‘A Country Manor Murder’ by Alice Castle

Published by Bookouture,
13 February 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-80550458-0 (PB)

Sarah Vane has barely waved off her two daughters and two tiny granddaughters, when Daphne Roux, Sarah’s oldest friend and next-door neighbour rushes in with the news that she has signed them both up for the Vanstone Fair bake-off, and that they should make some scones and win first prize. Sarah is sceptical of this, but says OK, when is the contest? This afternoon says Daphne crunching a biscuit. 

Three hours later they are on their way to Vanstone complete with scones. Driving through the picturesque village they head for Coates House, which is a Jacobean manor complete with sweeping lawns, owned by Madeleine Brett-Coates. As they join a slow-moving queue of cars seeking a parking space.  Sarah asks what time does the competition start? 4pm says Daphne, we need to get our scones on the judging table quickly as it’s now. Oh! 4pm. And she off sprinting across the car park. Sarah makes her way to the big white tent, to display their scones. It’s gloomy and dark inside the tent. Then she sees two feet sticking out from beneath a pile of coloured flags. 

The arrival of Police Constables Dumbarton and Deeside, known as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, followed by Daphne’s daughter Mariella, who has just transferred to the Canterbury police force, sets the ball rolling, announcing that the dead body is that of as the Madeleine Brett-Coates. 

The three children of the late Mrs Brett-Coates’s, (Mumsy! to her children), Bernard, Helena and Jonathan appear heartbroken over the death of their mother, but Sarah soon learns that matriarch ruled her children with a rod of iron. Keeping them all living at the house. They all clearly disliked each other.  Without doubt even more when the terms of her will are read out. Oops! 

The discovery of a second dead body muddies the water and poses even more questions. 

Like all good murder mysteries, it is soon revealed that everyone at the manor, even the staff, have secrets. Can Sarah aided by Hamish her black Scottie dog, and Mariella track down the killer before, yet another victim is claimed?

It kept me guessing to the end.  Heartily recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett 

Alice Castle had a long career as a feature writer on national newspapers including the Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph, before turning to crime. Alice has also written a nine-book crime series set in south east London.  Her recent series features Sarah Vane. There are six books in this series. Alice grew up in south London and, after a stint in Brussels (where her first novel, Hot Chocolate, is set) she is back in the UK, dreaming up adventures for her heroine’s. She writes psychological thrillers for HQDigital as A.M. Castle. Alice is married with two children, two stepchildren. Follow Alice on Twitter as @DDsDiary or visit her website at

http://www.alicecastleauthor.com