Death of a Dreamer Read online

Page 4

“I never would ha’ thought it,” murmured one woman.

  Effie heard her and scowled. “It was a whirlwind romance,” she said loudly.

  Angela looked at the little defiant figure of Effie with her clown’s make-up and felt a pang of unease.

  Maybe Hamish Macbeth knew more about it than she did.

  Hamish had just finished sending over his report about the attempted bank robbery when Angela knocked at the kitchen door. He had not sent a report about the shop-lifting because the culprits turned out to be two small terrified schoolchildren who had stolen a chocolate bar each. Hamish had spent a weary afternoon persuading the angry shopkeeper not to press charges, then delivered the sobbing children to their respective parents.

  “Come in, Angela,” he said.

  “Have you heard the news about Effie?”

  “What news?”

  “She’s flashing around a diamond ring saying she’s engaged to Jock. Hamish, she looked quite mad, and her make-up is worse than ever. Do you think it’s true?”

  “I don’t know. I’d have thought it highly unlikely. I’ll go and call on her.”

  Effie answered her cottage door to Hamish. She had scrubbed off the dreadful make-up and looked perfectly sane to Hamish.

  “I called to congratulate you,” said Hamish.

  “How kind. Come in.”

  Hamish removed his cap and followed her into her living-room-cum-kitchen-cum-studio.

  “When did all this happen?”

  “Just as Jock was leaving. He said he couldn’t live without me.”

  Hamish conjured up a picture of easy-going Jock in his mind. “Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand him?” he asked cautiously.

  Her face flamed with anger. “He gave me this ring! Now, go!”

  Hamish eased towards the door. He looked down at the work table. There was a jug full of paintbrushes, but they looked hard and dry, and he could swear the pottery wheel had a film of dust on it.

  “I see you haven’t been working,” he said.

  “Of course I have, and I’d like to get on with some more. Go away!”

  And Hamish left, a very worried man. Newcomers had meant trouble in the past, and somewhere inside him, he could feel bad times coming.

  As he drove back to the police station, thin wisps of black clouds were sweeping in from the Atlantic, as if in keeping with his mood.

  He gave a mental shrug. He was worrying too much. If Jock had asked Effie to marry him, then his agent would know about it. He swung the steering wheel and headed for the Tommel Castle Hotel.

  Priscilla was crossing the reception area when Hamish entered the hotel. “Why, Hamish, what brings you here?”

  “I want to see Betty Barnard.”

  “She was out for a walk, and now I think she’s in the bar.”

  “Thanks.”

  Hamish strode off in the direction of the bar, leaving Priscilla staring after him.

  Betty was ensconced in a corner by the window with a book and a glass of whisky.

  She looked up as he approached. “Hamish, what a nice surprise.”

  “Mind if I join you?”

  “Not at all. I was thinking of phoning you.”

  “My treat next time. What I was wondering was whether you knew anything about this business about Jock going to marry Effie.”

  “Who the hell…?”

  “Effie Garrard. An artist who lives here. She’s flashing around an engagement ring and says Jock is going to marry her.”

  “Jock is divorced and swore blind he’d never marry again. Is this Effie beautiful?”

  “No. She was at the ceilidh. Wait a bit. You weren’t there.”

  “Nobody asked me.”

  “I should have done,” said Hamish ruefully. “She seemed to be chasing Jock, and he looked as if he didn’t like it one bit.”

  “I’ll look into it. Where does she live?”

  “Not going to have a row or anything?”

  “Why should I? Jock’s a valued client, but that’s all. But I am protective of my clients.”

  Hamish gave her directions and then said, “There’s another odd thing. Although she’s been supplying art works for sale, the pottery wheel has dust on it and her paintbrushes are dry and stiff.”

  “Aha! Meaning you think she’s been getting the stuff from somewhere else and passing it off as her own?”

  “Just a thought.”

  “Leave her to me.”

  Betty drove up to Effie’s cottage. Effie answered the door. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Jock’s agent, Betty Barnard. May I come in?”

  “Just for a moment.”

  Betty walked in and looked around, her sharp eyes taking in the details Hamish had noticed.

