The Last Word; A Novel

A Murder, a Mysterious Book Group, and an Unlikely Detective Duo

From the internationally bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway series comes a literary mystery where words turn deadly—perfect for fans of Richard Osman and The Thursday Murder Club.

Eccentric yet effective, Natalka and Edwin make an unlikely detective duo. At eighty-four, Edwin prides himself on being England’s oldest private investigator, using his age as the perfect cover for surveillance. Natalka, a brilliant mathematician from Ukraine, specializes in fraud and deception cases. But what she truly craves is a murder to solve.

Her wish comes true when local writer Melody Chambers dies under suspicious circumstances. Melody’s daughters insist it was murder, and Edwin suspects a connection to a recently deceased obituary writer who had an eerie habit of predeceasing his subjects.

As Edwin and their friend Benedict go undercover at a secluded creative writing retreat, another murder shocks the group. Could the crimes be linked? And what sinister secrets are hidden within a mysterious book club attended by many of the writers involved?

When Edwin infiltrates the group, he unknowingly puts himself in grave danger. Realizing they’re in over their heads, the team calls on their trusted friend, detective Harbinder Kaur, only to uncover a plot more bizarre than fiction itself.