1 1

The Reading Spa

Retired Teacher Mysteries – Books 1–3 Collection: A Spoonful of Murder, A Pen Dipped in Poison & A Clock Stopped Dead - By J.M. Hall - Paperback

Retired Teacher Mysteries – Books 1–3 Collection: A Spoonful of Murder, A Pen Dipped in Poison & A Clock Stopped Dead - By J.M. Hall - Paperback

$ 29.99 USD
$ 29.99 USD
Sale Sold out
Free Shipping for Orders Over $109.99

Meet Liz, Pat and Thelma, three retired schoolteachers who discover that retirement leaves plenty of time for an amateur murder investigation. This charming 3-book cosy crime collection by J.M. Hall follows the unlikely sleuthing trio through suspicious deaths, hidden secrets, missing clues, and mysteries that prove impossible to ignore. All of our books are brand new.

Titles in This Set / Includes

Includes: A Spoonful of Murder • A Pen Dipped in Poison • A Clock Stopped Dead

About the Collection

In A Spoonful of Murder, Liz, Thelma and Pat regularly meet for coffee and cake at the Thirsk Garden Centre café. When their former colleague Topsy is found dead, the three friends become convinced that there is more to the death than first appears and begin investigating themselves.

  • A Pen Dipped in Poison* brings the trio another mystery when anonymous letters begin exposing people's deepest secrets. As friendships, marriages and careers are threatened, Liz, Pat and Thelma set out to discover who is behind the poison-pen campaign.

In A Clock Stopped Dead, the retired teachers become involved in another unusual case after their friend reports a disturbing experience involving a mysterious charity shop that subsequently disappears. Their curiosity once again draws them into an investigation.

Together, the three novels combine cosy crime, amateur sleuthing, friendship, humour, village and community life, and traditional murder-mystery storytelling.

Why This Set Works

The collection is ideal for readers who enjoy warm, character-driven mysteries with an amateur-detective focus. Liz, Pat and Thelma bring friendship and humour to investigations involving suspicious deaths, secrets and unexpected twists.

Perfect For

Perfect for: cosy crime readers • amateur sleuth mysteries • British mystery fiction • women sleuths • traditional whodunnits • humorous crime fiction • J.M. Hall fans • fans of The Thursday Murder Club • mystery book clubs • home libraries • gifts for crime-fiction readers

Product Details

Author • J.M. Hall • Series • Retired Teacher Mysteries / Liz, Pat and Thelma • Books in Set • 3 • Series Books • Books 1–3 • Titles Included • A Spoonful of Murder • A Pen Dipped in Poison • A Clock Stopped Dead • Format • Paperback • Publisher • HarperCollins UK Ltd • ISBN • 9780509774886 • SKU • LWP12855 • Genre • Cosy Crime • Mystery • Amateur Sleuth • Crime Fiction • Language • English • Series Status • Ongoing series

View full details

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 99 reviews.

Customer photo review of Bunnicula Unisex T-Shirt

My second graders loved it!

Erica C. 5/5 Verified

Bunnicula Unisex T-Shirt

Store owner replied: Ohhh this makes us so happy! Can we use your pic?

Customer photo review of Outlander Nine Books - By Diana Gabaldon - Trade Paperback

I am so happy with my purchase. I received my books early and I’m perfect condition! I am so happy to have found a privately owned company that I can feel proud of buying from.

Alyssa A. 5/5 Verified

Outlander Nine Books - By Diana Gabaldon - Trade Paperback

Store owner replied: Ohhh that looks amazing! Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave a review. We’re so privileged to be able to sell books 📖 and gifts 🎁to thoughtful customers. The Reading Spa appreciates each customer, in person and online, your feedback and suggestions matter to us! We have a lovely working atmosphere of a small group of tight knit friends and family and making you happy makes us happy, truly 🎁📖💝

Customer photo review of Stormlight Archives HC Box Set 1-4: The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Oathbringer, Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive)

I’m so unbelievably stoked and happy about both sets the Mistborn and the Storm Light archives hardback books that I got from the reading spa. I just randomly fell across the reading spa in searching for these quality of books and the reading spa has far surpassed my expectations. I am really excited to continue to fill my library with hardcover books from the reading spa for years to come. Great prices, the books are an amazing shape and a brand new and they shipped them to you quickly. Thank you again for being a place I can count on for good quality, hardcover books.!

Michael L. 5/5 Verified

Stormlight Archives HC Box Set 1-4: The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Oathbringer, Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive)

Store owner replied: Ohhhh that looks amazing! Thank you so much much for taking the time to post it. If you don't find what you are looking for in our store, just write to us–via contact page or the chat on the landing page–and we will find and list any set you want. We are adding sets daily! Thanks again, we are stoked that you are our customer.

what a sweet little puzzle!

Andrea M H. 5/5 Verified

The Gardener MINI

I didn't know these books existed so I had to have them for my Wizard of Oz book collection.

Toni A. 5/5 Verified

Wicked Years Series 4 Books Collection Set: Wicked, Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men & Out of Oz - Gregory Maguire

Store owner replied: Hi Toni! We aim to find special collections! So glad you found us. These are published by a friend who owns a large company abroad! His books are lovely:-) They also have a paperback version I believe... So happy you are happy!

My experience with The Reading Spa was nothing but pleasurable. I ordered the Avatar book set as a gift for my partners birthday. I sent en email to check on shipping and arrival time to see if they could send it out before his birthday. They got back to me right away, said they would send it out as soon as they could, and were very friendly to converse with. There was one book missing that they addressed in our email exchange that hadn’t arrived for them yet. They took the time to send what was there so I could present the gift, and as soon as the other book arrived for them they sent it out immediately. I was able to present my gift on time, and my partner was so thrilled with it all thanks to them. I couldn’t recommend this place more!

Ariana S. 5/5 Verified

Avatar: The Last Airbender Complete Series Collection Set - 23 books - paperback

Absolutely the best experience, affordable, quick delivery and the books are pristine and exactly as described. Thank you!

Courtney K. 5/5 Verified

Dungeon Crawler Carl Series 6-Book Collection Set (Books 1 to 6) Hardcover

Store owner replied: Thank you so much, Courtney! If your experience, at any point, is less than perfect, JUST CONTACT US! We will make it right! Thanks again for taking the time to leave a review! We appreciate you!