  She turned and faced Effie. “What’s this rubbish about you and Jock getting married?”

  “It’s not rubbish. It’s the truth. Look!” Effie waved the diamond ring under Betty’s nose.

  “When did he propose?”

  “Just before he left.”

  “I don’t believe it. Jock swore he would never get married again.”

  “Well, believe it and get out of here.”

  Betty turned in the doorway and said, “I don’t believe you're an artist, either. No artist would leave paint-brushes like that, and the pottery wheel looks as if it hasn’t been used.”

  “You bitch!” screamed Effie. “I’m an artist, and I’ll get Jock to fire you as soon as he gets back!”

  Betty gave a contemptuous shrug and walked out. Effie followed her, beside herself with rage.

  “He'll need to marry me anyway,” she shouted as Betty was getting into her car.

  Betty swung round. “Why? What d’you mean?”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  And with that bombshell, Effie went back in and slammed the door.

  Betty phoned Hamish and asked him to meet her at the Italian restaurant for dinner.

  He found her nervous and agitated. “Effie says Jock’s got to marry her because she’s pregnant,” she burst out as soon as Hamish sat down.

  “It might be possible,” said Hamish. “Does he drink a lot?”

  “He goes on binges from time to time.”

  “He could've got plastered and taken her to bed.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Have you phoned him?”

  “I’ve tried. The gallery said he was staying with friends, and I don’t have their number. I left a message for him to phone back, but he often doesn’t reply for a couple of days, particularly if he’s out partying with other artists.”

  “There’s really nothing we can do until he gets in touch,” said Hamish. “Order something and have some wine. I’m getting this.”

  Willie came to take their orders. “I saw Miss Halburton-Smythe today,” he said. “Herself was looking as beautiful as ever.”

  “Take the orders and go away, Willie,” snapped Hamish.

  “Everyone seems to mind everyone else’s business around here,” said Betty after they had ordered. She glanced out of the window. “It looks as if rain is coming…Oh, my God. This is all Jock needs!”

  “What?”

  “I’ve just seen his ex-wife walking past.”

  “What’s she doing here?”

  “He’s probably behind with the alimony as usual and she’s hunting him down. Right little harpy.”

  “When did he get divorced?”

  “Two years ago.”

  “Children?”

  “Two. A boy and a girl.”

  “How old are they?”

  “The boy, Callum, is six, and Shona, the girl, five.”

  “Why did the marriage break up?”

  “I don’t really know. Can we talk about something else? I’ve had enough of Jock and his problems for one evening.”

  The next day, Hamish was in Patel’s general store when he saw Angela. Behind a stack of cans of baked beans—Lochdubh’s favourite food—he said to her in a low voice, “There’s a further
complication. Effie is saying she’s pregnant.”

  The Currie sisters, on the other side of the stack of baked beans, clutched each other. Then, forgetting their shopping, they hurried out to spread the news around the village about Effie’s pregnancy.

  The villagers warmed to Effie. Poor wee lassie. Getting knocked up like that. Of course, she was a bit old to be having a baby, but look at old Mrs. McClutcheon. She had got pregnant with her last when she was fifty! And so the gossip ran round and round.

  Effie did experience moments of sheer dread on the odd occasions when reality returned. But Jock had said he would marry her, she thought, stubbornly rephrasing his last goodbye.

  But as the rain continued to hammer down on the corrugated iron roof of her cottage until she thought the sound of it would drive her mad, she learned from Mrs. Wellington, who had called to bring her some scones, that Jock’s ex-wife was in the village waiting for him.

  “What’s she like?” asked Effie.

  “Small, blonde, and beautiful,” said the minister’s wife. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Jock was obviously looking for quality of character this time round.” And with that backhanded compliment, she took her leave.

  Jealousy like bile rose up in Effie. Jock was hers, and she was going to keep him.

  And then two days later, Jock Fleming came back bringing the good weather with him. Hamish saw him sitting at his easel on the waterfront and went to talk to him.

  “Same old view?” commented Hamish.

  “Different angle,” said Jock.

  “So are you going to marry Effie?”

  “Don’t be daft. I’ll go and see her and sort that one out. She’s mad.”

