Blueberry Muffins and Misfortune
When Barker's book launch is ruined by the sudden appearance of a decade-old skeleton, Julia finds herself with another cold case on her hands. It quickly becomes evident that the remains belong to Mabel Crump, the former manager of the library, but Mabel supposedly fled Peridale for a new life in Spain ten years ago. How did she end up there, and more importantly, why?
With Mabel's family gathered in Peridale for her husband's ninetieth birthday, Julia soon realises the Crumps are not all they seem. Did one of them kill Mabel, or did someone in Julia's own family murder the former librarian?
Between the skeleton, Barker's sudden rise to author fame and an unexpected love rival, Julia must juggle the different sides of her life to piece together her most challenging case yet. With secrets and lies spanning ten long years, can she crack the case before everything crumbles around her?
Cafe owner and amateur sleuth in Peridale.
The village's former library manager, thought to have fled to Spain a decade earlier.
Julia's partner, whose book launch uncovers the skeleton.