The Tragedy at Siddlecombe Manor: The Blanchflower Mysteries, #2
()
About this ebook
Not your typical mystery short story:
When a wealthy woman mysteriously disappears from Siddlecombe Manor - seemingly from her lover's bed, Detective Inspector Blanchflower investigates.
With his trademark fedora and handsome sidekick Inspector Ferraud, Blanchflower is contacted by the woman's Father, desperate to find her.
Ferraud doesn't want to take the case but Blanchflower insists that they have to track down the missing woman; although there is no apparent motive for her disappearance, and there are no indications she has been kidnapped and held for ransom, despite her wealth and status in Society.
Never one to turn away from a case, Blanchflower examines the woman's past to establish why she has disappeared, and what he finds is truly unexpected; and leads Blanchflower down a different path to reveal the real motives of the people in the woman's life.
Meanwhile, Inspector Ferraud considers the merits of his recent promotion, and why he's always a few steps behind Blanchflower in solving the case.
The dynamic between Blanchflower and Ferraud entertains without detracting from the mystery which only this duo can solve.
Ruby Binns-Cagney
Keep in touch - sign up for new releases and save on publication day:http://books2read.com/author/ruby-binns-cagney/subscribe/1/41373/Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful independently published Author who writes women's fiction (chick-lit) and American-based crime thrillers.Ruby's 'Detective Macaulay' crime series has a following on Twitter https://www.twitter.com/detmacaulay (@DetMacaulay)Ruby has a website and blog - read more details of her publishing services.Through her publishing company - BinnsCagneyPublishing Co - Ruby empowers others to become self-published Authors, and her Team also mentor new Authors.Free Marketing Help Signup:http://eepurl.com/3IsJPAdd her to your Google+ Circles https://plus.google.com/+RubyBinnsCagney/postsPlease visit her website:http://author-tales-of-self-publishing-books.blogspot.co.uk
Read more from Ruby Binns Cagney
All About Love: A Guide To Evolving Relationships Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAthena: The Detective Macaulay Murders Prequel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe FBI Special Agent Benson Cases Collection Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSerendipity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Chesapeake Bay Mystery Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHeart of Stone Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGood Girls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMockingbird: The FBI Special Agent Benson Cases Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Agent Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHail Mary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDragonfly Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Thing about Jake Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCarved In Stone: Dr Everett Stone Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKiss & Tell Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNext of Kin Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKisses At Fifty Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDragonfly: The Mary Jane Mysteries Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsVanished (The Mary Jane Mysteries) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove Over 40: Find Real Lasting Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Tragedy at Siddlecombe Manor
Titles in the series (2)
A Stitch in Time: The Blanchflower Mysteries, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Tragedy at Siddlecombe Manor: The Blanchflower Mysteries, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
The Tragedy at Siddlecombe Manor Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Cinderella to Secure His Heir Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHaunted Attraction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA New Window On Life: Four Historical Romances Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHave A Heart Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5A Rugged Heart to Love: A Pair of Historical Romances Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOut of the Shadows: A Pair of Historical Romances Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beating the System: The Royals of Avalone, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Scoundrel's Bartered Bride Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A New Start for Lily: Hope Valley Romance, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsScandal and the Runaway Bride Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Kate Chopin Collection Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Mysterious Man Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHis Innocent's Passionate Awakening Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The Cursed Forest: The Sleeping Kingdom, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeducing the Lost Heir: A wrong brother romance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Italian's Bride Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tanner's Promise Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Remarkable Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Runaway Wife: A powerful and gritty saga set in 1920's London Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Rancher’s Surprise Mail Order Bride: Westward Hearts, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Marriage Made in Italy: A Single Dad Romance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Law and Ginny Marlow Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInvolving Innocence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSomber Island Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Devin's Dilemma Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDear Yvonne Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDearest Daughter: Volume 2 of The Sisters' Saga Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhole Lot O' Love: The Brantons, #3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One Love: Brewing in the Cities Shorts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Crime Thriller For You
Hallowe'en Party: Inspiration for the 20th Century Studios Major Motion Picture A Haunting in Venice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lucky Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Razorblade Tears: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cain's jawbone Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Good Daughter: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Girl Who Was Taken: A Gripping Psychological Thriller Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finn Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pieces of Her: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Notes on an Execution: An Edgar Award Winner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5False Witness: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pale Blue Eye: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5These Silent Woods: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summit Lake Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Club: A Reese's Book Club Pick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Appeal: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lost Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5One of Us Is Dead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Kept Woman: A Will Trent Thriller Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Butcher Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Murdery Mystery Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Silent Wife: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Widow: A Will Trent Thriller Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The ABC Murders: A Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Woman in the Library: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Trust Me When I Lie: A True Crime-Inspired Thriller Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Cleaning the Gold: A Jack Reacher and Will Trent Short Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 120 Days of Sodom (Rediscovered Books): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Girl, Forgotten: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Tragedy at Siddlecombe Manor
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Tragedy at Siddlecombe Manor - Ruby Binns-Cagney
Chapter One
SIDDLECOMBE MANOR WAS a generations-old family Estate, set in acres of lush green fields nestled between the Chiltern Hills of the Cotswolds. The previous owner, Harold, had lovingly landscaped the gardens and had intensively developed the fields at the rear of the property. At the moment Harold found his final resting place, his relatives were later surprised to learn he’d left explicit instructions for the upkeep of the property.