  “I’m glad that’s over,” said Hamish. “Have you seen your ex-wife?”

  “Dora? Yes, she’s staying at Sea View as well.”

  “That doesn’t bother you?”

  “No, we get on all right.”

  “Why did the marriage break up?”

  “Hamish, run along. You're as nosy as the rest of them.”

  Hamish touched his cap and moved off. In that moment, he was sorry for Effie, probably sitting in her cottage with the ruin of her dreams tumbling about her ears. He thought of calling on her, but the lazy warm days were back and he had promised to go for a drive soon with Betty.

  Hamish drove back to the police station two evenings later, happy and contented. He thought Betty was splendid company, and deep down he enjoyed the fact that Priscilla knew of his friendship with the agent.

  He fed Sonsie and Lugs and took them out for a walk up the fields at the back of the station.

  Detective Inspector Jimmy Anderson phoned to give Hamish a date for when the bank robber would be appearing at the sheriff’s court. “He’s got a list of offences as long as your arm,” said Jimmy. “Name’s Hugh McFarlane, all the way from Glasgow.”

  When Hamish rang off, it was to find Mrs. Wellington waiting for him. “I’ve been up to Effie’s cottage,” she said. “The door was unlocked, and I walked in when she didn’t answer. No sign of her. Her car is there.”

  “She probably went for a walk,” said Hamish.

  “Do me a favour. Go up there and just check the place out. It isn’t like the old days, you know. Nobody goes out any more and leaves their door unlocked.”

  Hamish took his cat and his dog with him. Although he was beginning to think that Effie was slightly mad, he thought that Mrs. Wellington was being over-fussy.

  He went up to the cottage, opened the door, and called, “Effie!”

  Silence.

  He stepped inside. The main room was dark and deserted. Putting a handkerchief over his hand, he switched on the light. The first thing he noticed was that the room had been scrubbed clean. He sniffed the air. There was a strong smell of cleaning fluid. He searched the kitchen and then went into the bedroom. The bed was made up, and Effie’s clothes were in the wardrobe. On the bedside table was a framed photograph of Jock at his easel. Hamish took out a pair of latex gloves, put them on, and picked up the photograph. It looked like an amateur snapshot that had been enlarged. It was signed, “To my darling Effie. Jock.”

  Hamish replaced the photograph.

  Perhaps Jock had been lying, and he really had proposed to Effie and was now trying to pretend it never happened.

  The rain that had left Lochdubh alone for a few days had come back in force, and Hamish heard it hammering on the roof. How could she bear that noise?

  He went out to the Land Rover, where Lugs and Sonsie were patiently waiting, took his oilskin out of the back, put it on, and began to search around the heathery fields outside the cottage, calling, “Effie!” from time to time.

  He went back into the cottage to see if there was any clue he had missed. This time he saw an obvious one. At the side of the armchair by the fireplace was a handbag. Still wearing his gloves, he opened it up. Effie’s wallet and change purse were there along with her door keys and car keys.

  Now what to do? he wondered. If he reported her missing and started a full-scale and expensive search and she just came wandering back, he would look silly. He got back into the Land Rover to wait. The wind rose, and the rain became even heavier, lashing against the windscreen, great gusts rocking the vehicle.

  At last, he decided something was really wrong and drove back to the police station. He phoned headquarters and asked for permission to call out the Mountain Rescue Patrol.

  He was told to phone again in the morning, and if there was still no sighting of her, then the patrol would be alerted.

  He fed himself and his animals and then phoned the minister and told him the situation and asked him to ring the church bell first thing in the morning. This would get the villagers gathered in the church hall, and he could organise a search party.

  Hamish slept uneasily. He got up at dawn and went back to Effie’s cottage. It was still deserted. The rain had ceased, and the sky had a pale, washed-out look as if a heavenly hand had scrubbed it clean.

  At eight o’clock, after he had again phoned police headquarters and this time extracted a promise that the Mountain Rescue Patrol would be sent out immediately, he went to the church hall, where the villagers were gathering. He went up to the podium and addressed them.

