"In the competitive world of academia, it’s publish—or perish.
When the controversial head of the Animal Science Department at a local university is found dead in her lab, it looks like a tragic accident. But retired detective Mike Atwell knows better. Dr. Valerie Andrews had enemies—plenty of them—both inside the university and beyond. As Mike digs deeper, he discovers bitter rivalries, secret affairs, and a long-standing feud over scientific ethics. But it’s not just research grants and reputations at stake—someone is willing to kill for their degree.
As Mike navigates the high-pressure world of academia, he uncovers a tangled web of ambition, jealousy, and betrayal. With a killer on the loose and another faculty member poisoned, Mike must work fast to crack the case before the campus is thrown into further chaos. Who had the most to gain from these deaths, and who will be next?
For fans of cosy mysteries and intellectual intrigue, ‘Death by Degrees’ is a gripping, and yet hilarious tale of academic ambition, secrets, and deadly consequences."
"When the curtain falls, so does the body…
In the picturesque village of Ashbury, Kent, the local amateur dramatics group is ready to bring *Hamlet* to the stage. But the performance takes a deadly turn when one of their own is found stabbed behind the arras, just like Polonius. Veteran actor and former Hollywood heartthrob, Gerald Temple, now fights for his life in a very different type of theatre - the operating theatre!
But who would want him dead? It’s not long before rumours of sabotage, secrets, and spite take centre stage.
Mike Atwell steps into the world of stage lights and scripted lines, to defend the stage manager, Lulu, who has been caught literally red-handed. Lulu also happens to be Mike’s ex-wife Sharon’s cousin - what could go wrong?
Everyone is playing a part, but someone is hiding a killer role. As Mike navigates feuding actors and hidden rivalries, he must unravel the truth before the final act leads to another deadly encore.
In this thrilling cosy mystery, where Shakespearean drama meets small-town secrets, nothing is as it seems. Can Mike catch the real murderer or is it curtain’s up for Lulu?"
"He’s got a serial killer plotting his demise, CI Quinn on his case, and two crazed Pomeranians nipping at his heels … time for a nice round of golf then.
Naturally, there’s a body in the clubhouse just waiting to be discovered and with the list of suspects growing, Mike soon wishes he chosen a safer sport, like chainsaw juggling, perhaps.
General Trout had a fatal appointment with the business end of a nine iron and those around him all appear to have both motive and opportunity. Did they all really want him dead? No one seems in the least bit upset, except for the general himself, whose ghostly figure now haunts the greens every night as the sun sets over the eighteenth hole.
Will General Trout's spirit haunt the club until someone brings his killer to justice? Or are reports of these ghastly sightings a ruse to throw Mike Atwell off the scent?"
"Mike Atwell is in trouble, he just doesn’t know how deep yet.
His life as a private investigator is yet to generate any income, and another unpaid case just landed on his desk – Frosty Fred, the county’s favourite ice cream salesman has just been found dead at the wheel of the chilly chariot.
But was Fred as universally loved as everyone thinks? There is an ice cream turf war in play, but is it just ice cream they are selling or are there other ‘products’ to be had if one knows how to ask?
Investigating as a favour to an old friend, Mike had to balance the case with one that might actually pay – the hunt for a missing adult film star.
But are the two cases intertwined? Is there a puppet master in the background? And why, oh why, did he hire his ex-wife as an assistant?
Yeah, Mike’s in trouble all right, but as the new head of the Patricia Fisher Investigation Bureau (should that be P-FBI?), he’s determined to get to the truth.
Let’s hope it doesn’t kill him."
"Literature? It can cost you your life.
When famed mystery author Imelda Bywater turns up dead during her annual seaside writing retreat, recently retired police detective Mike Atwell can't resist the chance to solve one more case. Teaming up with his quirky ex-wife, Sharon, and genius teen hacker, Dexter, Mike finds himself pulled into the glitzy world of writers, agents, and obsessive fans on the hunt for Imelda's killer.
Everyone's a suspect - from Imelda's cuckolded publisher husband, the kooky married writers next door, and even the arrogant guest upstairs. The list keeps growing as secrets and lies unravel.
Can Mike crack the case before the murderer strikes again? Will his bumbling team help or hinder the investigation? Can Mike face the demons from his past before they catch up to him? And can Sharon keep a grip on her unruly dogs?"
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