‘A Curiously Convenient Demise’ by Hannah Hendy

Published by Canelo,
16  October 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-80436476-5 (PB)

A Curiously Convenient Demise is the seventh book in Hannah Hendy’s Dinner Ladies Detectives featuring Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker and their fellow team of dinner ladies at Summerview Secondary School.

Clementine’s sister Maria turns up out of the blue in her dilapidated camper van which needs urgent repairs before she can return to her life on the open road. In the meantime, she agrees to help the dinner ladies cater at the school’s annual charity auction. 

Eleanor Black, the owner of the town’s Museum, agrees to give the museum’s prize exhibit, the historic Dewstow vase, to the auction. Everyone gathers in the school hall ready for the big event, but Eleanor who was supposed to be conducting the evening is missing. A search is made, and her body is discovered in the stage storeroom, killed with the precious vase.    

Maria’s fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, and she has vanished. The police officer in charge claims it as an open-and-shut case. 

Eleanor is not well-liked in the local community and has made a long list of enemies over the years. Clementine is convinced that her sister is not capable of murder, and she and Clementine are determined to prove Maria’s innocence. Their enquiries are thwarted at every turn, and it is going to take the combined efforts of the whole of the dinner ladies’ team to uncover the secrets no one in the town is eager to share.

This is a fun read. All it’s wonderfully quirky, over-the-top characters Margery and Clementine, fellow dinner ladies – Rose, Sharon, Karen, Ceri-Ann, Seren and Gloria, and headteacher Rose are back. The action is fast and furious until all the twisted plot strands are finally unravelled to reveal a surprising, satisfying ending.   

Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Ian Moore.
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Reviewer: Judith Cranswick  

Hannah Hendy is a professional chef by day and author by night. She has recently signed a three book deal with Canelo publishing and is the author of the upcoming novel, ‘The Dinner Lady Detectives’. Hannah lives with her brand new wife (covid wedding!) and two cats in South Wales, UK.

 

Judith Cranswick was born and brought up in Norwich. Apart from writing, Judith’s great passions are travel and history. Both have influenced her two series of mystery novels. Tour Manager, Fiona Mason takes coach parties throughout Europe, and historian Aunt Jessica is the guest lecturer accompanying tour groups visiting more exotic destinations aided by her nephew Harry. Her published novels also include several award-winning standalone psychological thrillers. She wrote her first novel (now languishing in the back of a drawer somewhere) when her two children were toddlers, but there was little time for writing when she returned to her teaching career. Now retired, she is able to indulge her love of writing and has begun a life of crime! ‘Writers are told to write what they know about, but I can assure you, I've never committed a murder. I'm an ex-convent school headmistress for goodness sake!’ Her most recent book is Journey to Casablanca