Lose the plot on dead entertaining journey

The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths

I love it when I discover an author who just floats my boat.

I feel like I’ve found a kindred spirit in Elly Griffiths, writer of The Postscript Murders. Her writing is so snappy, witty and funny that if I were legally allowed to by the Scottish Government, I’d have her round at my flat for a cup of tea and belly laughs.

But enough about my wish to become best pals with authors, let’s get to the story.

The Postscript Murders begins with the death of 90-year-old Peggy Smith in her retirement complex in Shoreham. Her cause of death is reported as a heart attack and at 90, I think we’d all class that as a good innings. But something isn’t right. Peggy took the stairs to her flat every day, and although she said she required medication for her ticker, she never appeared to have problems with her heart.

Peggy’s carer Natalka thinks there’s something suspicious going on. So much so that she reports her doubts to DS Harbinder Kaur.

There opens a can of worms that escalates to an utterly entertaining story twinned with fabulous writing and punchy chapters.

We soon find out that Peggy’s been lying about her heart condition, and she also believed that she was being followed.

Add this on top of a find of a business card in her flat that tells us that Peggy had been a ‘murder consultant’ who plotted gruesome deaths for author’s books, and she knew more about murder than anyone really should.

As if all that wasn’t bonkers enough, when

Natalka and friend/local café owner Benedict are poking around Peggy’s flat looking for clues, they’re held at gunpoint by a masked figure who picks up a specific book and bolts for the door. What is going on?

DS Kaur launches an investigation into Peggy’s death, and when mysterious happenings kick off, including a further death and some more creepy goings on, Natalka, Benedict and Peggy’s neighbour Edwin take it upon themselves to join in the search for the truth. Even if it takes them on some interesting travels across the UK.

The story is an interesting one that I’d never come across before. As you read, there’s no way of knowing what the hell is going to happen next, which I found really entertaining.

It’s not often you can read through a book and have no idea where it’s going. Sometimes the murderer or culprit is staring you in the face and you power through to the end out of good manners.

With this one, strap yourself in because as well as the story, it’s the writing that’s so entertaining.

Elly’s style is so quick and witty that you forget you’re reading a murder mystery as some of the character quirks and dialogue is so funny that you’ll find yourself bursting into giggles. Just beware if you’re reading on the train or in a café – you might attract some strange looks.

If I didn’t have another book to read for you next week, I’d flick back through this and pick out my favourite lines for a well-earned chuckle during this monumentally mad year. If you’re looking for a laugh and to travel on a murder hunt, The Postscript Murders is the read for you.