An Extremely Unlikely Death – The 6th Dinner Lady Detectives Novel!

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

It doesn’t get much cozier than two middle-aged dinner ladies investigating the suspicious death of their friend who died in his antique shop in a quaint English town.

I mean, as far as box-ticking goes, An Extremely Unlikely Death has them all. Author Hannah Hendy knows exactly what fans of her series want, and she provides in spades with the sixth instalment of her series.

So, for those of you who may not already be familiar with Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker, here’s what you need to know.

The Dinner Ladies

Margery and Clementine are far from your typical detectives. As dinner ladies at Summerview School, their days are usually filled with meal planning and navigating staffroom politics.

At home, the couple loves their two cats, crocheting, and a bit of amateur sleuthing on the side.

In the past, this has gotten them into a world of trouble, and they have vowed to stay clear of any more mysteries.

But all of that goes out the window when their good friend, Mr. Fitzgerald, the owner of an antique and oddities shop, turns up dead.

Found at the bottom of his stairs clutching an unusual object, his death is quickly dismissed by local authorities as an accident.

However, something doesn’t sit right with Symon, a young police trainee who suspects foul play. Unable to pursue the case officially, he turns to Margery and Clementine for help.

Why would someone want Mr. Fitzgerald dead? What secrets were hidden in his shop? And why are the police so quick to close the case?

It’s time for the dinner ladies to do what they do best and get to the bottom of another mystery!

A Twisty Mystery

If you haven’t read the previous books, don’t worry. You can absolutely jump into An Extremely Unlikely Death without many problems.

Of course, there are references to past crimes and relationships that have evolved over five books, but it’s easy enough to piece together.

As with any good cozy mystery, this book keeps you guessing until the very end. Hendy expertly weaves multiple storylines together – the mystery surrounding Mr. Fitzgerald’s death, the upheaval at Summerview School, and even some personal drama for Margery and Clementine.

Red herrings abound, making it difficult to pinpoint the culprit until all the pieces fall into place.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book is its balance between humor and suspense.

While there are moments of tension, such as when Margery and Clementine find themselves in potentially dangerous situations, these are offset by lighter moments that showcase Hendy’s comedic touch.

And on that note, while I love the two lead characters, it was Rose, the drama teacher, and her bond with Jason, the dog, that made me howl with laughter.

For some reason, she reminds me of Lady Felicia in Father Brown – so if these books ever get adapted, I’m nominating Nancy Carroll to be cast as Rose!!

She definitely brings the humor and light-hearted relief to the story but without detracting from the central mystery.

And, speaking of the mystery, it has plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings so that you’re never quite sure whodunit.

That said, there comes a point towards the end when the light bulb goes on, and you know who the culprit is. But that’s ok.

Why It Ticks All The Boxes

I know that each of us loves a mystery for different reasons. Maybe it’s a complicated puzzle that needs to be solved, maybe it’s the lead characters, or the setting, or the level of coziness.

For me, one of the key components that keeps me engaged is how soon into the book the crime takes place.

Absolutely nothing gets on my nerves more than having to read through half a book before anything happens. Honestly, I have all but checked out at that stage.

Thankfully, this is not the case with An Extremely Unlikely Death, in which Mr Fitzgerald meets his demise faster than the dinner ladies can make a cup of tea.

And there’s no messing about with how quickly Margery and Clementine realize that something is very wrong with the whole situation.

It’s a mystery you can really get stuck into, especially as the clues are pretty linear, with the ladies having to find one before it unlocks the next piece of the story.

It’s got pace, it’s got relatability, and with funny and honest side characters and situations, I almost feel like I know these people.

And what’s better than that in a great cozy crime mystery??

Final Thoughts

An Extremely Unlikely Death is everything I’ve come to expect from Hannah Hendy: charming characters, an engaging plot, and plenty of laughs along the way.

It’s a book that feels like curling up with a warm cup of tea – comforting yet invigorating.

Whether you’re new to the Dinner Lady Detectives series or a seasoned fan, this installment is sure to delight.

Margery and Clementine prove once again that age is no barrier to adventure and that even dinner ladies can be heroes in their own right.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that combines humor with heart and throws in an adorable dog for good measure, look no further than this book.

It’s a worthy addition to your bookshelf and a testament to Hannah Hendy’s talent for crafting stories that entertain while leaving you eager for more adventures with Margery and Clementine.