :(
⁀➷ 📜 pull the trigger on the gun i gave you when we met, i wanna be close to you. actually sobbing btw, you think i’m joking for the giggles but my vision is in fact blurry atm!! murder most unladylike is i think potentially one of my fav series of all time now, from the characters, mystery, aesthetics, relationships — everything!! i literally never wanted to let go of my sherlock & watson variants ever, and now i MUST? prepare for a long review LMAO.
”i remember daisy saying, ‘hazel’ — quite clearly — though no one else says they heard that.”
｡ﾟﾟ･｡･ﾟﾟ｡
ﾟ。 hazel wong — #watson
ﾟ･｡･ i remember in book 1 thinking i felt terrible about how insecure she was, that she didn’t feel like she fit. well, guess who’s literally the president of the detective society now??? ugh, i’ve always had a special space in my heart for watsons, as they are the heart. without them, the story can’t push a long. truly, i adored her growth. i appreciate stevens putting accurate research into her chinese heritage, and making it a vital part of her identity!! hazel genuinely just felt so alive and like a real person, i feel like i know her inside and out!
｡ﾟﾟ･｡･ﾟﾟ｡
ﾟ。 daisy wells — #madamsuper
ﾟ･｡･ my reincarnated sherlock holmes princess! fun fact: she’s the funniest character in this book and i won’t argue. she’s honestly so ridiculous, but i love it and i love how unwavering she is. not once did her confidence bunk down, daisy always knew she was intelligent. her personality is so easy to love, she’s so set on being the best ever in the world, and tbh like yea i fully believe she could do whatever she wanted. her fate in this book genuinely scared me, but i knew they were going to keep it happy for a middle grade novel, and thank god bc i love her so much.
the plot was SO interesting. i’m so glad we explored egypt and had a cult for our final book LMAO. the plot twist for the killer, again GENUINELY GOBSMACKED ONCE MORE??? did not expect it. when people say these books only get better, they are NOT lying.
characters & relationships highlight of the book i FEAR! first of all DAISY AND AMINA. fav trope ever is blondie princess with her brown baddie gf like yes?! not to mention, the Muslim rep, and i mentioned this in my last review but amina’s usage of baba still makes me so so happy like twin!! and hazel and alexander you two idiot fools in love. they were THEE slowburn bc wdym they took 7 books and kissed at the very end?! babies ever. george my desi king i adore you, and love his friendship/banter w daisy it’s PERFECT. only thing we were missing is INSPECTOR PRIESTLY?? where was my fav?!!!
and who would i be if i didn’t speak about daisy & hazel alone?? i think the reason the holmes & watson archetype is so well loved is because of how well they compliment each other whilst they also need each other. one is buzzing off of logic whereas the other is more grounded. throughout the stories, hazel became more daisyish whilst daisy became more hazelish. you can tell the author loves sherlock holmes (plus the bbc version too LMFAO) based off of the sheer amount of references and how the ending played out.
”detective society forever.”
overall…
i think this author actually crawled into my brain and wrote this series bc it had everything i possibly could’ve ever loved?!! 1930s detective school girls who are a holmes and watson duo, a lesbian relationship, a cute friends to lovers, and insanely written murder mysteries?!!! will def reread but for now, i will miss my girls so much :( goodbye, daisy and hazel.❤️🩹
——
rtc im going to miss these girls terribly :(
August 3, 2020
WELL. So at least 2020 gave me today off so I could read Death Sets Sail in one sitting as soon as I received it in the post. All is not lost this year, apparently.
I've been reading this series since the first book came out in 2014 and saying that I'm emotional writing this is an understatement. My life has completely changed since then and it's incredible to think about all that happened since I started this.
What hasn't changed, though, is how wonderful this series is. It got better with each book. Death Sets Sail is amazing and completely fabulous but truly it's the series as a whole that really, really touched me. Daisy coming out as gay was huge for me. Visiting places and plots I'd previously explored in crime fiction through a more feminist, anti-racist, queer friendly lens was huge for me. The intended audience is much younger than I am but I've always felt this was a series for me, because it takes the best of a genre I love so much and makes it so good and so comfortable for today.
