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Lady Swift has been cordially invited to a huge royal celebration in Little Buckford to toast the King's birthday... but wait, is that a body in the village hall? Lady Eleanor Swift and her loyal butler Clifford are busy lending a hand with preparations for the big day. The grand dining room at Henley Hall is overflowing with home-sewn flags, paint and royal rosettes. Even Gladstone the bulldog and his new friend Tomkins the ginger cat are invited! But just days before the event Mr Prestwick-Peterson, the chairman of the celebrations committee, is found dead in the village hall: strangled with handmade red, white and royal blue bunting. With the village hall in total disarray and a key part of the decorations missing, Eleanor wonders if someone dastardly is sabotaging the King's birthday celebrations? Teaming up with her handsome beau Detective Hugh Seldon to question the local butcher, baker, and pub landlord it becomes clear that the meddlesome busybody Mr Prestwick-Peterson was not universally liked in charming Little Buckford. Indeed, the only mystery is why he wasn't murdered before... Searching Mr Prestwick-Peterson's pristinely organised rooms, Eleanor is surprised to find a faded photograph of a beautiful young woman hidden within the pages of a novel. Could this be the key to untangling this very village murder? And can Eleanor catch the killer before the party is over for her, too? A totally charming, unputdownable Golden Age murder mystery with characters readers will adore. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss. Readers love Verity Bright! 'Unputdownable... Had me hooked immediately... Filled with suspense... Will have you laughing until you're crying... A page-turning and unputdownable success!' Bookworm 86 'Absolutely loved this!... I read the book in a day, I couldn't put it down!' NetGalley reviewer
A royal celebration is marred by murder when the chairman of the King's birthday committee is found strangled with bunting. Lady Eleanor Swift and her butler Clifford find themselves embroiled in the investigation when Mr. Prestwick-Peterson is discovered dead just days before the event. The motive appears to be deeply rooted in village secrets, as the victim was known to be a meddlesome busybody with many detractors. Eleanor must uncover the truth behind a hidden photograph and a potential saboteur before the party, and her own life, is irrevocably ruined.
This historical cozy mystery is described as a charming and unputdownable read, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie. Readers have praised its suspenseful plot and engaging characters, with one reviewer noting they were hooked immediately and found the book filled with laughter and suspense. The narrative structure is designed to keep readers turning pages, aiming for a satisfying resolution before the celebratory event concludes. The blend of a lighthearted setting with a serious crime is a hallmark of the cozy mystery genre, suggesting a focus on puzzle-solving and character interaction over graphic violence.
Page Count:
320
Publication Date:
2023-09-27
Publisher:
Bookouture
ISBN-10:
1837907161
ISBN-13:
9781837907168
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