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Dinner Lady Detectives #2
An Unfortunate Christmas Murder
‘Tis the season for gold, frankincense and murder…
It’s winter in the small town of Dewstow, and Margery is preparing for her first Christmas as Summerview school’s kitchen manager. She’s supported by her wife, Clementine, and is trying to stay focused on the task at hand.
The pair are determined to stay out of the way of the Christmas concert planning that has gripped the rest of the staff. However, they are caught in the crossfire when the stage lights collapse at the first practice, killing Mrs Large, the music teacher.
Mrs Smith, the Head of Drama, is the prime suspect and is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name. Mrs Smith is convinced that it’s sabotage by her rival, Mrs Blossom, the drama teacher at Ittonvale Secondary, but there’s evidence that points to her own misdeeds. Can Margery and Clementine trust their friend? And when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will they make it out in time?
A charming and festive British village mystery, perfect for fans of Robert Thorogood and Fiona Leitch.
It’s winter in the small town of Dewstow, and Margery is preparing for her first Christmas as Summerview school’s kitchen manager. She’s supported by her wife, Clementine, and is trying to stay focused on the task at hand.
The pair are determined to stay out of the way of the Christmas concert planning that has gripped the rest of the staff. However, they are caught in the crossfire when the stage lights collapse at the first practice, killing Mrs Large, the music teacher.
Mrs Smith, the Head of Drama, is the prime suspect and is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name. Mrs Smith is convinced that it’s sabotage by her rival, Mrs Blossom, the drama teacher at Ittonvale Secondary, but there’s evidence that points to her own misdeeds. Can Margery and Clementine trust their friend? And when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will they make it out in time?
A charming and festive British village mystery, perfect for fans of Robert Thorogood and Fiona Leitch.
305 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 2022
345 people are currently reading
2205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
December 15, 2024
Picked this up as I wanted a cosy festive read and whilst initially this makes references to the first book in the series - I was able to get a grasp on the main characters of Summerview Secondary School.
Much of the mystery revolves around a Christmas play and the death of music teacher Mrs Large as the stage lights collapse.
I was hoping to enjoy this a bit more, though buying this from a discount bookstore should have lowered my expectations.
The big rivalry between another school added more characters to keep a track on, whilst the plot moves very slowly.
There some amusing moments, but ultimately felt dull as I started losing interest.
Much of the mystery revolves around a Christmas play and the death of music teacher Mrs Large as the stage lights collapse.
I was hoping to enjoy this a bit more, though buying this from a discount bookstore should have lowered my expectations.
The big rivalry between another school added more characters to keep a track on, whilst the plot moves very slowly.
There some amusing moments, but ultimately felt dull as I started losing interest.
August 1, 2022
Hannah Hendy’s An Unfortunate Christmas Murder is an average Christmas cozy. I enjoyed the likable characters and delightful Christmas setting but the mystery plot moves way too slowly and takes some truly nonsensical turns.
Margery is preparing for her first Christmas as kitchen manager at Summerview School. It’s shaping up to be a busy season but she has the support of her dedicated kitchen team and her kooky wife, Clementine. However, things are about to get even more hectic! The kitchen team (including the wives) is soon forced into performing in the annual Christmas concert by the Head of Drama, Mrs. Smith. The first rehearsal quickly turns deadly when the stage lights collapse and kill the music teacher, Mrs Large. Mrs. Smith becomes the prime suspect and she is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name.
I was really excited to read this cosy because it seemed so fun and original. How often do you read a book starring mystery-solving married middle-aged lesbians? However, there is a lot of wasted potential because the book turned out to be a very average holiday mystery starring a couple who seem more like gal pals than wives.
The book has several funny moments but the lightness and humour doesn’t carry well throughout the story. There is also a sad lack of that distinctive cozy fun and charm and this results in the story having an unfinished feel. However, I did like the wonderfully warm Christmas atmosphere and the quaint small-town setting.
