I have read and enjoyed quite a few books by this author, including his Ian Bradshaw series, so I was quite excited to get my mitts on this, his latest stand alone. This book features Sarah, an author, following in her Aunt Evelyn's footsteps in that career. On her Aunt's death, Sarah finds out that she is in line to inherit all. Including Cragsmore, the old mansion in which Evelyn spent her latter years. Sadly, for Sarah anyway, it's not all as cut and dried as that, as there is a proviso. She will inherit, if - and only if - she manages to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her Aunt's friend Lucy who disappeared some thirty odd years ago from Cragsmore which was her family home then. Evelyn believes that Lucy was murdered and wants Sarah to figure it all out. She must move in to Cragsmore and will have six months to solve it or her inheritance, well, you really don't want to know who's next up for all that money! Well... this book hit the ground running for me. A big mansion with hidden secrets, a cold case which everyone (but Evelyn) had long since given up on, and a whole cast of believable characters. All wrapped up in an interesting and intriguing mystery that had me on my toes throughout. After the initial bombshell of the will, things settle in nicely as the layers of intrigue buildup for Sarah. Which is kinda what you'd expect as she is opening up a box that has been left for many years for a lot of people. You wouldn't expect her to suddenly stumble on the key piece of evidence early on. Especially as so many professionals have given up and her own experience in these things is limited to fiction! So it's a slow burn initially as the pieces are pulled into place. And then, once the set up is complete, it's a bit of a race to the end. An ending that wholly satisfied. Ok so for full disclosure, it's all a wee bit on the fantastical side of reality but I think when you read this book you'll be well able to forgive the author this in exchange for a couple hours of wild entertainment.

If you’re in the market for an atmospheric thriller packed with twists and turns this one is definitely for you. Sarah is a struggling novelist (and very likeable protagonist) whose aunt has recently passed away. Sarah is set for a substantial inheritance including a manor house but only if she can solve a decades old mystery. The suspects are neatly lined up and whittled down to the novels very satisfactory conclusion. A fantastic book to curl up with on a dark night!

Sarah has received a strange bequest, to solve a cold case. It involves her Aunt Evelyn's best friend Lucy, who disappeared from the mansion Sarah may inherit. As it is so long ago, the witnesses are elderly and reluctant to speak of Lucy again. Sarah makes friends and works through clues involving this strange family. Who is telling the truth? Great writing and a compelling mystery story that has you wanting to read on to find out what has happened. Wonderful descriptions of the mansion and it's past inhabitants, with mysteries in the mansion itself. Loved the ending! Amazing read and I will be reading more from Howard Linskey.

Always a treat when the next Howard Linskey crime thriller lands! This one is absolutely brilliant, perhaps even his best yet... obviously you will have to read them all and make your own mind up on that one... So, the plot... well you can inherit but only if you first crack the case of a missing person from years ago that both the police and the auntie in question have never managed to do and you have a short window of opportunity to do this... great tension and pace all the way ensuring that this book will not be put down! Very much looking forward to his next book, so I hope he's on it!

What a fantastic premise for a story! A terminally ill aged author updates her will to bequeath her entire and considerable estate to her niece, on the condition that said niece, herself a struggling author, is able to solve a 30-year old mystery and discover the fate of her aunt’s best friend, who went missing in mysterious and suspicious circumstances all those years ago. The novel had an expertly-woven plot, with lots of twists and turns and so many possible culprits throughout. It really did keep me guessing, and sent me down quite a few priest … err, I mean rabbit holes! I thought I had figured it all out about three quarters of the way through, but boy was I wrong! That ending was explosive, and completely unexpected! I enjoyed how the story was told by the author, along old and modern timelines, through a combination of personal interviews, manuscripts and letters. All of the characters were very well developed and explained, with the dialog of Sarah’s character in particular being very witty and funny in parts. Overall a very enjoyable experience, and definitely a new addition to my list of favourite authors.