Literature? It can cost you your life. When famed mystery author Imelda Bywater turns up dead during her annual seaside writing retreat, recently retired police detective Mike Atwell can't resist the chance to solve one more case. Teaming up with his quirky ex-wife, Sharon, and genius teen hacker, Dexter, Mike finds himself pulled into the glitzy world of writers, agents, and obsessive fans on the hunt for Imelda's killer. Everyone's a suspect - from Imelda's cuckolded publisher husband, the kooky married writers next door, and even the arrogant guest upstairs. The list keeps growing as secrets and lies unravel. Can Mike crack the case before the murderer strikes again? Will his bumbling team help or hinder the investigation? Can Mike face the demons from his past before they catch up to him? And can Sharon keep a grip on her unruly dogs? Find out in this delightfully quirky thriller! Fans of Agatha Christie and debutante sleuths will adore the twists and turns as Mike untangles the literary drama threatening to un-pen him forever.

When the curtain falls, so does the body…In the picturesque village of Ashbury, Kent, the local amateur dramatics group is ready to bring \Hamlet\ to the stage. But the performance takes a deadly turn when one of their own is found stabbed behind the arras, just like Polonius. Veteran actor and former Hollywood heartthrob, Gerald Temple, now fights for his life in a very different type of theatre - the operating theatre! But who would want him dead? It’s not long before rumours of sabotage, secrets, and spite take centre stage. Mike Atwell steps into the world of stage lights and scripted lines, to defend the stage manager, Lulu, who has been caught literally red-handed. Lulu also happens to be Mike’s ex-wife Sharon’s cousin - what could go wrong? Everyone is playing a part, but someone is hiding a killer role. As Mike navigates feuding actors and hidden rivalries, he must unravel the truth before the final act leads to another deadly encore. In this thrilling cosy mystery, where Shakespearean drama meets small-town secrets, nothing is as it seems. Can Mike catch the real murderer or is it curtain’s up for Lulu? \\Perfect for fans of classic whodunits and anyone who loves a bit of drama with their murder!\\