The Case of the Hidden Flame Read online

  “Let’s skip the minor-key Purcell movements,” Marina advised. “I don’t feel like playing in D-minor under a sky as beautiful as this.” The quartet unanimously agreed and launched into the joyously dotted rhythms of Purcell’s more animated theater pieces. The eighty or so invitees were arriving in a steady stream, and the quadrangle filled with music, the clink of wine glasses, and old friends catching up after too long apart.

  Their intonation unimprovable and their balance as tightly controlled as ever, the quartet quietly reveled in the freedom of simply playing for fun. After the second movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Harry leaned over to Marina and grinned. “Doesn’t really feel like work, does it?”

  “Not even a little bit,” she said, following Emily’s lead for the beginning of the Minuet.

  An excitable Stephen Jeffries scuttled over. “She’s here!” he announced in a boisterous whisper. “Action stations!”

  Emily used eye contact alone – as the best leaders can – to bring the Minuet to a quick but elegant halt, and the quartet made their way to the Great Hall, slightly in advance of the politely ushered guests. Moments later, the ravishing Marie Joubert – soon to be Marie Ross –stepped steadily and confidently down the aisle in her white lace gown with its elaborate train, the filigree of Handel and the beaming smiles of her family her lasting accompaniment.

  To get your copy of The Case of the Fallen Hero visit the link below:

  http://cozymysteries.com/fallen-hero

  THANK YOU

  Thank you for taking the time to read The Case of the Hidden Flame. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and very much appreciated.

  Thank you,

  OTHER BOOKS IN THE INSPECTOR DAVID GRAHAM SERIES

  The Case of the Screaming Beauty (Prequel)

  The Case of the Fallen Hero

  The Case of the Broken Doll

  The Case of the Missing Letter

  ALSO BY ALISON GOLDEN

  FEATURING REVEREND ANNABELLE DIXON

  Death at the Café (Prequel)

  Murder at the Mansion

  Body in the Woods

  Grave in the Garage

  Horror in the Highlands

  FEATURING DIANA HUNTER

  Hunted (Prequel)

  Snatched

  Stolen

  Chopped

  Exposed

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Alison Golden was born and raised in Bedfordshire, England. She writes cozy mysteries and suspense novels, along with the occasional witty blog post, all of which are designed to entertain, amuse, and calm. Her approach is to combine creative ideas with excellent writing and edit, edit, edit.

  She is the creator of the Reverend Annabelle Dixon cozy mysteries, a charming, fun series featuring a female vicar ministering in the beautiful county of Cornwall, England. She also produces a Jersey-based detective series featuring Inspector David Graham and the Diana Hunter series, set in Vancouver.

  Her books’ themes range from the humorous and sweet to harder hitting suspense. They are recommended for readers who like to relax and unwind with their books, who enjoy getting to know the characters, and who prefer the tougher side of life implied.

  She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and twin sons. She splits her time traveling between London and San Francisco.

  For up-to-date promotions and release dates of upcoming books, sign up for the latest news here: http://cozymysteries.com/graham.

  For more information:

  cozymysteries.com

  [email protected]

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  To Barb and Vikk,

  Your advice and support mean more than you will ever know.

  THE CASE OF THE HIDDEN FLAME

  An Inspector David Graham Mystery

  Detective Inspector David Graham has just arrived on the island of Jersey, taking over a rag tag team of questionable commitment and skill at the Gorey Constabulary, a team that he is supposed to lead and develop into a cohesive investigative unit.

  Within minutes, his first challenge presents itself when ex-soldier, Colonel Graves, finds a dead body on the beach. As the military man kneels down, he discovers it is his soon-to-be fiancé half buried in the sand…

  In a small resort like Gorey, this event is monumental, and almost unheard of. The rumors swirl yet it is the new Detective Inspector’s job, with a bag still packed and travel dust on his shoes, to ferret out the clues and solve the case…while bringing his team along to assist.

  With a Sherlock soul, The Case of the Hidden Flame packs humor and intrigue onto a small island of eccentric characters, roiling sea undercurrents, and deceptive coincidences – all accompanied by a fine cup of tea.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Text copyright © 2015 Alison Golden

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Mesa Verde Publishing

  P.O. Box 1002

  San Carlos, CA 94070

  Edited by

  Marjorie Kramer