  “Effie Garrard is missing. She may have taken a walk up on the moors and had an accident. I want everyone who’s free to help me in a search for her. The folks who are prepared to go stay in the hall.”

  Because of the storm, the fishing boats hadn’t been out, and so Archie Macleod and his friends volunteered to join in the search along with the river bailiff and two gamekeepers from the Tommel Castle estate. Women, headed by Mrs. Wellington, volunteered as well.

  Priscilla arrived just as the meeting was breaking up. “I’ve just heard,” she said. “I’ll go along with Mrs. Wellington.”

  They all gathered again outside Effie’s cottage. Then they spread out over the moors, calling and searching.

  Above them flew a helicopter of the Mountain Rescue Patrol.

  All day long they searched without finding Effie. Hamish began to worry that she had fallen into a peat bog, and if that were the case, they would never find her.

  The villagers began to think that Effie had perhaps committed suicide. Jock had been adamant that he had never proposed to Effie.

  The indomitable Mrs. Wellington with her posse of village women set out again the next day. It was glorious weather. They all drove up on the moors as far as the road would allow them and then got out of their vehicles and once more began the search, agreeing to meet again at midday for a picnic lunch.

  Hamish came across them at noon. They were sitting by a little stream with their picnic spread out on the grass. “That one can smell free food a mile off,” grumbled one, and Hamish flushed angrily.

  Priscilla came up to him. “You look exhausted, Hamish. I’ve got a flask of coffee and some spare sandwiches. Come and sit down for a minute.”

  Hamish gratefully accepted a cup of coffee
and a chicken sandwich. “You don’t think she might have gone up into the mountains?” he said. “She must have been right distressed being caught out in that lie about Jock.”

  “I can’t help feeling sorry for her. She’s got a sister down in Brighton. Does anyone know her address?”

  “No, but I phoned the Brighton police, and they're looking for her. I would have thought Effie might have gone there, but her handbag is still at the cottage.”

  Priscilla was wearing a tartan shirt, corduroy trousers, and sturdy boots but still managed to look cool and elegant.

  “I thought Betty Barnard might have joined in the search,” Hamish said.

  “She’s gone off to Glasgow for a few days. I don’t suppose she even knows Effie is missing.”

  Gone and never even told me, thought Hamish gloomily. I have no luck with women at all.

  Mrs. Wellington was armed with a powerful pair of Zeiss binoculars. “I’ll just have a look around,” she boomed, “and then we can start off again.”

  “It is hot,” said Priscilla, “and yet Mrs. Wellington is wearing a Harris tweed suit with a sweater under it.”

  “I think that one carries around her own air conditioning,” said Hamish. “Is there another sandwich?”

  “Got one right here. There you are.”

  “I think I see something,” called Mrs. Wellington. “Right up on the mountain.”

  Hamish stood up and went to her. “Let me see.”

  She handed him the binoculars. “Up there, halfway up, by that cleft of rock. It was in the shadow when I looked before, but the sun’s moved.”

  Hamish took the glasses and adjusted them. He focussed on the cleft. It looked like a small brown lump.

  “I don’t think so,” he said, “but I’d better climb up there and have a look.”

  “I’ll come with you,” said Priscilla. “It'll take us at least two hours to get up there.”

  “That’s Geordie’s Cleft,” said Hamish. It had been named after a young man who had fallen to his death some years before.

  They set off, promising to holler if they found anything.

  After they had gone, Mrs. Wellington tried to marshal her troops, but rebellion was setting in. The Currie sisters complained their legs were aching, and one by one the other village women began to edge back to their cars until only Mrs. Wellington and Angela Brodie remained.

