Description

Number one New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with another intriguing mystery, featuring her beloved detectives caught up in a web of hidden secrets and chilling murder.

When Viola Huntingdon, a quiet and respectable middle-aged spinster, is found strangled in her peaceful country cottage, scandalous rumors quickly begin to circle around Henry, Lord Glossup. Desperate to clear his name, Lord Glossup seeks the help of trusted companions Barnaby and Penelope Adair, along with Inspector Stokes, to identify Viola’s true killer.

Arriving at the serene village of Ashmore near Salisbury, the trio swiftly eliminates Henry from suspicion. But this revelation only deepens the mystery: who would target the seemingly blameless Viola? Even more puzzling is the emergence of a mysterious admirer known only as ‘H.’ In a tiny community where everyone knows everyone else, how could a stranger have secretly visited Viola without anyone taking notice—and who might this elusive ‘H’ really be?

As Barnaby, Penelope, and Inspector Stokes meticulously unravel clues involving stolen jewelry, suspicious characters, questionable moneylenders, and shady jewelers, a complicated picture begins to surface and lead them toward a shocking conclusion. But in small villages like Ashmore, appearances can be deceiving. Could their investigation have gone awry?

Blending history, suspense, murder, and a touch of romance, Laurens delivers a captivating historical mystery totaling approximately 82,000 words.