1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin.
For over three decades, Edwina Davenport has lived comfortably in Walmsley Parva, but the post–World War I bust has left her in dire financial straits and forced her to advertise for a lodger. When her long-lost school chum Beryl arrives on her doorstep—actually crashes into it in her red motorcar—Edwina welcomes her old friend as her new roommate.
But her idyllic hometown has a hidden sinister side, and when the two friends are drawn in, they decide to set up shop as private inquiry agents, helping Edwina to make ends meet and satisfying Beryl’s thirst for adventure. Now this odd couple will need to put their heads together to catch a killer—before this sleepy English village becomes their final resting place . . .
What a cracking start to a series! When two old school friends meet up again, murder and mayhem follow!
Edwina and Beryl had met at finishing school, Beryl became a newsreel sensation courting adventure and danger in equal measures, Edwina headed back to Walmsley Parva and spinsterhood (she had wanted to follow her father's footsteps and become a solicitor but her mother put the kibosh on that!), it is now post war and Edwina's finances are suffering, so she has girded her loins and advertised for a lodger, luckily Beryl has spotted the advertisment and has come post haste to become the house sharer, a bit TOO post haste as she ends up crashing her nice shiny roadster into the wall outside Edwina's cottage!
Beryl has spread the tale that she and Edwina were in the Intelligence service during the war, unfortunately someone believes the tale and tries to kill Edwina! In a way this was the jump start she needed and before long Edwina and Beryl are investigators in truth, and what they find out will change Walmsley Parva and their own lives in a way that couldn't be imagined.
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