Arsenic for Tea - Robin Stevens

I deliberately waited a couple of months to read the second instalment in the Wells and Wong series, so that I didn't have long to wait for the third. I'm trying not to think about how long I'll have to wait for the fourth once I've read the third, though!

Daisy and Hazel are back, and I've missed them so much! It doesn't continue straight from where Murder Most Unladylike left off, but it brings you up to speed, which I liked. It is the Easter holidays, so instead of being at Deepdean school, they are at Fallingford house, where Daisy's family lives.

Daisy's birthday falls in the holidays, so Kitty and Beanie have also come to stay. So when someone is murdered at Daisy's birthday tea, Daisy and Hazel once again have a case to solve! But this time, Kitty and Beanie want to join the Detective society. Daisy struggles to solve the case, knowing that the murderer is most likely a member of her family. 

I thought I knew who did it this time! But I was wrong, yet again. I think I loved this book even more than Murder Most Unladylike, if that's even possible. It was nice to have a different setting for the book, with new characters. And the big reveal once again shocked me. A brilliant read!

Verdict: 5/5 

March reading round-up!

Another month is over, and I'd like to share with you all the books I've read this month. I've read 1 book on my kindle, and 6 paperbacks - a total of 7 books. I haven't read as much as I wanted to this month, because of family stuff - but hopefully I'll pick it back up next month. I'm still 2 books ahead of schedule for my reading challenge!

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury - the first book in the trilogy, Twylla has a gift from the Gods - the power to kill people with one touch of her poisonous skin. Beautifully written, one of my favourites of 2015 so far! 5 out of 5 stars

Benjamin Buckingham and the Nightmare's Nightmare by Gregory Gerschwin - nine year old Benjamin goes on a quest to restore people's ability to dream and stop nightmares from taking over. 4 out of 5 stars

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian - three girls become unlikely friends as they get revenge on the people who have made their life hell - but how far will they go? first in the trilogy. 5 out of 5 stars

Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens - the first case for the Wells and Wong detective society is a gruesome murder of the science mistress at their school. such a gripping read, I love Robin's writing style! 5 out of 5 stars

The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell - Sora is dying from ALS, but his new friends are giving him a new life. They may make Sora forget, but no amount of friends will stop fate. a wonderful debut! 5 out of 5 stars

Hook's Daughter by Heidi Schulz - when the infamous Captain Hook is finally defeated by the Neverland crocodile, his daughter Jocelyn runs away from finishing school to avenge his death. 4 out of 5 stars

Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill - freida is an eve, designed to one day fulfill a purpose, either as a companion, a concubine or a chastity. as the Ceremony approaches, the pressure to be perfect builds. 4 out of 5 stars 

Murder Most Unladylike - Robin Stevens

Murder Most Unladylike is one of the best books I have ever read! It's going down in my all-time favourites list.

Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are in a secret Detective Society at Deepdean School for Girls. So far, the biggest case they've ever had to solve is the mystery of Lavinia's missing tie. So when Hazel discovers Miss Bell, their science mistress, dead in the Gym, it comes as quite a shock to her. Daisy, however, is rather excited that they have their first serious case.

But between Hazel discovering Miss Bell's body, and her coming back with Daisy five minutes later, the body has gone. This makes the girls certain that this was no accident - Miss Bell had been murdered. And the school are trying to cover it up - saying Miss Bell resigned.

So while Hazel and Daisy are desperately trying to solve the case, they know that when they have, they will need to convince everyone that Miss Bell's sudden 'disappearance' was actually a murder. 

I really enjoyed this book! It has so much scandal, and all the characters were funny and incredibly likeable. Also, reading a book set in 1934 was such a nice change from always reading contemporary books. 

I loved trying to guess who did it, which I didn't. It really helped me that they would review suspects along the way, so you could keep track on the ideas floating around. It had such a good ending as well! I can't wait to read Arsenic For Tea.

My copy is really precious to me, now that I've had it signed by Robin at UKYA Extravaganza. She was so lovely - reminded me a lot of one of my best friends, actually - and I'm so glad I've met her, because I have a feeling that if Arsenic for Tea is as good as this, she'll become one of my favourite authors.

On a seperate note, I'm totally gonna try and make 'bunbreak' catch on with my colleagues at work. I much prefer it to 'tea break' :)

Seriously though, it's a brilliant book and you should all read it if you haven't already!

Verdict: 5/5