Cosy Crime

As Christmas approaches, actress and amateur sleuth Gwinny Tuffel is pondering what gift to buy retired DCI Birch and whether to adopt a new furry friend. Gwinny's festive dilemmas take a more mysterious turn though when a discovery in her late father's papers unearths his mysterious past and leads to a Somerset commune of retired spies. When Gwinny and Birch are unexpectedly snowed in at the remote farmhouse, they find that skeletons in her father's closet have been joined by a body in the attic. Trapped among those skilled in deception and a lively Cocker Spaniel, tensions mount. And it remains to be seen if Gwinny and Birch will unravel the truth behind the murder in time for Christmas.

The Langdale Legacy - from the intriguing English cosy crime series

Bestselling romantic author Tiffany Dare has thousands of fans worldwide. Closer to home, somebody wants her dead and is choosing to send her threats in Christmas cards. With the festive season fast approaching, local amateur sleuth Juno Browne is asked to investigate these season's greetings that carry anything but good cheer, and while the police focus their attention on stalkers and on-line trolls, Juno suspects the culprit may be a member of Tiffany's inner circle. With a jealous husband, spurned lovers and disgruntled employees, not to mention enraged neighbours, a bitter professional rival and a resentful teenage daughter, Ashburton's snowy landscape holds no shortage of suspects. Then a killer strikes, and all of Juno's hopes of a quiet celebration vanish. Will it be a Christmas she will want to forget?

With the approach of autumn, a heavily pregnant Simmy Brown is anticipating the imminent arrival of her new child and juggling the move of her florist business to Keswick. A bouquet order to be delivered to the beautiful but remote Eskdale is an awkward addition to Simmy's to-do list. There she encounters three generations of women - and the next day, one of them is brutally murdered.

Drawn into the mystery, Simmy and her friends soon find themselves navigating eccentric artists and fractured families. As her new assistant Evie proves unexpectedly determined to try her hand at sleuthing, and tangled motives begin to surface, Simmy realises the truth is darker than anyone imagined - and closer. And time is running out, in more ways than one.

Florist Persimmon 'Simmy' Brown is juggling life with a demanding newborn when visitors arrive in the Lake District with questions about a long-forgotten disappearance. Thea Slocombe and her brother Damien are searching for the truth about their great-grandfather, John Armstrong, who vanished without a trace in 1931, leaving behind his family and a medal awarded for an act of bravery few now remember. As dormant rumours of murder begin to surface, Simmy soon finds her investigative instincts reawakened. With a resentful relative determined to prevent further enquiries, it becomes clear that some secrets have been buried for generations - and the trio soon find that history can be every bit as dangerous as the present.

Merrin McKenzie's return to her hometown of St Ives has been a fresh start all round. Putting aside her legal career, she's determined to give her all to the new artists' cooperative shop on vibrant Fore Street. There's also the tantalising prospect of something more than friendship with Chief Inspector Louis Peppiatt. When the glamorous and wealthy Roxy sails into St Ives, Merrin hopes she can cultivate a valuable customer for the shop. Roxy certainly leaves an impression on everyone she meets, but her stories don't always add up. And in her wake disappearances accumulate and bodies begin to surface. As rumours stir, it becomes clear that Roxy harbours secrets in contrast to her glittering façade. Behind it Merrin will find a tangle of secrets including family tensions, hidden loyalties, and dangers that reach far beyond the dramatic Cornish coastline.

The unputdownable cosy crime read for fans of Richard Osman

'Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted' Sunday Times<BR><BR>'One of British crime's most assured craftsmen . . . Crime writing just like in the good old days,<BR>and perfect entertainment' Guardian<BR><BR>_______________________<BR><BR>For Major Bricket, attending church in his village of Stunston Peveril in Suffolk is a good way to keep up with the village gossip. Having only recently retired from a career where he was privy to many international secrets, the Major likes to stay in the know.<BR><BR>Events take a turn one Sunday though when, after the morning service, Major Bricket notices the door to the bell tower open... and finds a body at the bottom of the stairs.<BR><BR>The dead man is dressed in a suit and dog collar. But who is he? And could someone in Stunston Peveril have killed him?<BR><BR>Perhaps predictably, most of the village residents seem more concerned with the Parish Council flower arranging rota than the mysterious corpse. <BR><BR>Major Bricket will have to rely on his long-nurtured detection skills, and his trusted friends Nga Luong and Rod, to solve the case.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November . . .It's November in York, and Kitt Hartley is looking forward to a well-earned sabbatical. After years of running a private investigation company alongside her duties as a librarian, Kitt's ready for a break. But her well-laid plans are rudely interrupted when a bomb explodes in the heart of the city on the eve of the Prime Minister's visit. Warned that the perpetrators will strike again on Bonfire Night if the politician's visit goes ahead, Kitt gathers her crack team of investigators to hunt down those responsible.

But can they match the mastermind behind this modern-day gunpowder plot, before it's too late?

Cosy crime fiction is a popular phenomenon, with its safe but intriguing boundaries. This latest addition to the Gothic Fantasy series is packed with armchair detectives, murders in the vicarage, family secrets unravelling in gossipy ears, and the ingredients of a genteel bloodbath in an otherwise delightful village. Contains a fabulous mix of classic and brand new writing, with contemporary authors from the US, Canada, and the UK.<BR><BR>New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Stephanie Bedwell-Grime, Joshua Boyce, Sarah Holly Bryant, Jeffrey B. Burton, C.B. Channell, Gregory Von Dare, Amanda C. Davis, Michael Martin Garrett, Philip Brian Hall, E.E. King, Tom Mead, Trixie Nisbet, Annette Siketa , B. David Spicer, Nancy Sweetland, Louise Taylor, and Elise Warner. These appear alongside classic stories by authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle, R. Austin Freeman, Arthur Morrison, Baroness Orczy, Catherine Louisa Pirkis and G.K. Chesterton.

