Murder at the Midsummer Feast
When celebrity chef Henrietta Dodd collapses face-first into her prize-winning trifle at Blackvale's annual Midsummer Feast & Fair, all eyes turn to Cressida's great-aunt Sylvia—whose "experimental" jam tart may have been the murder weapon.
Cressida Vale came to Blackvale for a fresh start—a few months at her great-aunt's inn, some freelance photography, and maybe a chance to figure out what she actually wants from life.Instead, she gets a dead celebrity chef, a poisoned tart, and her beloved aunt accused of murder.Teaming up with Miles Stone, her childhood friend and fellow reluctant hometown returnee, Cressida must navigate rival bakers, town gossip, blackmail, and decades-old grudges to clear Sylvia's name and unmask the true killer.
CASE SUMMARY
She came for a fresh start. She stayed to solve a murder.
When Cressida Vale returns to the small town of Blackvale, she's hoping for quiet—a few months helping at her great-aunt Sylvia's inn, some freelance photography work, and maybe a chance to figure out what she actually wants from life.
Instead, she gets a dead celebrity chef, a poisoned tart, and her beloved aunt accused of murder.
Henrietta Dodd collapsed at the town's annual Midsummer Feast & Fair—right after tasting Aunt Sylvia's jam tart. With all evidence pointing to Sylvia and the sheriff closing in, Cressida knows she has to act fast. Enter Miles Stone, her childhood friend and fellow reluctant hometown returnee. Together, they'll navigate rival bakers, town gossip, blackmail, and decades-old grudges to uncover the truth.
But in Blackvale, the sunny façade hides shadows deeper than either of them imagined. And the real killer is closer than they think.
A cozy gothic mystery where summer sunshine meets dark secrets, and every smile might hide a motive.
Cressida Vale
Observant to a fault and unimpressed by social niceties, Cressida notices what others overlook—and remembers what they wish she wouldn’t.
Miles Stone
Methodical, quietly incisive, and dangerously patient, Miles understands that people reveal the truth when they believe they are still in control.
Meet the Slueths
FROM THE INVESTIGATOR’S JOURNAL
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