What a twisty plot! Kind of like if Agatha Christie was alive and writing mysteries in the present. Karen

Blackmail, crime, murder, revenge, obsession, deception, lies and secrets … this book has it all! Linda S.

One to read slowly, and savour like a fine wine. MyShelf

Originally published as Tongued with Fire.

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Delivering twist after brilliant twist, this clever whodunnit is sure to keep you guessing until the final page.

Welcome to Oldminster, a quaint little town where there’s always a mystery to be solved.

Frank Renfield, Baron of Renfield Hall, will stop at nothing to save himself from ruin. Even if that means marrying his daughter off to a rich American.

Unfortunately for him, she is already in love with a penniless nobody named Alan Lavender - to the glee of Alan’s greedy uncle Guy.

He’s been nosing into the Renfields’ murky past, and he says he’s uncovered a secret. Something so shocking it casts a shadow over Frank’s entire legacy.

Tensions run high at the hall, until Guy Lavender turns up dead.

A convenient coincidence for Frank?

Detectives French and Edwards are on the case. But in a town full of secrets, the truth can be hard to find.

And Guy’s won’t be the only body to fall before their work is done …

Who will be next to die under the Renfields’ roof?

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Perfect for fans of Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie, Frances Lloyd, Catherine Moloney, Anthony Horowitz, or Ann Cleeves.

What everyone is saying:

Crime, murder, debt, revenge, family, image, obsession, past impacting the present … so many emotions and motivations in this book! Cathy

With a plot containing blackmail, several murders, secondary characters who are more rounded than in many other novels, good pacing, and good style, this is a novel that I relished to the end. Michael

This is a quality modern-day murder mystery but with an old-fashioned feel. Well written and entertaining with excellent characterization throughout, plenty of plot twists and turns … certainly more than enough for this reader at any rate. Authentic and engaging from first to last page. Highly recommended. John

A fantastic mystery that is well written and has great characters. I loved this book and want to read more from this author. Cristie

THE SETTING Oldminster is a city with a past and an ancient cathedral at its heart. Visit the twisty maze-like streets of the old quarter, and prepare to fall in love. But cross over the river - to the seamy side of town - and you’ll discover a secret side to this picture-perfect little place. Oldminster might seem like a place for summer rain and golden sunsets, but like Miss Marple’s village, it’s cram-full of wickedness.

THE DETECTIVES DS Glyn Edwards Thirty-something DS Edwards lives with his wife Sandra, but his home life is anything but blissful. Is his career about to cost him his marriage? Or can he find a way to reconcile the two? Either way, Glyn is a very hands-on detective who never gives up on a case. He works hand-in-glove with his superior officer …

DI French Redoubtable Detective French has always been a stickler for order, detail and procedure - until the arrival of his baby daughter late in his marriage to Moira turned his orderly world upside down. Still, he doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and is more than a match for certain prickly, well-to-do residents of Oldminster.

ALSO BY NORMAN RUSSELL THE OLDMINSTER MYSTERIES Book 1: AN INVITATION TO MURDER