 

    Agatha Raisin 31 - Hot to Trot Read onlineAgatha Raisin 31 - Hot to TrotBeatrice Goes to Brighton Read onlineBeatrice Goes to BrightonDeborah Goes to Dover Read onlineDeborah Goes to DoverDown the Hatch Read onlineDown the HatchHot to Trot Read onlineHot to TrotBeating About the Bush Read onlineBeating About the BushDeath of a Policeman Read onlineDeath of a PolicemanEdwardian Murder Mystery 04; Our Lady of Pain emm-4 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 04; Our Lady of Pain emm-4The Waverly Women Series (3-Book Bundle) Read onlineThe Waverly Women Series (3-Book Bundle)The French Affair (Endearing Young Charms Book 2) Read onlineThe French Affair (Endearing Young Charms Book 2)Death of a Witch hm-25 Read onlineDeath of a Witch hm-25Summer of Discontent Read onlineSummer of DiscontentPenelope Goes to Portsmouth Read onlinePenelope Goes to PortsmouthThe Day the Floods Came ar-12 Read onlineThe Day the Floods Came ar-12The Quiche of Death Read onlineThe Quiche of DeathDeath of a Dentist hm-13 Read onlineDeath of a Dentist hm-13Edwardian Murder Mystery 03; Sick of Shadows emm-3 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 03; Sick of Shadows emm-3Agatha Raisin The Deadly Dance ar-15 Read onlineAgatha Raisin The Deadly Dance ar-15Agatha Raisin & the Vicious Vet ar-2 Read onlineAgatha Raisin & the Vicious Vet ar-2Lessons in Love (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 3) Read onlineLessons in Love (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 3)Those Endearing Young Charms Read onlineThose Endearing Young CharmsAgatha Raisin and The Wellspring of Death ar-7 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Wellspring of Death ar-7Death of a Macho Man hm-12 Read onlineDeath of a Macho Man hm-12Lady Fortescue Steps Out Read onlineLady Fortescue Steps OutThe Wicked Godmother Read onlineThe Wicked GodmotherAgatha Raisin 18 (2007) - Kissing Christmas Goodbye Read onlineAgatha Raisin 18 (2007) - Kissing Christmas GoodbyeAgatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death ar-1 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death ar-1Agatha's First Case Read onlineAgatha's First CaseLady Fortescue Steps Out (The Poor Relation Series, Vol. 1) Read onlineLady Fortescue Steps Out (The Poor Relation Series, Vol. 1)There Goes The Bride Read onlineThere Goes The BrideAgatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Terrible TouristThe Folly Read onlineThe FollyThe Chocolate Debutante Read onlineThe Chocolate DebutanteHiss and Hers: An Agatha Raisin Mystery Read onlineHiss and Hers: An Agatha Raisin MysteryThe Education of Miss Paterson Read onlineThe Education of Miss PatersonAgatha Raisin Love, Lies and Liquor ar-17 Read onlineAgatha Raisin Love, Lies and Liquor ar-17Molly Read onlineMollyDeath of a Poison Pen hm-20 Read onlineDeath of a Poison Pen hm-20Hamish MacBeth 15 (1999) - Death of an Addict Read onlineHamish MacBeth 15 (1999) - Death of an AddictDeath of a Witch Read onlineDeath of a WitchHamish Macbeth 24 (2008) - Death of a Gentle Lady Read onlineHamish Macbeth 24 (2008) - Death of a Gentle LadyDeath of Yesterday Read onlineDeath of YesterdayMrs. Budley Falls from Grace Read onlineMrs. Budley Falls from GraceThe Daring Debutantes Bundle Read onlineThe Daring Debutantes BundleBusy Body: An Agatha Raisin Mystery Read onlineBusy Body: An Agatha Raisin MysteryPretty Polly Read onlinePretty PollyThe Case of the Curious Curate ar-13 Read onlineThe Case of the Curious Curate ar-13Death of a Travelling Man hm-9 Read onlineDeath of a Travelling Man hm-9Death of a Bore hm-21 Read onlineDeath of a Bore hm-21Rake's Progress: HFTS4 Read onlineRake's Progress: HFTS4Miss Fiona's Fancy (The Royal Ambition Series Book 3) Read onlineMiss Fiona's Fancy (The Royal Ambition Series Book 3)Hamish Macbeth 19 (2003) - Death of a Village Read onlineHamish Macbeth 19 (2003) - Death of a VillageLady Lucy's Lover Read onlineLady Lucy's LoverMilady in Love (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 5) Read onlineMilady in Love (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 5)Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue Read onlineColonel Sandhurst to the Rescue(17/30 Love, Lies and Liquor Read online(17/30 Love, Lies and LiquorHasty Death Read onlineHasty DeathDeath of a Nurse Read onlineDeath of a NurseDeath of a Scriptwriter hm-14 Read onlineDeath of a Scriptwriter hm-14The Chocolate Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 5) Read onlineThe Chocolate Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 5)Sally Read onlineSallyTilly Read onlineTillyDeath of a Dreamer hm-22 Read onlineDeath of a Dreamer hm-22Miss Davenport's Christmas (The Love and Temptation Series Book 6) Read onlineMiss Davenport's Christmas (The Love and Temptation Series Book 6)Death of a Dreamer Read onlineDeath of a DreamerDuke's Diamonds (Endearing Young Charms Book 1) Read onlineDuke's Diamonds (Endearing Young Charms Book 1)Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble (short story) Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble (short story)Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden ar-9 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden ar-9His Lordship's Pleasure (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 5) Read onlineHis Lordship's Pleasure (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 5)The Homecoming Read onlineThe HomecomingHamish Macbeth 02; Death of a Cad hm-2 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 02; Death of a Cad hm-2Agatha Raisin and The Potted Gardener ar-3 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Potted Gardener ar-3Death of a Glutton Read onlineDeath of a GluttonHamish Macbeth 02 (1987) - Death of a Cad Read onlineHamish Macbeth 02 (1987) - Death of a CadThe Wicked Godmother: HFTS3 Read onlineThe Wicked Godmother: HFTS3The Glitter and the Gold (Endearing Young Charms Book 7) Read onlineThe Glitter and the Gold (Endearing Young Charms Book 7)The Viscount's Revenge (The Royal Ambition Series Book 4) Read onlineThe Viscount's Revenge (The Royal Ambition Series Book 4)Her Grace's Passion Read onlineHer Grace's PassionHenrietta Read onlineHenriettaAt the Sign of the Golden Pineapple Read onlineAt the Sign of the Golden PineappleThe Blood of an Englishman Read onlineThe Blood of an EnglishmanSomething Borrowed, Someone Dead: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries) Read onlineSomething Borrowed, Someone Dead: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries)Emily Goes to Exeter Read onlineEmily Goes to ExeterDeath of a Cad Read onlineDeath of a CadAgatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Wellspring of DeathDancing on the Wind (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 8) Read onlineDancing on the Wind (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 8)A Marriage of Inconvenience (Endearing Young Charms Book 5) Read onlineA Marriage of Inconvenience (Endearing Young Charms Book 5)The Ghost and Lady Alice (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 6) Read onlineThe Ghost and Lady Alice (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 6)Hamish Macbeth 04; Death of a Perfect Wife hm-4 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 04; Death of a Perfect Wife hm-4My Dear Duchess Read onlineMy Dear DuchessMrs. Budley Falls From Grace (The Poor Relation Series Book 3) Read onlineMrs. Budley Falls From Grace (The Poor Relation Series Book 3)Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Haunted HouseThe Education of Miss Patterson (The Love and Temptation Series Book 3) Read onlineThe Education of Miss Patterson (The Love and Temptation Series Book 3)Agatha Raisin and The Walkers of Dembley ar-4 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Walkers of Dembley ar-4The Original Miss Honeyford Read onlineThe Original Miss HoneyfordA Spoonful of Poison Read onlineA Spoonful of PoisonHamish Macbeth Omnibus Read onlineHamish Macbeth OmnibusAgatha Raisin and the Busy Body ar-21 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Busy Body ar-21Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Witch of WyckhaddenHamish Macbeth 08 (1993) - Death of a Glutton Read onlineHamish Macbeth 08 (1993) - Death of