I know this review is super vague but this is all I've got. Gratitude. Love. And good tears. ❤
I've been reading this series since the first book came out in 2014 and saying that I'm emotional writing this is an understatement. My life has completely changed since then and it's incredible to think about all that happened since I started this.
What hasn't changed, though, is how wonderful this series is. It got better with each book. Death Sets Sail is amazing and completely fabulous but truly it's the series as a whole that really, really touched me. Daisy coming out as gay was huge for me. Visiting places and plots I'd previously explored in crime fiction through a more feminist, anti-racist, queer friendly lens was huge for me. The intended audience is much younger than I am but I've always felt this was a series for me, because it takes the best of a genre I love so much and makes it so good and so comfortable for today.
I know this review is super vague but this is all I've got. Gratitude. Love. And good tears. ❤
June 7, 2020
Wonderful end to a brilliant series.
November 14, 2020
4.5*
What better way for Stevens to give us this last adventure of Daisy and Hazel than to set it in Egypt! Off on a cruise we go and without long, a murder takes place...
I have really enjoyed this series, for the mysteries, but also for witnessing our two heroines grow, especially Hazel. This last episode, although bittersweet, features all we love in the genre: a fascinating setting, a cast of suspects, and a plot to untangle, while the shadow of Christie keeps us company (each chapter uses the title of a Christie’s novel).
Thank you, Robin, for these. Can’t wait to see what you write next! :O)
What better way for Stevens to give us this last adventure of Daisy and Hazel than to set it in Egypt! Off on a cruise we go and without long, a murder takes place...
I have really enjoyed this series, for the mysteries, but also for witnessing our two heroines grow, especially Hazel. This last episode, although bittersweet, features all we love in the genre: a fascinating setting, a cast of suspects, and a plot to untangle, while the shadow of Christie keeps us company (each chapter uses the title of a Christie’s novel).
Thank you, Robin, for these. Can’t wait to see what you write next! :O)
January 16, 2022
I wasn't a fan of the homage to Agatha Christie, as Stevens had already done this with First Class Murder. I wanted to see a more original concept- the cruise ship cabin set up is too similar to the rooms on the Orient Express in FCM.
It takes over 100 pages to get to the murder, and the beginning could've been cut down drastically (especially the first chapter, which as we find out later, wasn't needed and the section at Deepdean). Saying that, I liked the descriptions of Egypt.
Once aboard the ship, we get to know the Breath of Life Society in more detail. Unlike the majority of the books, the suspects weren't well-defined and quite forgettable.
However, I loved Hazel's character and her growth from meek and scared to strong and independent, which we've followed for the entire series, is rounded off. I enjoyed Hazel's younger sister May, but am dubious whether it warrants a whole new series. But, we should've seen more of Rose.
In terms of plot, I worked out who killed Theresa early on, because it was blatantly obvious and the oversight in their investigation is glaring throughout the book.
The concept of Daisy's death is what pushes this down to two stars. The fact she's dead detracts from the rest of the story, and decreases the peril and suspense during any scenes of danger. The story about how she survived is peppered with plot holes and leaves so many loose threads. When she summarizes this for Hazel, she also off offhandedly mentions she solved the murder of Joshua, who died prior to the book, leaving us wondering what happened The decision to remain dead is selfish (as it leaves her friends to think she's dead) and completely unrealistic, as is the excuse that Daisy and Hazel are actually policewomen. Robin should've either: a) killed Daisy off in a surprise twist at the end (as it would also fully end the series and prevent them making cameos in later series and becoming really tired) or b) never killed her off, whether it be actual death or fake.
Hazel and Alex's relationship slowed down the pacing and I got incredibly bored with it. Also, if the novel we read is meant to be written like a case-book, why is the interactions between A and H even detailed? Saying this, if Hazel only finished up writing the case back in England, how did she manage to remember details of specific conversations and events? She must have a superhuman memory.
