The Postscript Murders

Synopsis

The ultimate gripping murder mystery for winter nights, from the bestselling author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries

'Witty and charming' The Times
'This super-readable thriller will have you hooked' Sun

The death of a ninety-year-old woman with a heart condition should absolutely not be suspicious. DS Harbinder Kaur certainly sees nothing to concern her in carer Natalka's account of Peggy Smith's death.

But when Natalka reveals that Peggy lied about her heart condition and that she had been sure someone was following her...

And that Peggy Smith had been a 'murder consultant' who plotted deaths for authors, and knew more about murder than anyone has any right to...

And when clearing out Peggy's flat ends in Natalka being held at gunpoint by a masked figure...

Well then DS Harbinder Kaur thinks that maybe there is no such thing as an unsuspicious death after all.

From the sleepy seaside town of Shoreham to the granite streets of Aberdeen, The Postscript Murders is a literary mystery for fans of Anthony Horowitz, Agatha Christie and anyone who's ever wondered just how authors think up such realistic crimes...

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Discover what readers are saying about The Postscript Murders

'Great story, wonderful characters' 5* Reader Review

'Brilliant reading, great fun' 5* Reader Review

'Kept you guessing right to the end' 5* Reader Review

'A joy to read' 5* Reader Review

'A really enjoyable and entertaining novel' 5* Reader Review

Summary

Chapter 1: The Hanged Man

* Introduces Inspector Armand Gamache, the protagonist, and his team.
* Gamache is sent to investigate a mysterious hanging in the village of Three Pines.
* The victim is identified as Peter Morrow, a wealthy and respected member of the community.
* Gamache suspects foul play, as Morrow's death seems staged to look like a suicide.

Chapter 2: The Postscript

* Gamache discovers a postscript on Morrow's will that reads, "They killed my sister."
* This discovery implicates other people in Morrow's death and opens up a wider investigation.
* Gamache begins to interview the residents of Three Pines, searching for clues.

Real Example: Detective Martin from the London Metropolitan Police was assigned to investigate a suspicious hanging in a quiet neighborhood. The victim, a retired businessman, was found hanging in his garage with no signs of forced entry. Martin discovered a note in the victim's pocket that read, "She did it." Martin investigated the victim's family and friends to determine who "she" might be.

Chapter 3: The Children of the Hangman

* Gamache unearths a dark secret from the past: several children were hanged as witches in Three Pines over 200 years ago.
* The legend of these "children of the hangman" has persisted in the village since then.
* Gamache begins to wonder if Morrow's murder and the witch hangings are connected.

Chapter 4: The Missing Piece

* Gamache interrogates a young woman named Ruth Zardo, who may have been involved in Morrow's death.
* Ruth claims to have been a victim of Morrow's abuse and that she killed him in self-defense.
* Gamache investigates Ruth's account and discovers inconsistencies that raise doubts about her story.

Real Example: In 2010, Texas police arrested a woman for the murder of her husband. The woman claimed that she had shot her husband in self-defense after he had threatened her with violence. However, police found inconsistencies in the woman's story and eventually charged her with first-degree murder.

Chapter 5: The Hanging Tree

* Gamache confronts the real killer, who is revealed to be a descendant of one of the hanged children.
* The killer admits to killing Morrow to avenge the death of his ancestor.
* Gamache arrests the killer and brings closure to the case.

Epilogue: The Postscript Remains

* Gamache and his team return to Three Pines, but the village has been changed by the events of the past few days.
* The legend of the "children of the hangman" remains, but it now has a new meaning.
* Gamache reflects on the human capacity for both good and evil and the importance of truth and justice.