AN INVITATION TO MURDER an absolutely gripping murder mystery full of twists

¿¿¿¿¿ "What a twisty plot! Kind of like if Agatha Christie was alive and writing mysteries in the present." Karen

¿¿¿¿¿ "Blackmail, crime, murder, revenge, obsession, deception, lies and secrets . . . this book has it all!" Linda S.

¿¿¿¿¿ "One to read slowly, and savour like a fine wine." MyShelf

Originally published as Tongued with Fire.

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Delivering twist after brilliant twist, this clever whodunnit is sure to keep you guessing until the final page.

Welcome to Oldminster, a quaint little town where there's always a mystery to be solved.

Frank Renfield, Baron of Renfield Hall, will stop at nothing to save himself from ruin. Even if that means marrying his daughter off to a rich American.

Unfortunately for him, she is already in love with a penniless nobody named Alan Lavender - to the glee of Alan's greedy uncle Guy.

He's been nosing into the Renfields' murky past, and he says he's uncovered a secret. Something so shocking it casts a shadow over Frank's entire legacy.

Tensions run high at the hall, until Guy Lavender turns up dead.

A convenient coincidence for Frank?

Detectives French and Edwards are on the case. But in a town full of secrets, the truth can be hard to find.

And Guy's won't be the only body to fall before their work is done . . .

Who will be next to die under the Renfields' roof?

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Perfect for fans of Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie, Frances Lloyd, Catherine Moloney, Anthony Horowitz, or Ann Cleeves.

What everyone is saying:

¿¿¿¿¿ "Crime, murder, debt, revenge, family, image, obsession, past impacting the present . . . so many emotions and motivations in this book!" Cathy

¿¿¿¿¿ "With a plot containing blackmail, several murders, secondary characters who are more rounded than in many other novels, good pacing, and good style, this is a novel that I relished to the end." Michael

¿¿¿¿¿ "This is a quality modern-day murder mystery but with an old-fashioned feel. Well written and entertaining with excellent characterization throughout, plenty of plot twists and turns . . . certainly more than enough for this reader at any rate. Authentic and engaging from first to last page. Highly recommended." John

¿¿¿¿¿ "A fantastic mystery that is well written and has great characters. I loved this book and want to read more from this author." Cristie

THE SETTING

Oldminster is a city with a past and an ancient cathedral at its heart. Visit the twisty maze-like streets of the old quarter, and prepare to fall in love. But cross over the river - to the seamy side of town - and you'll discover a secret side to this picture-perfect little place. Oldminster might seem like a place for summer rain and golden sunsets, but like Miss Marple's village, it's cram-full of wickedness.

THE DETECTIVES

DS Glyn Edwards

Thirty-something DS Edwards lives with his wife Sandra, but his home life is anything but blissful. Is his career about to cost him his marriage? Or can he find a way to reconcile the two? Either way, Glyn is a very hands-on detective who never gives up on a case. He works hand-in-glove with his superior officer . . .

DI French

Redoubtable Detective French has always been a stickler for order, detail and procedure - until the arrival of his baby daughter late in his marriage to Moira turned his orderly world upside down. Still, he doesn't suffer fools gladly, and is more than a match for certain prickly, well-to-do residents of Oldminster.

ALSO BY NORMAN RUSSELL

THE OLDMINSTER MYSTERIES

Book 1: AN INVITATION TO MURDER