A Mansion for Murder by Frances Brody

1930 Kate Shackleton arrives in the village of Saltaire at the request of an unknown gentleman who seeks her help as an investigator. On arrival, she finds the man initially missing, then drowned under suspicious curcumstances. Investigating further Kate discovers many facets to the murder - rival suitors for an heiress's hand, control of a business through fair means or foul, old curses which the current villagers believe to be true and prevalent today and unsaid, hidden stories that have to be feretted out. Slowly and diplomatically Kate along with her loyal troop of Mrs Suden and Mr Sykes untangle a web of old and new animosities and a desperation on the part of one man who is determined to escape the gallows. It was also interesting to see how women who were capable and clever had to hide their talents, work discreetly so as not to ruffle tge men's feathers. Sent by Crooked Lane Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.