"1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin. For over three decades, Edwina Davenport has lived comfortably in Walmsley Parva, but the post-World War I bust has left her in dire financial straits and forced her to advertise for a lodger. When her long-lost school chum Beryl arrives on her doorstep--actually crashes into it in her red motorcar--Edwina welcomes her old friend as her new roommate. But her idyllic hometown has a hidden sinister side, and when the two friends are drawn in, they decide to set up shop as private inquiry agents, helping Edwina to make ends meet and satisfy

"As friends, the boisterous and brash American Beryl couldn't be less alike than the prim and proper British Edwina. But as sleuths in an England recovering from the Great War, they're the perfect match. 1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin. For over three decades, Edwina Davenport has lived comfortably in Walmsley Parva, but the post-World War I bust has left her in dire financial straits and forced her to advertise for a lodger. When her long-lost school chum Beryl arrives on her doorstep-actually crashes into it in her red motorcar-Edwina welcomes her old friend as her new

As friends, the boisterous and brash American Beryl couldn't be less alike than the prim and proper British Edwina. But as sleuths in an England recovering from the Great War, they're the perfect match . . . 1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin. For over three decades, Edwina Davenport has lived comfortably in Walmsley Parva, but the post-World War I bust has left her in dire financial straits and forced her to advertise for a lodger. When her long-lost school chum Beryl arrives on her doorstep--actually crashes into it in her red motorcar--Edwina welcomes her old friend as h

As friends, the boisterous and brash American Beryl couldn't be less alike than the prim and proper British Edwina. But as sleuths in an England recovering from the Great War, they're the perfect match. 1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin. For over three decades, Edwina Davenport has lived comfortably in Walmsley Parva, but the post-World War I bust has left her in dire financial straits and forced her to advertise for a lodger. When her long-lost school chum Beryl arrives on her doorstep-actually crashes into it in her red motorcar-Edwina welcomes her old friend as her new

In Ellicott's captivating second mystery set in post-WWI England (after 2017's Murder in an English Village), adventure-seeking American Beryl Helliwell and her old English school chum, Edwina Davenport, who share a household in the hamlet of Walmsley Parva, set up their own informal private investigation business. Their first client, Vicar Wilfred Lowethorpe, calls on them for help in a matter that requires sensitivity and discretion. One of the vicar's parishioners, Lionel Cunningham, who's treasurer of the local pigeon racing club, has gone missing with all the club's funds and some prize birds belonging to other members. After checking more obvious places, the women find Cunningham stabbed to death inside the man's pigeon loft. As usual, Constable Doris Gibbs resents Beryl and Edwina meddling in any police matter, but she can't prevent the spunky and determined sleuths from pursuing the case. Ellicott smoothly injects such serious issues as the impact of WWI on its survivors and th

In Ellicott's captivating second mystery set in post-WWI England (after 2017's Murder in an English Village), adventure-seeking American Beryl Helliwell and her old English school chum, Edwina Davenport, who share a household in the hamlet of Walmsley Parva, set up their own informal private investigation business. Their first client, Vicar Wilfred Lowethorpe, calls on them for help in a matter that requires sensitivity and discretion. One of the vicar's parishioners, Lionel Cunningham, who's treasurer of the local pigeon racing club, has gone missing with all the club's funds and some prize birds belonging to other members. After checking more obvious places, the women find Cunningham stabbed to death inside the man's pigeon loft. As usual, Constable Doris Gibbs resents Beryl and Edwina meddling in any police matter, but she can't prevent the spunky and determined sleuths from pursuing the case. Ellicott smoothly injects such serious issues as the impact of WWI on its survivors and th