'An outstanding series' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

A Bill Slider Mystery

Detective Inspector Bill Slider has always been keen on architecture, and The Old Rectory is the kind of house he would give anything to won. But the dead body of Jennifer Andrews in her shallow grave rather spoils the view.

The case looks straightforward enough: a provocative woman murdered by her violent and jealous husband. But as the investigation proceeds, new suspects and motives keep crawling out of the woodwork. It seems there is something rotten at the heart of the community surrounding the lovely old house.

When Slider finally gets a confession, it's from a wholly incredible source. It seems in life there is always more going on than meets the eye...

Praise for the Bill Slider series:

'Slider and his creator are real discoveries'
Daily Mail

'Sharp, witty and well-plotted'
Times

'Harrod-Eagles and her detective hero form a class act. The style is fast, funny and furious - the plotting crisply devious'
Irish Times

About the Author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is the author of the hugely popular Morland Dynasty novels, which have captivated and enthralled readers for decades. She is also the author of the contemporary Bill Slider mystery series, as well as her recent series, Ashmore Castle, and War at Home, which is an epic family drama set against the backdrop of World War I. Cynthia's passions are music, wine, horses, architecture and the English countryside.

Reviews
Harrod-Eagles unleashes an effective, dark-edged tale and serves up a truly nasty villain into the bargain... [She] gracefully builds upon her habitually elegant procedural stylings to deliver taut psychological suspense. * Publishers Weekly *
The books work so well because the author manages to infuse them with a warmth and wit that lingers on after the last page is turned. * Yorkshire Post *
Rapid pacing, sharp dialogue, strong storyline and confident writing style should delight lovers of British procedurals on both sides of the Atlantic. * Book World *
This is an excellent, solidly professional police story: well-written, with well-drawn characters and a neatly dovetailed plot. * Evening Standard *
Although the milieu seems light years away from the edgy chaos of the city, the quiet-desperation crowd proves itself capable of its own brand of nasty behaviour. Harrod-Eagles's ability to plumb the pathos from the depths of daily life remains razor sharp. * Booklist *
There are plenty of suspects for old Bill Slider and his team, and a whole fishmonger's full of red herrings. Harrod-Eagles is a wonderfully assured, compelling plotter, and her hero is as appealing as ever. * Yorkshire Post *
The charm oozed by Bill, who is a normal person with personal problems struggling to survive in a cruel world through humour and wit...a unique novel that gives readers a glimpse of an England rarely seen in this sub-genre. -- HARRIET KLAUSNER
Complex and sophisticated. The puzzle and the people are intriguing, and the denouement compelling, making another winner for this outstanding writer * Kirkus Reviews *
Each plot twist, including one devious turn that throws suspicion on a former member of Slider's murder squad, hangs on the testimony of complicated characters who are among the author's finest stock. Nobody is exactly what he or she seems: not the victim, not even Slider, who has reason to examine his own * New York Times Book Review *
Confident and lucid * Seattle Times *
Yet again Ms Harrod-Eagles hits the bullseye with her concoction of mystery and humour. Highly recommended. * Irish Times *
Harrod-Eagles delivers snappy prose and a ripping tour through the British music world. * Mostly Murder *
Time spent in the company of this literate crew is always worthwhile. * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *



Book Information
ISBN 9780751575385
Author Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Sphere
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 200g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 124mm * 26mm