The Body in the Garden

The Body in the Garden, a SUSPENSE MAGAZINE BEST BOOK OF 2020, is a perfect read for fans of Tasha Alexander and Rhys Bowen. Katharine Schellman's debut novel is sure to delight and captivate.

Set in London, 1815, the story follows newly-widowed Lily Adler as she returns to a society that frowns on independent women. Despite this, she is determined to create a meaningful life for herself without a husband. Familiar with the glittering world of London's upper crust, Lily expects the usual scandal, gossip, and secrets at a ball thrown by her oldest friend, Lady Walter. What she doesn't expect is to find a dead body in Lady Walter's garden.

Moments before the murder, Lily overheard the victim—young, desperate, and attempting blackmail. Initially, she is willing to leave the matter to the local constables until Lord Walter bribes the investigating magistrate to drop the case. Stunned and confused, Lily realises that she holds the key to uncovering the killer.

With the help of a roguish navy captain and a mysterious heiress from the West Indies, Lily embarks on a quest to discover if her friend's husband is involved in blackmail and murder. Concealing their investigation within the bustling social season of London, the team must tread carefully. The dead man held secrets about powerful people, secrets these individuals would kill to keep hidden. Now, Lily must expose the truth before she becomes the murderer's next target.