Book excerpt: The third trio of mysteries in the “beautifully crafted,” Silver Dagger Award–winning police procedural series set in Kent, England (TheWashington Post). Det. Inspector Luke Thanet may be a family man with a soft heart and bad back, but he also has a bloodhound’s nose for murder. With Sgt. Mike Lineham at his side, no case is too tough, in these mysteries from the “dependably pleasing” Dorothy Simpson (Boston Globe). Element of Doubt: Nerine Tarrant, a notorious woman with a taste for married men, is found dead on her patio, her neck broken by the fall from the second floor. The wall was too high for an accidental tumble, and a woman with Nerine’s lust for life would never have committed suicide. Many in the village of Ribbleden wanted her dead—but it’s up to Inspector Thanet to determine who gave her the final push. “Solidly charming.” —Publishers Weekly Suspicious Death: The Sturrenden police station is in chaos. The superintendent has retired, and a brusque, ambitious upstart has been promoted. Thanet is almost relieved to get away to investigate a drowning. Powerful businesswoman Marcia Salden has been found in the river, and the autopsy suggests foul play. It’s up to the inspector to unravel the tangled web of conspiracy that ensnared the victim in a watery grave. “Pace, plot and subtle characterization all combine to make this a cracking good read.” —The Sunday Telegraph Dead by Morning: Leo Martindale has returned to Sutton-in-the-Weald after twenty years to claim his inheritance. The morning after a heavy snowstorm, his body is found. Was his death an accident, a hit and run caused by icy roads—or was it murder? Inspector Thanet will have to ignore Superintendent Draco breathing down his neck and plow through the clues to uncover the chilling truth. “Skillfully plotted . . . vivid characters.” —Publishers Weekly