Amina and Daisy's relationship had so much potential. But, instead of developing throughout the book, they kiss and then Daisy gets killed off. 'Haxel' is given much more page time than Amina and Daisy. It felt Robin was ticking a box to represent the LGBTQ+ community and be viewed as inclusive, rather than actually give time to it.
Overall, the pacing is disproportionate, the beginning too slow and the ending rushed. Too much attention was given to some characters and relationships than others. The murder was unoriginal and too easy to solve. But, it is a nice round off to the series and it was a fun, simple, quick read to pass the time. Definitely not the most well constructed plot.
It takes over 100 pages to get to the murder, and the beginning could've been cut down drastically (especially the first chapter, which as we find out later, wasn't needed and the section at Deepdean). Saying that, I liked the descriptions of Egypt.
Once aboard the ship, we get to know the Breath of Life Society in more detail. Unlike the majority of the books, the suspects weren't well-defined and quite forgettable.
However, I loved Hazel's character and her growth from meek and scared to strong and independent, which we've followed for the entire series, is rounded off. I enjoyed Hazel's younger sister May, but am dubious whether it warrants a whole new series. But, we should've seen more of Rose.
In terms of plot, I worked out who killed Theresa early on, because it was blatantly obvious and the oversight in their investigation is glaring throughout the book.
The concept of Daisy's death is what pushes this down to two stars. The fact she's dead detracts from the rest of the story, and decreases the peril and suspense during any scenes of danger. The story about how she survived is peppered with plot holes and leaves so many loose threads. When she summarizes this for Hazel, she also off offhandedly mentions she solved the murder of Joshua, who died prior to the book, leaving us wondering what happened The decision to remain dead is selfish (as it leaves her friends to think she's dead) and completely unrealistic, as is the excuse that Daisy and Hazel are actually policewomen. Robin should've either: a) killed Daisy off in a surprise twist at the end (as it would also fully end the series and prevent them making cameos in later series and becoming really tired) or b) never killed her off, whether it be actual death or fake.
Hazel and Alex's relationship slowed down the pacing and I got incredibly bored with it. Also, if the novel we read is meant to be written like a case-book, why is the interactions between A and H even detailed? Saying this, if Hazel only finished up writing the case back in England, how did she manage to remember details of specific conversations and events? She must have a superhuman memory.
Amina and Daisy's relationship had so much potential. But, instead of developing throughout the book, they kiss and then Daisy gets killed off. 'Haxel' is given much more page time than Amina and Daisy. It felt Robin was ticking a box to represent the LGBTQ+ community and be viewed as inclusive, rather than actually give time to it.
Overall, the pacing is disproportionate, the beginning too slow and the ending rushed. Too much attention was given to some characters and relationships than others. The murder was unoriginal and too easy to solve. But, it is a nice round off to the series and it was a fun, simple, quick read to pass the time. Definitely not the most well constructed plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2022
Na 100% gdyby nie była to moja ukochana seria nie dałabym 5⭐️, ale mam taki sentyment…
Czułam, że to zakończenie zasługiwało na taką ocenę.
Pochłonęłam w kilka godzin więc to chyba świadczy o tym jak bardzo jest to wciągające.
Więcej już niedługo jak wstawię recenzje na ig😋
Czułam, że to zakończenie zasługiwało na taką ocenę.
Pochłonęłam w kilka godzin więc to chyba świadczy o tym jak bardzo jest to wciągające.
Więcej już niedługo jak wstawię recenzje na ig😋
November 4, 2021
#1) Murder Most Unladylike ★★★☆☆
#2) Arsenic for Tea ★★★★☆
#3) First Class Murder ★★★★☆
#4) Jolly Foul Play ★★★★☆
#5) Mistletoe and Murder ★★★★☆
#6) A Spoonful of Murder ★★★★☆
#7) Death in the Spotlight ★★★★★
#8) Top Marks for Murder ★★★★★
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Hazel (mc) & her family are Chinese; Daisy (mc) is a lesbian; Amina (li) is Egyptian, Muslim & sapphic; bipoc scs.
