Lies in Little Sutherland - Jenna Bennett

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Résumé :

Six months ago, Grimsby the valet dug up dirt on everyone in the family at the behest of his employer, Henry, Duke of Sutherland. During a memorable weekend at Sutherland Hall, Grimsby was killed for it. So was Henry, while the new Duchess, Charlotte, wife of Harold, overdosed on Veronal after confessing to murdering both of them.

That same weekend, at the Dower House in Dorset, Lady Charlotte's former maid, Lydia Morrison-perhaps the mysterious L.M. from Grimsby's notebook of blackmail offenses-received a late-night phone call and disappeared without a trace.

Miss Philippa Darling and her friend, the Honorable Constance Peckham, have spent the last six months looking for Morrison. And during another weekend at Sutherland Hall, this one to celebrate His Grace, Duke Harold's 57th birthday, they get a lead. Shreve, lady's maid to the visiting Countess of Marsden, has seen Morrison on holiday in the Cotswolds.

With the Astley brothers, Christopher and Francis, in tow, the girls set off for Upper Slaughter, only to find, when they get there, that Morrison has been killed before they can speak to her.

Another L.M. bites the dust back in Little Sutherland-local doctor Lionel Meadows, the man who attended Henry, Harold, and Charlotte, as well as their son, future Duke Crispin-and when the constabulary receives an anonymous note accusing Pippa of the crime, the whole thing becomes decidedly personal.

With an imminent arrest hanging over her head, can Pippa prove she didn't do it, and more, figure out who did, before the murderer decides to do away with her, too?