Amidst the smell of sherry trifle and the sound of lively music, the guests raise their glasses. But as a loud scream interrupts the toast, amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington learn that not everyone is in the party spirit…

It’s the perfect day in Abbeymead for Ambrose Finch to throw a welcome party for his long-lost son, finally returning home after disappearing ten years ago. The sun is shining, the spread is sumptuous, and the residents are eager to catch a glimpse of the young man they’ve heard so much about – and perhaps learn why he left in the first place…

But when Ambrose sends his maid to fetch the cake from the kitchen, he is interrupted mid-toast by her screams. Flora and Jack rush to the kitchen, horrified to find the cook hired for the occasion lying unmoving on the flagstone floor. The sickly-sweet smell of cyanide is their only clue – but who was the glass she’d been drinking from intended for?

The poor cook had no enemies – but there are plenty at the party who do, and Ambrose seems to have invited them all to join the festivities. Flora and Jack can’t resist investigating, in an afterparty they never saw coming… And when another of Ambrose’s employees is found dead, they must work out why all roads seemingly lead back to the Finch family. But can they uncover whose past sins have come home to roost, before it’s too late?

An utterly charming and completely page-turning cozy mystery novel filled with brilliant twists. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and J.R. Ellis.

Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries:

‘Fantastic!!! Absolutely devoured in one sitting!!… Absolutely addictive!!!… My heart was in my throat… OMG!!!! THAT ENDING!!!! LOVE, LOVE, ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!!!… ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! DID I MENTION I LOVED IT???!!!!… Clear your schedules as you won’t be able to put this book down!… Kept me turning the pages late at night!!… I LOVED it.’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful! I absolutely adored this… Had me finishing in no time! I highly recommend!!!… I was drawn in instantly.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic… I really didn’t want to put this book down for even a second…Totally immersive… Bravo!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I started this with my morning coffee and didn't put it down until it was finished… I could not tear myself away.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this… Keeps you guessing to the very end. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist… Wow… I completely loved this.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Enchanting and atmospheric… Completely absorbing and wholly immersive… Will sweep you up in all its secrets and mysteries… Truly a delight… Truly wonderful.’ The Staffymum’s Book Nook, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