The Dark Stream — June Thomson

When blond, vibrant young Stella Reeve is found drowned under a treacherous footbridge in the tiny village of Wynford. The evidence suggests accident, but Inspector Rudd is not convinced.

The girl was returning from a platonic visit to a village newcomer, middle-aged rebel Alec Lawson, just separated from his wife and son. Lawson also had a visit from restless, bored Madge Bingham, the local doctor's wife, who'd been put off by his air of amused superiority.

But there were others near the scene on the fateful night: macho, sullen Ken Reeve, Stella's soon-to-be ex-husband; the Bingham's gardener Reg Bartlett, who cared for Stella in a fatherly way; and Lawson's estranged wife Joanna, vaguely looking for evidence of Alec's adultery.