The mystery had the potential to be fun and interesting but it ultimately falls flat. The plot moves quite slowly and doesn’t make much sense. I also would have liked to see the Dinner Lady Detectives do some more sleuthing. There are a few red herrings sprinkled throughout but none of them really deliver. I wish the suspects were more interesting and more viable. The big reveal is also severely underwhelming as the motives are weak and unconvincing. The entire book is also lacking in thrill and suspense and I never bought that anything really bad would happen next.
The large cast of likable and entertaining characters is this book’s saving grace. Main character Margery is dedicated to her job and her team. However, she is too quiet and unassuming. I really wish she had more personality because she often fades into the background. Her eccentric wife Clementine is quite amusing with her Christmas obsession. However, Clementine and Margery absolutely do not seem like a believable married couple. There is no spark or connection and they act like roommates or sisters. I was really disappointed in this aspect of the book. The other kitchen ladies are funny and I wish they had more depth as they are too one-dimensional and forgettable. However, I really enjoyed over-the-top and demanding Mrs. Rose Smith who provides some much needed ridiculousness and laughter.
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
🎄🎄 out of 5 Christmas trees!
Margery is preparing for her first Christmas as kitchen manager at Summerview School. It’s shaping up to be a busy season but she has the support of her dedicated kitchen team and her kooky wife, Clementine. However, things are about to get even more hectic! The kitchen team (including the wives) is soon forced into performing in the annual Christmas concert by the Head of Drama, Mrs. Smith. The first rehearsal quickly turns deadly when the stage lights collapse and kill the music teacher, Mrs Large. Mrs. Smith becomes the prime suspect and she is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name.
I was really excited to read this cosy because it seemed so fun and original. How often do you read a book starring mystery-solving married middle-aged lesbians? However, there is a lot of wasted potential because the book turned out to be a very average holiday mystery starring a couple who seem more like gal pals than wives.
The book has several funny moments but the lightness and humour doesn’t carry well throughout the story. There is also a sad lack of that distinctive cozy fun and charm and this results in the story having an unfinished feel. However, I did like the wonderfully warm Christmas atmosphere and the quaint small-town setting.
The mystery had the potential to be fun and interesting but it ultimately falls flat. The plot moves quite slowly and doesn’t make much sense. I also would have liked to see the Dinner Lady Detectives do some more sleuthing. There are a few red herrings sprinkled throughout but none of them really deliver. I wish the suspects were more interesting and more viable. The big reveal is also severely underwhelming as the motives are weak and unconvincing. The entire book is also lacking in thrill and suspense and I never bought that anything really bad would happen next.
The large cast of likable and entertaining characters is this book’s saving grace. Main character Margery is dedicated to her job and her team. However, she is too quiet and unassuming. I really wish she had more personality because she often fades into the background. Her eccentric wife Clementine is quite amusing with her Christmas obsession. However, Clementine and Margery absolutely do not seem like a believable married couple. There is no spark or connection and they act like roommates or sisters. I was really disappointed in this aspect of the book. The other kitchen ladies are funny and I wish they had more depth as they are too one-dimensional and forgettable. However, I really enjoyed over-the-top and demanding Mrs. Rose Smith who provides some much needed ridiculousness and laughter.
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
🎄🎄 out of 5 Christmas trees!
December 22, 2023
Usually I love a festive read, but this was not it.
The character names infuriated me.
The plot was insane.
Just had to keep reading it to make my book target.
The character names infuriated me.
The plot was insane.
Just had to keep reading it to make my book target.
December 8, 2022
2.5 stars at a push.
The book was okay but it could have been better but was all a hit flat for me and I found myself being intrigued at some bits then super bored and forcing myself to read the next.
No what I would normally read but I have read worse!
The book was okay but it could have been better but was all a hit flat for me and I found myself being intrigued at some bits then super bored and forcing myself to read the next.
No what I would normally read but I have read worse!
