No sooner has June settled into her aunt's house in Lower Foxdale than tragedy strikes: her retired neighbour, Professor Leighton, is found dead at the bottom of his staircase. The police suspect a tragic accident, but June has her doubts. Just before his death, the professor confided in her about a significant discovery he intended to keep secret. As June investigates, she uncovers clues pointing to a long-lost, immensely valuable book. But she's not the only one searching - a mysterious figure in a monk's robe attacks her before she can make a discovery. Has she just come face to face with a killer? Together with fellow bookshop owner Pomona and the charming Rufus Whalley, June is determined to unravel the mystery no matter the personal danger.

About the series: Wondrous gardens, stunning countryside and mystical places are the crowning glories of Somerset. When young Londoner June inherits her aunt's idyllic cottage and bookshop, she is taken by the county's charms and sees the perfect chance for a fresh start. But even in this peaceful corner of southern England, dark secrets lie hidden beneath the surface, and murderous crimes crop up... Fortunately, June isn't alone. Always ready to help are her new friends, Pomona, with her love of tarot cards and all things mystical, and the knowledgeable antiquarian, Rufus Whalley. And then there's the rather attractive Detective Sergeant Sean Darcy, whose involvement in the cases soon becomes more than just professional.

About the author: Dorothea Stiller fell in love with British mystery novels long before she ever set foot in England. Raised in Germany, she shared her grandmother's affinity for detective stories and soon began writing her own. Her passion for cosy mysteries and her fondness of village life now come together in the Somerset Mysteries series. When she's not plotting new adventures for her characters, Dorothea enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage children or exploring English bookshops and gardens. At home, she can often be found in her small, messy garden, or curled up on the sofa with her cat, a crochet project, and a cup of tea in a bone-china mug from her ever-growing collection.