This terrific mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and murder makes for a cracking read. A long concealed secret involving murder some 30 years before threatens the well-being of two families about to come together in matrimony. It’s gripping stuff.
Carole Seddon's son, Stephen, is about to be married. But as plans for the day get underway, his fiancee, Gaby, and her parents, Marie and Harold, seem desperate to keep the affair as discreet as possible. However, after a quiet engagement party, Harold disappears...only to be found dead the next day, in a burnt out car in Epping Forest. As the family deal with their grief, Carole begins to suspect that they are also hiding secrets that can be traced back thirty years, to the murder of Marie's best friend. It also transpires that the killer, Michael Brewer, has recently been released from prison, and is back in his old stomping ground, Fethering. When Gaby returns to her flat in London, she hopes she will be able to focus once more on the big day. But here she narrowly escapes the clutches of Michael Brewer, on the run from his parole duties. With Gaby fearing for her life, Carole and Jude must attempt to discover the killer's motives before he makes another deadly move...Will the wedding day go without a hitch?
Simon Brett worked as a light entertainment producer in radio and TV before taking up writing full time in 1979. As well as the Charles Paris and Mrs Pargeter detective series, he is also the author of the radio and television series After Henry, the radio series No Commitments and the best-selling How to be a Little Sod. His novel A Shock to the System was filmed starring Michael Caine. Married with three children, he lives in an Agatha Christie-style village on the South Downs.
Simon Brett was the Winner of the Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger 2014.
Chair of the CWA, Alison Joseph said: ‘'I am delighted that the CWA Diamond Dagger for 2014 is to be awarded to Simon Brett. He is a writer of great wit and integrity, and his success over the years has been very well deserved. The Diamond Dagger is awarded not only for a writer's work but also for their contribution to the genre, and Simon has always been a stalwart supporter of his fellow writers. I am sure I am not alone in feeling that it is entirely appropriate and merited that Simon should be receiving this award.'
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