Murder by Proxy — Anne Morice

"I am absolutely certain that someone is trying to kill me," she announced, which was pretty run of the mill compared to most of her ghastly secrets over the years.

Tessa Crichton is appearing in a West End play when her old school friend Anne reappears in her life. Anne and her baby daughter are living in her lover's family manor, while the latter's wife and teenaged daughter inhabit a cottage on the grounds. Pregnant again, possibly with a much desired son, Anne complains to Tessa about attempts on her life. But when Tessa investigates, aided in part by the only dimly enthusiastic Uncle Toby, she finds a number of people who don't care for Anne. When the murders begin, first signs point to suicide, though the coincidences seem to Tessa to be a little suspicious . . .

Murder by Proxy was originally published in 1978. This new edition features an introduction and afterword by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

'Anne Morice has a gift for creating intelligent, affection-generating characters, set in light and entertaining atmospheres.' Spectator