A Deadly Inheritance

A Deadly Inheritance Synopsis

A Deadly Inheritance – Synopsis (contains spoilers) Olivia Wells returns to creekside Cornwall to fulfil her godparents’ bequest of cultivating a sustainable co-working hub for eco and creative entrepreneurs in an old railway station building. But before she can head back home to New York, she discovers the murdered body of her friend, Libby. The police soon learn that Olivia and Libby had argued publicly the night before and focus on her as a suspect.

Olivia has few memories of what happened afterwards but Martin Lambert, the resident dynamic and popular business guru provides her with a full alibi. More attempts are made to sabotage Olivia’s plans, including an arson attack on another station building, suggesting that someone is determined for Olivia to fail. The police’s investigations are hampered by the tight-lipped, close-knit Cornish community but when Olivia is approached by Libby’s assistant, Sarah, suggesting that she has vital information that could help, she refuses to get involved as she does not know who to trust.

When Olivia’s house is vandalized, there is no doubt that someone is warning her off. Business at the hub suffers further and the trustees start asking questions about its future viability. The pressure they put on Olivia is overshadowed by the arrival of the police to arrest her for Libby’s murder.

Only then does her least favourite member, Jago Trevithick, reveal his true occupation as a ‘resting’ criminal barrister, and prevents her arrest. Evidence at Libby’s murder scene suggests to Jago that Olivia is being set up to get her out of the way. He tells her about a London investment company which is proposing to buy and develop the railway site.

At the thought of someone trying to destroy her godparents’ vision and force its sale, she agrees to help Jago investigate. Sarah goes missing and a second body is found; another trustee who has disagreed with Olivia. Post-mortem results suggest she was poisoned with a plant grown in Olivia’s garden.

While Jago believes the deaths are connected to the plans for the site, Olivia doesn’t. After a violent attack on Olivia herself, they go to London to pursue their investigation. Their relationship develops and enquiries expose Martin as the person behind the development proposals.

Back in Cornwall, Olivia meets with Martin, hopeful that his deceit is unconnected to the murders. When she discovers that he caused the death of her godfather, she confronts him and he confesses to all three murders before poisoning the meal he has cooked for her. She causes a diversion so Martin eats the contaminated food himself.

A tussle follows and Olivia chooses to save his life in order for him to face proper justice for his actions. Sarah returns and the community pulls together to help finish the café on time. A grand opening takes place where friends, colleagues and villagers all gather to celebrate the successful fulfilment of the legacy left to Olivia by her godparents.

Jago decides to return to his career in London, encouraged by Olivia, who has always believed she will go back to New York, both content with a long- distance relationship. At the last minute, she finally recognises that she belongs in Penbartha where she will be best placed to both explore her relationship with Jago and champion her commitment to sustainability.