Merryn Allingham

Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, day dreamer and amateur detective as she tackles her first case! Sussex, 1955: When Flora Steele opens up her bookshop one morning she’s in for the surprise of her life! Because there, amongst her bookcases, is the body of a young man, with a shock of white-blond hair. But who was he? And how did he come to be there? Determined to save her beloved bookshop’s reputation and solve the baffling mystery, Flora enlists the help of handsome and brooding Jack Carrington: crime writer, recluse and her most reliable customer. The unlikely duo set about investigating the extraordinary case, following a lead across the sleepy village of Abbeymead to The Priory Hotel. When the hotel’s gardener dies suddenly, and they find out their victim was staying there, Flora’s suspicions are raised. Are the two deaths connected? Is someone at the hotel responsible – the nervous cook, the money-obsessed receptionist, or the formidable manageress? As the trail of clues takes Flora and Jack all over the village itbecomes clear there’s more than one person hiding secrets in Abbeymead… But does Flora have what it takes to uncover the truth – or will her amateur sleuthing put her in harm’s way?

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?

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?

Bookshop owner and amateur detective Flora Steele teams up with handsome crime writer Jack Carrington to unravel a curious murder in the village of Abbeymead! Sussex, 1957: When Flora and her partner-in-crime-solving, Jack, arrive at the charming church of St Saviour’s the last thing they’re expecting to find is the curate, Lyle Beaumont, lifeless on the flagstone floor beneath the belltower, with a mysterious note in his hand. Flora is dismayed to find the poor curate dead. But she can’t help being intrigued by the eclectic mix of bell ringers present at the old church – Mr Preece, the local butcher, Dilys Fuller, the busybody postmistress, and Stephen Henshall, a newcomer to the close-knit community. Any one of them could be the culprit – and Flora needs to act fast before someone gets away with murder… When Flora and Jack begin their sleuthing, they quickly realise all is not what it seems with the victim, and the certainty of the dead man’s identity becomes the first twist in the investigation. Just as they’re getting closer to the answer, the death of one of the suspects changes everything. As a series of unexplained accidents unfolds across the village, it seems no-one who was present at the church on the night of the curate’s demise is safe. Has the bell tolled on Flora and Jack’s detective days? And will they work out the truth in time to save themselves?

Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, and amateur detective – as she faces her most puzzling case yet! Sussex, 1957: When Flora Steele and handsome 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?

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? An utterly delightful cozy crime novel set in the fictional Sussex village of Abbeymead. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!

Bookshop owner Flora Steele and writer Jack Carrington fell in love solving mysteries. Now they’re taking their first steps as husband and wife… straight into their most perplexing case yet. Sussex, 1958: A radiant Flora is being twirled across the dancefloor by her dashing new husband, Jack. It’s the perfect wedding in Abbeymead, until a mysterious stranger is found dead just outside the village. But when Flora finds an envelope tucked into the man’s silver cigarette case, the address is key to discovering the poor chap’s name – Russell Farr. He isn’t known to any of the villagers, so at first all signs point to a tragic accident. That is, until they discover Farr previously worked at the esteemed Cleve College, where Jack is now a writer-in-residence. The college has made Jack feel uneasy ever since he learned his predecessor drowned in its lake, and now it appears a second suspicious death is connected to it. But who would want two mild-mannered academics dead? Could it be Jocelyn, the ambitious young teacher with her sights set on the top? Joe, the sly porter living beyond his means? Or perhaps Maurice, the college dean who seems far more interested in power than educating students? Just when it looks like no amount of studying will crack this case, a chance encounter brings Flora closer to the truth. But when Jack goes missing,it seems someone is determined to teach them both a lesson. Can Flora and Jack outwit the killer before they graduate to becoming the next victims? Or will their first case as husband and wife be their last?