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March 27, 2021
Schon seit dem ersten Band ich ein Fan des Ermittlerduos der beiden Mädels Daisy Wells und Hazel Wong. Die Autoren hat mit den Heldinnen hier eine tolle Reihe geschaffen, die bei den jungen Lesern nicht nur Interesse an Krimis wecken dürfte, sondern auch immer wieder viel auf die Probleme eingeht, die für Mädels in dem Alter typisch sind.
Aber im Laufe der Reihe kommen auch George und Alexander dazu, die ebenfalls eine Detektei gegründet haben, und die sich mit der Detektei Wells und Wong erst zusammenraufen müssen.
Natürlich ermitteln sie dieses Mal - zum letzten Mal - gemeinsam und haben noch eine hilfsbereite Schülerin aus der Deepdean Mädchenschule mit dabei: Amina, die bei Daisy aber immer auf schnippische Gegenwehr stößt, doch auch das hat seine Gründe...
Eine wunderschöne Hommage ist Robin Stevens hier gelungen an "Der Tod auf dem Nil" von Agatha Christie, dessen Verfilmung mit Sir Peter Ustinov die Autorin sehr begeistert und geprägt hat, wie sie im Nachwort schreibt. Auch ich liebe den Film, ich mag Poirot als Ermittler, wie auch Sherlock Holmes, die hier eine Vorbildfunktion für Daisy haben - wie auch den Schriftführer Dr. Watson (oder den Gehilfen Hastings), der sich in der schüchternen Hazel wiederfindet.
Beide Mädchen haben aber im Laufe ihrer Zusammenarbeit eine mehr oder weniger große Entwicklung durchgemacht. Während Daisy kalkulierend und selbstbewusst ist, tritt Hazel immer mehr aus ihrem Schatten und zeigt sich mittlerweile ebenfalls von sich überzeugt. Ihre zarte Liebe zu Alexander scheint sich auch zu erfüllen - und es bleibt nicht die einzige Verliebtheit, die sich anbahnt. Robin Hobb versteht es sehr gut, auf zartfühlende Art diese Gefühle zu beschreiben, ohne sie zu sehr in den Vordergrund zu drängen.
Der Mord ist natürlich anders gestrickt als der in Christie´s Werk, allerdings gibt es kleine Details, die Poirot-Fans wiedererkennen werden, was für mich immer ganz besonders schöne Momente waren.
Gleich zu Beginn gibt es eine bittere Überraschung, über die ich natürlich nicht näher eingehen werde, die aber die ganze Zeit wie ein Damoklesschwert über der Handlung hängt. Das schürt auch während der ganzen Ermittlungen zusätzlich die Spannung!
Sehr lebendig wird die Ankunft in Ägypten beschrieben, man lernt auch ein bisschen was nebenbei über die Geschichte und Kultur und auch wenn es etwas dauert, bis der Mord geschieht, fliegen die Seiten nur so dahin!
Interessant ist, dass es dieses Mal ein Geständnis zur Tat gibt, was unsere Detektiv-Gemeinschaft aber keinesfalls überzeugt. Zu viele Indizien sprechen dagegen und es startet eine aufregende Ermittlung die viel Abwechlsung bereit hält und zu einem überraschenden Ergebnis führt.
In Poirot´s Manier wird die Aufklärung auch sehr schön inszeniert vor dem Kreis der Verdächtigen und eine dramatische Wendung führt zu einem bitteren Ende - Holmes lässt grüßen :)
Sehr schade, dass die Reihe hiermit zu Ende geht, aber der Abschlussband hat mich wirklich sehr begeistert! Auch hab ich gehört, dass die Autorin neues plant, vielleicht sogar an die Deepdean zurückkehrt, man wird sehen ...
Weltenwanderer
Aber im Laufe der Reihe kommen auch George und Alexander dazu, die ebenfalls eine Detektei gegründet haben, und die sich mit der Detektei Wells und Wong erst zusammenraufen müssen.
