The Last Word Is Death

A gripping new historical cozy crime mystery series for 2025, for fans of Richard Osmund

PRE-ORDER NOW! The new book in the Val and Arbie mysteries from the multimillion bestselling author Faith Martin.

'Brilliant characters that leap off the page' THE SUN on Murder by Candlelight

'Brilliant characters that leap off the page' THE SUN on Murder by Candlelight

One of these guests has a date with death…

Arbuthnot ‘Arbie’ Swift arrives at Dashwood House, a glamorously modern hotel in the up-and-coming resort of Galton-next-the-Sea, but all plans for a relaxing stay are scuppered when one of the guests is found dead.

The body is found in the writing room, the victim part of a set visiting the seaside town for an engagement party, which happens to include Arbie’s old friend, Val.

Familiar with Val and Arbie’s previous experience in solving puzzling crimes, the bride asks the pair to investigate. They quickly discover that the victim had no shortage of enemies, and many of the guests are up to no good. But who is simply hiding a secret, and who is hiding murder?

Praise for Murder by Candlelight:

'We devoured this whoddunit in one sitting!' BELLA

'With murder, intrigue, and ghostly happenings, this will satisfy cosy crime fans.' HEAT

'Her knowledge of the genre and easy writing style makes this an effortless and fun read.' MY WEEKLY

'A clever mystery.' WOMAN’S OWN

'This engaging and energetic mystery hosts an abundance of engaging characters and is great fun.' PLATINUM

‘The perfect village mystery. A golden-age world with an energy that is totally contemporary.’ J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of Murder

‘A charming and clever take on a locked room murder.’ Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, author of The Doctor Nell Ward Mysteries