The Coffee Shop Detectives

By: Louise Mumford

Narrated by: Alison Steadman

In the quaint streets of South-West London, four female pensioners are about to embark on the heist of a lifetime. Meet the Crones:

Delilah, the impulsive mastermind

Orla, the razor-sharp retired teacher

Maz, the anxious caterer riddled with self-doubt.

and Beth, battling a deadly brain tumour

United by forty years of friendship, and desperate to raise funds for Beth’s healthcare, the Crones set about a daring plan to steal a priceless brooch from Hawling House.

But this is no ordinary theft. It's a mission to right a decades-old wrong – the ‘death’ of their friend Ronnie at the hand of the mansion's enigmatic owner, Edgar Hawling.

As the crones navigate secret passages, outsmart security, and showcase some of the most cunning catering skills Twickenham has ever seen, they quickly find themselves in a race against time and tugging at the threads of a far more treacherous tapestry than they ever imagined.

Brought to life by legendary Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey, Abigail's Party), The Coffee Shop Detectives is a hilarious and heart-warming celebration of female friendship and the unbreakable spirit of women who refuse to go quietly into their golden years.

©2026 Louise Thorn (P)2026 Audible Ltd.

stayed up past 3am listening

This might be 5 star or 4. I am new to audio books so not sure how to score it. However it had me staying up past 3am listening because it was just that good! the descriptions and vocabulary were impressive to me and the story was cleaver. it had just enough mystery without being stressful and some humor, and the friendship between the ladies was very endearing. The voicing of the characters was pretty amazing. I did not really like how the character Jen was done but all the others were just fabulous . I very much enjoyed this journey.

More old people do stuff

Another in the latest craze in books - old people do stuff. A miracle, what? Sigh. Overall fun, but I blame the novel Olive Kitteridge for starting the whole thing. At least this one avoids cutesy and smarm. Here we get a group of women in their mid-60s who have been friends for 40 years. That I find a stretch, but what the hell, I went with it. One of them has a terminal illness and needs some kind of crazy expensive treatment none can afford. Why not steal a gaudy and expensive bauble from the man who killed one of their other friends and got away with it? Sure. I'll buy that.

A lunatic and extremely unlikely scheme is dreamed up and executed. Luckily the owner of the titular coffee shop has a relative with mob connections who can find a buyer for 'The Witch's Eye', the gaudy bauble they have larcenous intentions for. Shenanigans ensue, but it's not all lighthearted. There is real anger and disappointment with some of the characters, a prime asshole of a villain, and of course mob menace should they fail. There's also some true bonding and a new-comer to their fold. A Crone in the making. It ends well, albeit implausibly, and I'd happily read a second one as that seems pretty likely.

I do hope that the narrator brushes up on her American accent though. Pretty appalling.

it was a fun read

I had to listen a couple of times to get the story as I work as I listen. I did enjoy it and hope there are more!

character deveopmeent

story development. age and sex of characters, length of story, difference in characters,discription of attire and setting

Lighthearted with a happy ending

A fun read about developed women. They’re the good gals taking down a bad man getting into their own mischief along the way. There were some small holes for me in the wrap up after so much detail leading up to the main event, but the story was light and happy enough that I’m satisfied with what I got! Will recommend and still read again. Like a comfort book.