Veronica Heley

"Bea is drawn back into the questionable doings of the members of the multi-billionaire Holland family, including an engagement with a fake diamond ring, an alleged suicide attempt, an abusive man who tries to put the frighteners on Bea, and the ambiguous behaviour of the black sheep of the family, who turns out to be the joker in the pack"--author's website.

"When a client turns up, bearing a briefcase full of priceless jewels, Bea Abbot finds herself drawn into the affairs of the dysfunctional Rycroft family. Magda had been entrusted with the briefcase by her employer, wealthy art expert Lucas Rycroft - but other family members are determined to get their hands on the jewels - whatever it takes."--Publisher's description.

Ellie opens the door to a man who is a stranger but instantly recognisable as the father of her housekeeper's brilliant but difficult young son. Mikey had been conceived at a party during which his mother Vera, a schoolgirl, had been drugged and raped. Abdi hadn't wanted anything further to do with her - then. Twelve years later he is a high-flying consultant whose wife cannot have children, and he aims to pay off Vera and adopt Mikey: a suggestion...

Ellie's old friend and housekeeper falls off a ladder and hurts herself after seeing a 'ghost' in a neighbour's house - while Ellie is trying to get rid of a desperate young man, who says he's looking for his great aunt...who happens to own the house in question. Mrs. Pryce had told everyone she was moving to a retirement home, but never arrived there. Someone seems to be tending the vegetables in Mrs. Pryce's garden. Perhaps the house is not as...

Attending a birthday celebration for two young girls, Bea Abbot tries not to let superstition get the better of her when she realizes that there are thirteen people at dinner. What she doesn't anticipate is that the evening will end in sudden, violent death. Chaos descends when a fire breaks out. While two memebers of the host family are rushed to the hospital, Bea and a fellow guest search for the birthday girls in a house which has been plunged...

Ellie is desperate to find someone to look after her elderly housekeeper, Rose. But employing a carer proves to be a mixed blessing, for Claire is heavily involved with a local church with a charismatic pastor, who -- seemingly coincidentally -- is looking to Ellie's charitable trust for financial help. Can Ellie trust Claire and Pastor Ambrose?

Ellie investigates some mysterious deaths in the community that may or may not be suicide.

Bea Abbot's domestic agency does not, repeat not, investigate murder . . . that is, until she finds herself in the company of a dead man dressed as a pantomime dame. It looks like suicide, but why don't his red-spangled shoes fit? Why is the mans daughter so keen to hustle his mortal remains away without publicity? Then again, which of the women around him--two surviving wives and a daughter--really cared about him, rather than his money?