A Second Sons Inquiry Agency historical mystery.
How could his uncle be responsible for the murder of Lady Banks? Charles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor, isn’t convinced Sir Edward could have done it, even when the victim is Sir Edward’s ex-mistress. Unfortunately, before Charles can investigate the rumor, his uncle goes to Mr. Gaunt, the renowned head of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency, for help. After hearing the facts, Mr. Gaunt warns Charles that there may be some truth behind the rumors. Sir Edward was at the scene and it’s entirely possible he did commit the murder and is now trying to cast suspicion elsewhere by hiring Mr. Gaunt and sending roses as “warnings” to future victims.
Charles refuses to accept Gaunt’s conclusion, however, even though he has to admit that his uncle has a motive. Sir Edward was crippled by his mistress’s horse, and his mistress subsequently broke off their relationship because of his injuries, so he certainly might harbor ill-wishes toward her. Nonetheless, others may have equally compelling reasons, and Charles just needs time to dig them out before the hangman practices on Sir Edward’s neck.
When another death is predicted through delivery of fresh roses, Charles enlists the aid of noted rosarian, Ariadne Wellfleet, to decipher the clues and beat the murder at his own game. Unfortunately, the killer catches on quickly, and even Ariadne is threatened when the stakes are raised. A third set of roses arrives, and if she has deciphered the clues correctly, the next victim is a member of her own household.
Charles soon finds himself in a race against time to save both Ariadne and his uncle and prevent the next murder.
“A Rose Before Dying” is a wry, witty historical whodunit touched with romance. This addition to the Second Sons Inquiry Agency mystery series features an amateur detective who refuses to let his earldom stand in the way of catching an elusive killer.
Author: Amy Corwin has been growing Old Garden roses and modern English roses for over ten years. She has won several award at local rose shows, including: the Dowager Queen Aware for the rose ‘Baronne Prevost’ (hybridized 1842) and the Victorian Rose Award twice for the rose ‘Mme Alfred Carriere’ (hybridized 1879). It’s not hard to see why she could not resist including roses in several of her stories.
How could his uncle be responsible for the murder of Lady Banks? Charles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor, isn’t convinced Sir Edward could have done it, even when the victim is Sir Edward’s ex-mistress. Unfortunately, before Charles can investigate the rumor, his uncle goes to Mr. Gaunt, the renowned head of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency, for help. After hearing the facts, Mr. Gaunt warns Charles that there may be some truth behind the rumors. Sir Edward was at the scene and it’s entirely possible he did commit the murder and is now trying to cast suspicion elsewhere by hiring Mr. Gaunt and sending roses as “warnings” to future victims.
Charles refuses to accept Gaunt’s conclusion, however, even though he has to admit that his uncle has a motive. Sir Edward was crippled by his mistress’s horse, and his mistress subsequently broke off their relationship because of his injuries, so he certainly might harbor ill-wishes toward her. Nonetheless, others may have equally compelling reasons, and Charles just needs time to dig them out before the hangman practices on Sir Edward’s neck.
When another death is predicted through delivery of fresh roses, Charles enlists the aid of noted rosarian, Ariadne Wellfleet, to decipher the clues and beat the murder at his own game. Unfortunately, the killer catches on quickly, and even Ariadne is threatened when the stakes are raised. A third set of roses arrives, and if she has deciphered the clues correctly, the next victim is a member of her own household.
Charles soon finds himself in a race against time to save both Ariadne and his uncle and prevent the next murder.
“A Rose Before Dying” is a wry, witty historical whodunit touched with romance. This addition to the Second Sons Inquiry Agency mystery series features an amateur detective who refuses to let his earldom stand in the way of catching an elusive killer.
Author: Amy Corwin has been growing Old Garden roses and modern English roses for over ten years. She has won several award at local rose shows, including: the Dowager Queen Aware for the rose ‘Baronne Prevost’ (hybridized 1842) and the Victorian Rose Award twice for the rose ‘Mme Alfred Carriere’ (hybridized 1879). It’s not hard to see why she could not resist including roses in several of her stories.
