DEATH IN THE COTSWOLDS

Thea Osborne is thanking her lucky stars. After two disastrous house-sitting incidents in which she unwittingly became embroiled in murder, she is only too happy to have a bit of time to concentrate on her blossoming relationship with DI Phil Hollis. The couple have retreated to Phil's aunt's cottage in Cold Aston, and other than the odd interruption from his childhood acquaintance, the eccentric Ariadne, they look forward to some peace and quiet. But the bad luck that plagues the hapless Thea and her beloved spaniel Hepzibah is never far away. With autumn drawing in, preparations for Samhain, the pagan origin of Halloween, are well under way when Ariadne discovers a very tangible reminder of the season of death - a body laid out like a sacrificial victim on Notgrove Barrow. It becomes apparent that the cosy village has more than its share of secrets, but just how far will some go to keep them hidden? One of the very popular Cotswold mysteries series which blends research, restraint and a fascinating protagonist. 319pp, paperback.