The Last Word Is Death
Published on 25. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-00-870688-3 (ISBN)
Description
'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' ?????
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' ?????
Reviews / Votes
'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 mysteriesMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
199 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-870688-3 (9780008706883)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Faith Martin has been writing for thirty years, under different pen names, and has published over fifty novels. She began writing romantic thrillers as Maxine Barry, but quickly turned to crime! As Joyce Cato she wrote classic-style whodunits, since she's always admired the golden-age crime novelists. But it was when she created her fictional DI Hillary Greene, and began writing under the name of Faith Martin, that she finally became more widely known. Having penned the Ryder & Loveday series set back in the 1960s in the City of Oxford, Faith Martin has now turned to the golden age itself, with a brand new series set in the Cotswolds of the 1920s. Having lived in Oxfordshire all her life, both the city and the countryside/wildlife often feature in her novels. The fauna of a farming landscape has always played a big part in her life - and often sneak its way onto the pages of her books.