1958. Cookbook writer and television personality Mary Mackerel must leave London in a hurry when public affection for her curdles. Her publisher advises her to go deep into the British countryside and write a cookbook that will reestablish her reputation. Reluctantly, Mary sells up and endeavours to brush off being exiled to what she thinks is the edge of the world: Penzance, Cornwall. There she buys a run-down tea shoppe with hopes of turning it into a bakery and restaurant. To ingratiate herself with the locals, Mary bakes her adapted version of Cornish-ish Pasties and gives the tasty treats away. After one of the locals dies of poisoning moments afterwards, the whole town points the finger at Mary as a murderer. Soon, the local and then national press have gleefully picked up on the story. Mary must turn chef-detective to clear her name and save her fledgling business.

A group of rival horticulturalists vie to secure the most coveted TV role as the nation's head gardener. It seems that at least one of them will go to any lengths to secure the glittering prize ...

Logan Carmichael has climbed through the ranks of television gardeners - despite knowing very little about plants, and his flowerbed-side manner leaves a lot to be desired. At the biggest flower festival of the year in Harrogate, he is the star attraction. 'The Ace of Spades' they call him. But when you get to the top, there's only one way left to go ... and there are a lot of people who would like to take him down.

The body discovered in Logan's front garden has been stabbed in the back by a garden fork. The nation's most beloved gardeners fear for their lives and the police are baffled by the strange game being played. It seems that underneath the blooming flowerbeds, fuelled by jealousy and envy, lurks something far less fragrant: revenge.

In this horticultural whodunnit, Britain's favourite gardener, Alan Titchmarsh, digs deep into a world where it seems that not everything is coming up roses.

Enjoy your stay . . .<BR><BR>The Ashford Inn hides a secret: this small town, family-run bed and breakfast housed the unsolved murder of Willow Fremont. <BR><BR>Luckily for Olive Ashford, secrets mean business. With a steady stream of mystery fans coming to stay in their picturesque inn, Olive and her big sister Marie can offer visitors a room and board along with the chance to get close to the site of¿the puzzling murder of Willow. The girl in Room Nine. <BR><BR>But when a group of true crime podcasters book a stay at the Inn over spring break to uncover the truth, Olive's world is turned upside down. <BR><BR>Olive wants nothing to do with the group's quest to find the killer, but it soon becomes clear that she might not have a choice. <BR><BR>Because Olive is next.<BR><BR>Only Murders in the Building meets Gilmore Girls in this cosy crime whodunnit with a small-town setting.

A very cute, 'cosy crime' puzzle book for adults. Put on your fluffiest slippers, get comfy with a hot chocolate and prepare to crack 25 adorably devious cases, in this delightfully cosy crime puzzle book.<BR><BR>Calling all puzzle detectives ... step into a world of sleepy villages, cute characters and suspicious goings-on. From missing heirlooms to sabotaged flowerbeds and curious knitwear thefts, each case is packed with charming settings and plenty of mysteries to keep you guessing.<BR><BR>Part logic challenge, part whodunnit, there's something for every sleuth to enjoy from the comfort of their cosy armchair. Beautifully illustrated and brimming with light-hearted mystery, the Cute and Cosy Crime Puzzle Book offers bite-sized investigations, whether you're a seasoned solver or a casual clue-hunter. A must-have for fans of cosy crime, clever conundrums and all things criminally cute.<BR><BR>Also available:<BR>Cosy Word Searches (9781789298338)

Sergeant Ali Wren and her springer spaniel, Police Dog Wilson, return in another mystery set in the charming but secretive town of Heft. When a pride of peacocks escapes from the local stately home and makes itself comfortable in a quiet cul-de-sac, Ali expects a day of feathers, fuss, and phone calls. But what she finds inside the house they've invaded is far from routine. The couple who live there have been receiving anonymous hate letters - vicious, threatening, and deeply personal. As Ali and Wilson begin to investigate, they uncover a tangled web of jealousies, betrayals, and long-held grudges that reach deep into the heart of the community. The deeper Ali digs, the clearer it becomes that someone in Heft is determined to keep their secrets hidden, and will stop at nothing to do so...

The third classic gothic mystery starring supernatural sleuths Lockett & Wilde - for fans of Lemony Snicket and Murder Most Unladylike.<BR><BR>"Once you enter the Strange world of Lockett and Wilde, you'll never want to leave." Jack Meggitt-Phillips, author of The Beast and the Bethany series<BR><BR>Winter is closing in. During the long, dark London evenings, Matilda and her ghostly companion, Edgar, puzzle over the mystery surrounding the wisp who haunts her aunt's theatre. By day Matilda attends Euthalia's, where she enjoys the ghost cat sitting on her knee during lessons, the companionship of her (living) friend Florence and helping in the library. But there's a spiritual presence among the stacks who seems to have yet another mystery for the supernatural sleuths to solve...

