Overview

'A writer of stealthy brilliance . . . the Miss Marple of crime fiction.' Andrew Taylor Do you love a classic English whodunit? Then meet your favourite new gentleman sleuth: whip-smart Oxford don, Dr Patrick Grant. He loves rhyming verse, witty banter, strong coffee and solving impossible mysteries from history. Now he must pit his wits against a true-life killer. **A CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger winner for outstanding lifetime achievement!** A sprawling country mansion. A tense family gathering. Someone under this roof won't live to see morning . . . When Dr Patrick Grant visits the quiet Hampshire village of Winterswick, he expects nothing more than a weekend of genteel conversation, good food and the odd glass of fine wine. But at Pantons, the Ludlow family's imposing country house, tensions simmer beneath the polite smiles. Gerald Ludlow is back from his travels, with a stunning new American bride on his arm. And not everyone is delighted by the match - not least Gerald's waspish mother. Even the housekeeper, dear old Mrs Mackenzie, is less than welcoming. One look at Gerald's wife and she almost drops the soufflé in shock. The poor woman turns deathly pale. Like she's seen a ghost. Next morning, the house wakes up to a terrible shock. Mrs Mackenzie lies dead in her bed! The police say she died of natural causes. But Patrick's not so sure. The Mrs Mack he knew was strong as an ox. As gossip ripples through the village, Patrick's sharp mind and love of a puzzle draw him into the investigation. Everyone at Pantons has a secret to hide. It's only a matter of which was worth killing for. Can Patrick unravel the truth before the killer strikes again? A masterclass in misdirection, brimming with village intrigue and sly humour, this page-turning mystery is perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie, Veronica Heley, the Reverend Richard Coles and Clare Chase. 'Explores the dark undercurrents of village life.' Daily Telegraph 'There was nobody better . . . Margaret Yorke wrote with a pen dipped in acid.' Val McDermid MEET THE SLEUTH Dr Patrick Grant is a man of unparalleled intellect, as sharp and complex as his whisky namesake. He'd happily devote every moment to poring over Shakespeare's plays, chortling at student fashions, jotting down lines of iambic pentameter and solving obscure historical puzzles in the library of St Mark's College, Oxford. In this haven of musty old manuscripts and quiet cloisters, he can pursue his passions in peace - if only murder wouldn't keep on getting in the way! Stumbling on crime scenes is becoming a habit for Patrick. And he's never one to shy away from a baffling mystery. But will his curiosity and his brilliant puzzle-solving mind be his undoing . . . ? Readers love the Oxford Don Mysteries! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I wholeheartedly recommend! But be warned . . . I'll bet you can't read just one!' Donny, Goodreads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Jam packed with twists and turns that will leave you guessing till the last page.' Tash, Goodreads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Yorke never lets me down. Fantastic.' Nicky, Amazon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Loved every minute - and the surprise ending. Splendid British cozy.' Jill, Amazon

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9781805732938

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Margaret Yorke (January 1924-November 2012) was one of the most renowned British female authors of the mystery novel. She was born in Surrey but she spent her childhood in Dublin, Ireland before moving to England in 1937. During World War II she worked as a driver for the Women's Royal Naval service, and after the war she became the first woman to work in Christ Church library, Oxford.She served as Chairman of the Crime Writer's association between 1979 and 1980, and went on to win the 1993 Golden Handcuffs award, a prize given to the UK's most popular crime writer. She was also awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger in 1999.

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