Crime, Thriller & Mystery

When Julia Bird’s ex-husband Peter and his lovely partner Christopher decide to get married in Berrywick, Julia is delighted – after all, who doesn’t love a country wedding? Little does Julia know that normally calm and collected Christopher will turn into a full-on Groomzilla – and that by the end of the night, someone will end up dead.

The morning after the big day, the jolly nuptial mood turns grim when Julia discovers the lifeless body of the caterer, Desmond. Someone locked him in the cold truck and the poor man froze to death. Now looking for a murderer, all eyes are on Christopher who, mid-tantrum, had publicly threatened to kill him. Convinced that Christopher is innocent, Julia vows to find the real culprit.

Julia soon discovers Desmond had a long list of enemies as she races against the clock to clear Christopher’s name. Could his death be the work of the respected wedding planner who was heard exchanging choice words with the victim? Or perhaps it was his wife – ‘til death do them part – who didn’t shed a single tear at his funeral?

But just when Julia thinks she’s cracked the case, her prime suspect is found dead with a knife in their back. Can Julia find the murderer before they strike again?

An utterly gripping, charming cosy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries.

Readers are loving the Julia Bird Mysteries:

‘I absolutely LOVED this… Julia Bird was an amazing and lovable character… Once I started it, I couldn’t stop.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘There just aren’t enough stars for this one, so I can only give it FIVE!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my, I loved Julia Bird… she is a delight! I can’t wait for the next one! Please don’t let it be long!’ MoongloTexas, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fabulous… addictive… a witty and delightful crime novel full of delicious red herrings, rural mischief and bucolic charm that is impossible to put down.’ Bookish Jottings

‘I was hooked on the mystery immediately… If you haven’t read this series you are missing out! Pure entertainment… a fabulous read and I can’t wait for the next one.’ @onceuponatimebookreviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Kept me engrossed and I completed the book within a day… I would highly recommend this cosy crime page-turner as the perfect indulgent summer evening escape.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Cloaked strangers and danger abound…

Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker are coming to the end of another busy half term as dinner ladies at Summerview Secondary school. The school is abuzz with chatter about the upcoming break, the local harvest festival, and the fact that maths teacher, Mr Weaver, hasn’t turned up to work in days.

When the pair embark on an evening walk, they discover Mr Weaver’s body in the woods, with a mysterious symbol painted on the tree beside him. Something suspicious is clearly afoot.

As the nights grow darker and the mysterious symbols continue to appear around Dewstow, the Dinner Lady Detectives are pulled deeper into the case. Can they solve the mystery as deceit and chaos reigns, or will their killer pull off another deadly trick?

A fun and charming cosy mystery, perfect for fans of J.M Hall and Fiona Leitch.

Praise for Hannah Hendy

‘Hannah is at the top of the tree of modern whodunnits. The characters, bar none, are real; the settings are glorious and the plots are devilishly clever’ Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants

‘Who knew being a dinner lady could be so dangerous – but so much fun?! With a plot that’s twistier than school dinner spag bol, Clem and Margery are the only school dinner ladies guaranteed to give you belly laughs rather than indigestion’ Fiona Leitch, author of The Cornish Village Murder

‘Hendy is, by far, one of the very best cosy writers we have – and A Frightfully Fatal Affair sees her on sparkling form’ Jonathan Whitelaw, author of The Bingo Hall Detectives

‘Twisty, delightful, and laugh-out-loud funny. I fell in love with Margery and Clementine from the first page’ Antony Johnston, author of The Dog Sitter Detective on The Dinner Lady Detectives

‘I really enjoyed this – a terrific zesty look at the dark underside of a modern-day secondary school’ J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of Murder

‘A captivating murder mystery’ Women’s Own

‘Great to catch up with the dinner ladies and their detective skills. A fantastic read, roll on the next instalment!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘This sucked me in from the beginning with its relatable characters and really original plot! I will be reading more by Hannah Hendy for sure, I love her writing style.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘The characters and descriptions are well written. It’s a fast paced and easy to read book. I was surprised by the ending. I will be recommending this book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘I love this series and I have a rather big soft spot for Clementine and Margery. This book has the right mix of mystery, laughs and murder. If you are a fan of murder mysteries and cosy crime then please give this series a go.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘It was hard to put this one down before I turned that last page. A really good cozy. I’ll be back for more in this series!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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A game of wits between a Royal sleuth and a seasoned detective – but who will crack the case first in these three page-turning mysteries?

“Richard Osman and MC Beaton fans are going to love Helen Golden…Irrepressible, hilarious, intriguing and full of mischief, mayhem and red herrings.”

“I am a huge fan of ‘A Right Royal Cozy Investigation’ series and have read all the books. I love Helen’s writing style and find her humour sassy and fun to read.”

IN THIS COLLECTION:
Spruced Up For Murder
Death at Francis Court Now Confirmed as Murder! Speculation is rife that the victim, estate manager Alex Sterling (44), was found by Lady Beatrice (35), the Countess of Rossex, niece of King James. Lady Beatrice, who has finally come out of hiding following her son’s departure to boarding school, has been managing the project to refurbish and redesign the Events Suite at Francis Court, alongside Perry Juke. Heading up the murder investigation is Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam. Rumour has it that he and Lady Beatrice have a fractious history…

Awful man! How dare Fitzwilliam suggest Lady Beatrice’s sister is the number one suspect for Alex’s murder. It could be any one of the staff who were on-site that morning. Well, she’ll show Mr High and Mighty Fitzwilliam! With her attention to detail, her clever dog Daisy, Perry’s imagination, and his partner’s contacts at Fenshire CID, they’ll find the murderer before him. And then they’ll see who’ll look like a fool. Because it won’t be Lady Beatrice, will it?