Molly should be on her honeymoon, but her husband disappeared.Thomas should be preaching, but the bishop had other ideas.Lynette should be in Aspen, but her doctor refused to let her fly.Instead, they're sailing on a five-day round trip between Sydney and Hobart.At 5.00am on the fourth day of the cruise, Captain Jonas Strong announces that five passengers have died overnight.Were this a cruise with the usual guest profile, such news may have caused a temporary flutter of nerves before being forgotten. But the Oceanic Wanderer was hosting a Crime Writers' Conference with hundreds of amateur sleuths who were now wondering, if there was more to the announcement than they were being told. Was there a murderer among them?CRIME QUIZ delivers a cosy-mystery caper in a cruisy setting.

The Little Riddlewood amateur crime-solving sleuths have been called to investigate a murder in neighboring Enigma Bay - use your detective skills to help Ben, Emily and Harold discover who dunnit! A bumper casefile of over 90 crime-themed visual, code, logic, number and word puzzles to solve - this mixed puzzle book is the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery! Can you crack all the clues and catch the culprit?

Sharpen your sleuthing skills and have your magnifying glass at the ready for this interactive festive mystery that casts YOU in the role of the detective - perfect for fans of Murdle looking for their next clever crime fix!<BR><BR>The year is 1932. You are Dr Kinn Tenor, a Scotland Yard pathologist with a sideline in private detection when the boys in blue are stumped. You're celebrated in the newspapers, but you tend to get the official police's backs up - they don't take kindly to being upstaged.<BR><BR>Two days before Christmas, you attend the opening of your friend Johnny McAlister's ritzy new nightclub, the Golden Star. There you meet his cousin, Melissa Thresh - she is being followed and would like you to identify the culprit. But you have also promised your friend Algy Hurley to visit his family seat in Kent, where some poison-pen letters have been causing unrest.<BR><BR>¿ If you travel to Yorkshire with Melissa, you're caught up in a locked-room murder mystery featuring a cast of dubious friends, relatives and business associates<BR>¿ If it's Hurley Court, you're embroiled in a country house whodunnit involving an old family ritual and generations of hidden secrets<BR><BR>This is just the first of many choices you must make: will you pursue this thread? Chase the mysterious stranger? Lay a trap for the guilty party? The decisions you make will take you on your own path to the final unmasking of the villain - or failure.<BR><BR>What will you choose? And can you unravel the mystery without losing your festive spirit, your reputation... or your life?<BR><BR>MAKE YOUR CHOICE<BR>TURN THE PAGE<BR>SOLVE THE CRIME! '100% Christmas gift in the making'  The i<BR>'Highly amusing novel' Joan Smith, The Sunday Times, crime round-up of the year

Not all secrets stay buried with the dead...The four members of Norcester's crime fiction reading group have been invited as guests of honour to a weekend celebrating the life of the late author of their favourite murder mystery detective novels.But, when the author's secret archive is opened to the public after fifty years, there's a deadly surprise inside...The quartet find themselves embroiled in a mystery that stretches back to the Cold War. With an accomplished Russian spy close on their tale, a runaway train filled with treasures, and time running out, they will once again have to use everything they've learned from their fictional hero to catch the killer...Praise for From Murder With Love:'A pleasure to read. This was brilliant' ¿¿¿¿¿'My favorite of the seriesso far' ¿¿¿¿¿'Tongue in cheek and delightfully humorous' ¿¿¿¿¿'If you haven't read any of M.R.G.Davies books before then you must do so at once' ¿¿¿¿¿'I really am finding this series as one of my most favourite easy reads' ¿¿¿¿¿'Another enthralling instalment.A more diverse group of sleuths would be hard to find' ¿¿¿¿¿'A perfect pick for anyone who loves their crime fiction with a wink, a twist, and a dash of adventure' ¿¿¿¿'If you love classic whodunits with a modern twist, this is ... sure to keep you guessing' ¿¿¿¿

Thea Slocombe is trying to settle into normal family domestic life with Drew and his two children in Broad Campden. But any sense of cosy domesticity is shattered when Thea finds the body of a neighbour. No longer a house-sitter, Thea has no choice but to stay in the village and deal with whatever happens next, even when this risks damage to her marriage.<BR>Unconvinced that the swift conclusion made about the death by the police is the right one, Thea is compelled to follow her nature and investigate herself. But what repercussions might there be for her, Drew and those with whom they share this corner of the Cotswolds?

"Fast-paced and fun... Tart of Darkness is utterly unputdownable." - Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>From New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson comes the first book in the cosy crime Chef-to-Go Mysteries series - a must-read for fans of culinary cosy mysteries.<BR><BR>Right when Dani thinks she's hit a dead-end in her career, she unexpectedly inherits an enormous empty mansion in a quaint college town. This gives her the perfect opportunity to pursue her true passion - cooking! <BR><BR>Dani opens Chef-to-Go, preparing delicious, ready-made meals for hungry students attending the nearby university, as well as providing personal chef services and catering events for the local community. To help support her new business, she opens her home to a few students, renting them rooms and becoming a big sister figure in their lives.<BR><BR>But Dani's sweet new life has a measure of darkness in it: when the friend of one of her boarders is murdered, Dani becomes a primary suspect! <BR><BR>She'll have to scramble to clear her name, solve this culinary mystery, and save her business before the killer reappears - perhaps to silence the new chef forever.<BR><BR>Perfect for fans of culinary cosy murder mysteries by the likes of Joanne Fluke and Kate Carlisle, Tart of Darkness kicks off an exciting new series with a delightful cast of small-town characters...and a deliciously mysterious murder!<BR><BR>Tropes<BR>Cosy Crime<BR>Murder Mystery<BR>Culinary Mystery<BR>A Dash of Romance

