Miss Riddell Series by P.C. James, Paul James

A secret liaison. A baffling murder. Can one woman solve the crime without joining the body count?Northern England, 1953. Pauline Riddell has grand ambitions for her future at the armament factory. So, when her closest workmate reveals a salacious affair with a married man, Pauline refuses to risk her career by listening to the scandal. But she’s shaken to her core when the police arrive with news of her best friend’s homicide... moreA secret liaison. A baffling murder. Can one woman solve the crime without joining the body count?Northern England, 1953. Pauline Riddell has grand ambitions for her future at the armament factory. So, when her closest workmate reveals a salacious affair with a married man, Pauline refuses to risk her career by listening to the scandal. But she’s shaken to her core when the police arrive with news of her best friend’s homicide.Desperate for justice, Pauline’s insistent poking into the investigation only makes her the prime suspect. And now to clear her name, she must unravel a web of deadly clues entangling her in a sinister plot. Can Pauline catch the killer before they strike again?In The Beginning, There Was a Murder is a riveting mystery novel. If you like whip-smart heroines, intriguing twists and turns, and nail-biting danger, then you’ll love P.C. James’s sensational story. less

With her hometown awash with crime, a sleuth must solve a slaying. Can she save her family from a treacherous plot?Yorkshire, England, 1962. Miss Riddell definitely isn’t having a merry Christmas. With her mother sick and brother pestering her to investigate a forged will, the worst winter in decades has her longing to return to regular life... moreWith her hometown awash with crime, a sleuth must solve a slaying. Can she save her family from a treacherous plot?Yorkshire, England, 1962. Miss Riddell definitely isn’t having a merry Christmas. With her mother sick and brother pestering her to investigate a forged will, the worst winter in decades has her longing to return to regular life. And just as a series of ugly incidents in the village pushes the pressure to a boiling point, things take a deadly turn when her cousin is brutally murdered.Convinced there’s a devious link between the fraud and the death, Miss Riddell puts her sharp mind to work uncovering clues. But with the unscrupulous culprit evading police, she’ll have to put everything on the line to corner the killer.Can Miss Riddell wrap up the case without becoming the next frozen corpse?A Murder for Christmas is the electric fourth tale in the Miss Riddell Cozy Mysteries series. If you like crafty heroines, perplexing puzzles, and charming Yuletide settings, then you’ll love P.C. James’ clever story. less

A lost fortune. A desperate hunt for answers. Can a persistent investigator unearth the truth and save a life?Sydney, Australia, 1977. Miss Riddell just survived a mind-numbing audit. So when she’s approached by an Australian woman seeking to prove she’s entitled to inherit an affluent English estate, the amateur sleuth is tickled by the chance to crack an easy case... moreA lost fortune. A desperate hunt for answers. Can a persistent investigator unearth the truth and save a life?Sydney, Australia, 1977. Miss Riddell just survived a mind-numbing audit. So when she’s approached by an Australian woman seeking to prove she’s entitled to inherit an affluent English estate, the amateur sleuth is tickled by the chance to crack an easy case. But when she heads to England and discovers the aristocratic claim has no substance, she didn’t expect her dissatisfied client to follow… or the danger she would attract.Helping the Aussie further her cause, Miss Riddell believes there’s nothing left to uncover until she saves the woman from a hit and run. And with her keen eye spotting threats lurking in the shadows, the talented accountant is determined to expose a secret worthy of murder…Can Miss Riddell unravel a sinister scheme before someone’s greed sends the poor soul to her grave?Miss Riddell and the Heiress is the intriguing fifth book in the Miss Riddell Cozy Mystery series. If you like whip-smart heroines, compelling clues, and sensational twists, then you’ll love P.C. James’ captivating tale. less

Unsolved murders. A sleuth with unexpected company. Will she deliver justice, or does grave misfortune await?Sydney, Australia. 1978. Miss Riddell is pleased to finally secure a temporary oasis down under. But just as she settles into her new routine, ominous voices from inside the house lead her to believe she’s not alone. And when she learns of the tragic deaths of the previous owners, she’s determined to put her expert skills to work and make sure this cold case can rest in peace... moreUnsolved murders. A sleuth with unexpected company. Will she deliver justice, or does grave misfortune await?Sydney, Australia. 1978. Miss Riddell is pleased to finally secure a temporary oasis down under. But just as she settles into her new routine, ominous voices from inside the house lead her to believe she’s not alone. And when she learns of the tragic deaths of the previous owners, she’s determined to put her expert skills to work and make sure this cold case can rest in peace.Investigating potential suspects in the decades-old crime, she’s thrown when she endures ruthless workplace pranks played by a shadowy mastermind. But when the trail of clues reveals the malicious attacks could be related, she’ll have to pull out all the stops to avoid suffering a similar deadly fate.With an unknown enemy working to bury the truth, can Miss Riddell solve this peculiar puzzle before she joins the dearly departed?Miss Riddell’s Paranormal Mystery is the sixth book in the lighthearted Miss Riddell’s Cozy Mysteries series. If you like empowered female protagonists, supernatural surprises, and scandals that keep you on your toes, then you’ll love P.C. James’s ghostly tale. less

