The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood, TP, $24.99

Keen observers around the store may have noticed an increase in books featuring “golden years” detectives, particularly those set in the UK. In this past year, I have read three other titles on this theme. The Marlow Murder Club holds its own among comparable titles, including Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman and A Spoonful of Murder by JM Hall. The central protagonist, Judith Potts, is an eccentric elderly woman living a self-isolated life in a mansion when she witnesses her neighbour’s murder. When the police refuse to see the death as suspicious, Judith puts her mind to finding the killer - only to find herself drawn into several other unconnected deaths. Teaming up with a well-intentioned dog-walker and the high-strung vicar’s wife, the three ladies of Marlow use their individual strengths to catch the killer.

This title is light while still providing lots of twists and turns for the reader, likeable characters, and happens to be the first in Thorogood’s series.