January 1, 2026
3.25 stars | audiobook
i like this series:) it’s very comforting and cosy. i did like the first one a lot more, i felt like the mystery aspect took very long in the way that it didn’t really feel like they were investigating anything..
overall, it was enjoyable and i do think i’ll continue the series😛
i like this series:) it’s very comforting and cosy. i did like the first one a lot more, i felt like the mystery aspect took very long in the way that it didn’t really feel like they were investigating anything..
overall, it was enjoyable and i do think i’ll continue the series😛
July 31, 2022
I received a copy from Canelo through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As Margery is prepping for her first holiday season as the school’s newest kitchen manager, she quickly finds that things are getting out of hand. Fast. Between being forced into the Christmas concert, Mrs. Large’s mysterious death at the hand of fallen stage lights, and someone sabotaging her kitchen’s baked goods, Margery doesn’t know what to do. Is there really a murder mystery on her hands, and is it connected to her kitchen woes? The more Margery investigates, the more questions she has on her hands.
I picked up this book expecting a holiday cozy mystery, and that’s exactly what I got. We follow Margery as she spends her first year as kitchen manager. Luckily for her, she works with her wife, so she always knows she has at least one person she can trust. While the book is cute and funny at first, the cute wears off fairly quickly and the funny quickly falls on Rose to keep up.
We have a large cast of characters, and I do like some of them, but I found that the majority of the characters are one dimensional. I also found that Margery and her wife, Clementine, didn’t seem like a married couple. In fact, they didn’t seem like a couple at all. They read as sisters who occasionally bicker rather than a couple that occasionally bickers. I don’t know if they read as a couple in the first book, which I have not read, but I can confirm that it’d be more believable if they were sisters. Personally, my favorite character is Rose, and she’s one of the few characters that really stuck out.
The main mystery seemed like it could’ve been a wild and off the wall one, but it fell flat and didn’t make a lot of sense. Without giving spoilers, every time I think about the who and the way, all I can think about is that the motives make absolutely no sense. Maybe one or the other, but both? That’s just confusing. There’s also another small mystery about Ben, the new cook who can’t cook a thing, and I’m left wondering what the point of that was. It was very small and didn’t add anything to the story, especially since he wasn’t a red herring to the investigation. I’m baffled by that part of the story and I think it would've worked if he was either a major suspect or otherwise very important to the main plot.
While the story does have its problems, I do think that there is a lot of potential for the series. Margery and Clementine’s relationship needs to be developed so that they’re believable as a married couple. The core cast of characters are very likable, so I’d love to see them have some good character development, or at least some depth added. The main mystery fell flat, so I think it really just needed some tweaking so it would be better developed along with better motives for the characters, and that’s something that will likely get better as the series continues. All in all, this didn’t work out to be a great read for me, but I do see the potential and look forward to seeing how the series develops. I think there’s a good possibility that this is just a shaky start to a great series.
As Margery is prepping for her first holiday season as the school’s newest kitchen manager, she quickly finds that things are getting out of hand. Fast. Between being forced into the Christmas concert, Mrs. Large’s mysterious death at the hand of fallen stage lights, and someone sabotaging her kitchen’s baked goods, Margery doesn’t know what to do. Is there really a murder mystery on her hands, and is it connected to her kitchen woes? The more Margery investigates, the more questions she has on her hands.
I picked up this book expecting a holiday cozy mystery, and that’s exactly what I got. We follow Margery as she spends her first year as kitchen manager. Luckily for her, she works with her wife, so she always knows she has at least one person she can trust. While the book is cute and funny at first, the cute wears off fairly quickly and the funny quickly falls on Rose to keep up.
We have a large cast of characters, and I do like some of them, but I found that the majority of the characters are one dimensional. I also found that Margery and her wife, Clementine, didn’t seem like a married couple. In fact, they didn’t seem like a couple at all. They read as sisters who occasionally bicker rather than a couple that occasionally bickers. I don’t know if they read as a couple in the first book, which I have not read, but I can confirm that it’d be more believable if they were sisters. Personally, my favorite character is Rose, and she’s one of the few characters that really stuck out.
