Hardback published by Duckworth books12th October 2023
A KILLER. A SAINT. A TOWN FULL OF WHISPERS.
The first in a thrilling new crime series by The Times-bestselling author.
When English expat Graham Singleterry is brutally murdered, his charred corpse left on a Loire Valley hillside, the police turn to judge d’Instuction Matthieu Lombard to find the perpetrator.
Instead, Lombard discovers a wealth of secrets, grudges and feuds in the idyllic town of Saint-Genese-sue-Loire. He begins to suspect that the remaining members of the Comite des Fetes know more about Singleterry’s death than they are letting on.
But rather than towards an arr, each clue he uncovers seems to point in one, unexpected directions Joan of Arc. Is the answer to Singleterry’s murder hiding in the barroom gossip of the Lion d’Or? Or in another century altogether?
Part of chapter 10 page 64
Lombard gave Helen Singleterry a few moments to gather herself when she returned while she played with a tissue. And you’ve had no contact with the son? he resumed quietly, walking silently around the room.
‘I’m not the maternal type, I’m afraid.’
‘I meant in terms of letting him know about his father.’
He stopped by a glass table under a large wall mirror. On it was a collection of photographs, of only the two of them and a succession of dogs. An apparently happy couple, gradually getting older together until the more recent ones when the age difference becomes marked and the smiles become more than camera-forced.
‘Ah Sorry. I see. Well, I’ve sent an email to a fairly distant relative in England. I know I should have rung but I wasn’t up to it. I’ve not heard back yet.’
Her eyes caught Lombard’s reflected in the mirror.
‘When did you last see your husband alive Madame?’
He held her gaze, and didn’t turn around.
She sighed heavily, whether trying to control her emotions or feigned boredom at the same question she’d been asked already, he wasn’t sure.
Thank you Duckworth Books for sending me an advance proof copy of this crime and mystery book.
About author Ian Moore
Bestselling author Ian Moore is also a stand-up comedian and conference host in the UK and husband, father of three boys,farmhand, chutney-maker and Basil Fawlty impersonator in France. Since doing less stand-up, he stopped taking himself so seriously. https://www.twitter.com/IanMooreAuthorhttps://www.instagram.com/ianmooreauthor
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