Book Review: A Beginner's Guide to Murder by Rosalind Stopps

AD* | Grace, Meg and Daphne, all in their seventies, are minding their own business while enjoying a cup of tea in a café when seventeen-year-old Nina stumbles in. She’s clearly distraught and running from someone, so the three women think nothing of hiding her when a suspicious-looking man starts asking if they’ve seen her.

Once alone, Nina tells the women a little of what she’s running from. The need to protect her is immediate, and Grace, Meg and Daphne vow to do just this. But how? They soon realise there really is only one answer: murder.

And so begins the tale of the three most unlikely murderers-in-the-making, and may hell protect anyone who underestimates them.

Quirky and offbeat, A Beginner's Guide to Murder is a surprisingly charming novel.

It's an engaging and immersive read, instantly drawing you into the story and keeping you hooked from start to finish. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of all four main characters, keeping the pace up throughout and making for a highly readable book.

The main characters are elderly friends Grace, Daphne, and Meg, and teenage Nina. Although this initially seems like an unlikely grouping, the age difference proves to be no barrier to the formation of quality relationships. At its core, this is a story about those relationships - the caring, tender way that the older ladies feel about Nina. It's touching and emotional; a stark contrast to the crime fiction element of the book. 

Despite this, the other side of the story is deceptively dark and is a great crime murder mystery plotline. It's primarily character-driven, yet the story works brilliantly with its unusual cast of characters. Gritty and absorbing, this story takes you into the dark underbelly of society alongside Meg, Daphne, Grace, and Nina.

Appearances can be deceptive, and this is never more evident than in this murder mystery novel with a difference. A Beginner's Guide to Murder is a compulsive read and an understated gem of a story.

A Beginner's Guide to Murder is available to buy now. 

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Will you be reading the book? Let me know in the comments below!