A locked room and an unresponsive guest in Dorothy Little’s, Tulip Cottage prompts Dorothy to ask her neighbours, Dr. Laurel Nightingale and Albert for help. Later the same day a famous crime author Hugh Quintrell, consults Laurel to help cure his writer’s block. However, the professional relationship he wants with Laurel is not as client and therapist but a collaborative one to solve the crime discovered at Tulip Cottage.
Elderwick, Laurel’s new home has seen a number of murders since her arrival from Somerset a few months earlier, prompting her thoughts that she may be the catalyst. Reluctantly at first together with her friends Albert and Maggie, she sets out to unravel this new mystery.
Elderwick is an ideal village with the Plump Tart Village Bakery, The Snooty Fox Pub and of course the centre of much of the cognitive action, The Pleasant Pheasant tea room. The pictures formed in the mind’s eye are something I particularly enjoyed.
With numerous twists and turns to keep me on my toes, I raced through the book very quickly. I found it an enjoyable read, more please Ms Gray.
Fenlandphil's Blog 
Posted by Cathy Cade on November 14, 2024 at 2:19 pm
That sounds different. A touch Midsommer methinks… One for the TBR list.
Posted by fenlandphil on November 14, 2024 at 6:39 pm
It has a Midsommer murder feel but it is a different take.
Posted by Esther Chilton on November 14, 2024 at 5:27 pm
This sounds right up my street. I love a locked room mystery with lots of twists and turns. Thank you for the review.
Posted by fenlandphil on November 14, 2024 at 6:41 pm
You’re welcome, Esther. I enjoyed it. With locked-room mysteries, you immediately try to work out how it’s done, don’t you?