Old Mrs. Mellanby decides her house with its large rambling garden is just too much work for her to keep, so she lists it with a developer who plans to put three new homes in the spot. But when she goes to get planning permission, she suddenly finds herself the target of some mean and nasty gossip. Then her neighbor who had been firmly against the development changes her mind. But before she can tell anyone, she is found dead in her home. Gossips immediately finger Mrs. Mellanby as a murderer. The police rather halfheartedly investigate, and while they at least don't suspect Mrs. Mellanby at all, they don't seem to be getting any closer to figuring out what really did happen.

It's scandal and corruption on the local level, but it's remarkably nasty for all that. Mrs. Mellanby's grandniece moves in and enlists a friend to help investigate. It seems everywhere they look, there is some secret waiting to be uncovered. Who will be the next victim?

I like Bell's books and this one was good. She has a good sense of how villages work and a good feel for the many quirks of human nature. Recommended. ( )