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Gillian Larkin
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Playing At Murder (A Butterworth Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Gillian Larkin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,037 ratings
A short murder mystery story

It’s always been a dream of Connie Butterworth’s to be a private investigator. Now that she’s retired, she makes that dream a reality and sets herself up as an investigator. With reluctant help from her sister-in-law, Sable, Connie takes on her first client. What starts out as a simple case of tracking down a missing person soon turns into an intriguing case of deception, phone hacking and murder.
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  1. Book 1 of 6
    A Butterworth Mystery
  2. Print length
    69 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    25 Jan. 2017
  5. File size
    250 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 6 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N9VV9TI
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 250 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 69 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 1,037 ratings

About the author

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Gillian Larkin

Gillian Larkin

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I'm an avid fan of mystery stories. I started reading Agatha Christie novels at an early age. My favourite fiction detective is Poirot, I love his fussy ways and his attention to small details. I love the TV series, 'Murder,She Wrote' and have watched every episode. I like working out who the killer is, and what the clues are.

I live in Yorkshire in England with my family.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
1,037 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this mystery book enjoyable and easy to follow, describing it as a light-hearted murder mystery with nicely developing characters. One customer notes it has lots of twists, while another mentions it builds up to an exciting climax.

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18 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one noting it's an excellent first novel in the series and another mentioning it's a pleasant way to spend relaxing time.

"...Great story, good humour, easy reading with an unexpected result." Read more

"...Having said that, this book was very enjoyable to read, a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Get it while it is free." Read more

"Easy to read. Nothing complicated. Very enjoyable . Would recommend . So give it a go. You'll be glad you did." Read more

"Nicely developing characters. This could develop into decent series of books." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Readability’10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an enjoyable and easy read that is well-written and easy to follow.

"A really enjoyable start to this new series starring Connie Butterworth and her sister-in-law, Sable, who are both widows...." Read more

"Playing at Murder is a very short introduction to the Butterworth Mystery Books. Laying out the foundations for the rest of the series...." Read more

"...A very good read" Read more

"Easy to read. Nothing complicated. Very enjoyable . Would recommend . So give it a go. You'll be glad you did." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Story quality’10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of this light-hearted murder mystery, with one customer highlighting its gentle narrative involving two pensioners and another noting its engaging twists and exciting climax.

"...The book had lots of twists and was amusing, I could actually hear these women talking the characters were so real to life...." Read more

"...I can so relate to Sable's 'foibles', it's scary! Great story, good humour, easy reading with an unexpected result." Read more

"Keeps you hooked right to the very end.Great story line I couldn't put it down till I go to t the end." Read more

"A gentle mystery involving two pensioners and their private investigation business...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Character development’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting it's a fantastic addition to Gillian Larkin's characters.

"...amusing, I could actually hear these women talking the characters were so real to life. I can't wait to read their next case." Read more

"...You really can imagine the personality of the characters and feel like you know them. A very good read" Read more

"Nicely developing characters. This could develop into decent series of books." Read more

"...book not very long, good story with believable ending and believable character's. I would read another in this series." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Janet Stanley
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic addition to Gillian Larkin's characters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    What a fantastic addition to Gillian Larkin's characters. This book revolves around 2 retired ladies who have a knack of solving mysteries so start up their own business this being their first case. The book had lots of twists and was amusing, I could actually hear these women talking the characters were so real to life. I can't wait to read their next case.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kay Smillie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Connie and Sable - A New Larkin Double Act
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A really enjoyable start to this new series starring Connie Butterworth and her sister-in-law, Sable, who are both widows. Connie is desperate to have a private investigations business in her retirement, and will go ahead no matter what. But will Sable agree to be a part of Connie's outrageous plan?

    I love Larkin's other characters, and I can feel that I am going to adore Connie and Sable as this series continues. I can so relate to Sable's 'foibles', it's scary!

    Great story, good humour, easy reading with an unexpected result.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • woody
    3.0 out of 5 stars A cozy murder mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Playing at Murder is a very short introduction to the Butterworth Mystery Books. Laying out the foundations for the rest of the series. We have Connie who wants to start her own private investigation company, with the capable sister in law Sable. Saffy McCue the Detective Inspector provides the police help. Light and fluffy start to the series. My only quibble is I think it’s a bit too short at 55 pages. While Book 1 was free I don’t think that I would like to pay 99p for around 54 pages for each book in the series. Having said that, this book was very enjoyable to read, a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Get it while it is free.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Terence H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Light hearted murder mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Just long enough to keep you intrigued
    Light hearted and kind of joyful not sinister
    You really can imagine the personality of the characters and feel like you know them.
    A very good read
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  • C.n
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Keeps you hooked right to the very end.Great story line I couldn't put it down till I go to t the end.
    Helpful
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  • Tan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 June 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a grate light read I very much enjoyed it I feel it could have been a little more twists and turns but I was not expecting that outcome will be reading the other books
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  • PJ Bookish
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sweet mystery.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A gentle mystery involving two pensioners and their private investigation business.
    I like the ladies, they're sweet and feisty with plenty of backbone between them. It's slow paced to start but builds up to an exciting climax.
    As the first in the series I'm reserving judgement, but as a fan of this author's other series I have high hopes for what is to come.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • eleanor fenner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Easy to read. Nothing complicated. Very enjoyable . Would recommend . So give it a go. You'll be glad you did.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Lindylou
    5.0 out of 5 stars Charming
    Reviewed in Spain on 8 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant this book kept me hooked.
    Sweet little old ladies turning investigators, I loved it and look forward to their next adventure
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  • Kent Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 15 April 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great
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  • Rosalita
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 June 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This short book is easy to read. The characters are memorable. Parts are humorous. It's well-written and fun.
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  • S. J. Dagg
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent start to a series
    Reviewed in France on 31 December 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is short , lively cozy mystery, despite the fact that our two protagonists are retirees. Connie and Sable, who are sisters-in-law, join forces as private investigators to keep themselves busy. Sable is dragged rather unwillingly into it to start with, but she soon begins to enjoy herself and provides the tough edge and technological savvy that Connie lacks.
    Their first case is looking into the disappearance of child-minder Rachel. She’s the sort of person who would never leave her clients in the lurch so there’s definitely something fishy going on. Connie and Sable relish the challenge and prove to be rather good at what they do, which includes irritating the local police force. Fortunately DI Saffron McCue was a good childhood friend of one of Connie’s daughters, so she can’t get too cross with the well-meaning amateur detectives.
    Lots happens in the story to keep both the dynamic duo and the reader on their respective toes. There’s humour, grit, confidence, doubt, triumph and terror. The plot is clever and keeps us guessing. The author’s writing style is clear and enjoyable, and she creates beautifully rounded characters for us to encounter.
    An excellent start to a series which I shall be following.
    My only quibble – well, I’m an editor so there has to be at least one! – is the title. I can see where it’s coming from since a child’s play area is involved in the story, and it also reflects the fact that the two ladies may be seen to be ‘playing’ at what they’re doing. But to me it doesn’t quite make sense. However, it’s catchy and concise.
    I received a free copy of this book and have written this review voluntarily.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on 9 June 2018
    Verified Purchase
    author has a good sense of humor and storyline
    Report

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