In the sleepy village of Over Hampton lies a small cottage with a picture-perfect garden… but inside the ivy-covered walls a woman is dead on the bathroom floor.

The warm summer weather is giving Sukey Reynolds a chance to enjoy the stunning English countryside around her new home. She has met a handsome local journalist, and there might be a new romance on the cards.

Everything is quiet at work too. So when the village doctor calls, saying he is sure there is something fishy about one of his patients’ deaths, Sukey follows up his claims. Well-liked and kindly Adelaide Minchin was found by her milkman, and appears to have died in a fall. Sukey can find no evidence to the contrary, but promises the doctor she will keep his theory in mind.

Meanwhile, the police force is suddenly very busy after two young girls go missing in the very same village. It’s all hands on deck to bring them home safely, but as Sukey investigates the last place the girls were seen, she realises it was very close to Adelaide’s cottage… Is it possible that the cases are linked?

Sukey’s colleagues are not convinced by her hunch, so she does some sleuthing in her spare time, determined to prove them wrong. In the close-knit village she has no shortage of possible suspects: was it the benevolent builders, the frazzled new father or the muddled milkman…? And can she find the real culprit, and bring the girls back home, before any more innocent lives are lost?

An absolutely unputdownable, one-sitting read, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!

This book was previously published as Miss Minchin Dies.

What readers are saying about Betty Rowlands:

‘Riveting, can’t put it down! I love this story… a wonderfully twisted tale of a crime that has more twists than I thought possible… fantastic.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘OMG I loved this book! A proper whodunnit with great characters and a fabulous plot. This reminded me of the Agatha Christie mysteries I used to read as a child… Excited for the next in the series!’ Mrs Roadley Reads, 5 stars

‘BRILLIANT!… Having read and enjoyed the Melissa Craig series as well, I find the Sukey Reynolds even more engaging and I can’t wait to read more in this series!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘It was unwise of me to begin this book in late afternoon because it held me to the pages until I finished it!… diabolical twists and red herrings… addictive!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Betty Rowlands is the mistress of cozy whodunits… I simply cannot wait for the next book in the series to be released… A fantastic series.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Yay, a new series by Betty Rowlands and a new heroine to cheer for in Sukey Reynolds. I am a huge fan of this author’s books and this one with all its twists and turns is another delicious book and series to follow.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars