M.C. Beaton: Hasty Death (USA 2013)

From the Publisher:
Lady Rose Summer refuses to abide by her parents' insistence that she marry. Even more distressing, she wants to become self-supporting by moving out with her maid, Daisy, and going to work in trade. On advice from Captain Harry Cathcart -- a noble-born private investigator who knows the independent-minded Rose all too well -- the Earl and Countess of Hadshire agree to let Rose work as a typist and live in a women's hostel. It isn't long before Rose realizes that life as a working woman isn't quite what she imagined... or before she inadver- tently discovers that recently murdered playboy Freddy Pomfret was a blackmailer.

In order to investigate properly, Rose must now return to London high society's glittering, treacherous rounds. And from elegant London townhouses that conceal ugly secrets to a tranquil country estate where danger lurks along every path, she and Harry will follow a trail of deception, rumors, and devious plots -- even as a singularly calculating killer prepares to end the rebellious Lady Rose's sleuthing for good.

M.C. BEATON, the British guest of honor at Bouchercon 2006, is a New York Times bestselling romance and suspense writer who has been hailed as the "Queen of Crime" (The Globe and Mail). She is the author of twenty-three Agatha Raisin novels, whose fans range from the actress Elizabeth Hurley to the Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as the Hamish Macbeth series. Born in Scotland, she now divides her time between Paris and the English Cotswolds.

M.C. Beaton: Hasty Death. A Novel. Minotaur Books, ISBN: 9781250022493 (January, 2013), 225 p., $14.99.

M.C. Beaton: Hasty Death (UK 2010)

From the Publisher:
The future's not so rosy for Lady Rose Summer...
Longing for a life of emancipation, Lady Rose Summer has abandoned the comforts of her parent's house to become self supporting. But life as a working woman isn't quite as liberating as Rose has imagined - fortunately for her, though, her drudgery comes to an end when old acquaintance Freddy Pomfret is murdered and her help - and upper class connections - are required by amateur sleuth Captain Harry Cathcart.

So as Rose and Harry prepare to take on the usual Edwardian social rounds, little do they expect to uncover a devious blackmail plot and an unexpected killer.

'An amusing brew of mystery and romance that will keep fans turning the pages.' -- Publishers Weekly

M.C. Beaton: Hasty Death. C & R Crime, ISBN: 9781849012904 (August, 2010), 245 p., £6.99.

Marion Chesney: Hasty Death (USA 2005)

From the Publisher:
SECRETS TO DIE FOR
Lady Rose Summer refuses to abide by her parents' insistence that she marry. Even more distressing, she wants to become self-supporting by moving out with her maid Daisy and going to work in trade. On advice from Captain Harry Cathcart -- a noble-born private investigator who knows the independent-minded Rose all too well -- the Earl and Countess of Hadshire agree to let Rose work as a typist and live in a women's hostel. It isn't long before Rose realizes that life as a working woman isn't quite what she imagined... or before she inadvertently discovers that recently murdered playboy Freddy Pomfret was a blackmailer.

In order to investigate properly, Rose must now return to London high society's glittering, treacherous rounds. And from elegant London townhouses that conceal ugly secrets to a tranquil country estate where danger lurks along every path, she and Harry will follow a trail of deception, rumors, and devious plots-even as a singularly calculating killer prepares to end the rebellious Lady Rose's sleuthing for good.

"Fans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries, written under the name M.C. Beaton, will welcome this new series of historical whodunits." -- Booklist

Marion Chesney: Hasty Death. An Edwardian Murder Mystery. St. Martin's Paperbacks, ISBN: 0312936168 (April, 2005), 225 p., $6.99.

Marion Chesney: Hasty Death (USA 2004)

From the Publisher:
EAGER TO JOIN the working classes, Lady Rose Summer has abandoned the comforts of her parents' home to become self-supporting. But life as a working woman isn't quite what Rose had imagined -- long hours as a typist and nights spent in a dreary women's hostel are not very empowering when you're poor, cold, and tired. Luckily for Rose, her drudgery comes to a merciful end when she learns of the untimely death of an acquaintance.

Freddy Pomfret, a silly and vacuous young man, was almost certainly up to no good before he was shot dead in his London flat. When Rose discovers incriminating evidence pointing to several members of her class, she returns to London high society in order to investigate properly. With the help of Captain Harry Cathcart and Superintendent Kerridge of Scotland Yard, Rose prepares to do the social rounds -- uncovering a devious blackmail plot and an unexpected killer.

Marion Chesney: Hasty Death. An Edwardian Murder Mystery. St. Martin's Minotaur, ISBN: 0312304536 (June, 2004), 225 p., $22.95.