Publication Feb. 2, 2026
Two mysteries. Both involving poisoning. One old. One new. And, somehow, right in the middle of both, is photographer Georgina Drake. Who knew simply driving a friend to pick up a child who gets sick on a school field trip could lead to an investigation. Although initially most found it odd an entire group of children would get sick with the same thing at almost exactly the same time, no one thought too much about it. Then the teacher heading that field trip dies. Now it's a murder investigation that sucks Georgina into it in ways she'd just as rather have never happened.
I don't want to give away too much more of the plot, it's a good one that'll keep you guessing, but will say it involves greed, family angst, manipulation, small town gossip, a dead rat, and the difficulty newcomers often face while trying to fit into a new place. You'll also get some serious background on windmill operation and the whys of the way things are done to manufacture flour. Lots of bits of history, too, mostly tied to the old murder. That's where Georgina's friend Doris comes into play. She has a talent Georgina doesn't. Doris is a ghost that only Georgina can hear through her hearing aid. She also seems to have the ability to slip in an out of locations not just effortlessly... I mean, would we expect anything less of a ghost .... but find and talk to deceased souls involved. In this case it's Margaret, accused and hanged for murder nearly a century ago. Doris' presence doesn't come across as spooky, just as the way it is, so don't hesitate to read this if you're a ghost skeptic. As you'll discover, some of the characters were/are, too.
Which brings me to why I keep returning to this series. The characters are well fleshed out and it was particular fun to see Georgina's son Will home and playing a major role in the investigation. Actually, in both investigations. Even daughter Bea makes a brief appearance via a phone call, so it was a bit of a family reunion. Colin, the detective inspector and Georgina's boyfriend, is coming around but I was more impressed to see his open willingness to not just buy into Doris' existence but how he handled dealing with Will's work issues that brought him home. Not pushy, just available to listen if needed. In the process, we all learn a bit about the evolution of arsenic via some past research Will did for schooling. In any case, I liked the characters and how their connections have evolved. And, hey, if you enjoy a dose of Shakespeare and/or literary references, you'll definitely like this book. The mystery is solid, with several suspects and enough red herrings to keep you guessing. Thanks #StormPublishing for initially introducing me to this series and allowing me an early peek at how life is treating Georgina. My own affinity for picking up my camera without thought makes her a bit of a kindred soul for me.
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