The main mystery seemed like it could’ve been a wild and off the wall one, but it fell flat and didn’t make a lot of sense. Without giving spoilers, every time I think about the who and the way, all I can think about is that the motives make absolutely no sense. Maybe one or the other, but both? That’s just confusing. There’s also another small mystery about Ben, the new cook who can’t cook a thing, and I’m left wondering what the point of that was. It was very small and didn’t add anything to the story, especially since he wasn’t a red herring to the investigation. I’m baffled by that part of the story and I think it would've worked if he was either a major suspect or otherwise very important to the main plot.
While the story does have its problems, I do think that there is a lot of potential for the series. Margery and Clementine’s relationship needs to be developed so that they’re believable as a married couple. The core cast of characters are very likable, so I’d love to see them have some good character development, or at least some depth added. The main mystery fell flat, so I think it really just needed some tweaking so it would be better developed along with better motives for the characters, and that’s something that will likely get better as the series continues. All in all, this didn’t work out to be a great read for me, but I do see the potential and look forward to seeing how the series develops. I think there’s a good possibility that this is just a shaky start to a great series.
January 9, 2023
2.5 stars ⭐️
It took me so long to read this book.. it was pretty boring and I thought it would be a great crime one.
The story dragged too much and only towards the end is when the story picked up a little. Even then, it was still boring. I even think the plot wasn’t even that good. It was pretty predictable 😅
It really didn’t grab my attention and I wouldn’t recommend it 🙂 there’s not much else to say because it wasn’t that much of a good book and I feel bad but it’s facts.
It took me so long to read this book.. it was pretty boring and I thought it would be a great crime one.
The story dragged too much and only towards the end is when the story picked up a little. Even then, it was still boring. I even think the plot wasn’t even that good. It was pretty predictable 😅
It really didn’t grab my attention and I wouldn’t recommend it 🙂 there’s not much else to say because it wasn’t that much of a good book and I feel bad but it’s facts.
November 18, 2024
3.5. Very fun story. Anticlimactic though and wish I would have felt more of a connection with the FMC’s who portrayed more as roommates than a married couple but I did love that they were two married dinner ladies solving a crime. It was a fun read!
November 8, 2022
A cosy Christmas read with some likeable characters but the murder mystery was disappointing, lacked pace and was just boring.
November 14, 2022
Wasn't great my mind kept going elsewhere wasn't concentrating. 🙄
February 3, 2023
Well I decided to give the second Dinner Lady Detectives a go since I had it to hand, but unfortunately I felt that this too was a load of old tosh. Sorry!
December 27, 2022
This is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone but I feel like if you read the first one it would fill in some of the details for certain parts.
Now I love a cosy murder mystery book and what's better at this time of year than just that ! It was written in a way that was easy to follow, the characters were great to read about and grow to love. The storyline of the book is one that keeps you interested and hooked, with plenty of twists and secrets to throw you off the scent. A really great read!
Now I love a cosy murder mystery book and what's better at this time of year than just that ! It was written in a way that was easy to follow, the characters were great to read about and grow to love. The storyline of the book is one that keeps you interested and hooked, with plenty of twists and secrets to throw you off the scent. A really great read!
February 26, 2024
This just wasn't my book... think I was the wrong demographic. It read like your Auntys Facebook messenger group got interupted by a Murder.
But I can see that it would appeal to some audiences and the plot wasn't bad. Just took way too long to get to the point. Lost track of the facts cause they seemed meaningless so I was generally surprised to find out who did it.
But I can see that it would appeal to some audiences and the plot wasn't bad. Just took way too long to get to the point. Lost track of the facts cause they seemed meaningless so I was generally surprised to find out who did it.
