Books in the Melissa Craig Mystery series

Meet Melissa: cat lover, caring mother… daring detective? Melissa Craig is absolutely delighted with her new life in an old crumbling cottage, spending her days pruning the primroses and getting to know Binkie, the ginger cat next door. She only wishes she had made the move to the countryside sooner.But when a knock at the door brings news of a shocking discovery, she suddenly finds herself thrown in to the middle of a baffling mystery: the bones of a young woman have been found in the woods just behind her new home.Perhaps the little village of Upper Bembury is not as idyllic as it first seemed? Strange phone calls in the night convince Melissa that the police are barking up completely the wrong tree, so she can't resist doing a little digging of her own. From the bingo hall to the beauty salon and beyond, her search ruffles a few feathers and uncovers many of the village's most scandalous secrets, but gets her no closer to finding the culprit…The discovery of a tatty old photograph in a drawer is the final piece of the puzzle she needs, but as a newcomer in this close-knit community, does Melissa have what it takes to get to the bottom of this extraordinary murder mystery alone? A joy to read! An absolutely unputdownable whodunnit for fans of Agatha Christie, P.D. James and Faith Martin.This book was previously published as A Little Gentle Sleuthing.

French cheese, fine wine and… a mystifying murder? A delightful afternoon stroll turns to disaster when the guests of an artists' retreat in the French mountains spot the body of a man at the bottom of a cliff. Amongst them is Melissa Craig who, binoculars at the ready, suddenly finds herself at the centre of a very puzzling mystery. Was it an accident, or was he pushed? Her suspicions are confirmed when another body is found days later in almost exactly the same spot. It can't be a coincidence; someone in this idyllic French village is up to no good, and it's up to her to find out who. Between the eccentric locals and mischievous guests, Melissa finds herself with no shortage of potential suspects: was it the surly handyman with a dark past, or perhaps the short-sighted widow with an excellent golf swing? But the real question is: how close to the edge will Melissa have to tread to find the culprit…? An absolutely unputdownable murder mystery you'll read in one sitting. Perfect for anyone who loves Agatha Christie, P.D. James or Faith Martin. This book was previously published as Over the Edge.

Cream teas, buttered crumpets and a very curious crime…Melissa Craig is settling in nicely to a new teaching position in the quaint little village of Upper Bembury, getting to know her way around, drinking tea with the eccentric staff, even sewing the first seeds of romance…But when she arrives one morning to find police outside her classroom, Melissa is shocked to hear that her beautiful colleague Angelica has been found dead in her home.As everyone in Angelica's life comes under suspicion, ­Melissa makes it her mission to go in search of the truth, not least because she's romantically entangled with none other than the police's prime suspect.The discovery of a vandalised portrait of the murdered girl might be just the clue that Melissa needs to clear her lover's name, but when a second body surfaces, she knows she needs to act quickly. Can Melissa uncover the ugly truth in this beautiful village before another innocent life is taken?Do you love murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, P.D. James and Faith Martin? If so, make this puzzling and absolutely page-turning whodunnit your next read! This book was previously published as Finishing Touch. What readers are saying about Betty Rowlands:'Perfect for lovers of COSY CRIME!... I loved this book… This is an easily read book but it will keep you on your toes' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars'An entertaining book… fluently written… In the same league as Agatha Christie.' B for Book Review'Captivated… very well-written… a terrific beginning to the series… a very quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed the danger and surprising twists in this story, as well as the unexpected humour.' Robin Loves Reading

Bright mornings and brisk walks… spring has arrived in the Cotswolds. But the atmosphere is positively wintery in Upper Benbury after a series of murders shake the close-knit community. Since her move to the country, Melissa Craig has become firmly established in village life. So, when one of the older residents fails to show up for a drinks party, Melissa goes to check on her. What she finds chills her to the bone: her dear neighbour has been murdered, and the killer has painted a hideous smile onto her face… Melissa soon realises that the death in her village bears the same trademark as a series of recent murders in the Cotswolds. When will The Smiler strike again? With a dangerous killer on the loose, Melissa realises she needs to solve this case quickly. But as she starts to look closely at the people around her, she realises the killer may be closer to home than she could ever have imagined. What dark secrets are the villagers of Upper Benbury hiding? And can Melissa crack this deadly case before another life is taken? Do you love murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and P.D. James? If so, then you won't be able to put down this gripping novel!

