As told by the inimitable Polly Pepper, actress, sleuth, and reluctant expert in English murder rates.
Welcome, dear readers, to Abbots Clover—a jewel of the English countryside, where every cobblestone has a story, and most of them end in murder. (The stories, not the cobblestones.)
I left Hollywood for the UK after a devoted fan—one I’d never actually met—bequeathed his castle to me. I expected Buckingham Palace. Or at least Balmoral. What I got was Thistlethorne Lodge—a shabby pile where even the gargoyles look nervous. Still, it’s mine—and one does learn to live with damp. And despair.
THISTLETHORNE LODGE
Thistlethorne Lodge is my home, my fortress, and, in winter, my personal freezer. It perches atop a hill overlooking Abbots Clover with the boldness of a monarch—and the plumbing of a Dickens orphanage. But it’s perfect for reading, reflection, and as fate would have it, attracting dead bodies.
BOUND TO READ Bookstore/Coffee Shop
The nerve center of village life—and, frankly, better equipped for interrogation than most police stations. Bound to Read is where I can find a good book and gather intelligence. My confidante, Tiara, is of the opinion that every mystery can be solved over a cup of tea and a slice of lemon drizzle cake in this charming location. She’s not altogether wrong.
THE PEOPLE
The Abbots Clover villagers are an enchanting mix of the endearing, the eccentric, and the utterly exasperating. They claim to be “camera-shy,” which I find suspicious in an age of selfies—though to be fair, most of them have an uncanny resemblance to alpacas—so I sort of get it. Some are sweet as jam, others as sharp as the knives in their kitchen drawers, and all of them are absolutely fascinating. Fortunately, they’re also forgiving, which is handy when one of them turns up dead.
ABBOTS CLOVER CLAIM TO FAME
Our wee village was once the “button capital” of the world. Now, it’s only famous as a location for the hit TV antiques appraisal show Relic or Rubbish, which recently came to shoot at Thistlethorne Lodge. The production promised priceless treasures and genteel art experts. What we got was a shocking live-on-air murder. If you’ve never had your personal castle besieged by cameras, electrical cables, and egos the size of Salisbury Cathedral, you’ve missed a valuable life lesson in humility—and murder prevention.
Dear Readers, when you plan your next vacation to the UK, consider visiting Abbots Clover. Bring an umbrella, a sense of humor, and perhaps a bottle of Dom Perignon for moi. The countryside may look postcard-perfect but trust me—perfection is usually faking it. Especially down here in the Southwest of England. Bon voyage!
– Polly Pepper, Thistlethorne Lodge, Abbots Clover
A Note from Richard Tyler Jordan
Polly Pepper has never met a mystery she couldn’t turn into a performance—or a performance she couldn’t turn into a mystery. IN MURDER IN MINT CONDITION (my latest PP mystery), Polly’s quiet country life is turned upside down when the popular antiques appraisal show, Relic or Rubbish, comes to her castle, and a murder occurs during a live broadcast in front of millions of viewers. What follows is a sparkling blend of wit, intrigue, and English eccentricity as Polly uncovers secrets worth far more than the crown jewels.
If you enjoy clever sleuths, cozy intrigue, and a touch of theatrical flair, come visit Abbots Clover—where the tea is strong, the humor is wry, and dead bodies are politely inconvenient.
Polly Pepper #8
Polly Pepper has played to packed houses, dazzled on television, and conquered Hollywood with her wit and charm. But nothing prepares her for the drama of hosting a live antiques show in her very own English castle.
When the popular Relic or Rubbish descends on Thistlethorne Lodge, the cameras are rolling, the experts are squabbling, and Polly is ready for her close-up. Then the show’s clock specialist winds down permanently—in front of millions of viewers.
The official diagnosis? Natural causes. Polly Pepper’s verdict? Pure poppycock.
With her flair for drama, a castle full of suspects, and a suspicious tech start-up sniffing around heirlooms, Polly steps into her most fulfilling role: sleuth. And this time, there’s no script—just jealousy, secrets, and murder.
Smart, stylish, and wickedly witty, Murder in Mint Condition proves that comedy may be Polly’s profession, but solving crimes is her show-stopping encore.
Mystery Amateur Sleuth | Thriller Crime [ Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: November 4, 2025, e-Book, / ]
RICHARD TYLER JORDAN began his career in Hollywood, spending 30 years as a senior publicist at the Walt Disney Studios, where he worked on marketing campaigns for more than 500 feature films. He later turned to writing novels and is the author of the Polly Pepper cozy mystery series, including Murder and a Missing Manuscript, Shadows at Midnight, and A Corpse in the Castle and several more. He is also the author of the novels Breakfast at Timothy’s, Overnight Sensation, Strangers in the Night, Gay Blades, and One Night Stand, among others. He also wrote the non-fiction book But Darling, I’m Your Auntie Mame! Jordan is an American expat living in a 500-year-old stone cottage in England.
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