December 9, 2022
This book wasn’t for me, although I did finish it. I didn’t feel the characters had much depth and the inconsistencies were irritating
December 11, 2024
This book did NOT feel like a Christmas read, I have been deceived. It was cringey not cosy and poor writing:/
December 18, 2025
4.1*
Un cozy mystery nadalenc ple d'humor, calidesa i un crim tan incòmode com inesperat. En plena festivitat, un assassinat sacseja un poble anglès aparentment tranquil, i la investigació avança entre decoracions, tensions soterrades i personatges tan entranyables com sospitosos.
Hendy domina el to lleuger i acollidor del gènere sense renunciar a una intriga ben construïda, perfecta per llegir sota una manta amb una tassa calenta a la mà. És una lectura reconfortant, divertida i molt ben ambientada. I he de confessar-ho: només la dedicatòria de l'autora al seu gat em va guanyar del tot el cor.
Un cozy mystery nadalenc ple d'humor, calidesa i un crim tan incòmode com inesperat. En plena festivitat, un assassinat sacseja un poble anglès aparentment tranquil, i la investigació avança entre decoracions, tensions soterrades i personatges tan entranyables com sospitosos.
Hendy domina el to lleuger i acollidor del gènere sense renunciar a una intriga ben construïda, perfecta per llegir sota una manta amb una tassa calenta a la mà. És una lectura reconfortant, divertida i molt ben ambientada. I he de confessar-ho: només la dedicatòria de l'autora al seu gat em va guanyar del tot el cor.
October 27, 2022
I totally missed that this was part two in a series, and thought it was lacking quite some details about some of the characters and events… but finding out I missed a complete book, made a lot of sense… Considering the fact it took me some time to get into it, I thought it was a fun read! Will definitely be reading part one as well, haha
June 6, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
December 20, 2024
Amusing enough for Christmas baking. And to casually continue the series.
January 5, 2026
Quite enjoyed but a little slow and not a lot of focus on the murder plot. Easy read.
November 21, 2022
A slow burner.. 2nd in a series of which I haven't read the 1st so this may have hindered my liking for this book as there were a few references to the 1st book. It was an ok read however I felt myself rushing through the pages rather than allowing myself to enjoy it. Hate to say that I'm with the majority of those who've reviewed this xx
December 24, 2022
DNF - I hate giving bad reviews but I just couldnt finish it, I found it so impossibly dull.. If someone could be kind enough to just tell me who did it in the end, but honesty I'm not sure I'm even bothered about who did it 🙈😂
February 13, 2023
2 ⭐️— disappointed
I wanted to read more stories about Clementine because she was the most amusing character on the first book. That’s why I decided to read the next book and eager to learn more about her. However, she was a bit annoying in a bad way. Not like the Clementine I know on the first book. She still do the talking and sarcasm and accused everyone who curses but she’s not that amusing as she was. Then, there’s Margery who was more logical while solving the case. I was starting to be fond of her actually rather than Clementine. Margery and Clementine as Mrs. Butcher-Baker, that name was quite hilarious for the liking. Also, the other characters name, the new one probably were the same hilarious as that.
For the cozy mystery, this book did not give me the vibes as much as on the first book. I adore the two amateur who play detectives and called themselves—it mostly Clementine’s tho, The Dinner Lady Detectives throughout the storyline. I wasn’t expecting much more because those two were amateurs but the police on this book is horrible, they are quite rubbish. How on earth they were idiots rather than those two amateurs. At least, if the author want to get the story more interesting, she could put more like a competition for them—the police and dinner lady detective.
The storyline was not that interesting but it lives up to its name for the crime title, indeed. The clues laid out in the open for them to see and everything that could help to solve the case were not that good. I found the story was quite boring actually, even though they really give me all the Christmas vibes. However, the motives of the culprit were acceptable and normal for people who always be a shadow. I admire the author for the motives. Also, the culprit knowledge on they certain part because they are “the teacher” of that certain lesson were the one blowing my mind. To be honest, I did not find any specific British culture on this book much as I found on the first book. I was expecting that I would find more knowledge about specific British culture but unfortunately I didn’t find much which kinda throw up my own expectation.
