Julia South-Brown is busy. Between trying for a baby, having her adopted daughter move out, renovating her beloved cafe, and training for the annual Peridale marathon, she doesn't have much time for anything, especially solving the recent murder of local farmer, Ted Coleman. Despite Peridale Farm only being just up the lane from Julia's cottage, she doesn't know much about the reclusive Coleman family, which is why she's happy to take a backseat.
But, when Ted's young widow, Denise, turns up on Julia's doorstep begging for help, she finds it impossible to turn the fragile woman away. Ted's three sons and ex-wife are making Denise's life a living hell. Everyone thinks she murdered her husband to claim ownership of the farm, and she needs Julia's help to prove her innocence. With death bringing out the worst sides of everyone in the Coleman family, Julia soon finds herself in over her head.
Who stabbed Ted Coleman in the back with a knife during a family party, and more importantly, why? Can Julia sift through the family lies to find out the truth, and can she trust the widow who begged for her help? With her own personal family problems stacking up, Julia finds it difficult to discover a balance, but does she have it in her to walk away from one of her most difficult cases?
A FUN British village cosy/cozy mystery packed with HEART, HUMOUR, FAMILY DRAMA, and plenty of TWISTS and TURNS! The 17th book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Series. Standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth set in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes.