Murder Most Foul! - M is for Mistress - Cozy Mystery #AtoZChallenge 2016

Welcome to my contribution to the A to Z Challenge. My theme this year is Murder Most Foul, which, for you, my blog visitors, means that you will be sharing in The Case of the Cursed House, or rather the bare bones of it. 

Everyday, I will be revealing more about my developing Cozy Mystery: descriptions of scenes; character details; locations; clues to the mystery. And, at the end of each post, you will have the chance to vote on whodunnit. So, without further ado, on with the case...

Previous parts:

Story Notes

Additional Details

On her way back from interviewing Bethany, Aisha goes into the Ewe and Lamb and finds Debbie Fincher there alone, On site interview with Debbie Fincher: Dave not here this morning?   DF: He's off buying some rat bait for the cellar. Do you have a lot of problem with rats?   DF: Can't seem to get rid of 'em. It's the orchard behind us. Gets worse in the Autumn with all the fallen apples. And you always use modern rat traps?   DF: Dave deals with all that - I hate the things. Anyway, what can I do for you this morning? Were you having a relationship with Bill Whethers?   :: DF huffs::   No.   :: Aisha waits.::   Look, it was just a stupid, drunken one-night stand. I had a fight with Dave one night just as we were closing and he took the car keys and walked out.  Bill was there in the bar. We got drunker together and nature just took its course. Did Dave know?   DF: Yes, but what is all this, I thought Bill fell down the stairs. This is now a murder enquiry.   DF: Look, Dave didn't like Bill, but he'd never go into that house anyway, let alone do something so stupid. Yes, alright, he enjoyed barring the bastard the other night, but he did that once a month at least. It wouldn't have lasted, it never did, Bill was too good a customer.   Bill followed his libido round this village. I wasn't the only one, y'know, there were even suggestions he was banging the vicar! ::Aisha looks dubious about that.::   DF: Yeah, I know, that one is a bit out there, but he has always had an eye for Lady Emma. Have you asked Michael about that? Was Bill in here every night?   DF: most nights at some point. And he smoked where he wasn't supposed to?   DF: Yes, he used to sit at the bar puffing on that contraption. Did you ever see him refill it?   DF: All the time, he pretty much chain-smoked the thing. He had a smoking pouch he used to carry around with him with selections of those little bottles in it. Did he ever leave the pouch lying around?   DF: Not often, mostly he kept it in his pocket, but I 'spose he did leave it lying on the bar a few times.

DCI Mags Barnwell Age: 44 Gender: female Ethnicity Code: W1 Job: Detective Chief Inspector Kent Constabulary Serious Crime Office William (Bill) Whethers Age: 36 Gender: male Ethnicity Code: W1 Job: horror author Other info: he opposes a new housing development providing affordable housing to local people. As well as an environmental survey, was also using the private access road to Court Farm, which he part owned, as leverage in the issue of the affordable house. he's a drunk. Suspected of taking part in black masses by Alice Rigden and half the village. He had a smoking pouch that he carried around with his refills and e-cigarette in it. He sometimes left it lying around, but mostly he kept it in his pocket. Death: broken neck from falling down stairs, but was being poisoned by his e-cigarette with arsenic, and it was convulsions that caused him to fall down the stairs. He was dying of lung cancer. Debbie Fincher Age: 41 Gender: female Ethnicity Code: W1 Job: publican of the Ewe and Lamb Other info: married to Dave Fincher. Had a one-night stand with Bill Whethers. She does not think her husband has it in him to kill. Dave Fincher Age: 43 Gender: male Ethnicity Code: W1 Job: publican of the Ewe and Lamb Other info: married to Debbie Fincher. Knew about Debbie's one-night stand with Bill Whethers. Enjoyed barring Bill from the pub, but that bar never lasted. Lady Emma, Countess of Oxen Age: 43 Gender: female Ethnicity Code: W1 Job: Lady of the Manor Other info: married to Lord Michael; plays tennis with Bill Whethers. Village rumours says that Bill Whethers had eyes for her.

And now it's time to vote again - just take a punt - who do you think killed Bill Whethers (and yes, every character is listed - you never know ;P)?

Who dunnit?

Aisha Kakkar

Debbie Fincher

Dave Fincher

Jonathan Lee

Janice Walker

Lorri Walker

Hal Walker

Fred Walker

Alice Rigden

DS Kevin Williams

DCI Mags Barnwell

Lord Michael, Earl of Oxen

Lady Emma, Countess of Oxen

Dr Elves

Rev Sally Tawks

Bethany Mortby

Lady Elizabeth Ryeman

Vic Walker

None of the above, we haven't met them yet

Don't be silly, I don't know enough yet!

Poll Maker

For information about Sophie's books, sign up for The Wittegen Press Newsletter:

We'll send you details of book releases, competitions and other news from our authors, BUT we WON'T spam you, or pass your details on to anyone else.

We will also give you 2 FREE ebooks just for signing up.

Assassin's Blood
Natasha Duncan-Drake

Curse of a Banshee
Sophie Duncan

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name