From New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson comes the third instalment in the cosy crime Chef-to-Go Mysteries series - a must-read for fans of culinary cosy mysteries.<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>In the small town of Normalton, IL, there aren't a lot of opportunities for small business owner Dani Sloan to cater big-ticket events. But that's about to change. <BR><BR>A client named Yvette Joubert is marrying Franklin Whittaker, the richest guy around, and they want Dani to cater their engagement party! The swanky event is the perfect opportunity to put Dani on the map for wealthier clients.<BR><BR>But when a storm hits the party after guests arrive, it becomes clear that more than the dinner is ruined: Yvette is found dead beneath the marquee. Is her death a tragic accident, or a perfectly orchestrated murder? <BR><BR>Then the case gets even juicier - it turns out that Yvette's ex-husband is Spencer Drake, Dani's almost-boyfriend, and the police start circling. Now Dani must follow an unending list of clues to save her business, protect her better half, and catch a criminal. Let's just hope they get their just desserts!<BR><BR>Perfect for fans of culinary cosy murder mysteries by the likes of Joanne Fluke and Kate Carlisle, Winner Cake All continues this exciting small-town series by serving up another deliciously mysterious murder that will keep you guessing until the end!<BR><BR>Tropes<BR>Cosy Crime<BR>Murder Mystery<BR>Culinary Mystery<BR>A Dash of Romance<BR><BR>Chef-to-Go Mysteries:<BR>Tart of Darkness<BR>Leave No Scone Unturned<BR>Winner Cake All<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>Praise for Tart of Darkness:<BR>"Fast-paced and fun... Tart of Darkness is utterly unputdownable." - Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author

Thea Osborne, Cotswold house-sitter with an infamous reputation for getting mixed up in crime, is determined to avoid trouble this time. Her latest commission in the village of Daglingworth seems straightforward, with most of her time spent looking after an old corgi and a hibernating tortoise.

Thea is ready for a relaxing if rather boring two weeks, with phone calls to new boyfriend Drew Slocombe the highlight of her days. Until, that is, a dead body is discovered in a nearby quarry . . .

'Antony Johnson serves up a festive whodunnit that's clever, funny and wonderfully easy to inhale in one sitting. Perfect for anyone who wants their Christmas crime with extra wag' Jo Middleton'More than one mystery, more than one secret, and definitely more than one dog - this funny, exciting, charming rollercoaster of a book has it all' David QuantickIt's almost Christmas, and actress and amateur sleuth Gwinny Tuffel is still pondering what to buy DCI Birch (retired) and whether she could adopt a new furry friend. But sorting through her late father's papers leads her into his mysterious past, pointing to an enigmatic 'liaison' now living in a Somerset commune populated by a group of retired spies.When Gwinny and Birch are unexpectedly snowed in at the remote farmhouse, they find that any skeletons in her father's closet have been joined by a body in the attic. Surrounded by people for whom keeping secrets is second nature, along with an energetic Cocker Spaniel, Gwinny and Birch are embroiled in a murder case once again. Will they uncover the culprit and escape in time for Christmas?Readers love The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail 'My three favourite things dogs, books and Christmas.''Readers who love Agatha Christie's charm or Richard Osman's humor will find something familiar yet refreshingly light here.''Such a fun read!''I gulped this tale down-it's that good.''Charming and cozy'

From New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson comes the second instalment in the cosy crime Chef-to-Go Mysteries series - a must-read for fans of culinary cosy mysteries.<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>It's the beginning of the university's autumn semester, and Dani can't wait for the students to return to Normalton, Illinois - after all, without them, there is no one to support her Lunch-to-Go service, which is a vital part of her Chef-to-Go business. As a personal chef and catering business owner, Dani has a lot on her plate! <BR><BR>But Normalton University's orientation week is marred by a mysterious murder, along with a series of car thefts and sightings of a mysterious creature in a pond on campus. And with the whole town feeling unsettled, Dani finds herself dealing once again with the infuriatingly handsome Spencer Drake, the head of security at the university.<BR><BR>Although Dani vowed that her life would never again be boring and routine after she quit her stifling corporate job, she had no idea that she'd end up dealing with such strange happenings - not to mention murder. But as the trouble in Normalton draws worryingly close to home, Dani realises that if the killer isn't caught soon, she may be the next one who is found scone-cold dead.<BR><BR>Perfect for fans of culinary cosy murder mysteries by the likes of Joanne Fluke and Kate Carlisle, No Scone Unturned continues this exciting small-town series by serving up another deliciously mysterious murder!<BR><BR>Tropes<BR>Cosy Crime<BR>Murder Mystery<BR>Culinary Mystery<BR>A Dash of Romance<BR><BR>Chef-to-Go Mysteries:<BR>Tart of Darkness<BR>Leave No Scone Unturned<BR>Winner Cake All<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>Praise for Tart of Darkness:<BR>"Fast-paced and fun... Tart of Darkness is utterly unputdownable." - Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author

Summon your inner Miss Marple and get ready to deduce whodunnit in this fiendish collection of crime puzzles from Dr Gareth Moore.<BR><BR>Mischief is afoot, and you've been summoned to stop it - pit your wits against nefarious criminals and solve a townful of mysteries. Put your Agatha Christie hat on and find out if you're sharp enough to catch the criminals before they cause any more trouble. <BR><BR>Featuring 10 scenarios, each scenario opens with a scene setting and notes made in the notebook of the investigator which lead you through a series of puzzles to the denouement. <BR><BR>With all kinds of puzzles, including logic, word, number, picture and memory challenges, this book will put your wits to the test - so grab a cup of tea and a pencil and get ready to snuggle up with this perplexing collection of cosy crime puzzles.<BR><BR>Also available:<BR>The Perfect Crime Puzzle Book (9781789293357) <BR>Private Investigator (9781789296341)<BR>The Undercover Agent Puzzle Book (9781789294095)<BR>Who's the Imposter? (9781789297300)<BR>Armchair Detective (9781789296969)<BR>Crime Scene Puzzle Book (9781789296952)

'COSY CRIME AT ITS FINEST!' JANICE HALLETT'THOROUGHLY MODERN COSY CRIME DONE RIGHT!' JONATHAN WHITELAWAlice has made the most of her maternity leave, becoming simultaneously a proud mum (well, a mum, at least) and accidental amateur sleuth.