a GluttonDeath of a Gentle Lady hm-24 Read onlineDeath of a Gentle Lady hm-24Ms. Davenport's Christmas Read onlineMs. Davenport's ChristmasAgatha Raisin Kissing Christmas Goodbye ar-18 Read onlineAgatha Raisin Kissing Christmas Goodbye ar-18Lady Anne's Deception Read onlineLady Anne's DeceptionAgatha Raisin The Perfect Paragon ar-16 Read onlineAgatha Raisin The Perfect Paragon ar-16Edwardian Murder Mystery 02; Hasty Death emm-2 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 02; Hasty Death emm-2The Constant Companion Read onlineThe Constant CompanionHamish Macbeth 14 (1999) - Death of a Scriptwriter Read onlineHamish Macbeth 14 (1999) - Death of a ScriptwriterGinny Read onlineGinnyHamish Macbeth 10 (1994) - Death of a Charming Man Read onlineHamish Macbeth 10 (1994) - Death of a Charming ManHamish Macbeth 03; Death of an Outsider hm-3 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 03; Death of an Outsider hm-3The Love from Hell ar-11 Read onlineThe Love from Hell ar-11The Scandalous Lady Wright (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 4) Read onlineThe Scandalous Lady Wright (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 4)Hamish Macbeth 17 (2001) - Death of a Dustman Read onlineHamish Macbeth 17 (2001) - Death of a DustmanHamish Macbeth 13 (1997) - Death of a Dentist Read onlineHamish Macbeth 13 (1997) - Death of a DentistThe Paper Princess (The Royal Ambition Series Book 7) Read onlineThe Paper Princess (The Royal Ambition Series Book 7)Rainbird's Revenge: HFTS6 Read onlineRainbird's Revenge: HFTS6The Perfect Gentleman (The Love and Temptation Series Book 7) Read onlineThe Perfect Gentleman (The Love and Temptation Series Book 7)Sir Philip's Folly (The Poor Relation Series Book 4) Read onlineSir Philip's Folly (The Poor Relation Series Book 4)The Witches' Tree--An Agatha Raisin Mystery Read onlineThe Witches' Tree--An Agatha Raisin MysteryDeath of an Outsider Read onlineDeath of an OutsiderHamish MacBeth 03 (1988) - Death of an Outsider Read onlineHamish MacBeth 03 (1988) - Death of an OutsiderAgatha Raisin and the Perfect Paragon Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Perfect ParagonDeath of a Chimney Sweep Read onlineDeath of a Chimney SweepThe Dreadful Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 1) Read onlineThe Dreadful Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 1)Something Borrowed, Someone Dead Read onlineSomething Borrowed, Someone DeadAgatha Raisin and The Murderous Marriage ar-5 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Murderous Marriage ar-5The Highland Countess Read onlineThe Highland CountessDeath of a Chimney Sweep hm-1 Read onlineDeath of a Chimney Sweep hm-1The Skeleton in the Closet Read onlineThe Skeleton in the ClosetSusie Read onlineSusieAgatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye Read onlineAgatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas GoodbyeRegency Gold (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 2) Read onlineRegency Gold (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 2)The Marquis Takes a Bride Read onlineThe Marquis Takes a BrideHamish Macbeth 16 (1999) - A Highland Christmas Read onlineHamish Macbeth 16 (1999) - A Highland ChristmasDeath of a Liar Read onlineDeath of a LiarHamish Macbeth 01; Death of a Gossip hm-1 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 01; Death of a Gossip hm-1Love and Lady Lovelace (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 8) Read onlineLove and Lady Lovelace (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 8)Death of an Honest Man Read onlineDeath of an Honest ManThe Desirable Duchess Read onlineThe Desirable DuchessDeception (Daughters of Mannerling 3) Read onlineDeception (Daughters of Mannerling 3)A Highland Christmas hm-16 Read onlineA Highland Christmas hm-16Polly Read onlinePollyThe Savage Marquess Read onlineThe Savage MarquessAgatha Raisin 03 (1994) - The Potted Gardener Read onlineAgatha Raisin 03 (1994) - The Potted GardenerPushing Up Daisies Read onlinePushing Up DaisiesDeath Of An Addict Read onlineDeath Of An AddictBanishment (Daughters of Mannerling 1) Read