The Deadly Manor House (Abigail Summers Cozy Mysteries Book 11)

A Murderous House Party, Ghostly Secrets and Clues from Beyond the Grave

Abigail Summers was a dressmaker in life and is a brilliant sleuth in death. In The Deadly Manor House, the eleventh book in Ann Parker’s Abigail Summers Cozy Mysteries, she joins psychic medium Hayley and the Deadly Detective Agency for a new series of mysteries in the village of Becklesfield.

When Hayley and her policeman husband, Tom, are invited to a 1930s-style housewarming at Wildwood Manor, the weekend promises afternoon tea, croquet and tennis with hosts Jasper Cravensby and Lady Caroline Hatton. But the old manor has a troubled history, and when guests begin to die, Abigail and Hayley must uncover whether the murders are part of an elaborate game or connected to long-buried family secrets.

Meanwhile, Hayley replaces her Mini with a larger car whose supposedly broken radio has an unsettling habit of playing old songs. Abigail suspects the song titles are clues to something that happened inside the vehicle. Their investigation soon leads toward the disappearance of a man returning from the Featheridge UFO Club—and to a mystery with darker roots than they expected.

Another haunted property also demands their attention when strange disturbances at Summerfield House reveal a history involving an orphanage, wartime secrets and bodies hidden on the grounds.

Blending cozy mystery, paranormal intrigue, humour and suspense, The Deadly Manor House is a twisting supernatural whodunit filled with haunted houses, buried secrets and mysteries that refuse to stay in the past.

Discover The Deadly Manor House and join Abigail Summers, Hayley and the Deadly Detective Agency on their latest paranormal cozy mystery.

Excerpt from the book

“Do we know anyone called Jasper Cravensby, Hayley? It’s some sort of invitation to a place called Wildwood Manor.”

“I don’t know why I bother sometimes, Tom. I told you all about his housewarming party the other day when you were watching cricket.”

“There you go then. You can’t expect me to be listening when England are playing.”

“Nor football, apparently. He’s Caroline’s boyfriend; you met him once. She’s been going out with Jasper for about a year now. You must remember him. He’s got a helicopter. And a jet.”

Lady Caroline Hatton had befriended Hayley when she was investigating a case at Chiltern Hall, and she had helped the psychic medium with several of their cases.

“I didn’t know it was all weekend. Anyway, I can’t play tennis. I like watching it though,” said Tom, as he put his jacket on to go to Gorebridge Police Station.

“Anyone for tennis doesn’t mean that, actually. It’s a bit of a pop at the upper classes. There can be explosions or murders going on all around them, but they’ll say, ‘Anyone for tennis?’”

“Well, I never knew that. I might have a go at croquet, though. How hard can it be?” said Tom.

“There’s a snooker room as well. It’ll be great fun. Jasper even managed to get hold of one of those wind-up gramophones. And the 78s to go with it.”

“As long as we haven’t got to dance. I’m not sure I can do the foxtrot or the jitterbug. Will there be anyone there that I know?”

“Erm, only Caroline, I reckon. I don’t know the others either. Jasper’s sister and her husband are going, a couple from South Africa, his new neighbours Lord and Lady Crestwick, an actress friend of Caroline’s and a few more, I think.”

Tom frowned. “It’s not fancy dress, is it? I’m not going in a boater and cream flannels.”

“And a striped blazer. Aw, you’d look really cute. But luckily not. I don’t fancy wearing a Charleston dress and beads. Although I do like my beads. Do you think your parents will babysit Benjie and the cat?”

Luna, the tortoiseshell cat, raised his head when he heard the woman say ‘the cat’. Was it time for his breakfast? It was rather late. But they just carried on talking, much to his disgust.

“I’m sure they will. As long as he behaves himself and doesn’t start waving at ghosts again. Benjie, that is, not Luna,” said Tom.

Luna raised his head again, but still no movement towards the cupboard where his food was kept.

“I’ll make sure the ghosts stay away this time. I thought your mum took it very well. And your dad doesn’t even know.”