To Conclude, this book gets me bored all the time if it’s not for the twins. I found them quite good and amusing for most part and I suspect they were twins from the very first encounter. There isn’t much issue this book holds; (1)Being people’s shadow, (2)Different treatment because of the wealth, (3)The difference between a boss and a leader, (4)Women pride as it want to be independent, (5)Being superior or not is no one’s fault rather than their own, (6)Chemistry’s knowledge, and (7)Old Friends. Also, the author said something strange about “the dog” because I remembered correctly that the dog was there before the funeral and at the funeral. And the accusation of Mrs. Blossom towards Mrs. Smith? please, this is nonsense. I like the idea of murderer on the stage play but I just find the storyline of this book quite boring compared to the first book. Also, the amusing characters are not that amusing again on this book which quite a disappointment.
I wanted to read more stories about Clementine because she was the most amusing character on the first book. That’s why I decided to read the next book and eager to learn more about her. However, she was a bit annoying in a bad way. Not like the Clementine I know on the first book. She still do the talking and sarcasm and accused everyone who curses but she’s not that amusing as she was. Then, there’s Margery who was more logical while solving the case. I was starting to be fond of her actually rather than Clementine. Margery and Clementine as Mrs. Butcher-Baker, that name was quite hilarious for the liking. Also, the other characters name, the new one probably were the same hilarious as that.
For the cozy mystery, this book did not give me the vibes as much as on the first book. I adore the two amateur who play detectives and called themselves—it mostly Clementine’s tho, The Dinner Lady Detectives throughout the storyline. I wasn’t expecting much more because those two were amateurs but the police on this book is horrible, they are quite rubbish. How on earth they were idiots rather than those two amateurs. At least, if the author want to get the story more interesting, she could put more like a competition for them—the police and dinner lady detective.
The storyline was not that interesting but it lives up to its name for the crime title, indeed. The clues laid out in the open for them to see and everything that could help to solve the case were not that good. I found the story was quite boring actually, even though they really give me all the Christmas vibes. However, the motives of the culprit were acceptable and normal for people who always be a shadow. I admire the author for the motives. Also, the culprit knowledge on they certain part because they are “the teacher” of that certain lesson were the one blowing my mind. To be honest, I did not find any specific British culture on this book much as I found on the first book. I was expecting that I would find more knowledge about specific British culture but unfortunately I didn’t find much which kinda throw up my own expectation.
To Conclude, this book gets me bored all the time if it’s not for the twins. I found them quite good and amusing for most part and I suspect they were twins from the very first encounter. There isn’t much issue this book holds; (1)Being people’s shadow, (2)Different treatment because of the wealth, (3)The difference between a boss and a leader, (4)Women pride as it want to be independent, (5)Being superior or not is no one’s fault rather than their own, (6)Chemistry’s knowledge, and (7)Old Friends. Also, the author said something strange about “the dog” because I remembered correctly that the dog was there before the funeral and at the funeral. And the accusation of Mrs. Blossom towards Mrs. Smith? please, this is nonsense. I like the idea of murderer on the stage play but I just find the storyline of this book quite boring compared to the first book. Also, the amusing characters are not that amusing again on this book which quite a disappointment.
February 16, 2024
A pink star rating may be a tad generous, but I have the next book in the series. The plot was decent. I'm just not terribly enamored of the characters. Margery and Clementine are now married and Margery is now the school's kitchen manager. Clementine kind of took a backseat in this "episode" I thought. The rivalry between the two schools was kind of fun. And they manage to get into plenty of trouble, with Christmas trees catching on fire, spying on the neighboring school's Christmas pageant rehearsals, keeping on the good side of their neighbor, Dawn. A dog kidnapping. Climbing through air vents... No mention of ear trumpets this time, but I got seriously tired of everything being described as "ginormous." A couple of times is funny, but by the dozenth time it starts to be wearing. I like to sandwich cozies in between more serious reading, but the fact that this took me more than 6 weeks to finish says it was okay, but not very compelling. I probably won't pick up the next book until it shows up in my annual random reading picks.
