Read in 2025 - 22: A Brush With Death

A Brush With Death

J.M. Hall

This is the fourth and latest book in J.M. Hall's series about three retired school teachers who solve crimes mainly by meeting once a week at a garden centre café and discuss the puzzling cases, always related to them one way or other, over coffee and cake. 

If you want to (re-)read my reviews for the first three books, you can click here for #3, where you'll find links for #2 and #1.

As stated in my review for the 3rd book, I found there was a change in tone and atmosphere - and not for the better, in my opinion. Still, I was determined to buy the next one, and I did; once again, of course I bought it at The Little Ripon Bookshop, my sister and my favourite and "must visit" when we're in Ripon. (By the way, J.M. Hall mentions it explicitly in his acknowledgements on the last pages of the book.)

A Brush With Death was a delightful read, and I felt none of the slight disappointment or unease the previous one left me with.

As before, Liz, Pat and Thelma have things going on in their home lives, continued from "A Clock Stopped Dead". Still, they get involved with what by all accounts was the natural death of an Ofsted inspector, when his ex-wife doubts the verdict and approaches her former colleagues, having heard of their previous successes in solving mysterious cases.

Without revealing too much, I can safely tell you that in this case, no actual murder is committed - but one is planned, and three people die before the book is over.

Holiday Lets play a role this time, as do school inspections, much dreaded by all involved, something the three friends can of course fully relate to from the years they spent teaching.

Thelma has a "dark" secret, Liz has the "sugar police" coming after her in the shape of her grandson, and Pat is in for a big surprise.

Again, for me a lot of the book's charm comes from places and things mentioned I know so well, it being based in and around Thirsk and Ripon.

The underlying theme of an uncharacteristically hot summer - we're talking North Yorkshire here! - is cleverly woven into the story, and each chapter begins with a quote from a website, radio show, newspaper or other media, ranging from tips to beat the heat to the weather forecast. It is no coincidence that the heatwave breaks as the story is wrapped up - I like it, and am already looking forward to #5 in the series.