Natürlich ermitteln sie dieses Mal - zum letzten Mal - gemeinsam und haben noch eine hilfsbereite Schülerin aus der Deepdean Mädchenschule mit dabei: Amina, die bei Daisy aber immer auf schnippische Gegenwehr stößt, doch auch das hat seine Gründe...
Eine wunderschöne Hommage ist Robin Stevens hier gelungen an "Der Tod auf dem Nil" von Agatha Christie, dessen Verfilmung mit Sir Peter Ustinov die Autorin sehr begeistert und geprägt hat, wie sie im Nachwort schreibt. Auch ich liebe den Film, ich mag Poirot als Ermittler, wie auch Sherlock Holmes, die hier eine Vorbildfunktion für Daisy haben - wie auch den Schriftführer Dr. Watson (oder den Gehilfen Hastings), der sich in der schüchternen Hazel wiederfindet.
Beide Mädchen haben aber im Laufe ihrer Zusammenarbeit eine mehr oder weniger große Entwicklung durchgemacht. Während Daisy kalkulierend und selbstbewusst ist, tritt Hazel immer mehr aus ihrem Schatten und zeigt sich mittlerweile ebenfalls von sich überzeugt. Ihre zarte Liebe zu Alexander scheint sich auch zu erfüllen - und es bleibt nicht die einzige Verliebtheit, die sich anbahnt. Robin Hobb versteht es sehr gut, auf zartfühlende Art diese Gefühle zu beschreiben, ohne sie zu sehr in den Vordergrund zu drängen.
Der Mord ist natürlich anders gestrickt als der in Christie´s Werk, allerdings gibt es kleine Details, die Poirot-Fans wiedererkennen werden, was für mich immer ganz besonders schöne Momente waren.
Gleich zu Beginn gibt es eine bittere Überraschung, über die ich natürlich nicht näher eingehen werde, die aber die ganze Zeit wie ein Damoklesschwert über der Handlung hängt. Das schürt auch während der ganzen Ermittlungen zusätzlich die Spannung!
Sehr lebendig wird die Ankunft in Ägypten beschrieben, man lernt auch ein bisschen was nebenbei über die Geschichte und Kultur und auch wenn es etwas dauert, bis der Mord geschieht, fliegen die Seiten nur so dahin!
Interessant ist, dass es dieses Mal ein Geständnis zur Tat gibt, was unsere Detektiv-Gemeinschaft aber keinesfalls überzeugt. Zu viele Indizien sprechen dagegen und es startet eine aufregende Ermittlung die viel Abwechlsung bereit hält und zu einem überraschenden Ergebnis führt.
In Poirot´s Manier wird die Aufklärung auch sehr schön inszeniert vor dem Kreis der Verdächtigen und eine dramatische Wendung führt zu einem bitteren Ende - Holmes lässt grüßen :)
Sehr schade, dass die Reihe hiermit zu Ende geht, aber der Abschlussband hat mich wirklich sehr begeistert! Auch hab ich gehört, dass die Autorin neues plant, vielleicht sogar an die Deepdean zurückkehrt, man wird sehen ...
Weltenwanderer
August 17, 2020
I hate to say that I didn`t enjoy this book. I have been invested in this story since the beginning like many people, and I just feel it really deserved a better ending.
From the very beginning (even suggested on the blurb) Daisy will die. As soon as it was stated in the first few pages, I really couldn`t concentrate well on the main story. I feel like so much attention was drawn to the `death` that little else mattered and so it was hard to enjoy the mystery as much as in previous books.
The fact that Daisy´s death was revealed so early, made me both annoyed and extremely suspicious, something had to give. Either one of the characters (who is only 15) whom we`ve come to know and love was going to die, or there was some catch. And so when it was revealed that she hadn`t really died, I was not surprised at all. There was no shock for me.
I wont flatter myself and feel like I`m the only one who saw something coming in the end to `save` Daisy. I just feel disappointed if I`m honest, as it`s the 9th book, and I feel like maybe Robin felt the need to do something special, which I can fully understand, but perhaps a nice intriguing mystery with a sweet and promising ending would have been more my taste.
