Homicide in Hampshire, Part 1.

Welcome to the opening paragraphs of the first Cleo Marjoribanks book, 'Homicide in Hampshire'. I love the art of creation and especially enjoy writing about Cleo. Mind you, after five books, I think it is a case of Cleo telling me what to write!

I hope you enjoy this snippet enough to buy the book - either on Kindle or paperback (via Amazon). And don't forget to give it a great review! For that you will always be a friend.

I snatched up the phone in the pool room (using me skirt to hold it, of course.  No point in reading mystery novels and doing it all wrong), all the while staring at the thing in the pool.  It had to be Janet Spencer.  It was wearing her dress.  And there was red in the water.  I knew she was dead and, while talking to the police, I wondered how I was so sure she was dead.  I know I should have jumped into the pool to get her out and begin resuscitation but…  The thought of what I might see made me gaga, so I scarpered, at least as best me high-heels would let me!  (As I can’t swim, it probably wouldn’t have been a good idea anyway.)

I shot off straight down the hall, grabbed handbag and keys from the table near the door then scrabbled with the door locks.  Why are they always a problem when you’re in a hurry?  At last I was out in the night air and could take deep breaths. 

And don’t ask me why I was in the pool room when I’d just come home.  If you walk indoors and see lights on that shouldn’t be on what would you do?  No, not what I should have done – panicked.  I went to investigate.  Course it wasn’t until later that I realised I’d been stupid.

It felt like I was standing outside for ages before I heard the cops arrive.  Blue light flashing and siren moaning, just like a sick cow.

The car pulled up in front where I was leaning against the wall by the open front door.

One of the coppers eased his bulk from the car “Constable Brown,” was the terse introduction.  “Are you alright, madam?  Are you Mrs. Marj-or-ibanks?”

“Pronounced Marchbanks,” I corrected automatically.  “I think I’m alright.  Yeah, I called.”  I moved away from the wall and pointed into the house.  “Down there, all the way to the end is the pool room.  She’s in the pool.”

He went in, at the same time indicating to the other – younger - man who was also now out of the car, to stay with me.  Did they think that if they left me there alone I might get into their car and escape?

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005LO72BA  -  Kindle

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/152017098X - Paperback.

Antiques in the Attic

5* rated 'Antiques in the Attic', the first of the South Downs Murder Mysteries, is now available in paperback.

Obviously, it is set in the South Downs and begins with the death of Sarah's former husband. After the police have notified her she remembers to go and check in the attic to make sure he took all of his things. And discovers some antique silver. This subsequently disappears, but as she lives on her own, who took it? Who entered her house?

Lots of police procedural in this and, of course, lots of mysterious people.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1520418167