Publishers Weekly
01/25/2021
“We are coming for you” is the ominous message to a potential murder victim confronting Det. Sgt. Harbinder Kaur in Edgar winner Griffiths’s clever follow-up to 2019’s The Stranger Diaries. The death of elderly Peggy Smith in Shoreham-by-Sea, England, looks unremarkable on the surface, but her devoted associates—home healthcare worker Natalka, café owner and ex-monk Benedict, and former broadcaster Edwin—suspect foul play when they find mystery novels dedicated to Peggy, references to her as a “murder consultant,” and a postcard with a disturbing note that has been sent to the novelists as well. Peggy’s son, Nigel, who seems too eager to dispose of his mother’s belongings, also is of interest. Much to Kaur’s unease, the trio head to a literary festival in Aberdeen to buttonhole the postcard recipients and learn more about Peggy’s relationship to them. Soon writers wind up dead, and Kaur is forced to continue her investigation alongside the enthusiastic amateur sleuths in Scotland. Complex characters, hidden histories, and adept twists enrich the narrative. Readers will be enthralled. Agent: Kirby Kim, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Elly Griffiths and THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS Finalist for the CWA Gold Dagger Award A Most Anticipated Title of 2021 from Crime Reads and The Buzz Magazines A Best Book of March from New York Post and PopSugar "This droll romp is a latter-day Miss Marple.” —Washington Post “A limitless talent, a novelist in the humane vein of Louise Penny and Kate Atkinson, Elly Griffiths is one of my flat-out favorite contemporary suspense writers. No matter the book—a Ruth Galloway mystery, a Magic Men caper, an ambitious, assured non-series thriller—she innovates and excites; I turn each final page both deeply satisfied and ravenous for more.” —AJ Finn "A macabre ode to the mystery genre." —PopSugar "A motley and charming trio of amateur sleuths...Griffiths’ strong sense of place—the sea is sparkling yet unsettling, Aberdeen’s cliffs beautiful yet unforgiving—provides a rich foundation for a cleverly constructed story with complex, memorable characters...A cozy bibliophile’s delight of a mystery that turns writerly research and acknowledgments into fodder for pivotal plot points, offers a tongue-in-cheek peek at the publishing business and pays tribute to friendships that transform into chosen families." —BookPage “Delightful...Told with Griffiths's characteristic charm and gentleness.” —Daily Mail “A light-hearted, life-affirming celebration of crime fiction and the colourful characters that create it...Such witty and charming entertainment.” —The Times “Delicious, unadulterated entertainment.” —Sunday Express “This super-readable thriller will have you hooked.” —The Sun “A love letter to murder mysteries, wrapped up in a character-rich caper.” —Sunday Mirror “Griffiths assembles a vivid cast of characters, offering an enjoyably modern take on an old genre.” —The Sunday Times “If you're looking for a laugh and to travel on a murder hunt, The Postscript Murders is the read for you.” —Daily Record “An entertaining mystery for book-lovers.” —Good Housekeeping “Always an expert in building tension and creating atmosphere in her thrillers, Elly Griffiths' latest is no exception.” —Woman's Weekly “Dark and addictive.” —Woman's Weekly Fiction "Smart and complex...even a little comic. Very satisfying; the intelligence unmistakable and the characters made as knowable as those in The Stranger Diaries, and—well, and this is clearly just a writer to be trusted with as much of your attention as she asks for." —Shawanjunk Journal "Complex characters, hidden histories, and adept twists enrich the narrative. Readers will be enthralled." —Publishers Weekly "Griffiths, author of the long-running Ruth Galloway series, follows the success of her first standalone, The Stranger Diaries (2019), win —
Library Journal - Audio
08/01/2021
When Peggy Smith dies, her carer Natalka is convinced that something is amiss. Detective Harbinder Kaur is less sure—the woman was 90 years old, after all—though she's given pause by Peggy's unofficial position as "murder consultant" to best-selling authors. To investigate, Natalka teams up with Peggy's 80-year-old neighbor Edwin, and Benedict, a former monk who owns the local coffee shop. While they're looking for clues in Peggy's apartment, someone breaks in, holds them at gunpoint, and steals a single book. Natalka, Edwin, and Benedict head to a literary festival in Aberdeen to interview the authors Peggy worked with, and other suspicious deaths follow. Griffiths (The Stranger Diaries) weaves details about publishing into the plot, which will tickle listeners familiar with the industry (those who don't give much thought to blurbs or comps might learn a little bit). Nina Wadia ably voices a variety of characters with a wide range of accents. VERDICT Reminiscent of the work of Golden Age writers like Agatha Christie or Dorothy L. Sayers, Griffiths's latest will be a hit with listeners who enjoyed Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club or Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders.—Stephanie Klose, Library Journal
Library Journal
02/01/2021
When 90-year-old Peggy Smith dies in Shoreham, England, it's considered a natural death. Her Ukrainian caretaker, Natalka, believes it was too sudden, and she takes her suspicions to Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur. Natalka finds all kinds of mystery novels dedicated to Peggy, aka "PS," along with a business card that says "Mrs. M. Smith, Murder Consultant." DS Kaur thinks there might be something to it when Natalka and one of Peggy's neighbors, Edwin, encounter a gunman who steals a book from Peggy's collection. Next, Edwin finds a postcard: "We are coming for you." When the trio, now joined by former monk Benedict, realize other authors have received the postcard, it's time to investigate. Then another author, the most famous writer to thank Peggy, is murdered. Harbinder likes the small group of amateurs, but she's appalled when they head to Scotland, chasing authors to a literary festival. VERDICT Readers of Griffiths's Edgar Award-winning The Stranger Diaries, or her "Ruth Galloway" mysteries, will welcome this book with a diverse cast of well-developed characters. However, the story drags at times. Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club is a stronger pick for those looking for unusual amateur sleuths.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN
MARCH 2021 - AudioFile
When 90-year-old Peggy Smith is found dead in the English seaside town of Shoreham, no one believes foul play has taken place. But her caregiver, Natalka, has suspicions, especially when she learns Peggy served as a murder consultant to a coterie of mystery writers. Actress Nina Wadia juggles the multiple narrators’ voices and accents well, including those of Natalka, friends Edwin and Benedict, and Detective Harbinder Kaur, who headlined the first book in this series. As these four characters set out to solve Peggy’s murder, the victims pile up, along with the motives, and the foursome's relationships mature in the process. Their entanglements will delight listeners, and as will fun references to books and their authors. L.W.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
MARCH 2021 - AudioFile
When 90-year-old Peggy Smith is found dead in the English seaside town of Shoreham, no one believes foul play has taken place. But her caregiver, Natalka, has suspicions, especially when she learns Peggy served as a murder consultant to a coterie of mystery writers. Actress Nina Wadia juggles the multiple narrators’ voices and accents well, including those of Natalka, friends Edwin and Benedict, and Detective Harbinder Kaur, who headlined the first book in this series. As these four characters set out to solve Peggy’s murder, the victims pile up, along with the motives, and the foursome's relationships mature in the process. Their entanglements will delight listeners, and as will fun references to books and their authors. L.W.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