Description: In the small town of Dewstow, 'tis the season for gold, frankincense, and murder... It’s Margery’s first year as kitchen manager for Summerview school and supported by her wife, Clementine, she is trying to stay focused. When a tragic accident claims the life of the music teacher during rehearsals for the Christmas concert planning, they are caught in the crossfire. Mrs Smith, the Head of Drama, becomes the prime suspect, and is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name. Mrs Smith is convinced that it’s sabotage by her rival from Ittonvale Secondary, but there’s evidence that points to her own misdeeds. Can Margery and Clementine trust their friend? And when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will they make it out in time?
Description: In the small town of Dewstow, 'tis the season for gold, frankincense, and murder... It’s Margery’s first year as kitchen manager for Summerview school and supported by her wife, Clementine, she is trying to stay focused. When a tragic accident claims the life of the music teacher during rehearsals for the Christmas concert planning, they are caught in the crossfire. Mrs Smith, the Head of Drama, becomes the prime suspect, and is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name. Mrs Smith is convinced that it’s sabotage by her rival from Ittonvale Secondary, but there’s evidence that points to her own misdeeds. Can Margery and Clementine trust their friend? And when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will they make it out in time?
Read
October 9, 2022There is a chant that goes something like, “Let’s have another one just like the other one.” Well, this second entry into the Dinner Lady Detectives series fills that request. If you loved the first, you’ll probably love the second, too.
Tiny Mrs. Large, a music teacher, is killed when a bank of stage lighting fixtures falls on her head during the rehearsal of the Christmas play. Who did it and why are the questions for Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker to discover. Margery has become the kitchen manager, but the other cafeteria workers at Dewstone Secondary School—Clementine, Karen, Sharon, Seren, and the rest manage to muddle along in just the right direction. Of course, silly happenings abound and Christmas is saved—at least for another year.
Nothing I say about this book could differ much from what I said about the earlier book, so check the earlier review out.
One peeve, though. The author uses the word ‘ginormous’ 10 times when once would have sufficed.
Final Rating: 3.7
Note: I read the ebook version of this book that was available from Amazon in September, 2022.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel , along with information on almost 1100 other lesbian mysteries by over 350 authors.
Tiny Mrs. Large, a music teacher, is killed when a bank of stage lighting fixtures falls on her head during the rehearsal of the Christmas play. Who did it and why are the questions for Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker to discover. Margery has become the kitchen manager, but the other cafeteria workers at Dewstone Secondary School—Clementine, Karen, Sharon, Seren, and the rest manage to muddle along in just the right direction. Of course, silly happenings abound and Christmas is saved—at least for another year.
Nothing I say about this book could differ much from what I said about the earlier book, so check the earlier review out.
One peeve, though. The author uses the word ‘ginormous’ 10 times when once would have sufficed.
Final Rating: 3.7
Note: I read the ebook version of this book that was available from Amazon in September, 2022.
Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel , along with information on almost 1100 other lesbian mysteries by over 350 authors.
July 24, 2022
Before starting with my review, I want to thank the publisher for the ARC copy.
An Unfortunate Christmas Murder is a very cosy book that has to be read with a cup of hot chocolate in the hand and a blanket on your legs.
This is the story of Margery and her wife Clementine who live in the small town of Dewstow. They both work in the Summerview school’s kitchen. This year needs to be perfect because it is the first year that Margery is kitchen manager. Everyone is anxious for preparations of Christmas, especially Mrs Smith who wants to organize a wonderful Christmas concert. Everything seems nice when Mrs Large, the music teacher is killed by the collapse of stage lights during the concert practice.
