The Deadly Museum (Abigail Summers Cozy Mysteries Book 6)

A Museum Murder, A Poisonous Plot, and a Haunting Legacy

When Abigail Summers—former dressmaker, now ghostly detective—visits the Shillingworth Natural History Museum, she finds more than artifacts on display. The museum's owner, Hector, lies dead among the grizzly bears, and a venomous frog has gone missing. With the help of psychic medium Hayley and her police officer husband, Abigail must uncover the deadly secrets hidden within the museum's walls before more lives are lost.

As the Deadly Detective Agency investigates Hector’s murder, they’re drawn into a tangled web of betrayal, hidden identities, and long-buried crimes. When a woman abandoned at birth seeks their help, the trail leads to Rookshot Hall and the funeral of Lord Missendale. Ghosts past and present unite to unearth the truth before the will is read—and another victim falls.

In The Deadly Museum, the sixth book in Ann Parker’s charming and suspenseful cozy mystery series, small-town Becklesfield is anything but quiet. With its mix of humor, heart, and the supernatural, this is a case you won't forget.

Start reading The Deadly Museum today and discover why the afterlife is no excuse to stop solving crimes.

Excerpt from the book

“So we’re going to see animals from all over the world?” asked Suzie excitedly.

“That’s right, hun. Lions, tigers and spiders, you name it,” said Hayley Bennett.

“But they’re all dead,” said Abigail bluntly. “What? Well they are! Stuffed at any rate. But they look real,” she admitted.

While Abigail Summers was alive, she had been taken twice in her childhood to the museum in Haltsham. But now she was accompanied by Suzie, a beautiful black girl, who had been killed by a drunk driver when she was nine. The only ones who were alive were Hayley, a psychic medium, and her six-month-old son, Benjamin. He had been born with a paranormal gift as well, so they could both see and hear Abigail and Suzie.

“Benjie will love them, alive or dead. He loves you lot, doesn’t he?” Hayley said gently to Suzie. “I suppose they are dead, hun, but I went when I was your age and I loved it. They’ve got every animal, fish, reptile and insect. Even dinosaur bones and fossils.”

“What’s the time, Hayley? We seem to have been waiting ages,” said the ever-impatient Abigail.

“Two minutes to go, and we’ve only been here for five minutes.”

“Seems longer,” said Abigail. “And you should see the spiders, Suzie. They are huge. Actually, it gave me a phobia after I saw them.”

Suzie said, “I was fine with spiders. Mum was the one that would start screaming till Dad put a glass over it and put it outside. I think she gets my brother to do it now they aren’t together.”

“I don’t know what she would do if she saw one of the tarantulas they have here then. Have a heart attack, probably.”

Hayley said, “I would too. Oh, good, they’re opening.”

A young woman, with a green T-shirt that had a badge with Dawn on it, opened the double doors and turned a sign to ‘Open’. It was a Monday morning in term-time, so she was not expecting a long queue. She stood aside and let the lady and her pushchair in. Not knowing she was also admitting a pretty, blonde-haired lady and a young girl.

“Morning,” said Hayley. “Is it still free?”

“Just about. For now anyway. You can leave a donation at the exit if you like. Would you like a leaflet?”

“Yes, please. I have been before, but not for years. I don’t suppose it’s changed much though, has it?”

“Not really. There are a few more things added. A prehistoric section, and there’s a sensory room where you can wear headphones and goggles and see the different habitats. It feels like you’re actually swimming with sharks or in a jungle with a lion.”

“Scary. Whatever will they think of next.”

“And they’ve enlarged the shop and we’ve got a proper tea room now.”

“That’s nice,” said Hayley. “I think you could get a cuppa in a plastic cup when I came.”

“No plastic allowed now. Everything has to be biodegradable or recyclable. So go through that door there.”

“I remember. It’s the hall with the big lions and bears in, isn’t it? Benjie will love them. Thank you very much,” said Hayley.

Benjie bounced up and down with excitement when he saw all the animals behind the large panes of glass.