While Hall tries to make the reader doubt the initial, obvious hints of who the killer is, it comes as no surprise at the end of the story when the killer is finally revealed. Liz, a seasoned gardener, anxious grandmother to Jacob, life-long worrier with a sweet and sensitive conscience, is the heart-and-soul of the group, most likely to be on hand when someone is needed “to dispense tissues, wipes, and make gentle conversation”. A Spoonful of Murder should have been a light cozy mystery with plenty of humor and warm characters.

There are also a few interesting details to the story from male strippers to cougars, no not the animal rather the classic older ladies that fancy young boys. I don’t want to be insulting about this novel: it’s got a decent premise, a satisfying ending, and the dialogue is well-written. O kokį dar gali palikti istorijos apie bejėgius, beviltiškoje padėtyje atsidūrusius žmones ir tuos, kas be sąžinės graužaties naudojasi svetima nelaime? Elements of their everyday lives and their life experiences as schoolteachers often inform their thoughts about what happened to Topsy. How the male author manages to also nail the middle-aged female psyche is truly a marvel, with each of the three characters so well-crafted you would swear you have met them.

Thelma, is outwardly strong and practical and can always 'find the exact words the other two are fumbling for'. I expected this to be light and breezy, but as mentioned before it was quite sad and anger inducing in places as Dementia is a big focus of the book. They have cups of tea at a garden centre, and visit friends with dementia, a funeral and a strip club.

Pat was perhaps the hardest to get to know, the most reticent in getting involved, but there was still something about her and I could recognise her fears and understand her reluctance to get involved, especially as there was potential trouble at home too.Overall, this was a fun cozy mystery with some serious thing to think about after you close the cover. Jan, Liz and Thelma and their supporting cast of friends, family and suspects are all well drawn out. The plot is carefully assembled, rather like a patchwork quilt, with each element placed just so' NetGalley review, 'Oh how brilliant was this book?