Brownies and Bloodshed

Dot South and Percy Cropper are finally getting married! With a secret theme up their sleeves, the octogenarians are intent on making the day the most spectacular wedding Peridale has ever seen. They planned everything to the last detail, but they didn't prepare for Percy's cruel older brother's murder in the middle of the wedding reception. The responsibility to solve Ian Cropper's murder falls on Julia South-Brown's shoulders, but her grandmother's ruined wedding isn't the only thing she has on her plate. Her bankrupt father, stepmother, and baby brother are living in her small cottage and wreaking havoc, her husband is heading down a surprising new career path, and to top it all off, she's ten-weeks pregnant and struggling with her mood and bladder. The local gossips all point their fingers at Percy, but with the whole Cropper family in the village for the event, Julia has more than enough suspects to prove her new grandfather's innocence, even if she isn't the only one on the case. Who is the mysterious and handsome American sniffing around the village in the wake of Ian's murder, and can he be trusted? Everyone in the Cropper family has a clear motive for wanting Ian dead, but can Julia pinpoint the culprit before her newly gained family falls apart beyond repair? Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! Contains mild peril.