A Thorn in the Rose

<B>Former army mechanic Mel Greenway uncovers a body in the gardens of the decaying Avonby estate, dragging her into a web of secrets, lies, and old resentments. As tensions rise with Inspector Derrin Bradley—her former lover turned investigator—Mel races to solve the mystery before a killer silences her for good.</B><BR><BR><B>'Downton Abbey turned murderous.'</B> Paul Finch, <I>Sunday Times</I> bestselling author<BR><BR>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Kept me gripped from the first page' <I>reader review</I><BR><BR>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Truly great stuff and unputdownable!' <I>reader review</I><BR><BR>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'It kept me guessing!' <I>reader review</I><BR><BR><B>A grand country house. A family full of secrets. And a body buried beneath the roses…</B><BR><BR>Post-war England. Lady Melinda 'Mel' Greenway has survived the horrors of war, but returning to her family's crumbling country estate, Avonby, brings troubles of a different kind.<BR><BR>A former army mechanic and the family's poor relation, Mel has never quite belonged among Avonby's privileged residents. But when she discovers a body buried in the rose garden, she realises that someone in the house has a deadly secret.<BR><BR>Everyone has something to hide. And someone will do anything to keep the truth buried.<BR><BR>As suspicion falls on the family and their servants, Mel is determined to unmask the killer. But the investigation brings her face to face with Inspector Derrin Bradley, the man she once loved and has never quite forgotten.<BR><BR>With old passions reigniting and dark family secrets coming to light, Mel soon discovers that the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her position becomes.<BR><BR>Because someone at Avonby has already killed to protect their secrets. Will Mel be next?<BR><BR>Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, Agatha Christie and gripping historical country house mysteries packed with secrets, scandal and murder.<BR><BR>'Samantha writes characters that I would love to play. Her Stories and dialogue are an actor's dream!' <B>TV Legend, Frazer Hines</B><BR><BR>'Samantha Lee Howe writes like a dream...twisty, turny and not to be missed!' <B>Pop Icon, Ayshea Brough</B>