The Last Perfect Summer of Richard Dawlish: Dottie Manderson mysteries: Book 4 - Softcover

Allan, Caron

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1791656005 ISBN 13: 9781791656003

Publisher: Independently published, 2018

Synopsis

Reviewers said:

“Five stars! Delightfully entertaining, rich characters, suspenseful, charming all in one; anxiously awaiting the next one!”

“a fascinating tale set in England in the 1930s. This ‘cosy crime’ novel, with its measure of burgeoning romance, is a good read; something to entertain and satisfy in front of a burning log fire in the dark days of winter. The settings and period detail are excellent…The denouement is swift, tense and satisfying…”

“I received this on a Friday and could not put it down - goodbye housework - not for too long though as I was so enthralled I finished it Saturday evening.”

“I was worried to read this as I didn't think it would be as good as the Criss Cross series… but I needn't have fussed as it was again simply brilliant.”

“Dottie Manderson is a gorgeous character…A great read and I’m looking forward to catching up with more of Dottie.”

The Last Perfect Summer of Richard Dawlish: Dottie Manderson mysteries book 4.

A few days rest is just what Dottie needs. It's not long before she makes the acquaintance of Penny Parfitt, and her attractive brother-in-law Gervase and accepts their invitation to spend a few days in the country. Quickly Dottie realises secrets and intrigues lurk beneath the pleasant surface of their lives.

A suicide years earlier casts a shadow. But was it really suicide? Dottie begins to think something sinister has taken place. But after all this time, can she find out what really happened?

Introducing a new 1930s female sleuth in a traditional, cozy mystery series set in Britain between the two world wars, from Caron Allan, the writer of Criss Cross, Cross Check, and Check Mate, the Friendship Can Be Murder series.

Buy The Last Perfect Summer of Richard Dawlish: Dottie Manderson mysteries book 4 for a romantic, suspenseful read in the traditional amateur detective sleuth genre.

Extract from The Last Perfect Summer of Richard Dawlish: Dottie Manderson mysteries book 4:

The war, Richard Dawlish, reflected might never have happened. The group of young people were sprawled on the steps, chatting and drinking beer.

‘Hello Dickie-boy!’ Arthur Parfitt called and cackled at his own hilariousness. He was clearly completely drunk.

‘Don’t call him that, you know he doesn’t like it, Artie.’ Miranda snapped.

‘Oh Miranda, I’m cut to the core by your marvellous jibe! Though actually I refer to be called Artie. It’s better than Arthur. Anyway, Dickie knows it’s just a bit of fun, don’t you Dickie-Dick-Dickie?’

Richard ignored him. He accepted a bottle from one of the other girls. Beyond her, Algy and Deirdre were kissing with complete abandon. Richard hoped things wouldn’t get out of hand. Miranda’s little sister Penny was there, a mere kid who looked just as out of place as Richard. She was too young to be drinking. He’d give it half an hour, walk Penny back then make his escape.

He drank the beer, then another. Miranda took his hand and drew him into the copse amid catcalls and jeers. They were gone for twenty minutes, returning sullen and silent. Richard asked Penny if she wanted to go back. They set off.

Next morning, the Maynards’ staff surveyed the scene of the party. The house was a mess, the lawn was hardly less so. George Blake went to the pavilion to clear up after the youngsters. He was pleased, it meant he could have a cigarette. It was a perfect morning. As he neared the pavilion, something caught his eye: the body of Richard Dawlish, hanging from a branch of the copper beech tree.

Buy The Last Perfect Summer of Richard Dawlish: Dottie Manderson mysteries book 4 for a romantic, suspenseful read in the traditional amateur detective sleuth genre.

About this title

About the Author

Caron lives in Derbyshire, England, where Jane Austen's Mr Darcy came from. She hasn't met him yet, but nevertheless clings to the dream. She writes mysteries and crime but sometimes dabble in other genres, such as romance or paranormal fantasy.

Like many writers, Caron always wanted to write stories. She can remember announcing this to her mother when she was eight years old. Caron says, 'I seem to remember she wasn't overly impressed.'

Caron started reading adventure stories and mysteries for children when she was around 7 or 8 and graduated to Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth (her faves) when around 9 or 10. She has never looked back.

Caron has tried writing literary fiction - and says she was terrible at it. She has tried writing romance but got bored and killed everyone off. So now she sticks to what she loves - murder mysteries.
 
The Dottie Manderson mysteries are set in the 1930s and feature Dottie, a terminally-nosy well-to-do young woman, book 1 is called Night and Day. The Friendship Can Be Murder series are set 'now' and written as diary entries by a posh woman, Cressida Barker-Powell, who has a low tolerance for bad people, and plans to begin with her mother-in-law. The new series The Miss Gascoigne Mysteries set in the 'swinging sixties' debuted in 2022 with book 1: A Meeting With Murder. 

Caron Allan can be found on these social media channels and would love to hear from you:

Instagram: caronsbooks

Twitter: caron_allan

Also, if you're interested in news, snippets, Caron's quirky take on life or just want some sneak previews, please sign up to Caron's blog shown below:

caronallanfiction.com

Edition details

• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1791656005
• ISBN 13: 9781791656003
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 369