When Belinda Lawrence inherits her great-aunt's cottage on the outskirts of Bath, she expects a quiet life in this new neighbourhood. Perhaps a little gardening, making new friends

But Belinda finds herself deep in the mystery of her great-aunt’s sudden death, and surrounded people she's not sure she should trust. Are her neighbours, Rosemary and Jacob, what they seem? Why is real-estate agent Mark Sallinger so keen for her to sell the property? Is local antique dealer Hazel Whitby only interested in Belinda's furniture?

Antique plans for the cottage garden give Belinda the clue to her great-aunt's murder, but soon Belinda herself is the prey of a determined and ruthless killer.

REVIEW

A solid tale of greed, obsession, and murder.

“Capable of Murder” is a must read! Mr. Kavanagh has written a story I could not solve, something that has become a rarity for me. Thank you.

This tale is quite simple, really. The setting is on the outskirts of Bath, England. Belinda Lawrence is summoned, via a letter, by her reclusive great-aunt for a visit; however, ends up finding the aunt dead. Being the only living relative, Belinda inherits her aunt’s ancient cottage and dilapidated gardens. Belinda believes her aunt was murdered. Why? Because the letter summoning Belinda was mailed after her aunt’s supposed accident. That, and everyone Belinda meets seems to know more than they are willing to tell. Oh, and there’s that attempt on Belinda’s life as well.

Yes, “Capable of Murder” does seem a simple murder mystery, but it’s all in the telling and Mr. Kavanagh does a wonderful job at telling it. He has painted a clear picture of the cottage and gardens. The characters are engaging while being both straightforward and complex. The killer’s motive for murder is not the normal quest for money or power, but something more down to earth.

“Capable of Murder” is the first in the Belinda Lawrence series and I hope this will prove to be a long series as she and Mr. Kavanagh have a permanent place on my library shelves.

Reviewed by: Christine I Speakman, The Muse Book Reviews
themusebookreviews.tripod.com
4 out of 4 roses

EXCERPT

From her vantage point beneath the shadowy trees, the woman in black muttered a profanity that was entirely out of place in the churchyard.

She sank down onto a long neglected tomb and cursed again when she saw the state of her new shoes. Her jaw set firmly in passionate ill will, she clamped a cigarette between scarlet lips, lit it, and exhaled disenchanted smoke from her long slender nose.

A gust of arctic air made the woman shiver and tuck wispy tinted hair back beneath her sleek fur hat.

The thud, thud of earth shovelled onto the wooden coffin only added to her exasperation, as the gravediggers committed Jane Victoria Lawrence's body to eternity.

'If the old bitch had only listened to reason.' The violent mute words echoed in the woman's brain. But there was no use crying over spilt blood.

It seemed there was an heir to the property and that could present either a help or a hindrance.

With an inquisitive eye she observed Belinda entering the car and being driven away.

'And we have Inspector Jordan on the case. Thinks he's Somerset's version of Hercule Poirot. More like a deficient Jane Marple,' muttered the woman in derisive tones as the Inspector's car vanished over the hill.

The woman rose a little unsteadily to her feet. The chill of the graveyard was entering her bones and she needed a warming brandy. Lurking around graveyards at her time of life was a little like tempting fate.