Death at a Country Mansion

October 1, 2020

Famous opera star Dame Serena Levant� has been out of control since she turned 50 and her voice started to go. She drinks too much and, screams at her fourth husband, who is now leaving her for a stewardess. Her final fall from grace is over the banister in her country mansion. Serena's daughter, Floria, contacts her best friend, Daisy Thorne, and Daisy abandons her hair salon to support her friend. When the gruff and dishy DI Paul McGuinness announces it was murder, Daisy wants to investigate. McGuinness warns her not to get involved, but it's too late. Daisy's late grandfather was a chief detective inspector, and she's studying forensic psychology, with the aim of assisting police. As Floria's best friend and the local hairstylist, Daisy knows all the men in Serena's life, all the villagers in Edgemead, and all the local gossip. But she didn't know Serena had three illegitimate daughters all over the world, who are now descending on the mansion and may have inherited. However, nothing fazes the self-confident, socially savvy Daisy, not even an intimidating, abrupt DI. VERDICT This enjoyable series debut, with its diverse cast of characters and clever amateur sleuth, will appeal to readers of Elizabeth J. Duncan's "Penny Brannigan" mysteries.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

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October 1, 2020
The murder of a flamboyant singer brings a hairdresser closer to her dream job. Daisy Thorne owns a popular beauty salon in the small English village of Edgemead, but her real love is crime, perhaps because she spent much of her childhood with her police detective grandfather and is currently taking courses in forensic psychology. Surprisingly, her best friend is wealthy socialite Floria Levante, whose much-married mother, Dame Serena, is a world-renowned opera singer and neglectful mother. When Dame Serena is found dead at their magnificent home shortly after Collin Harrison, her current husband, announces that he's leaving her, there's no dearth of suspects to choose from among former husbands and lovers. The detective in charge is attractive DI Paul McGuinness, whose chilly demeanor warms a bit when Daisy starts bringing him helpful tidbits of gossip she's gleaned as a member of Floria's social set. The theft of a valuable Modigliani adds more motives for murder. The real shocker comes after the solicitor mentions that Dame Serena planned to change her will. Floria has three illegitimate half sisters, all given away before she was born. She's delighted to hear she has sisters even though their status as potential heirs of Serena's fortune gives them all a reason to want her dead. Plenty of poking and prying plus inside information steer Daisy to a surprising conclusion. A promising debut with scads of interesting characters, a spirited heroine, and a hint of romance.

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December 1, 2020
Dame Serena Levant�, a once-renowned operatic soprano, comes home after a boozy afternoon to find her fourth husband, an art dealer, packing to fly off to the Bahamas with his girlfriend. The next morning, the maid finds Serena's body crumpled at the foot of the sweeping staircase, and shortly afterward notices that a valuable Modigliani is missing. Serena's daughter, Floria, calls in her best friend, Daisy Thorne, for support. Daisy runs a hair salon in their small Surrey village, a perfect place to gather details over a cup of tea or cup or glass of Prosecco. The bits Daisy gleans prove to be useful to the copper on the case, stern but handsome DI Paul McGuinness. Initial alibis do not hold up, all four of Serena's husbands, past and present, are suspects, and the reading of Serena's will reveals three more daughters, all born out of wedlock. The first in a new series featuring Daisy and her pals at the salon, this lively cozy has glamour, intrigue, and romance. There is definitely more than professional collaboration between the delightful Daisy and the attractive DI!

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