Nestled in the fertile hills of the Cotswolds, the village of Duntisbourne Abbots is a well-kept secret: beautiful, timeless and quintessentially English. When recently widowed Thea Osborne arrives to house-sit for a local couple, her only fear is that three weeks there might prove a little dull. Her first night's sleep at Brook View is broken by a piercing scream outside but she decides such things don't require investigation in a sleepy place like this. At least not until a body turns up... In calling on her neighbors to get some answers, Thea uncovers more tragedy and intrigue than she thought possible behind the peaceful Gloucestershire village. The first in a series of thrillers set in the Cotswold area, A Cotswold Killing takes the reader on a tense journey along winding roads and muddy paths towards a dramatic and unexpected denouement.

Following the success of Leonie Swann's Three Bags Full

Simmy is four months pregnant, working partly from home and partly from her Windermere florist shop when her husband Christopher asks her to take flowers to Eleanor Padgett. Eleanor has helped him in his auction house, as she is an expert in antique textiles. She lives near the church at Dacre, and Simmy meets her in the nearby churchyard. <BR>But when they notice the body of a young man by one of the gravestones, the happy outing turns dark. It is not long before Simmy once again finds herself in a complex and puzzling investigation, led by D I Moxon and aided by her friends Ben and Bonnie. A must-read for fans of MC Beaton and Carola Dunn. This compelling addition to the series is set in the Dacre area of the Lake District. Tope is a go-to author for cosy crime fiction with an atmospheric setting, whether in the Cotswolds, the West Country or, with this latest addition, the stunning Lake District.

Once again, there's death on her doorstep - Thea throws herself into house-sitting for Babs and Cedric Angell in Lower Slaughter following her beloved father's death - anything to keep her busy and away from some of her rather difficult relatives. Although it's lonely, she has her spaniel Hepzie for company, and keeping the house in order and looking after the Angells' menagerie of animals does the trick for a short period of time. But when Thea's prickly older sister turns up, after witnessing a horrific killing, the timeless tranquility of Lower Slaughter vanishes, replaced by the sinister connotations of the town's name.

Thea Osborne and her faithful spaniel, Hepzie, have taken on a house-sitting assignment in the charming Cotswold village of Temple Guiting. But as always, an idyllic village can harbour a disquieting number of secrets and when a skeleton is discovered at the roots of an old beech tree, Thea is grateful for the presence of her partner DS Phil Hollis. There is no concrete evidence as to who the bones belonged to although it isn't long before theories and rumours abound. Thea soon finds herself drawn into a murder investigation - perhaps the countryside isn't that quiet after all.

Thea Osborne hopes to spend a quiet Christmas house sitting for the Shepherds in the picturesque Cotswold village of Stanton. Walks in the local countryside with the dogs and perhaps a meal in the pub are all the excitement she wants. When her arrival at the village coincides with the funeral of local businessman Douglas Callendar found electrocuted in his bath, Thea's interest is piqued. When another villager is discovered brutally murdered the following day, Thea is thrust into the middle of yet another police investigation.

Thea Slocombe is struggling to entertain her stepchildren through the long summer holiday while her husband Drew works, so she keenly accepts a new job house-sitting in Barnsley, near Bibury. However, her commission proves to be far from relaxing when she stumbles across a woman hiding among some bushes. The woman's story is thin and incoherent, but Thea agrees to offer her sanctuary for the night.

When her guest is found dead the next morning Thea turns to the police for help, but their preoccupation with a major animal trafficking investigation means she is effectively on her own. As she digs deeper into the deceased's background, she discovers a tangled web of lies, secrets and at least three very likely suspects ...

In the Dartmoor town of Ashburton, reluctant antique shop owner and accidental amateur sleuth, Juno Browne, has cash-flow problems. So, when the mild and gentlemanly bookbinder, Frank Tinkler, rents a room above the shop, he seems like the answer to a prayer.

At home, Juno accidentally disturbs intruders and shortly afterwards, one of them falls to his death from a viaduct. Was it accident, suicide or murder? When Juno recognises his accomplice as Frank's nephew, Scott, she decides to investigate .

Thea and Drew have been married for a year and are settled in the village of Broad Campden, but Thea is chafing at the domestic routines she is expected to devote herself to, missing the novelty and adventure that house-sitting used to bring. When a routine burial exposes the secrets of the deceased, Drew finds himself caught in the middle of a family feud, in which he feels he is on the wrong side, and Thea's inquisitiveness and penchant for solving crimes draws her in too. With another crisis at Drew's other business leaving him with a profound dilemma and Thea struggling against the charismatic charms of a new man, can their marriage survive this latest Cotswold drama?

Upper Oddington is home to Umberto Kingly, as well as his three dogs, and will be Thea Slocombe's latest house-sitting assignment. Thea expects the location will be one of her quietest, until the serene atmosphere is shattered by a fatal hit-and-run.

The ensuing police investigation plunges Thea deep into the victim's complicated family dynamic and the rift that had already torn it apart. She cannot help wondering if the reverberations of scandal have led to a deliberate and murderous assault .

When Thea Osborne agrees at the last minute to house-sit for Oliver Meadows as a favour to her mother, she expects a few days of peace with her spaniel, Hepzie. Uncomfortable with the news of her mother's sudden involvement with an old flame, and Thea herself unsure of how to deal with her feelings for Drew Slocombe, she hopes that some time alone in the historic town of Winchcombe will help to clear her head. But, as usual, Thea quickly finds herself at the centre of a dark mystery when she discovers a dead body in the gardens of the house.

Thea Osborne and her loyal spaniel Hepzie are still pursuing their occupation as house-sitters, despite the disastrous incidents of the past. At the moment they are staying in the late Greta Simmonds' house, which is currently between ownership. But when a body is discovered in a nearby field, Thea finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation once again. After befriending undertaker Drew Slocombe, she soon finds she's aligned herself with the police's only suspect. Believing him to be innocent, Thea works together with Drew to clear his name, although it slowly dawns on them that in a village simmering with secrets, a means and a motive could be laid at anybody's door.

Thea Osborne and her spaniel Hepzibah embark on their second house-sitting commission with few worries. Despite her first disastrous venture, in which she became drawn into a murder case (A Cotswold Killing), Thea is convinced that lightning will not strike twice, and arrives at idyllic Frampton Mansell with renewed enthusiasm. However it seems she is jinxed: within days of her arrival she finds a body hanging from the rafters of one of the barns. But was it suicide...or murder? The second novel in the series, A Cotswold Ordeal weaves the reader into a tangle of village history, neighbourly betrayal and conflicting passions, which culminates in a gruelling climax for Thea herself.

The warm and witty cosy crime novel

In the wake of a series of unfortunate experiences in the Cotswolds, Thea Osborne, accompanied by her spaniel Hepzibah, is perhaps over-optimistic about the English summertime and the possibilities of her latest house-sitting assignment in the secluded village of Cranham.

Despite the ease with which Thea's new job begins, looking after Harriet Young's reptiles, she soon finds a dark side to the characters she encounters. From the elderly Donny Davis to the enigmatic figure of Edwina, it soon becomes clear Harriet's beloved geckoes are not the only cold-blooded creatures at large in Cranham...

On the day Juno Browne's van goes up in flames and nearly cooks a dog, Juno meets James Westershall, owner of Moorworthy Chase, a large family estate. She is invited, along with her friends from Old Nick's, to bring along their goods for sale at an upcoming garden fete. Included in the invitation is the newest and most irritating member of the Old Nick's team, Gavin. During the fete Gavin wanders off and is later discovered dead in nearby woods, apparently the victim of a bizarre accident. A police investigation ensues, but results are inconclusive and Juno has a theory of her own.

As she begins to investigate, she discovers that Gavin's is not the only strange death to have occurred at Moorworthy Chase, including that of an expert researching colonies of rare bats in caves on the estate. It soon becomes clear to Juno that there is something very wrong at Moorworthy and the caves contain a dark and dangerous secret.

As spring returns to the Cotswolds, so too does Thea Slocombe to house-sitting. She has agreed to look after Lucy Sinclair's new home in Northleach while she is away, and Thea is glad of the change of scene. She soon meets several of the locals who seem to irritate Lucy so much, and comes to the conclusion that Lucy is far from popular herself.

When a man's body is found in Northleach, Thea needs all her wits about her. At the heart of the mystery are secrets betrayed and revenge exacted, and Thea is once again caught up in underhand dealings played out in the idyllic countryside.

Christmas is coming to the picturesque Cotswold countryside, and the days are merry and bright at the Slocombe house. Thea's daughter Jessica has come to stay, much to her stepdaughter Stephanie's delight, and the family are looking forward to the festivities. But things soon take a turn for the worse. <BR>A local family, the Frowses, find themselves increasingly harassed by an aggressive landlord and his overbearing new wife. When Beverley Frowse suddenly goes missing without a trace, Thea and Stephanie both feel they should help to investigate her disappearance, if only to ease the growing concern of Beverley's son, and Thea's friend, Ant.<BR>Christmas Day arrives, with all the traditional trimmings and general goodwill, despite Thea's barely suppressed hankering to be involved in events at the Frowses' house, where a dead man has just been discovered nearby ...

Thea Osborne, accompanied by her beloved spaniel Hepzie, has had her fair share of unfortunate occurrences while house-sitting, and her new assignment for the mysterious Yvonne Parker is no exception. The isolated and somewhat unsettling village of Snowshill, has Thea on edge as soon as she arrives, and Hyacinth House - her new, rather cluttered home - does nothing to dispel such feelings. Soon enough, her intuition in this case proves to be right, and once again Thea becomes entangled in another horrifying murder.<BR>Stevie Horsfall, a mischievous child from the village is found brutally strangled outside Hyacinth House, with his eccentric mother Gudrun as the prime suspect. Believing in Gudrun's innocence, Thea, alongside Sonia Gladwin and her friend Drew Slocombe, work together to uncover a sinister plot, where seemingly separate lives are intertwined with secretive and strange relationships. This malicious web of suspects leads Thea through the lives of the villagers and their secrets, to London and beyond.

Returning from a brief holiday, Juno Browne is relieved to find that no one has been murdered in the picturesque Dartmoor town of Ashburton while she was away. Though uncharitable friends suggest that the quiet was simply due to her absence. Just as she's settling back into her routine at the antiques shop and as domestic helper and dog walker, the brutal killing of local journalist Sandy Thomas shocks the town and Juno is swept up into a fresh murder inquiry.

What was Sandy really investigating on the night she was killed? With a spate of dog kidnappings to contend with as well, the Devon countryside never felt less tranquil, and inevitably Juno's amateur sleuthing skills will be called upon once again .

When Juno Browne finds a life-sized effigy floating in the River Ashburn, a note attached claims it as the work of Cutty Dyer, Ashburton's mythical blood-drinking demon. But despite Juno's instinct that this is a sign of trouble ahead, the police dismiss her find as a practical joke. Then the body of a woman is discovered by the river and it becomes clear that a killer has taken on Cutty's identity.

But as suspicion falls on someone close to her, Juno finds herself drawn into solving the mystery, desperate to prove her friend's innocence. As the rain falls steadily and the level of the River Ashburn continues to rise, Juno must unmask the real identity of Cutty Dyer, or risk being swept away on a murderous tide.

A brand-new collection of twelve short stories, featuring the popular characters from Rebecca Tope's Cotswold mystery novels.

A suspicious funeral, a fatal encounter at a garden centre of all places, and a country walk marred by the discovery of a hidden corpse, are just some of the perplexing situations with which Thea Osborne, her friends and a further cast of characters must contend. In this expanded view of the world of her popular books, Tope reminds us that death and crime will visit even the most idyllic country villages.

'COSY CRIME AT ITS FINEST!' JANICE HALLETT<BR><BR>'THOROUGHLY MODERN COSY CRIME DONE RIGHT!' JONATHAN WHITELAW<BR><BR>**AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW!**<BR><BR>Alice has made the most of her maternity leave, becoming simultaneously a proud mum (well, a mum, at least) and accidental amateur sleuth. When an opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep arrives in the unexpected form of an overnight sit-in protest, Alice and her friends willingly volunteer, chaining themselves to trees for a relaxing, child-free evening.<BR><BR><BR>But when they awake to find one of their fellow protestors has been strangled, they are soon caught up in a tantrum of rogue artists, nude protesting (optional) and the machinations of an enigmatic local entrepreneur. With Alice's murder-solving success rate at an all-time high (one out of one), she cannot resist the chance to demonstrate her detectoring skills again, assembling her gang of young mums to investigate this latest countryside mystery. <BR><BR>'AILES ONCE AGAIN MARRIES QUICK WIT, SURPRISING REVEALS, AND CHARMING ANTICS' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY<BR><BR>'MOTHERHOOD HAS NEVER BEEN SUCH MURDEROUS FUN' ANDREINA CORDANI

Someone has served up a show-stopping murder... In Kilbane, conflicting opinions are plentiful. There's one thing everyone agrees on though - the nearby bakery is the best in County Cork. It's no wonder they're about to be featured on a reality baking show. But the competitors aren't all are as sweet as their confections. There are shenanigans on the first day of filming that put everyone on edge. But they're nothing compared to day two, when the first round ends and the top contestant is found face-down in her signature pie. The producers decide to continue filming while Siobhán and her husband, Garda Macdara Flannery, sift through the suspects. Was this a case of rivalry turned lethal, or are their other motives hidden in the mix? And can they uncover the truth before another baker is eliminated permanently? A fun cosy mystery for fans of Dee MacDonald and Frances Evesham.

Thea Osborne's latest house-sitting assignment is a little different to the rest. Along with her spaniel, Hepzie, Thea finds herself in the village of Chedworth. She is tasked with creating an inventory of Rita Wilshire's possessions, requested by her son, Richard Wilshire, after moving her into a care home. All goes to plan, until Thea and her fiancé, Drew Slocombe, find Richard dead in a barn.<BR>When family members come knocking, Thea and Drew struggle to give them answers. The Wilshire family has its own past and, whilst Thea knows it is not really her business, she cannot help but become involved in the case. Was Richard's death suicide? Or something more sinister? When the clues lead them in circles, Thea's relationship with Drew is put to the test. But there is a crime to solve, and neither of them is willing to give up just yet...

The second instalment in Tamara Berry's award-winning cosy crime series is another page-turning murder mystery - one not to be missed by fans of Richard Osman and The Marlow Murder Club!<BR><BR>"A quirky story for those who enjoy funny cozies." - Library Journal<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>In the aftermath of solving their first murder, bestselling author Tess Harrow and her teenage daughter Gertrude have decided to make Winthrop their home. Their cabin is fixed up and now they're turning to the family hardware store that Tess inherited from her late grandfather into the town's first independent bookstore.<BR><BR>But when renovations unearth bones from a cold case and send them toppling - literally - onto Tess's head, the work comes to a grinding halt. With the whole town convinced that her grandfather was a serial killer, Tess has to call in a fellow horror author for reinforcements. <BR><BR>Together, they'll come up with a perfect story to make all the clues fit...and solve a mystery more than thirty years in the making.<BR><BR>Put your sleuthing hat on and dive into another unforgettable cosy murder mystery!<BR><BR>Tropes<BR>Cosy Crime<BR>Murder Mystery<BR>Cold Case<BR>Serial Killer<BR>Small Town Thriller<BR><BR>By the Book Mysteries:<BR>Buried in a Good Book<BR>On Spine of Death<BR>Murder Off the Books<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>Praise for Buried in a Good Book:<BR><BR>"A slapstick comedy of murder." - Library Journal<BR><BR>"Truly original, funny, and well written. A real standout." - Mystery Scene

