The Chidham Creek Murders, DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mystery (18)

A secretive celebrant. A multimillionaire heir. A staged murder.

The house smells of death. Not rotting flesh, but a mustiness that wraps itself around Detective Andy Horton as he enters. He makes his way to the living room and rapidly takes in the scene.

Juliette Croft, a professional celebrant, is dead in her living room, sprawled on an orange velvet sofa with empty bottles of champagne and medicine neatly arranged on the coffee table beside her.

Horton is immediately suspicious — it’s all too neat and tidy. The champagne glasses are dry, and there’s no smell of alcohol on the body.

When Horton tries to notify Juliette’s next of kin, he discovers the sole beneficiary of her will is one Rodney Pierce, a multimillionaire businessman.

But Rodney says he’s never heard of Juliette, and it’s not like he needs the money.

Then another body is discovered on the shores of Chidham Creek and the case takes a shocking turn . . .