But hey, I`m not a best selling author, it`s just my opinion.
From the very beginning (even suggested on the blurb) Daisy will die. As soon as it was stated in the first few pages, I really couldn`t concentrate well on the main story. I feel like so much attention was drawn to the `death` that little else mattered and so it was hard to enjoy the mystery as much as in previous books.
The fact that Daisy´s death was revealed so early, made me both annoyed and extremely suspicious, something had to give. Either one of the characters (who is only 15) whom we`ve come to know and love was going to die, or there was some catch. And so when it was revealed that she hadn`t really died, I was not surprised at all. There was no shock for me.
I wont flatter myself and feel like I`m the only one who saw something coming in the end to `save` Daisy. I just feel disappointed if I`m honest, as it`s the 9th book, and I feel like maybe Robin felt the need to do something special, which I can fully understand, but perhaps a nice intriguing mystery with a sweet and promising ending would have been more my taste.
But hey, I`m not a best selling author, it`s just my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
➳ 5 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
i-i don’t have words nor can i form an intelligent review. i’m still grieving and i read this in august (it’s now almost december)…
this book was so much different than anything robin has done so far. a cruise with a creepy cult of reincarnated pharohs and amina and the junior pinkertons are there? love it
also may! love her. and daisy and amina!! and hazel and alexander!! i’ve been rooting for those crazy kids to get together for years 🤭
i’m still in shock from the ending (not of the murder, i kinda guessed that lol) but daisy and hazels ending…like what?? i love them so much though and i’m just glad nothing TOO terrible happened…
i just can’t believe this is the end, these books and their characters feel like a part of me. i need to read once upon a crime and hopefully that gives me some closure✨
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
i-i don’t have words nor can i form an intelligent review. i’m still grieving and i read this in august (it’s now almost december)…
this book was so much different than anything robin has done so far. a cruise with a creepy cult of reincarnated pharohs and amina and the junior pinkertons are there? love it
also may! love her. and daisy and amina!! and hazel and alexander!! i’ve been rooting for those crazy kids to get together for years 🤭
i’m still in shock from the ending (not of the murder, i kinda guessed that lol) but daisy and hazels ending…like what?? i love them so much though and i’m just glad nothing TOO terrible happened…
i just can’t believe this is the end, these books and their characters feel like a part of me. i need to read once upon a crime and hopefully that gives me some closure✨
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
November 7, 2020
I loved this book, definitely one of my favorites in the series. It was very unexpected but amazing
July 30, 2023
The best one yet! A perfect ending for a magnificent series of books.
August 9, 2020
I KNEW IT!!!!!!! My favourite sort of mystery, where I'm left feeling not only impressed by how clever the author has been, but also clever myself, for figuring it out (all of it) quite early on, but not being 100% certain until a split second before the detectives.
And it is a truly brilliant ending to a superb series. Hazel Wong has to be one of my favourite fictional characters of all time and it has been lovely watching her grow up into an independent, thoughtful young woman.
I only discovered this series last year so I've not yet got round to shelving them (in the real world, I mean) - the ONLY good thing about this being the last in the series is that at least I know exactly how much bookshelf space I need to create. Oh for a magic wand...
And it is a truly brilliant ending to a superb series. Hazel Wong has to be one of my favourite fictional characters of all time and it has been lovely watching her grow up into an independent, thoughtful young woman.
I only discovered this series last year so I've not yet got round to shelving them (in the real world, I mean) - the ONLY good thing about this being the last in the series is that at least I know exactly how much bookshelf space I need to create. Oh for a magic wand...
August 10, 2020
Daisy and Hazel (and George and Alexander) are on a cruise on the Nile this time, marvelling at the wonders of Ancient Egypt. Also on board is the unpleasant Breath of Life group, who are convinced they are reincarnations of powerful Egyptian rulers...
