Armchair Detectives: Book 1
Publication Date: November 10, 2026
A hilarious and heartwarming cozy mystery? Following an octogenarian who covers a dastardly plot inside his nursing home, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Only Murders in the Building . They might be over the hill but they’re far from six feet under and now there’s a murder to solve! Meet Martin Maxwell. As a former government operative, at eighty-four-years young he always pictured a retirement sipping shaken-not-stirred martinis on a far-flung island. But in need of some care after a new hip, he finds himself at Twilight Lodge on the decidedly cloudy English coast. From the outside, it’s a picture-perfect place to recuperate. But when popular resident Elsie dies unexpectedly, Martin suspects foul play. She’s the third death in less than two weeks and always had a clean bill of health. Armed with a walking stick and his trusty notebook and pen, Martin decides to investigate. While nobody believes him―death is an inevitable part of care home life after all―Martin is convinced something sinister is afoot. With his wheelchair-using sidekick and former nemesis Albie in tow, they begin questioning the residents. Soon they learn that there are several suspects in the frame. When they discover Albie’s love interest Barbara is in the killer’s sights, Martin knows time is running out. Will Albie’s heart be broken forever, or can they battle the effects of old age and each other, outwitting a murderer before it’s too late?
Octogenarian, dog lover, and amateur sleuth Martin Maxwell lives at Twilight Lodge, a picturesque seaside retirement home, in Matt Dunn’s cozy mystery, The Armchair Detectives.
I liked that Martin, the protagonist, is a man, as most cozy mysteries feature women, not men, in the lead role. I really enjoyed Martin’s character. He was funny, quick-witted, and sarcastic. Martin’s sidekick, Albie, was also amusing, and the duo made an effective, hilarious team.
The story was fast-paced and flowed easily from idea to idea. There were no slow spots or weird interactions that didn’t make any sense. I loved the book’s tone. It was smart, slightly sarcastic, funny, and very entertaining.
I am very excited to read in the author’s letter that there will be other books in this series and that we will see Martin again.
For a delightfully cozy and laugh-out-loud hilarious read, you absolutely need to read The Armchair Detectives.
Matt Dunn is the author of sixteen novels, including the Amazon #1 cozy mystery The Armchair Detectives, the bestselling The Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook (which was shortlisted for both the Romantic Novel of the Year Award and the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance), A Day at the Office (one of Amazon’s Top Editor Picks for 2013, and a #1 bestseller across several categories), and 13 Dates (shortlisted for the RNA Comedy of the Year). He’s also written about life, love, and relationships for various newspapers and magazines including The Times, Guardian, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, and The Sun.
His latest novel, The Armchair Detectives on Holiday is the second instalment in a new comedic cozy mystery series.
Previously, he’s worked as a professional lifeguard, fitness-equipment salesman, and most recently, an I.T. head-hunter (where his success in re-writing other people’s CVs made him think he might have a talent for fiction), but he prefers writing novels for a living, so please keep buying his books!