The coroner report says accident. Her gut tells her homicide. Can this shrewd accountant get to the root of a tragic and mysterious death?Canadian Lakes, 1984. Miss Riddell is a strong believer in justice. So when her grieving boss calls in the forensic auditor to help investigate the accidental demise of his sixteen-year-old daughter, she quickly gets to work... moreThe coroner report says accident. Her gut tells her homicide. Can this shrewd accountant get to the root of a tragic and mysterious death?Canadian Lakes, 1984. Miss Riddell is a strong believer in justice. So when her grieving boss calls in the forensic auditor to help investigate the accidental demise of his sixteen-year-old daughter, she quickly gets to work. But despite the authorities’ certainty that the tragedy was an unintended overdose, Miss Riddell soon suspects foul play…Tirelessly gathering information and testimonies, the detail-oriented woman’s instincts are confirmed when the girl’s supposed storyline doesn’t match the facts. And with the killer still hiding in plain sight, Miss Riddell fears they could strike again at a moment’s notice.Will Miss Riddell unmask the culprit before they return to claim more innocent lives?The Girl in the Gazebo is the page-turning seventh book in the Miss Riddell Cozy Mysteries series. If you like complex puzzles, grounded sleuths, and eye-opening reveals, then you’ll love P.C. James’s curious adventure. less

She’s used to solving crimes, not becoming the prime suspect. Can this amateur sleuth clear her name when a work retreat turns deadly?Canada, 1986. Miss Riddell is ready for a break. Grateful to be invited to her boss’s lodge for a ski getaway, her chance to bond with colleagues takes a hit when an ice storm severs the remote town’s power... moreShe’s used to solving crimes, not becoming the prime suspect. Can this amateur sleuth clear her name when a work retreat turns deadly?Canada, 1986. Miss Riddell is ready for a break. Grateful to be invited to her boss’s lodge for a ski getaway, her chance to bond with colleagues takes a hit when an ice storm severs the remote town’s power. And after one of the guests is found dead in the snow, Miss Riddell rolls up her sleeves to find the cold-blooded killer… until she’s accused of being the murderer.Confined to her quarters as suspicion runs high, the sharp investigator gets creative to prove her innocence before police arrive. But with no obvious culprits to interrogate and all fingers pointing at Miss Riddell, she fears she’ll end up locked inside four walls forever.Can this shrewd detective put the right wrists in handcuffs before she’s the one slammed behind bars?The Dead of Winter is the eighth book in the nail-biting Miss Riddell Cozy Mystery series. If you like determined protagonists, stealthy felons, and twisty trails of clues, then you’ll love P.C. James’s chilling investigation. less

A trip of a lifetime turns deadly when a sleuth uncovers a body. Can she follow the clues to their bloody end before she meets a watery grave?1988, Ecuador. Seasoned puzzle-solver Pauline Riddell believes in justice. Even on a cruise to the Galapagos Islands with her grieving sister, her keen eye for what’s right and wrong keeps her vigilant. So when a stroll along the deck leads to the discovery of a dead crew member, the middle-aged woman stands her ground and claims foul play... moreA trip of a lifetime turns deadly when a sleuth uncovers a body. Can she follow the clues to their bloody end before she meets a watery grave?1988, Ecuador. Seasoned puzzle-solver Pauline Riddell believes in justice. Even on a cruise to the Galapagos Islands with her grieving sister, her keen eye for what’s right and wrong keeps her vigilant. So when a stroll along the deck leads to the discovery of a dead crew member, the middle-aged woman stands her ground and claims foul play.With the ship’s brand new company desperate to avoid scandal, she agrees to work with a brash young detective to quietly crack the case. But with rumors of a vicious guerrilla group on board and Miss Riddell suspicious of the victim’s real identity, solving this riddle might be the last thing she does.Can this whip-smart amateur investigator catch a killer without falling to her own untimely end?It's Murder on a Galapagos Cruise is the thrilling ninth tale in the Miss Riddell Cozy Mysteries series. If you like brilliant heroines, curious crimes, and maritime mayhem, then you’ll love P.C. James’s thought-provoking story. less