A Pen Dipped in Poison: A witty and cosy mystery story, perfect for fans of Richard Osman

Easy to read. Know the area well so although some liberties taken with distances/time, (I assume for the sake of literature) it was an easy read. Interesting characters.

‘Signed, Sealed, Dead?’ - cover tag line, ‘A Pen Dipped in Poison‘ by J.M. Hall.This is Book 2 in a cosy mystery series that features Liz, Pat, and Thelma, three retired school teachers. The friends are alarmed to learn that friends and neighbours are being sent anonymous letters that reveal their deepest secrets.As careers are ended, marriages destroyed and others severely traumatised, the friends decide to work together to uncover the identity of the person sending these poison pen letters before things go too far.I found this a very gentle tale that certainly felt like the kind of mystery that three retired schoolteachers might seek to solve. Again, Hall’s background as a primary school deputy head brought an authenticity to the narrative.Overall, an entertaining and very cosy mystery.

I absolutely love this author. The plot, the characters, the community he’s created is so 3-dimensional and real that I find myself utterly immersed in the story he creates.I won’t talk too much about the plot other than to say it resolves (as the title indicates) around poison pen letters, and that delving into the who,what, where, why and when allows Hall to show us all over again why retired primary school teachers are really superheroes!Absolutely wonderful!

So obvious that the author knows the workings of the education system. Having worked in primary education for twenty years I can relate to the characters and have really enjoyed and laughed out loud at this book in particular. I hope there will be a third! Brilliant.

An entertaining book with a puzzle to solve. The background is excellent and it is obvious the writer knows about schools, the education sector and small town life in Yorkshire. Perhaps he knows less about current process and ethical standards. The book is let down by common sense, (it was inconceivable that various bodies and the police were not notified). Also, with so many female characters there were times when I found it difficult to identify which 'she' was the subject of a particular sentence, and struggled to keep track of the storyline.

I started this book thinking it was going to be something in the vein of Richard Osmans books (3 elderly dears with time on their hands etc.). Instead as I read, it seemed as if we were getting an appraisal of the new Academies. As as ex teacher, the whole thing was as interesting as watching paint dry. Given that Thelma appeared to be the clever, get things done ex teacher, the other two came across as wet weekdays, no get up and go.

A really excellent cosy mystery without swearing or gratuitous violence. The interplay between Thelma, Pat and Liz is so well handled and the writing so down to earth and natural. Another one soon please Mr Hall!

I read a lot of cosy mystery and murder books last year and A Spoonful of Murder stood out from the others. I loved the characters and eagerly anticipated A Pen Dipped in Poison ... it didn't disappoint. The story is warm, funny, intriguing, and it was great to catch up with our loveable sleuths, Liz, Pat and Thelma. There were a few typos which was frustrating - hopefully something that will be tightened up for the next instalment ... there will be another one won't there JM Hall?