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High Society Lady Detective #6 Read Kindle PreviewA snowbound country mansion, a missing butler, and a Christmas case . . . Olive and Jasper have never been closer-except in one area. Jasper is still reticent about his frequent disappearances from polite society. With the holidays approaching and no paying client on the books, Olive decides to shadow Jasper when he's unexpectedly called away. Her search brings her to Holly Hill Lodge where an eclectic group has gathered to celebrate an old-fashioned English Christmas. The guest list includes a celebrated lawn tennis champion, a fussy scientist studying snowflakes, a persuasive luggage salesman, a famous lady explorer, and the family's eccentric aunt who has a fondness for the newfangled drinks called cocktails. When the butler goes missing, Olive and Jasper must work together to solve the Christmas crime-as well as the secret Jasper hides.Β Murder on a Midnight ClearΒ is the latest installment inΒ USA TodayΒ bestselling author Sara Rosett's popular High Society Lady Detective series. Unwrap this 1920s Christmas mystery with all the trimmings-carols, a Yule log, plum pudding . . . and murder. Excerpt 21 December 1923 Despite the gray clouds hanging low over London, the city sparkled with Christmas cheer. Boughs of evergreen, glittering tinsel, and sprigs of holly decorated the storefronts as I made my way along the pavement in the bustle of holiday shoppers. The aroma of roasting chestnuts wafted through the air as I waited for a gap in the traffic before crossing the street, my breath making little white puffs that the sharp wind whisked away. My mood didnβt quite match the jolly atmosphere. I was frustrated with a case. Iβd been on the hunt for information for days, but Iβd discovered absolutely nothing. The edifice of Harrods came into view, and I made an effort to shake off my irritation. I was meeting my cousin Gwen for afternoon tea and Christmas shopping. Iβd seen her so rarely since her engagement that I didnβt want my crossness to set the tone for our time together. I was early, so I threaded through the shoppers to the Food Hall with its colorful tile roundels. Peacocks, fruit trees, and medieval hunting scenes decorated the ceiling and walls. The array of food was rather dizzying, especially considering that Iβd passed a soup kitchen on my walk to the department store. Stacks of fruit and vegetables were arranged in brightly colored pyramids. Rows of fresh bread dusted with flour sent out a warm yeasty aroma. Meat, cheeses, eggs, and chocolate all had their own areas and tempted me with elaborate displays. A few months before, I wouldnβt have been able to afford more than a few buns. Today I had funds in my bank account, but I couldnβt bring myself to buy anything but essentials since I was already splurging on afternoon tea with Gwen. I ordered tins of Earl Grey and Darjeeling at the tea counter and arranged to pick them up later. βOlive!β I spotted Gwen moving through the throng, her blonde curls peeping from under the brim of her pale blue cloche. βItβs wonderful to see you,β she said as we brushed cheeks. βIβve missed you. I have so much to tell you.β βI canβt wait to hear it.β βBut Iβm famished. Tea first?β βI couldnβt agree more.β We went up to the Georgian, and once we were seated and had ordered, I said, βFirst, I want to hear all about your visit with Inspector Longleyβs parents.β βYou must call him Lucas, you know,β Gwen said. βIt will be difficult, but Iβll try.β Iβd met Longley during a murder investigation at Archly Manor. It was hard for me to think of him as anything but an inspector. His Christian name seemed to lodge in my throat, but surely with practice it would become natural to refer to him as Lucas. βHow was the visit with Lucasβ parents?β βIt went quite well. Theyβre charming and were very welcoming.β βIβm so glad, but I expected nothing less.β Gwen was one of the sweetest people I knew. She had a warm disposition, and I couldnβt imagine someone being disappointed with her as a daughter-in-law. βAnd Mr. and Mrs. Longley will be at Parkview for Christmas?β βYes, and you really must come up before Christmas Eve.β βOh, no. I donβt think so. Your families are still becoming acquainted. The visit is a time for Mr. and Mrs. Longley to get to know Aunt Caroline and Uncle Leo. I donβt want to intrude on that.β βYouβre not intruding. Youβre family.β βThatβs kind of you, and I do appreciate it, but I still have a few things to take care of here. And Iβm quite happy in my little flat. Itβs wonderful to have a space of my own.β As much as Iβd liked my former landlady at the boarding house, having my own space was splendid. βIβll arrive at Parkview on Christmas Eve, just as we planned.β βHave you heard from your father?β Gwen asked as our tea arrived. βItβs definite he and Sonia wonβt be back before Christmas?β βI had a letter from Sonia. They arrived and are settled into their pensione. Itβs cooler there than they expected but much drier than Nether Woodsmoor, so theyβre quite happy with the arrangement.β βHow long do they expect to stay?β βAt least until after the New Year. Sonia isnβt one to take chances with Fatherβs health.β βItβs a shame they wonβt have an English Christmas, but I suppose the arrangement is for the best.β βWhen it comes to Fatherβs health, I completely defer to Sonia, even though I will miss them.β My father had had a bad health scare a while back, and Sonia had nursed him through it. When he developed a cough a few weeks ago at the beginning of December, Sonia had declared she didnβt like the sound of his rattly breathing. Sheβd decided they had to depart for a warmer, drier climate, and sheβd packed and made arrangements to leave immediately. βI donβt see why you wonβt come down to Parkview earlier. Whatβs holding you here in London? You donβt have a case, do you?β I hesitated, and Gwen, who had been choosing between the smoked salmon sandwich and the watercress, looked up and studied my face. βYou do have a case.β βOnly one of my own making.β Gwen selected the smoked salmon and tilted her head. βWhat does that mean?β βWell . . . itβs something that Iβm curious about, so Iβm looking into it.β Gwen paused, the sandwich suspended in midair. βYouβre not still chasing about after Jasper, are you?β It was no use dissembling to someone you had known since you were in a pram. βYes, in fact I am.β Gwen placed her sandwich on her plate with great care. βI donβt think itβs a good idea, following Jasper. Iβm sure heβs just doing his normal things.β βWhat do you mean?β βOh, you know.β Gwen waved a hand. βAttending art shows, going to his club, and making up numbers at dinner partiesβthat sort of thing.β I gave my attention to stirring another lump of sugar into my tea. I couldnβt reply because that was exactly what Jasper had been doing. Except for repeatedly using the Gloucester Road tube station, I couldnβt detect anything unusual in his actions. But I wasnβt about to give up. My face must have given away my intentions because Gwen said, βOlive, if Jasper is βup to something,β as you call it, heβll tell you about it . . . eventually.β βWill he?β The teaspoon jangled against the saucer as I put it down . . . Start Reading MURDER ON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR Now High Society Lady Detective MURDER AT THE MANSIONS
#7.0
β’ January 2022
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