Getting Away with Murder? — Anne Morice

'Not complaining, are you? Right up your street, I should have thought. Solving the odd murder between professional engagements is your forte.'

When the rare chance occurs for Tessa Crichton and her policeman husband, Robin, to have a three week holiday together it is with some misgivings that Tessa agrees to spend the time at a luxury hotel in the West Country.

Her misgivings are confirmed when she realises that Robin's insistence in going to Mattingly Grange is due to an unsolved murder which had taken place in nearby Chissingfield two years previously, when a young woman had been killed near the racecourse.

The link between their hotel and the death naturally gives full rein to Tessa's natural inquisitiveness. There is also the added enigma of a birthday party at the hotel involving characters who were connected with the dead woman.

Getting Away with Murder? was originally published in 1984. This new edition features an introduction and afterword by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

'What makes Tessa Crichton such good company are her shrewd eye and quick tongue for people and situations.' Daily Telegraph

'A lovely idea for your fictional murder, occurring at provincial arts festival and nearby racecourse. Lots of good old larger-than-life characters.' The Times

'Anne Morice's books are frothy and light, a welcome sorbet to refresh the palate between ponderously significant blockbusters.' The Tablet