So Margery and Clementine, The Dinner Lady Detectives, try again to solve the murder and capture the assassin.
The plot is interesting, the mystery intrigued me, and the atmosphere of Christmas adds in me a feeling of “What could happen at Christmas?”.
Margery and Clementine are a force of nature, they love solving mysteries and helping people. Besides I liked a lot the fact that Margery adores crocheting things.
The style of the author is warm but at the same time looming. I was never bored during the reading.
This book is perfect for people who love Christmas period with a pinch of mystery.
P.S. For readers that do not know, there is the first book called “The Dinner Lady Detectives”, reading it will help you to enter in this world fully.
An Unfortunate Christmas Murder is a very cosy book that has to be read with a cup of hot chocolate in the hand and a blanket on your legs.
This is the story of Margery and her wife Clementine who live in the small town of Dewstow. They both work in the Summerview school’s kitchen. This year needs to be perfect because it is the first year that Margery is kitchen manager. Everyone is anxious for preparations of Christmas, especially Mrs Smith who wants to organize a wonderful Christmas concert. Everything seems nice when Mrs Large, the music teacher is killed by the collapse of stage lights during the concert practice.
So Margery and Clementine, The Dinner Lady Detectives, try again to solve the murder and capture the assassin.
The plot is interesting, the mystery intrigued me, and the atmosphere of Christmas adds in me a feeling of “What could happen at Christmas?”.
Margery and Clementine are a force of nature, they love solving mysteries and helping people. Besides I liked a lot the fact that Margery adores crocheting things.
The style of the author is warm but at the same time looming. I was never bored during the reading.
This book is perfect for people who love Christmas period with a pinch of mystery.
P.S. For readers that do not know, there is the first book called “The Dinner Lady Detectives”, reading it will help you to enter in this world fully.
December 27, 2022
This is the second in the Dinner Lady Detectives series, I found it easily read as a standalone, although I will be reading the first in the series for more context.
I found An Unfortunate Christmas Murder to be highly entertaining and an enjoyable, cozy mystery. It has a great cast of colourful characters, my favourites were definitely Margery and Clementine. Not only are they the dinner ladies of Summerview School, they're partners and the best female detectives to come out of the small town of Dewstow.
Lighthearted, fun and the perfect pairing to cosy up and finish off the Christmas chocs with.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I found An Unfortunate Christmas Murder to be highly entertaining and an enjoyable, cozy mystery. It has a great cast of colourful characters, my favourites were definitely Margery and Clementine. Not only are they the dinner ladies of Summerview School, they're partners and the best female detectives to come out of the small town of Dewstow.
Lighthearted, fun and the perfect pairing to cosy up and finish off the Christmas chocs with.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 20, 2022
The second Dinner Lady Detectives book finds Clementine and Margery investigating again after a death at a Christmas play rehearsal.
I hadn't read the first of these books, which I feel like was detrimental to my experience. Many things were referenced like a reader should know what happened already. I also found the characters a bit flighty for my taste. I liked the clues but then there was not really satisfactory motive at the end.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I hadn't read the first of these books, which I feel like was detrimental to my experience. Many things were referenced like a reader should know what happened already. I also found the characters a bit flighty for my taste. I liked the clues but then there was not really satisfactory motive at the end.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2025
while this was very marginally better than the previous book in the series, i unfortunately still found a lot to dislike about it, and how it went about certain aspects. i will say i didn’t find the characters as annoying in this as they were in the first one, but i still really struggled to find the humour throughout this, and often ended up frustrated at or brushing off the decisions they were making, largely due to so much of it being far-fetched and over dramatic for what it was. i think this book helped me realise it’s hannah hendy’s writing style that is just not for me, as due to how a lot of the sentences / paragraphs were constructed, i just ended up zoning out, and finding myself not really caring about the mystery element, which was extremely slow-paced and not as exciting as i would have liked.
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