onlineBanishment (Daughters of Mannerling 1)Amaryllis Read onlineAmaryllisHamish MacBeth 06 (1991) - Death of a Snob Read onlineHamish MacBeth 06 (1991) - Death of a SnobThe Paper Princess Read onlineThe Paper PrincessHamish Macbeth 06; Death of a Snob hm-6 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 06; Death of a Snob hm-6The Dreadful Debutante Read onlineThe Dreadful DebutanteAgatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Fairies of FryfamHamish Macbeth 22 (2006) - Death of a Dreamer Read onlineHamish Macbeth 22 (2006) - Death of a DreamerDishing the Dirt Read onlineDishing the DirtMinerva Read onlineMinervaDeath of a Nag hm-11 Read onlineDeath of a Nag hm-11Hamish Macbeth 18 (2002) - Death of a Celebrity Read onlineHamish Macbeth 18 (2002) - Death of a CelebrityQuadrille (The Love and Temptation Series Book 5) Read onlineQuadrille (The Love and Temptation Series Book 5)Death of a Glutton hm-8 Read onlineDeath of a Glutton hm-8The Westerby Sisters (Changing Fortunes Series) Read onlineThe Westerby Sisters (Changing Fortunes Series)The Scandalous Marriage (The Dukes and Desires Series Book 7) Read onlineThe Scandalous Marriage (The Dukes and Desires Series Book 7)The Adventuress: HFTS5 Read onlineThe Adventuress: HFTS5Death of a Valentine Read onlineDeath of a ValentineDeath of a Nag Read onlineDeath of a NagDeath of a Dustman hm-17 Read onlineDeath of a Dustman hm-17Hamish Macbeth 09 (1993) - Death of a Travelling Man Read onlineHamish Macbeth 09 (1993) - Death of a Travelling ManThe Loves of Lord Granton (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 2) Read onlineThe Loves of Lord Granton (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 2)Agatha Raisin and a Spoonful of Poison ar-19 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and a Spoonful of Poison ar-19To Dream of Love Read onlineTo Dream of LoveAgatha Raisin 04 (1995) - The Walkers of Dembley Read onlineAgatha Raisin 04 (1995) - The Walkers of DembleyHamish MacBeth 01 (1985) - Death of a Gossip Read onlineHamish MacBeth 01 (1985) - Death of a GossipDeath of a Maid hm-23 Read onlineDeath of a Maid hm-23Belinda Goes to Bath Read onlineBelinda Goes to BathDeath of a Kingfisher Read onlineDeath of a KingfisherDeath of a Charming Man hm-10 Read onlineDeath of a Charming Man hm-10Death of a Prankster hm-7 Read onlineDeath of a Prankster hm-7The Miser of Mayfair: HFTS1 Read onlineThe Miser of Mayfair: HFTS1Hamish Macbeth 05; Death of a Hussy hm-5 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 05; Death of a Hussy hm-5A Governess of Distinction (Endearing Young Charms Book 6) Read onlineA Governess of Distinction (Endearing Young Charms Book 6)The Westerby Inheritance Read onlineThe Westerby InheritanceDeath of a Hussy Read onlineDeath of a HussyHamish MacBeth 07 (1998) - Death of a Prankster Read onlineHamish MacBeth 07 (1998) - Death of a PranksterHamish Macbeth 20 (2004) - Death of a Poison Pen Read onlineHamish Macbeth 20 (2004) - Death of a Poison PenMiss Tonks Turns to Crime Read onlineMiss Tonks Turns to CrimeEdwardian Murder Mystery 01; Snobbery with Violence emm-1 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 01; Snobbery with Violence emm-1Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Wizard of EveshamHamish Macbeth 12 (1996) - Death of a Macho Man Read onlineHamish Macbeth 12 (1996) - Death of a Macho ManYvonne Goes to York Read onlineYvonne Goes to YorkA Highland Christmas Read onlineA Highland ChristmasSweet Masquerade (The Love and Temptation Series Book 4) Read onlineSweet Masquerade (The Love and Temptation Series Book 4)Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wykhadden Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Witch of WykhaddenThe Dead Ringer Read onlineThe Dead RingerAgatha Raisin 05 (1996) - The Murderous Marriage Read onlineAgatha Raisin 05 (1996) - The Murderous MarriageAgatha Raisin 07 (1998) - The Wellspring of Death Read onlineAgatha Raisin 07 (1998) - The Wellspring of DeathAgatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns ar-22 Read onlineAgatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns ar-22