Synopses & Reviews
From the author of the Lois Meade Mysteries...
Save the date: Ivy Elizabeth Beasley is ready to share her golden years and plans to wed Roy Vivian Goodman on the fifth of May. A spinster no more, the private eye is in for marriage, murder, and mishaps galore
Its the talk of Ivy Beasley's retirement communityher fiancé, Roy, has quite the hefty inheritance. She couldnt care less about his fortune, but it has a way of luring long-lost relatives out of the woodwork. And when, against Ivys wishes, Roy asks his dubious nephew, furniture salesman Steven Wright, to be the best man, she cannot help but disapprove. After all, she suspects hes out for his uncles fortune
But after the banns of Ivy and Roys marriage are announced at the Barrington village church and an anonymous voice shouts out a protest, the wedding may be off. And with the discovery of a body in a bed in a nearby furniture shop, Ivy and her team of sleuths at Enquire Within may be closer to a dangerous reception than they realize.
Review
[An] entertaining entry...the indomitable Lois is something of an updated Miss Marple. (
Booklist)
Review
Praise for the Ivy Beasley Mysteries “This cozy will keep you guessing until the last page. A very fast story with a very unique main character in Ivy. Full of wit, animosity and friendships to keep.”—
Once Upon a Romance “A pleasant read, evoking Saint Mary Mead and Miss Marple with its atmosphere of surface calm and hidden demons. Its a solid book, cleverly plotted and tightly structured, with all the makings of a perennial favorite.”—
Curled Up with a Good Book
...and the Lois Meade Mysteries
"Spot-on observations of working-class village life."--Publishers Weekly
"A real page turner." --Kirkus Reviews
"The indomitable Lois is something of an updated Miss Marple"--Booklist
Synopsis
Another fine mess for Lois Meade and long suffering husband Derek. From the moment his car stopped outside her door, Lois Meade didn?t like the look of Reg Abthorpe who asked her to clean Uncle Herbert Everitt's house now that the old man had moved into an old folks? home. But no-one in the closely knit village of Long Farnden thought Mr Everitt to be that frail or infirm. William Cox was another matter ? in declining health since the death of his wife, but notoriously reclusive and dependent on his dog, Rosie. Was his bad temper natural grumpiness or was he a frightened old man? Good questions, but difficult to answer when Mr Cox, too, has disappeared. Dead animals appear on gateposts and faithful pets are slaughtered. Villagers are being intimidated; and even some of Lois? faithful staff are too frightened to come forward with their doubts and fears. As the atmosphere in Long Farnden and Tresham darkens, Lois calls upon her old ally Chief Inspector Hunter Cowgill ? much to Derek's distress.
Synopsis
Lois usually steers clear of local gossip, but after tidying up the house that newcomer Reg Abthorpe claims to have inherited, she has more suspicions than she can keep to herself. The home's previous resident was known for his beloved terrier, robust nature, and deficiency of living relatives. So why is Reg presenting himself as the old man's nephew-and where could the sprightly geriatric (and his dog) possibly have gone?
About the Author
Ann Purser is also the author of the Lois Meade Mysteries that ran from Murder on Monday to Sorrow on Sunday and now continue Lois Meade's sleuthing in Warning at One, Tragedy at Two, Threats at Three, Foul Play at Four, and Found Guilty at Five. The series featuring Ivy Beasley includes such titles as The Hangman's Row Enquiry and The Measby Murder Enquiry. She was born in Market Harborough in Leicestershire, and has lived most of her life in villages. She has turned her hand to many things, including journalism (as a columnist for SHE magazine), keeper of hens and donkeys, art gallery manager, clerical assistant in a village school, Open University graduate, novelist, mother of three, wife of Philip Purser, critic and writer. She is an avid reader of detective stories.