Merryn Allingham

Bookshop owner Flora Steele escapes the sleepy English village of Abbeymead through the adventures in the stories she sells. Until one morning, everything changes when she discovers a body amongst her own bookshelves…

The young man with the shock of white-blond hair lay spread-eagled on the floor, surrounded by fallen books. His hand reached out to the scattered pages, as though he was trying to tell her something.

But who is he? How did he come to be killed in Flora’s ordinary little bookshop? Flora finds out he was staying at the Priory Hotel, and when the gardener suddenly dies in its beautiful grounds only a few days later, she is certain that something untoward is happening in her quiet village by the sea.

But are the two deaths connected? And is someone at the hotel responsible – the nervous cook, the money-obsessed receptionist, or the formidable manageress?

Determined to save her beloved bookshop’s reputation and solve the murder mystery, Flora enlists the help of handsome and brooding Jack Carrington: crime writer, recluse and her most reliable customer.

As the unlikely duo set about investigating the baffling case, guilty faces greet them at every door. And they soon realise there’s more than one person hiding secrets in Abbeymead…

The Bookshop Murder (Flora Steele Mystery #1)

Join Flora Steele - bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, and amateur detective - as she faces her most puzzling case yet! Sussex, 1957: When Flora Steele andhandsome crime writer Jack Carrington attend the grand re-opening of the Priory Hotel in the beautiful little village of Abbeymead, their day out is cut short when the flame-haired female singer in the band suddenly drops dead before their eyes. Flora is stunned by the unexpected turn of events and immediately deduces foul play. Beverly Russo was a spirited young woman with a big voice and Flora is determined to get to the bottom of her untimely demise - especially as the detective sergeant leading the investigation is so hopeless. The first clue in the extraordinary case is Beverly's missing ruby ring... As Flora makes her enquiries, she discovers that Beverly wasn't everyone's cup of tea and there's more than one person in Abbeymead who had reason to dislike her. But who had the biggest motive: Beverly's former beau Tommy May, jealous love rival Sally Jenner, or the local doctor who seems to be up to no good... Then one of the suspects is found dead in the woods near the Priory Hotel. The murder weapon - a musical instrument. As the investigation reaches a high note, Flora knows she must find the culprit and make them face the music before anyone else is hurt. But will Flora's tenacity put a dangerous spotlight on both her and Jack? A delightful cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis! Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries: 'Amazing... a top-notch cosy mystery... an engaging, intelligent and intriguing murder mystery that I found totally absorbing.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated... I could not put this book down... I read this book in one sitting!... Amazing.' @thenerdandherbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Totally Gripping Cozy Historical Mystery

Murder at the Priory Hotel

Join Flora Steele - bookshop owner, bicycle rider, daydreamer and amateur detective - in her quest to solve a brand-new murder mystery! Cornwall, 1956: When Flora Steele sets off for a peaceful vacation with crime writer Jack Carrington in his little red Austin, the last thing she expects to find is a body at their pretty rental cottage! Shocked by the discovery, inquisitive Flora joins forces with handsome Jack to find out how the poor man came to such an untimely end in the overgrown orchard of Primrose Cottage. They discover Roger Gifford was a man with plenty of friends and the villagers seem devastated by his sudden death... So why was he murdered? And who has blood on their hands - his estranged wife Beatrice, his wayward younger brother Lionel, or the suspicious newcomer Mercy Dearlove? The baffling case gets even more complicated when a second man is found dead and a set of puzzling clues lead them to an intriguing wartime mystery connected to Jack's estranged father. As old secrets emerge and Jack receives an unsettling letter, it seems the crime writer is in danger of a fate befitting his fictional characters. Will Flora be able to crack the case and save Jack? Or will this be one murder too many for Flora Steele? Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries: 'Wonderful book! I absolutely adored this... Had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend!!!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated... I could not put this book down... I read this book in one sitting!... Amazing.' @thenerdandherbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Absolutely fantastic... An addictive perfect mix of mystery, crime, suspense and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!! An explosive start to a new series!' Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A joy to read... Full of mystery and secrets!... Truly an unstoppable read! And I loved every minute of it!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved... A cozy, heart-warming, fast read. It felt like Scooby-Doo meets Agatha Raisin. I am here for it!... Delightful.' Frosta Wings It, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Fantastic cozy mystery!... Fun to read... This author knows how to keep the reader's attention from the first chapter!' Books and Benches, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Love... The story twisted along, with everyone becoming a suspect... A fab read, that I devoured in a day.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What a joy... Fabulous... Totally fantastic... I highly recommend this outstandingly fabulous book.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Pace moves along as you keep turning the pages to find out whodunit. You'll find yourself rooting for Flora and Jack in more ways than one. I can't wait for the next book!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

An Utterly Addictive English Cozy Mystery

Murder at Primrose Cottage

Murder at St. Saviour’s

Amateur detective duo Flora Steele and Jack Carrington have gained a reputation for crime-solving. But will they be able to untangle the latest baffling murder in the cosy village of Abbeymead? Sussex, 1957: When Flora and Jack hear that Percy Milburn - a newcomer to the area who has ruffled more than a few feathers with his grand plans for modernising Abbeymead - is missing, they're determined to find him. But after scouring the village, Flora is shocked to discover the body of the poor man in the cellar of a crumbling farmhouse. Percy's murder is tragic but not unexpected, as his ambition had made him many enemies within the small, rural community. Flora and Jack get stuck into the case, but they're sent on a wild goose chase around the village. Whoever is behind the death has taken careful steps to cover their tracks... Was it Miss Minnie Howden, the nervous housekeeper who loved Percy? Sir Frederick Neville, the owner of the farm Percy was trying to buy? Or Colin Palmer, made rich by Percy's death? Did any of the suspects dislike Percy enough to end his life? The amateur detective duo finds themselves outfoxed at every turn, unable to find any concrete clues. When their prime suspect is murdered, Flora and Jack have their work cut out to find the culprit. But the clever killer has pulled the wool over their eyes and is reeling them ever nearer to danger. Will this case finally bring Flora and Jack closer together? And can they unravel the mystery before they're led like lambs to the slaughter? A completely addictive cozy crime novel set in the fictional Sussex village of Abbeymead. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis! Readers love the Flora Steele mysteries: 'Amazing... a top-notch cosy mystery... an engaging, intelligent and intriguing murder mystery that I found totally absorbing.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated... I could not put this book down... I read this book in one sitting!... Amazing.' @thenerdandherbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Totally Gripping Cozy Mystery Novel

Murder at Abbeymead Farm

Join bookshop owner Flora Steele and handsome writer Jack Carrington as they set off on a French adventure and solve a chilling crime! Jack is stunned to receive a call from his estranged mother, asking him to drop everything and come to France. Together with Flora, his fellow sleuth, they pack their suitcases, dreaming of fragrant lavender fields and freshly baked pain au chocolat. It's only when they arrive that they discover the shocking truth - Sybil's friend was killed on a street in Paris, and she is desperate for their help. The case leads them to a picturesque village in the south of France where life should be rosé, but even the bright blue skies can't hide the fact that something is very wrong. And the mystery only deepens when Flora discovers that Sybil was in fact the intended target. Who would want her out of the way? Perhaps Sybil's relationship with wealthy Italian count Massimo Falconi has something to do with it. His darling daughter Allegra, ruthless business partner Pascal and his jealous estranged wife Isabella all have reasons for revenge... Then when another person in the small French town dies in suspicious circumstances, Flora is convinced the two untimely deaths must be connected. Just when the case seems impossible to crack, a chess box provides an unlikely clue. Can Flora discover the truth before Sybil meets her end? Or could trouble in paradise spell a final au revoir for the detective duo? A completely addictive cozy crime novel. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis! Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries: 'Fantastic... Absolutely devoured this book in one sitting!!... Yet another explosive book in an absolutely addictive series!!!... Will keep you guessing throughout! OMG!!!! THAT ENDING!!!! LOVE, LOVE, ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!!!... I LOVED IT !!!!! Clear your schedules as you won't be able to put this book down!' Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Completely Unputdownable Cozy Murder Mystery Novel

Murder in a French Village

Meet Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, daydreamer and amateur detective!

Sussex, 1955: When bookshop owner Flora Steele goes for a walk along the pier she isn’t expecting to spot a young woman’s body in the stormy waters below. And she’s shocked to discover the victim is someone she knows…

Convinced the death was not an accident, Flora persuades attractive local crime writer Jack Carrington to help her find out what really happened to poor Polly Dakers, a popular young woman with a complicated love life, who’d been at the heart of village life in Abbeymead.

Jack is reluctant to get involved in another murder case at first but even he can’t deny that Polly’s fall seems fishy. An argument at a party, a missed hairdresser’s appointment and a red woollen bobble found on the wooden boards where Polly last stood provide a trail of clues…

As they grow closer to solving the puzzling mystery, the unlikely pair stumble upon several surprising secrets about those closest to Polly. A number of potential suspects begin to emerge. But who really disliked Polly enough to kill her? Was it Raymond, her jilted first love? Harry, her latest beau? Or Evelyn, Harry’s jealous estranged wife?

As the investigation brings them closer to the truth, Flora is intent on unmasking the killer – but will her stealthy sleuthing lead her down a dangerous path?

Murder on the Pier (Flora Steele Mystery #2)

May, 1914. Nestled in Sussex, the Summerhayes mansion seems the perfect country idyll. But with a long-running feud in the Summers family and tensions in Europe deepening, Summerhayes’ peaceful days are numbered.

The Buttonmaker’s Daughter

When Paradise isn't quite what it seems... Nancy Tremayne has landed the job of her dreams in London. But this is 1955 and her husband, Leo, an art expert, has a project in the Caribbean and expects her to travel with him. Reluctantly, she packs her suitcase for Malfuego, but almost as soon as she arrives on the island, witnesses a brutal attack on a defenceless young man. And there is worse to come. Much worse. When the same man is murdered, Nancy is asked for help and, with her husband's assistant, Archie, gradually discovers the dark side of the island. And a dangerous enemy. Nancy finds her killer, but along the way the sexual tension simmering between herself and Archie finally bursts into the open. After Malfuego, life will never again be the same

Caribbean Evil

How dangerous can breaking your promise be? London, June, 1953. It's Coronation Day and among the crowd gathered at Westminster Abbey Nancy Nicholson meets the man of her dreams, someone she can truly love - or so she believes. After years of loneliness, romance has finally arrived. But there's mystery surrounding Philip March and it's not long before the questions begin. Why is Nancy never invited to his apartment? Why does she never meet his friends? How has he managed to beguile her parents? And does he truly care for Nancy, or is his love no more than a means to control? Amid growing doubts, Nancy walks away - and her life becomes a nightmare of suspense. Stalked day and night, nowhere is safe. Fear looms at her from every corner. Terror follows her home. There is no-one she can trust. No-one to help. How dangerous can breaking your promise be? Nancy is about to find out. See what reviewers have to say about the prequel to this bestselling mystery suspense series: The story is a roller-coaster of a read, with plenty of tension and suspense. Merryn's characters are real and she always sets the scene beautifully: in this case Britain in the early 1950s. The social constraints of the 1950s are keenly observed and add much to this well-written story. As Philip's menacing behaviour worsens, you hope Nancy will find the strength to face up to the reality of her situation. But in doing so, is she leaping from one disastrous situation into another? A superb prequel to Venetian Vendetta. Amazon categories: Mystery, thriller and suspense Women's fiction Women sleuths International mystery and crime Detective Crime

The Tremayne Mysteries Series

The Dangerous Promise

A terrible accident-or the murder of someone keeping dangerous secrets? Newly-wed Nancy is shocked to see a woman fall to her death. But was it really an accident? Plunging more and more deeply into the secrets Venice holds close, Nancy realises she may be forced to make a choice-the truth or her life?

Venetian Vendetta

A tragic accident at the opera - or the murder of someone keeping dangerous secrets? While watching the opera at La Fenice, Nancy Tremayne is shocked to see a woman fall to her death. But how did this tragedy occur? Newlywed Nancy is accompanying her art professor husband, Leo, on a work trip. As she explores Italy's beautiful city on the water, she is increasingly compelled to uncover the mysterious circumstances surrounding the woman's death. Leo is adamant it was an accident but his assistant, Archie, reluctantly helps Nancy despite his seeming coldness to her. Nancy's determination to reveal the facts puts her in harm's way more than once. As she learns more about Venice's secrets she realises she may be forced to make a choice - the truth, or her life? An engaging and atmospheric historical crime novel perfect for fans of Kate Furnivall and Rachel Rhys.

Merryn Allingham

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