A Pen Dipped in Poison by J.M. Hallr Book Review

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that can keep you guessing until the end, then look no further than J.M. Hall’s A Pen Dipped in Poison! This is the second book in Hall’s mystery series, and it follows Thelma, Liz, and Pat as they work together to solve a new case involving poison pen letters sent to teachers and staff at their former school St. Barnabus. Get ready to be entertained – this review will tell you why this book is worth your time!

Click me to go to my Review

Released Tomorrow!

Synopsis

Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma are back at their usual table at the Thirsk Garden Centre café with a brand-new mystery to solve…

Curious white envelopes have been delivered to friends and neighbours. Inside are letters revealing the deepest secrets they have tried to hide.

As one by one, careers are ended, marriages destroyed and no one is beyond suspicion, the three friends decide enough is enough. They must take matters into their own hands before more damage is done.

But as they work to uncover the truth, they begin to wonder just how far someone will go to silence this poison pen…

Could a murderer be in their midst once again?

The second totally addictive and page-turning cosy mystery featuring these very unlikely sleuths. Fans of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders will be hooked from the very first page.

About The Author

J.M. Hall is an author, playwright and deputy head of a primary school. His plays have been produced in theatres across the UK as well as for radio, the most recent being Trust, starring Julie Hesmondhalgh on BBC Radio 4. A Pen Dipped in Poison is his second book.

My Review

What makes A Pen Dipped in Poison so enjoyable? To begin with, the characters feel very real and relatable; their family relationships are explored in greater depth compared to the first book in the series, making them all the more likeable. The writing style is also much improved here; it is sharp and witty without being overly long-winded or dull. The plot is well-paced but keeps you guessing throughout – I did guess who the culprit was early on but not the reason why until the big reveal!

I really liked Kayleigh Brittain, the new headmistress. She is wealthy, driven, enigmatic, confident and influential. She has a clear vision for the school and will stop at nothing to ensure it is achieved. She doesn’t care what others think of her, which may make her slightly callous, especially as a head teacher and she doesn’t endear herself to the children or parents, but I admired her determination and strength. A truly strong female lead character.

The themes explored in A Pen Dipped in Poison are worth mentioning too; there are some great messages about education within this book. It covers how educational systems have become focused on money instead of children, which highlights how important it is for us all to remember that education should always be about helping children learn and grow rather than just making money off them or treating them as numbers on a spreadsheet. I especially enjoyed the epilogue; it brings everything full circle with a heart-warming message of what really matters when it comes to education.

I liked that this lead on well from the first book in the series, A Spoonful of Murder, but has a very different feel with a focus on education instead of aging parents and responsibilities while retaining the lovely warm characters. I am unsure if this subject would have worked as well in the first book though and at times it felt a little too forced through, overriding the plot a little.

All in all, A Pen Dipped in Poison by J.M Hall is an excellent cozy mystery that will keep readers guessing until the end while also providing some thought-provoking commentary on educational systems today. With its easy-to-follow plot and wonderfully developed characters, this book is definitely worth your time! Whether you’re looking for an entertaining read or want something a bit more meaningful, this novel offers both in equal measure! Reminiscent of Richard Osman’s book series, if you liked those, you would love these too!

My previous reviews of J.M. Hall’s work

A Spoonful Of Murder

Rated