A Mansion for Murder
1930, Yorkshire: Intrigued by a mysterious letter from a stranger offering important information, Private Investigator Kate Shackleton arrives in the mill village of Saltaire. At nearby Milner Field mansion, overshadowed by its reputation for misfortune and untimely deaths, she expects to meet the letter writer, Ronnie Creswell.
Kate soon hears the shocking news that Ronnie has been killed. At first his death appears to be a tragic accident at the mill, but soon it becomes clear that Ronnie's demise was no mishap. Kate is enlisted to help investigate the murder.
Kate moves into the tower rooms at Milner Field, as she tries to uncover resentments, industrial espionage, and old secrets in the close-knit village. Although she doesn't believe in curses, she wonders what sinister truth lies behind this latest in the litany of deaths connected to the infamous Milner Field.
Then just when things couldn't get any worse, a young girl in the village goes missing, and Kate must use all her strength and skill to unravel the mystery around the mansion once and for all ...
"The melding of past and present, multifaceted characters, and a winning investigative team combine into a gripping and moving case. Longtime fans and new readers alike will find much to enjoy."
"A tale based on historical facts that's perfect for lovers of classic British mysteries."
"Framed by a carefully described English mill-town setting this historical mystery ... combines an easy-to like cast with a thoroughly entertaining twist-filled plot and vivid details of the wool industry of the 1930s."
Sue O'Brien, Booklist
"Brilliant."
Peterborough Daily Telegraph
"It's a cracking story, gripping from start to finish, full of gorgeously evocative descriptions that resurrects Milner Field & its setting. There are some expertly drawn new characters, beautiful observations of human nature"
Stephanie Smith, Yorkshire Post
Visit Milner Field with 'Gorgeous Yorkshire', or watch a video in which Frances visits Milner Field, and talks about the part it plays in A Mansion for Murder. You can also read an article about the house in the Telegraph & Argus.
A Mansion for Murder was published in the UK by Piatkus on 20th October 2022 (ISBN: 978-0-3494-3197-0); it is available from Waterstones, from Amazon, from Bookshop.org (supporting local bookshops) - or direct from your local bookshop or library.
The audiobook, read by Anne Dover, is available as an audio download from Audible.
In the US it was published on March 21st 2023 by Crooked Lane Books (ISBN: 978-1-6438-5760-2).
Header photograph, Ingenues arrive, Central Station, Sydney, 1928-1929, by Sam Hood from the collection of the State Library of New South Wales.
