The Last Word Is Death (The Val & Arbie Mysteries, Book 2)

By: Faith Martin

Narrated by: John Hopkins

'A cosy romp of cream teas, double-barrelled names and murder.' THE SUN The new book in the Val and Arbie mysteries from the multi-million-copy selling author Faith Martin.

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?

Readers have fallen in love with The Last Word is Death

'Absolutely gorgeous storytelling with characters and setting perfect for the time frame’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This one is perfect for readers who love Agatha Christie-style stories and cosy murder mysteries. A great second book!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'It has the hallmarks of an Agatha Christie mystery’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

©2025 Faith Martin (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

'The perfect "country house" murder mystery, written in a style reminiscent of the great mysteries of the golden age. The book is terrific fun. A sassy pair of sleuths, quaint seaside setting, puzzling murder, and a guest list of larger-than-life suspects.. delightfully entertaining.' Jane Bettany, author of the Violet Brewster mysteries

Fun read/listen!

Well plotted! It’s a rare thing for me to miss so many well placed clues, but the end surprised me. I generally enjoyed the performance except the voice of Val is so manly as to be distracting. Val’s character needs to get a little warmer & more likeable too.

Good story with clues

Narrator has a funny voice for one of the characters. Despite that, story rolls along with clues and good summary at end of a good cozy mystery.

Humorous mystery

Light and funny. Characters well described. Cozy mystery set in an earlier period. Easy to listen to.

Well written characters and absorbing read

The author builds rich and inviting characters throughout the series. A little humor, sarcasm and well built stories keep the listener hooked.

...and then nothing happened

An extra long build up while introducing more and more new characters (hard to keep up with their names). Then, when there is finally a corpse on premises, things stand still again till the very end. The ending is rushed and not realistic. Don't waist your credit and time.