Shadows in Sussex: The British Book Tour Mysteries  |  Book 5

Author: Emma Dakin
Publisher: Camel Press

Claire Barclay plans to take her tourists to explore Sussex and Kent in southeast England, aiming for a satisfying tourist experience. She isn’t expecting murder, especially so close to her group. At first the death of the young man is thought to be another tragic case of toxic drug use, but lab results show murder. Claire is disturbed by the death but is determined to keep her tourists away from the tragedy. While showing her guests the sights of Rye in Sussex—the Ypres castle, the Romney Marsh, the Lamb House and the fine cuisine of the Mermaid Inn—Claire carves out time to help her fiancé, Inspector Mark Evans investigate. Everyone talks to Claire: the victim’s mother, his girlfriend and local acquaintances. She brings the information to the Major Crimes Investigations Team. Her main job, however, is guiding her tourists: three young women from Toronto, Canada who are interested in the events of the Second World War, two couples from Friday Harbor, Washington who are interested in the theatre and literature, and an older lady from Vermont who is interested in everything. Claire manages to keep this disparate group together, for the most part, but the murder investigation intrudes and the tourists are curious. Her own curiosity propels her into an unexpected confrontation with the murderer. This is one situation where Claire wishes she wasn’t picked to be the recipient of a secret. There is too much danger in that position.