The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder - (A Bella Winter Mystery) by Clare Chase (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

May Day should mark the start of spring. But this year, it means murder... Fortunately antique store owner and amateur detective Bella Winter is on the case!

Everyone in Hope Eaton climbs the hill to Sweet Agnes' Spring on May Day, to greet the dawn and leave tokens among the flowers. Antique store owner Bella Winter grumbles about the early start, but she has to admit that watching the sun rise over the flower-strewn grove is worth it. And her interest deepens when she sees that one of the offerings this year is a little doll stuck all over with pins... a perfect replica of Mary Roberts, who lives nearby.

Determined to find out what lies behind this bizarre threat, Bella dives into a murky mess of strange events. Mary's house is up for sale, but someone's trying to wreck the deal, leaving rotting weeds on her front step. And Mary claims she's seen a cloaked figure watching her from the woods...

Bella's half convinced this is all nonsense, but then Mary is found dead, her prized carving of the spring stolen from her dresser. The police say it was a heart attack, but was she literally scared to death?

Soon Bella has uncovered a string of further mysteries. Why is Mary's nearest neighbour missing? Who graffitied her boss's house with a warning the night she died? And why would anyone want Mary's carving?

All paths lead back to the spring itself... but does it hold answers or more danger? And can Bella track the killer down before she's cut off at the source?

A completely delightful English mystery, full of cozy charm and cunning clues. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love The May Day Murder!

See what everyone's saying about Clare Chase:

'Plenty of plot twists, red herrings, and misdirection. Kept me in suspense. I loved it!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Utterly delightful!... The perfect cozy murder mystery... Keeps you on your toes!... I highly recommend this to the armchair detectives of the world!' The Two Quills