Happy Publication Day to Clare Chase for Mystery at Seagrave Hall, the third in her Eve Mallow Mystery series. The series is set in coastal Suffolk with local characters and an idyllic village set against the eerie backdrop of deserted marshland and the sea. Her feature character Eve is an obituary writer and amateur sleuth. Clare explains where the inspiration for her heroine came from,

The idea for her came after listening to a fascinating interview with Margalit Fox, who fulfilled that role for the New York Times. It got me thinking about the unique insight obituary writers must get into a dead person’s personality and how they were viewed by others. It seemed like the perfect profession for an amateur sleuth! The Suffolk (UK) setting harks back to happy childhood holidays. My grandmother lived there, by the sea, and Eve’s dog Gus is based on her wire-haired dachshund, Huw.

 

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Mystery as Seagrave Hall (affiliate link)

It’s Eve Mallow’s first visit to the local village fair. But amidst the booths, stalls, tables and tents lurks something darker… A mysterious fall means a new case for amateur detective Eve!

The charity fair at Seagrave Hall is a key date in the Saxford St Peter calendar – a chance for the villagers to nose around the house and grounds and cross paths with the rich and famous.

New resident Eve Mallow is particularly excited by this year’s special guest: the explorer Verity Nye, who is engaged to the heir to the Hall. Eve loves Verity’s determination, and she can’t wait to meet her.

But when they talk, Verity hints that she has something troubling on her mind. So after the festive mood is tragically interrupted by Verity’s fall from a third-floor window, Eve can’t be sure that it’s an appalling accident. Especially when one small boy claims he saw someone behind her…

Soon Eve finds herself tasked with writing Verity’s obituary. As she dusts off her notebook and begins her interviews alongside her trusted dachshund sidekick Gus she realises she has a fine array of suspects before her. Could it be a corrupt charity manager, the distraught fiancé, or jealous cousin Cora? And can Eve find out before her questions cause the killer to turn on her?

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Eve’s first outing was in Mystery on Hidden Lane followed by Mystery at Apple Tree Cottage. (affiliate links)

 

 

What others have said about the Eve Mallow series

 

‘Plenty of plot twists, red herrings, and misdirection. Kept me in suspense. I loved it!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I really enjoyed reading this! Loved the typical English village location and the very Jessica Fletcher-type protagonist… I am anxious to read more of this character soon!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Such a bold and interesting female lead… will keep you enthralled from the beginning till the last page.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was immediately drawn into the story… a sure winner for M.C. Beaton fans.’ Goodreads Reviewer

‘Cracking… compelling… enough twists and surprises to keep the most demanding armchair sleuth satisfied.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Kept me on my toes throughout…a cracking follow up book which completely satisfied although it did leave me gagging for the next in series.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I devoured the mystery in one sitting. Highly recommend.’ NetGalley reviewer

‘I thoroughly enjoyed it… loved the setting… I was reminded of a modern-day Miss Marple.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

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About the author

 

Clare Chase finds the current state of the world a bit stressful and has resorted to writing classic mysteries as a form of escapism. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.

Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat but the mid-terrace she currently occupies represents a good happy medium.

As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s novels.

Clare is a member of The Crime Writers’ Association.

You can follow her on Twitter, find her on Facebook, or sign up for info via her website.

 

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