Herbert Siddlecombe, the current occupant – or Bertie as he was endearingly known - was a miserable Financier on the London Stock Exchange who had mortgaged the Manor to the hilt several times to enable the launch of several poorly-executed business enterprises. His attempts to rectify his dire financial situation had only served to leave him virtually destitute; his predicament now well-known among his circle of close friends. Each knew of the others’ secrets and therefore equally posed the threat of exposure should their friendships ever sour.
In fact, Herbert was being blackmailed; but he had no idea by whom. While he hung on to dear life by a very fragile thread, an unknown entity persistently goaded him into a rage about his misfortunes, and threatened to expose him as a fraud.
The Manor was in desperate need of renovation if it was to be returned to its former state; ready for the next in line to inherit. Bertie’s meager salary from his work at the London Stock Exchange barely kept him stocked in his beloved brandy and fine cigars. Yet he continued to work there to feather his ailing fortune.
He’d long since accepted that he had an incurable gambling addiction and thought he had kept the solemn news to himself. Yet, within days of the grim realization, he’d begun to receive unsigned letters demanding he pay for their silence, or have his secret exposed.
Oh, the scandal would kill Bertie and rob him of what little dignity he had left. The letters were cowardly attempts to oust him out of his home. He just had to figure out the culprit and quickly - before time ran out. He was determined not to pay a single cent to his blackmailer, no matter the dread of the gossip that would run rampant in the City.
His only saving grace was the love of his life, Penelope Hempstead (nee DeBrett); a bored housewife who’d inherited a personal fortune from her late Mother, and was besotted with Bertie.
He’d previously been married to Penelope’s sister Simone until the summer of 1959 when she’d caught him mid-fling with the latest in a series of dark-eyed women who’d rented the guesthouse from them. Simone had risked the scandal of announcing the end of her marriage and had tearfully filed for divorce.
Her amiable connections helped prevent the Norfolk Herald from splashing the details of the demise of her marriage across its pages. A sizeable sum had been paid to silence the Editor, and in part contributed to Bertie’s uncomely financial predicament post-divorce.
Penelope was married to Rutland Hempstead, the Matriarch of the Norfolk Herald newspaper empire, and was a wealthy heiress to the DeBrett diamond mining family fortune. It was her night for supper with Bertie, and she’d worn a silk gown he liked.
That particular evening she was bored, and idly toyed with her cold potatoes, which lay beside a slab of well-done Porterhouse steak; while Bertie had talked all evening. All she’d wanted was a quiet evening with him. Rutland was away on business, and she was relieved to be free of him, now she’d escaped her husband’s half-hearted amorous advances.
She had to tell Bertie, but how? There wasn’t enough time but she would still try. If she didn’t tell him now there’d be no turning back.
Penelope had grown fond of Bertie but he’d hoped for much more from her. When Simone had regretfully ended their marriage, he’d hoped it had finally left Penny to the mercy of his affections; but if anything, he was less assured of her feelings for him.
While Bertie’s lucrative Bridge games continued at the Manor, and his friends scolded him for losing Simone, Bertie had targeted Penelope in the hope he’d gain access to her assets, or failing that, access to her Father, Herman DeBrett’s sizeable fortune, for Bertie’s next business venture. From the look Penny gave Bertie she was about