A body is found near a picture-perfect Cotswolds village… but the upstanding local residents couldn't possibly be involved, could they? Murder is the very last thing on Melissa Craig's mind when one of her neighbours pops in to complain loudly about a minor local robbery. She's far too busy thinking about her next book…But when the evening paper lands, there is a shocking headline. A young woman's body has been found in the nearby woods, and it seems the local robbery may offer a crucial clue. Suddenly the whole village is talking about the murder, but none of Melissa's neighbours have come forward to say they know who the victim is. Convinced that the police have got the wrong end of the stick, Melissa can't resist doing some more digging. When she finds a photograph of the dead girl at her former family home, she realises this is the clue she needs, if only she can find out who took the picture… Melissa finds an exciting new lead and rushes to follow it. But might she be walking into a trap? Can she work out the truth before she puts herself in harm's way? If you love novels by Joy Ellis, Faith Martin or Agatha Christie, you won't be able to put down this twisty murder mystery! This book was previously published as The Cherry Pickers. What readers are saying about Betty Rowlands:'Hooked from the first pages… wonderful… fascinating, full of twists and turns… kept me guessing till the end.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars'Brilliant… I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars'An absolutely addictive, wonderful story. Loved it from start to finish. Great pace and a delightful setting, colourful characters and thrilling mystery. This was a brilliant story and I cannot wait for more!' Renita D'Silva, author of The Forgotten Daughter, 5 stars

A grand old house soaks up the golden summer sun… but inside the dining room something dreadful has happened. Melissa couldn't be happier that summer has arrived. She's delighted to have her mother back by her side, and she is extending her beloved Hawthorn Cottage so her new family can live together.Meanwhile, Melissa's mother Sylvia is back in good health and enjoying a brief stay at a stately retirement home. She loves getting to know the residents, until first a dog and then his owner are both found dead in the dining room. Like mother, like daughter, Sylvia decides to do a little investigating of her own.Convinced that the deaths are suspicious, Sylvia starts probing her fellow residents, trying to find out who might have wanted the dog and its owner dead. Could it be the once-married couple, or the glamorous actors or the harassed manager of the home?When one of Sylvia's friends falls ill in suspicious circumstances, Melissa realises her mother has rattled someone, but who? And what happens if the killer realises they've been rumbled? Will Sylvia find herself meeting a villain in the dining room? And can Melissa find the culprit before another life is taken? An absolutely gripping mystery for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis! This book was previously published as No Laughing Matter. What readers are saying about Betty Rowlands:'Hooked from the first pages… wonderful… fascinating, full of twists and turns… kept me guessing till the end.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars'Brilliant… I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars'An absolutely addictive, wonderful story. Loved it from start to finish. Great pace and a delightful setting, colourful characters and thrilling mystery. This was a brilliant story and I cannot wait for more!' Renita D'Silva, author of The Forgotten Daughter, 5 stars'Perfect for lovers of COZY CRIME!... I loved this book… This is an easily read book but it will keep you on your toes.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

A perfect country garden is full of flowers and gently buzzing bees… But the man lying dead beneath the trees can no longer see the beautiful scene. Melissa Craig is thrilled that summer has arrived. She has decided to give up her career as an amateur sleuth and enjoy a quiet life in her beautiful cottage. The only digging in Melissa's life now happens in her garden.However, when a keen beekeeper is found dead, covered in multiple stings, her new resolve is tested. As she gets to know the family of the dead man, she realises he was no saint. Could someone have possibly wanted him dead? Could this be a very clever murder?As Melissa starts to probe the victim's friends and acquaintances, another member of the family is also stung to death. Who could have turned the bees against their keeper? And when will they strike again?With the residents of Upper Benbury now fearful to open their windows to the summer air, and the police treating the deaths as accidental, Melissa must solve this case herself. To find the killer with the sharpest sting, she may have to delve deep into the hive… If you can't get enough of mysteries by Agatha Christie, P.D. James or Faith Martin, you will love this unputdownable mystery novel.

A babbling brook runs alongside a wooded glade, surrounded by autumn light and birdsong. But next to the stream a young woman lies dead, her once bright blonde hair now limp and lifeless… Melissa Craig has settled into a new job in the charming Cotswolds village of Upper Benbury. She is teaching French to several of the local teenagers, which gives her a fascinating insight into the young people's lives. Material for a new novel perhaps…Her quiet life is interrupted when she sees her new neighbour running out of the woods in a blind panic. Melissa rushes to help him, but what she finds leaves her breathless: the body of young woman is lying on the bank of the river. When suspicion falls on Melissa's neighbour, a man with a difficult past trying to make a new start, Melissa feels determined to prove his innocence. With the village in turmoil, and the police sure they've got their man, she must act quickly. As she interviews the local residents, she realises there are several sinister characters lurking inside those charming Cotswold cottages… Could one of them have hurt Cissie? Was it the strange old man with a cottage near the river? Or the ailing ex-choirmaster with quite an eye for the ladies?When Melissa Craig decides to get her teeth into a case, she doesn't let go - nothing will stop her from solving this murder. Can she prove the innocence of her new friend? And will she unearth the culprit before another young life is taken? An absolutely unputdownable murder mystery for fans of Faith Martin, Joy Ellis and P.D. James that will have you hooked right from the start. This book was previously published as The Man at the Window. What readers are saying about Betty Rowlands:'Hooked from the first pages… wonderful… fascinating, full of twists and turns… kept me guessing till the end.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars'Brilliant… I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars'An absolutely addictive, wonderful story. Loved it from start to finish. Great pace and a delightful setting, colourful characters and thrilling mystery. This was a brilliant story and I cannot wait for more!' Renita D'Silva, author of The Forgotten Daughter, 5 stars