Naturally, murder strikes - the Detective Society in on the case! To complicate matters, Hazel's family is also on board - and her little sister May keeps getting under their feet.
Figuring out whodunnit is as delicious and enjoyable as ever, so while it is sad to say goodbye to Hazel and Daisy, it is such an enjoyable ending to the Murder Most Unladylike series.
Naturally, murder strikes - the Detective Society in on the case! To complicate matters, Hazel's family is also on board - and her little sister May keeps getting under their feet.
Figuring out whodunnit is as delicious and enjoyable as ever, so while it is sad to say goodbye to Hazel and Daisy, it is such an enjoyable ending to the Murder Most Unladylike series.
August 6, 2020
It’s wonderful. Utterly wonderful. A perfect end to the series.
October 25, 2020
Absolutely loved this book, definitely one of my favourites in the series 😁
January 23, 2021
A beautiful ending to one of my favorite book series, the girls will be sorely missed!
Can't wait to see what Robin Stevens will come up with next!
Can't wait to see what Robin Stevens will come up with next!
February 22, 2021
oml she really had me there
February 19, 2024
zakończenie?
April 3, 2022
(5/5) Poprostu wow
April 3, 2022
ja... nie wiem co mam powiedzieć... SWIETNE
July 3, 2022
I’ll always have a soft spot for these books and loved all the others but defs felt a bit too old for this book now abab stoll enjoyable
February 18, 2023
Gdyby się dało dałabym temu 6 ⭐
October 26, 2020
The final book in the Murder Most Unladylike and oh boy it is going with a bang!
This is the last book and boy, it wasn’t easy to get started on this one because I just didn’t want to series to be over.
In this one Hazel and Daisy go to Egypt. And not just them, but also Hazel’s family, Alexander/George, and Amina (who invited the girls). Of course as you can imagine we don’t just see the wonderful wonderful Egypt, but also there is a murder. A gruesome one with quite a lot of twists and turns.
I just love that this one takes place in Egypt and that we got to see many of the places I would love to visit. Not that this is ever going to happen with Corona and how dangerous it is in Egypt these past years. So I take everything with Egypt with a bigger hunger than before.
We meet a cult in this one, people who think that they are reincarnations of Egypts old rulers. Yep. I definitely was rolling my eyes at these people. Good Lord. And the way they acted. That is just not how things work. They messed up things with incantations, had some strange ideas about things. It was just a cult… a scam. I wasn’t a fan of any of the people in them. Yes, maybe the older lady Bartleby. I just felt sorry for her given it was clear she had dementia/Alzheimer. She kept forgetting things, making strange remarks.
The murder was exciting and WOW, I had lots of fun going with our gang to figure it all out. What had happened that fatal night, and who did it? I loved seeing our girls step up their game and loved how Mr Wong let Hazel do things and even helped them out at times. It was exciting and it got more and more exciting with each new thing we discovered. The murder sure was a twisty and turny one.
I am still not sure how I felt about May. On the one hand she helped, on the other hand I just found her annoying. She kept popping up at the most random of times and I was just rolling my eyes for most.
Then there is not just one romance plots.. but two! First up Daisy and Amina. I just love those two together and I had a giggle to how Daisy was trying to ignore her feelings and not do anything with it but in the mean time she was so fawning over Amina. I loved the moments that we clearly saw that Daisy was in love. It was cute to see Daisy, who always acts so grown-up and grand as if love is just something that doesn’t happen, go giggly, make eyes, and other things. I was rooting for her to finally see her feelings and do something. I loved Amina as well and I loved how she always had a reply answer back to Daisy’s words (like when Daisy said she didn’t want to get married and Amina found that a pity). I am so happy with this couple, they fit so well together.
