Synopses & Reviews
Lois Meade has done enough buffing and polishing over the years with her cleaning business, New Brooms, to know that all that glitters is not gold. So when a bag of costume jewellery is the main clue in a murder, she has a strong suspicion that appearances may be deceiving
After a woman is discovered in the Mill House Hotel, strangled with a silver necklace beside a bag filled with faux silver, gold and pearls, costume jewelry dealer Donald Black seems like the obvious suspect. But Lois knows Donald's wife, who runs a bakers shop near the hotel, and cant believe her husband could be a killer. Plus, Donald has an airtight alibi.
Nevertheless, Donald is no angel. It appears hes running a pyramid scheme, and Loiss mother is getting sucked in. Could the murder have anything to do with his unscrupulous business practices?
As Inspector Cowgill and Lois hope the bling may shine a light on the killer, the discovery of a second body on the old waterwheel in the hotel may be grist for the mill in solving the murderif they can manage to catch the culprit without getting the runaround.
Review
Praise for the Lois Meade Mysteries and#8220;A working-class Miss Marpleand#160;.and#160;.and#160;. The entire series [is] a treat.and#8221;and#8212;Richmond Times-Dispatch
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and#8220;A refreshingly working-class heroine.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly
and#8220;As always, the Lois Meade Mysteries exemplify the English-village cozyand#160;.and#160;.and#160;. Readers have grown to love the residents of Long Farnden.and#8221;and#8212;The Mystery Reader
Review
Praise for Ann Purser and the Lois Meade Mysteries
“A working-class Miss Marple…The entire series [is] a treat.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch
“Cleverly plotted, with thoroughly believable characters, rising tension, and a smashing climax.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Loiss powers of observation and cooperation with the police often [lead] to a startling conclusion.”—Publishers Weekly
“[A] delightful mystery with its quaint setting and fascinating players.”—Library Journal
“A treat for cozy fans.”—Booklist
Synopsis
From the author of Tragedy at Two-the latest Lois Meade mystery in which timing is everything.
Lois Meade has worked through all the days of the week, turning up clues and scrubbing up both messes and murderers in the village of Long Farnden. But crime is a persistent stain...
When a dead body is found in a canal, Detective Cowgill believes the murder is connected to a suspicious fire and a heated dispute over saving the local village hall. Time to turn to the ever reliable Lois Meade to sort out the culprits and pick up the loose ends-before their village hall turns into a funeral hall...
Synopsis
When the Long Farden village hall is in danger of being destroyed, the citizens form a committee to save it, with the usual grumps and curmudgeons included. But it seems someone opposes the preservation enough to set the historic building on fire. When a dead body turns up in the canal, Inspector Cowgill fears the dispute is only going to get uglier-and deadlier. Naturally, he turns to Lois Meade to sort out the culprit before the village hall becomes a funeral hall...
Synopsis
Lois Meade has scrubbed her way through the homes in Long Farnden, and sheand#8217;s not afraid of dusting cobwebs and killing a few bugs. But in her role as amateur sleuth, sheand#8217;s learning to beware of snakes in the grassand#160;.and#160;.and#160;. and#160;
Spring has arrived in Long Farnden and with it, a mysterious infestation. Lois Meadeand#8217;s daughter has found her village store overrun by insects and reptiles. As Lois looks into the invasion, her investigation leads her to Robert Pettison, a seemingly unhinged zookeeper, and his nephew. The two of them are knee-deep in illegal trade, and they donand#8217;t take kindly to Lois poking her nose into their business.
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Lois enlists the help of her faithful cleaner Dot Nimmo and police inspector Hunter Cowgill to discover more about Pettison and a suspicious death at the zoo. And death is in store for more people if Lois doesnand#8217;t put the killer behind bars soonand#160;.and#160;.and#160;.
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About the Author
Ann Purser 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 owner, 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.