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A Thorn in the Rose
A twisty post-WWII crime mystery of class, secrets and second chances (Mel Greenway Investigates 1)
Series: Mel Greenway Investigates
Brief Description
'Samantha writes characters that I would love to play. Her stories and dialogue are an actor's dream!' TV Legend, Frazer Hines 'Samantha Lee Howe writes like a dream... twisty, turny and not to be missed!' Pop Icon, Ayshea Brough 'Downton Abbey turned murderous.' Paul Finch, Sunday...
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Former army mechanic Mel Greenway uncovers a body in the gardens of the decaying Avonby estate, dragging her into a web of secrets, lies, and old resentments. As tensions rise with Inspector Derrin Bradley—her former lover turned investigator—Mel races to solve the mystery before a killer silences her for good.
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Description
'Samantha writes characters that I would love to play. Her stories and dialogue are an actor's dream!' TV Legend, Frazer Hines
'Samantha Lee Howe writes like a dream... twisty, turny and not to be missed!' Pop Icon, Ayshea Brough
'Downton Abbey turned murderous.' Paul Finch, Sunday Times bestselling author
Secrets bloom where the roses die - and Mel Greenway is digging up the truth.
In post-war Britain, Avonby estate is a crumbling relic hiding deadly secrets. Lady Melinda 'Mel' Greenway, a former army mechanic and the family's poor relation, seeks solace in its overgrown gardens - until she unearths a body beneath the roses.
The discovery drags Mel into a tangled web of lies, resentments, and buried truths, forcing her to clash with Inspector Derrin Bradley, her wartime lover turned investigator. As Derrin digs into the dark web of secrets entangling Avonby's privileged residents and its resentful staff, Mel is determined to solve the mystery herself. As sparks fly and old wounds resurface, Mel's relentless pursuit of the truth puts her at odds with both her family and Derrin, while making her a target for a killer desperate to keep the past buried.
A tale of resilience, forbidden romance, and suspense, A Thorn in the Rose is a richly atmospheric mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Series: Mel Greenway Investigates
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Pre-orderFlight of the Turner
When a priceless family heirloom goes missing during a small private dinner party, Mel must find the culprit, and the painting, before Lord Jonathan and Lady Laura return home. Despite their moment of passion, Mel and Derrin are now estranged because there is still too much anger. Still trying to find her place as a 'Greenway' in the new world,...Paperback$2499Unit price /UnavailableOut 25 Aug 2026Pre-order -
A Thorn in the Rose
'Samantha writes characters that I would love to play. Her stories and dialogue are an actor's dream!' TV Legend, Frazer Hines 'Samantha Lee Howe writes like a dream... twisty, turny and not to be missed!' Pop Icon, Ayshea Brough 'Downton Abbey turned murderous.' Paul Finch, Sunday Times bestselling author Secrets bloom where the roses die - and Mel Greenway is...PaperbackSold Out
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781835013342
Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 12 February 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Bedford Square Publishers
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 272
About the Author
Samantha Lee Howe began her professional writing career in 2007 and has been working as a freelance writer for small, medium and large publishers ever since. She is a multi-award winning screenwriter and a USA Today Bestselling author. Samantha's breakaway debut psychological thriller, The Stranger In Our Bed, was released in February 2020 with Harper Collins imprint, One More Chapter. The book rapidly became a USA Today bestseller, and has now been turned into a feature film for USA, Canada, China, the UK, and various countries in Europe. It won Best Thriller at the National Film Awards. Samantha lives in South Yorkshire with her husband, Historian, Writer and publisher, David J Howe and their cat Skye. She is the proud mother of a lovely daughter called Linzi.
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Pre-order
Flight of the Turner
When a priceless family heirloom goes missing during a small private dinner party, Mel must find the culprit, and the painting, before Lord Jonathan and Lady Laura return home. Despite their moment of passion, Mel and Derrin are now estranged because there is still too much anger. Still trying to find her place as a 'Greenway' in the new world,...Paperback$2499Unit price /UnavailableOut 25 Aug 2026Pre-order
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