And then there is Alexander and Hazel. Yep. She has been pining after him for quite some time, but he never saw her (or that is how it seems, who knows), but the last few books we saw a change. And in this one things get a bit more further and I was just so happy. I had a big big laugh when Alexander came on the ship, see how Hazel’s father reacts, see how Hazel reacts. It was just the best. And there were a couple of other moments that had me giggling because it was SO CLOSE and then Hazel ducked out. HAZEL! Don’t let that poor boy standing there. 😛
The ending was just WOW, it was well written and I was just on the edge of my seat. The way the girls revealed the murder, how it happened, and the suspects, and then what happens next. The last part just broke my heart, but also made it completely whole again with various fun things happening. Yes, that last part was a rollercoaster of emotions for me.
Now that this one is over… can we please have adult Hazel and Daisy solving mysteries together? Please? Pretty please! I would buy that in a heartbeat.
I will really miss this series. Daisy wasn’t always my favourite, but I just loved Hazel. I loved the various characters we meet. I just love that the last book in this series takes place in Egypt, one of my favourite and must go to countries. I would recommend this series to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This is the last book and boy, it wasn’t easy to get started on this one because I just didn’t want to series to be over.
In this one Hazel and Daisy go to Egypt. And not just them, but also Hazel’s family, Alexander/George, and Amina (who invited the girls). Of course as you can imagine we don’t just see the wonderful wonderful Egypt, but also there is a murder. A gruesome one with quite a lot of twists and turns.
I just love that this one takes place in Egypt and that we got to see many of the places I would love to visit. Not that this is ever going to happen with Corona and how dangerous it is in Egypt these past years. So I take everything with Egypt with a bigger hunger than before.
We meet a cult in this one, people who think that they are reincarnations of Egypts old rulers. Yep. I definitely was rolling my eyes at these people. Good Lord. And the way they acted. That is just not how things work. They messed up things with incantations, had some strange ideas about things. It was just a cult… a scam. I wasn’t a fan of any of the people in them. Yes, maybe the older lady Bartleby. I just felt sorry for her given it was clear she had dementia/Alzheimer. She kept forgetting things, making strange remarks.
The murder was exciting and WOW, I had lots of fun going with our gang to figure it all out. What had happened that fatal night, and who did it? I loved seeing our girls step up their game and loved how Mr Wong let Hazel do things and even helped them out at times. It was exciting and it got more and more exciting with each new thing we discovered. The murder sure was a twisty and turny one.
I am still not sure how I felt about May. On the one hand she helped, on the other hand I just found her annoying. She kept popping up at the most random of times and I was just rolling my eyes for most.
Then there is not just one romance plots.. but two! First up Daisy and Amina. I just love those two together and I had a giggle to how Daisy was trying to ignore her feelings and not do anything with it but in the mean time she was so fawning over Amina. I loved the moments that we clearly saw that Daisy was in love. It was cute to see Daisy, who always acts so grown-up and grand as if love is just something that doesn’t happen, go giggly, make eyes, and other things. I was rooting for her to finally see her feelings and do something. I loved Amina as well and I loved how she always had a reply answer back to Daisy’s words (like when Daisy said she didn’t want to get married and Amina found that a pity). I am so happy with this couple, they fit so well together.
And then there is Alexander and Hazel. Yep. She has been pining after him for quite some time, but he never saw her (or that is how it seems, who knows), but the last few books we saw a change. And in this one things get a bit more further and I was just so happy. I had a big big laugh when Alexander came on the ship, see how Hazel’s father reacts, see how Hazel reacts. It was just the best. And there were a couple of other moments that had me giggling because it was SO CLOSE and then Hazel ducked out. HAZEL! Don’t let that poor boy standing there. 😛
The ending was just WOW, it was well written and I was just on the edge of my seat. The way the girls revealed the murder, how it happened, and the suspects, and then what happens next. The last part just broke my heart, but also made it completely whole again with various fun things happening. Yes, that last part was a rollercoaster of emotions for me.
Now that this one is over… can we please have adult Hazel and Daisy solving mysteries together? Please? Pretty please! I would buy that in a heartbeat.
I will really miss this series. Daisy wasn’t always my favourite, but I just loved Hazel. I loved the various characters we meet. I just love that the last book in this series takes place in Egypt, one of my favourite and must go to countries. I would recommend this series to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
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