The third instalment in Tamara Berry's award-winning cosy crime series is another laugh-out-loud, page-turning murder mystery - one not to be missed by fans of Richard Osman and The Marlow Murder Club!<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>Author Tess Harrow is looking to get back in the town of Winthrop's good graces after she uncovered not one, but two long-forgotten murders. With the perfect plan of combining her new book release with her bookstore's grand opening, she'll have the chance to wine and dine the locals and some big press contacts.<BR><BR>But on the night before the party, Tess is greeted by a surprise: her mother has come for a visit, with her much younger new boyfriend in tow...a boyfriend her daughter Gertrude recognises as the notorious Levi Parker, a man recently connected to the deaths of three elderly widows.<BR><BR>Tess immediately alerts Sheriff Boyd about Levi and his suspicious past, but it's already too late - Levi Parker is found dead, and Tess's mother is starting to look like the prime suspect. Bernadette swears she didn't murder Levi, and Tess is doing her best to maintain her mother's innocence, but too many coincidences keep stacking up. With the whole town seemingly against her family, it's up to Tess to get to the bottom of the story before it's too late.<BR><BR>Put your sleuthing hat on and dive into another unforgettable cosy murder mystery!<BR><BR>Tropes<BR>Cosy Crime<BR>Murder Mystery<BR>Cold Case<BR>Serial Killer<BR>Small Town Thriller<BR><BR>By the Book Mysteries:<BR>Buried in a Good Book<BR>On Spine of Death<BR>Murder Off the Books<BR><BR>***<BR><BR>Praise for the By the Book Mysteries series:<BR><BR>"A slapstick comedy of murder." - Library Journal<BR><BR>"Truly original, funny, and well written. A real standout." - Mystery Scene<BR><BR>"A quirky story for those who enjoy funny cozies." - Library Journal

Simmy Brown has a lot on her mind. Not just keeping her florist business afloat, her father's failing health, the challenge of developing a long-term relationship with Christopher, but also the approach of Mother's Day, a busy and painful day for her.<BR>But in taking an order for a retirement party in Staveley, she is pulled into her most challenging investigation. When a daughter starts accusing her own mother of murder, Simmy, Ben and Bonnie find themselves taking different sides of the investigation. With her relationships under strain, Simmy is tried on all fronts. However, she has to learn to leave her own concerns behind to discover just who the killer is.

Returning from a much-needed holiday, Persimmon 'Simmy' Brown discovers that life in the Lake District is, as ever, far from relaxing. Before she can enjoy the idea of being the future Mrs Chris Henderson, her fiancé discovers the body of his friend, antique dealer Jonathan Woolley, brutally strangled in a house in Grasmere.<BR>Enlisting the help of her friends and amateur detectives Ben and Bonnie, the investigation appears to ask more questions than it answers as historical grudges against the dead man are revealed. It seems that many people had a reason for wanting him dead. But with Chris's increasingly evasive and odd behaviour, Simmy begins to wonder if he is more involved in the murder than he is saying. How can she put her trust in a man with something to hide?

As the auction at High Gates House in Borrowdale nears, Christopher Henderson bumps into Jennifer Reade, the expected recipient of the proceeds of the house clearance sale. She discovers a dead man in the cellar of the house but threatens Christopher into remaining silent about it until after the auction to avoid delays.

The auction is halted by the police with the news that a murder has been committed. Simmy, Christopher's wife and amateur sleuth, applies herself to the mystery of the deaths but she will have to contend with a ruthless and determined killer in her fight for the truth.

Simmy Brown is four months pregnant, working partly from home, partly from her Windermere florist shop and very much feeling her age when her husband, Christopher, asks her to deliver flowers to Eleanor Padgett. As an<BR>>The visit out to the charming Lake District village of Dacre is squeezed into Simmy's endless to-do list. It is a moment of calm to appreciate the approach of spring and the interesting churchyard, but this is shattered<BR>when she discovers the body of a young man among the graves. It is not long before Simmy once again finds herself in a complex and puzzling investigation, led by DI Moxon and aided by her friends Ben and Bonnie.

Despite her penchant for investigating crimes, florist Persimmon 'Simmy' Brown had hoped that her autumn would be less frantic than usual, giving her the chance to enjoy her pregnancy and looking for a new house in the Patterdale area of the Lake District. But it is not to be .<BR>Simmy's plans are cruelly dashed when one of the lodgers at her parents' B&B dies in her arms. It is clear the victim had some connection to a controversial new building project near where Simmy hopes to move, and she soon becomes embroiled in a complex case, headed up by her friend DI Moxon, as the nights grow darker and a killer roams free.

The fifth book in a series featuring painter/photographer Rose Trevelyan. Rose suspects a murder has been committed. In trying to help young, talented Joel, Rose uncovers family secrets. She is proved right; there is a murder, but not the one she had foreseen nor one which the family could possibly have anticipated.

DI Jack Pearce is investigating a series of burglaries and brutal attacks on young women which has broken out in Cornwall. Once again his on-off girlfriend Rose Trevelyan finds herself at the heart of the investigation.<BR>With her intimate knowledge of the private lives of those connected to the case, Rose must work hard not to jump to conclusions about the innocence of those she knows. As the crimes become more serious, both newcomers to the area and familiar faces become suspects. But who should Rose - and Jack - believe?