Rozwiąż kolejną zagadkę z Florą Steele – właścicielką księgarni, rowerzystką i niezawodną detektywką, którą los wrzuca zawsze w sam środek najbardziej niebezpiecznych zdarzeń! Flora Steele i Jack Carrington, autor kryminałów, zjawiają się na uroczystym otwarciu hotelu. Doskonała pogoda, wspaniałe przyjęcie i coś, czego nigdy wcześniej nie było w Abbeymead – koncert rock'n'rollowego zespołu! Kiedy wydaje się, że nic nie może zepsuć tak cudownego dnia, ognistowłosa wokalistka upada martwa na scenie. Jak doszło do przedwczesnej śmierci młodej kobiety o wspaniałym głosie? Flora ma przeczucie, że to nie był zwykły wypadek i jest zdeterminowana, aby odkryć ponurą tajemnicę. Zwłaszcza że prowadzący śledztwo sierżant jest zupełnie bezradny... Czy Florze uda się znaleźć winnego, zanim stanie się kolejną ofiarą? A może jej dociekliwość ściągnie niebezpieczeństwo również na Jacka? Intrygująca powieść kryminalna osadzona w uroczej angielskiej wiosce. Idealna dla fanów Sherlocka Holmesa i Herkulesa Poirota.

Wymarzone wakacje Flory Steele szybko zamieniają się w koszmar – jeszcze zanim na dobre wyjedzie z wioski! Gdy Flora Steele wyrusza na wakacje z pisarzem kryminałów Jackiem Carringtonem, ostatnią rzeczą, jakiej się spodziewa, jest ciało znalezione obok uroczego domu, który wynajmują. Zaszokowana makabrycznym odkryciem, próbuje się dowiedzieć, jak to się stało, że ktoś został zamordowany w tak spokojnym, cichym miejscu w przepięknej Kornwalii. Tym bardziej że Roger Gifford miał mnóstwo przyjaciół, którzy wydają się zdruzgotani jego nagłą śmiercią... Sprawy komplikują się coraz bardziej, gdy zostaje odnalezione kolejne ciało, a Jack otrzymuje niepokojący list. Czy autorowi kryminałów grozi los godny fikcyjnych bohaterów jego własnych książek? I czy Florze uda się rozwikłać kolejną sprawę i uratować Jacka? A może będzie to o jedno morderstwo za dużo...

Dla Flory Steele bujanie w obłokach i leniwe popołudnia to już przeszłość. Nadchodzą zmiany, których nie da się powstrzymać! Kiedy w zimny styczniowy dzień Flora wybiera się na spacer po molo, nie spodziewa się, że we wzburzonych wodach zauważy ciało młodej kobiety. Jest zszokowana, gdy odkrywa, że ofiarą jest ktoś, kogo zna... Przekonana, że w okolicy doszło do morderstwa, dociekliwa właścicielka księgarni prosi Jacka Carringtona, pisarza kryminałów, aby pomógł jej odkryć prawdę. Tylko razem mają szansę zdemaskować zbrodniarza. Kłótnia na przyjęciu, odwołana wizyta u fryzjera i czerwony pompon znaleziony na drewnianym pomoście, na którym ostatnio widziano kobietę... Wszyscy mieszkańcy wioski są podejrzani. Kto z nich ma krew na rękach? Raymond, porzucona pierwsza miłość? Harry – najnowszy ukochany? A może Evelyn, jego zazdrosna żona? Flora za wszelką cenę pragnie rozwiązać zagadkę. Czy nie jest to jednak zbyt niebezpieczne? Intrygująca powieść kryminalna osadzona w scenerii angielskiej wiosce Abbeymead. Idealna dla fanów Sherlocka Holmesa i Herkulesa Poirota.

Poznaj Florę Steele – przebojową właścicielkę księgarni, rowerzystkę, marzycielkę po uszy zakochaną w książkach! Pewnego ranka Flora otwiera swoją księgarnię i wśród regałów znajduje ciało młodego mężczyzny. Jak został zabity? Kim jest? I co teraz będzie z jej ukochanym miejscem? Zdeterminowana, by ocalić reputację księgarni i rozwiązać kłopotliwą zagadkę, prosi o pomoc przystojnego Jacka Carringtona – autora kryminałów, samotnika i jej najbardziej niezawodnego klienta. Nieprawdopodobny duet stanie na głowie, by odkryć prawdę, choć oboje czują, że w Abbeymead dzieje się coś złego. Sprawy jeszcze bardziej się komplikują, gdy nagle umiera jeden z mieszkańców wioski, pozornie nieszkodliwy starszy pan. Czy te dwa zgony są ze sobą powiązane? Nieco nerwowa właścicielka miejscowej cukierni, aspirująca modelka z obsesją na punkcie pieniędzy czy budząca grozę menadżerka hotelu... Okazuje się, że w sennej angielskiej wiosce sekrety czają się niemal na każdym zakręcie.