For Richer, For Deader
Is the Wedding Between TV’s Sir Hewitt Willoughby-Franklin’s Step-Daughter and Billionaire’s Son Off? Rumours are that the recent death of Kelley Lindsell (29), the personal chef of tycoon Rudy (68) and Sheri Trotman (65) at Sir Hewitt’s Fawstead Manor country estate in Fenshire, has spooked Sybil Bransgrove (36) so badly she’s considering cancelling her nuptials. Meanwhile the bride and her mother Lady Grace (61) are being supported by family friend Lady Beatrice (36), the Countess of Rossex, who, alongside her business partner Perry Juke, is currently managing the project to refurbish the Manor House and Lodge on the estate.

Not again! Now that Lady Grace has asked amateur sleuth Lady Beatrice to liaise with the police during the investigation into Kelley’s death, she’ll have to cooperate with boorish Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam whether she likes it or not. Her only relief will be solving the murder with the help of her friends Perry and Simon and her dog Daisy to get rid of him faster. But with so many wedding party guests staying on-site, any one of them could be the killer. Can they find out who it is before Sybil calls off the wedding…

Not Mushroom For
TV Chef Luca Mazza Dies After Collapse at Food Show on the King’s Private Estate. Luca Mazza (38), who was taken ill during a food demonstration at the Fenn House Food and Wine Festival two days ago, is now known to have ingested poison. Lady Beatrice (36), the king’s niece, who is working on a refurbishment project at Fenn House with her business partner Perry Juke (34), is believed to be comforting Luca’s boss and close friend Sebastiano Marchetti (38), who she began dating last month.

Is he crazy? Why else would Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam suggest that Sebastiano poisoned Luca without any evidence? So now, with the help of her little dog Daisy and her best friends Perry and Simon, amateur sleuth Lady Beatrice will have to prove to Mr Know-it-all Fitzwilliam that Seb is innocent. But with so many people having access to the food preparation area at the show how will she find out who did murder Luca before Fitzwilliam lets his personal dislike get the better of him and arrests Seb?

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Dr Nell Ward is in the lush, emerald-green hills of Ireland to attend the wedding of two dear friends at a picture-perfect farmhouse.

But family tensions are running high in the days before the happy couple tie the knot. And when Nell hears a fox kill a hare in the early morning, the bad omen sends shivers down her spine. Almost like it is a sign of something to come…

Then one of the locals makes a gruesome discovery in a nearby peat bog. The habitats are famous for the ancient bodies they can preserve for thousands of years. This woman, however, died much more recently and was clearly a victim of foul play.

Nell and her friends are suddenly in the middle of another murder case. Can they trace the truth to unmask a long-hidden killer and save the wedding, before it’s too late?

An absolutely gripping and page-turning cozy mystery to curl up with. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood and Janice Hallett.

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‘Tis the season for gold, frankincense and murder…

It’s winter in the small town of Dewstow, and Margery is preparing for her first Christmas as Summerview school’s kitchen manager. She’s supported by her wife, Clementine, and is trying to stay focused on the task at hand.

The pair are determined to stay out of the way of the Christmas concert planning that has gripped the rest of the staff. However, they are caught in the crossfire when the stage lights collapse at the first practice, killing Mrs Large, the music teacher.

Mrs Smith, the Head of Drama, is the prime suspect and is desperate for the Dinner Lady Detectives to clear her name. Mrs Smith is convinced that it’s sabotage by her rival, Mrs Blossom, the drama teacher at Ittonvale Secondary, but there’s evidence that points to her own misdeeds. Can Margery and Clementine trust their friend? And when things start to heat up in the kitchen, will they make it out in time?

A charming and festive British village mystery, perfect for fans of Robert Thorogood and Fiona Leitch.

Praise for The Dinner Lady Detectives

‘This cosy crime novel has some hilarious moments and is perfect to curl up with’ Heat

‘A brilliant read! Bella

‘A brilliant whodunnit!’ Closer

‘The plot is great, the character cast is spot on, and the dialogue and humor is so quick, smart, and addictive. Margery and Clem play off one another brilliantly. I cannot wait to read the next book (please say there will be one!!!!!!) and highly recommend this gem.’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you are after a gentle and amusing read, this will not disappoint!’ Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heaps of fun. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the absurdities and the chaos that surrounded Clementine and Margery.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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An emotionally charged narrative! – Mars Patterson

Elias Nicholas is forcibly wrenched from his cherished life by the state for the murder of a university medical student, leaving behind his beloved wife and two little innocent children. But he soon finds an unexpected solace in the confines of the notorious Badagry prison and an unconventional connection to his remote family.

Eighteen years after, the society uncovers the long-guarded truth of his wrongful incarceration. And presently, the state extends a bittersweet invitation to return Nicholas home to a world vastly transformed from the one he left behind.

Nicholas faces an agonizing decision: between reintegration into a society that has evolved during his absence after nearly two decades, and the contemplation of spending the rest of his days within the confines of the much familiar prison terrain.

In BLIND REVENGE, A. O. Nathaniels weaves a poignant narrative of love, loss, and the raw human spirit of resilience in the face of injustice. Explore the gripping tale of a man torn between two vastly different lives and the monumental decision that will shape the rest of his existence and the lives of those he holds dear. Will Nicholas choose to rebuild his life outside the prison walls or find enduring peace within the confines of his incarceration? Discover the unyielding power of hope and the complexities of human resilience in this compelling and emotionally charged narrative.

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