An Invitation to Murder-Normal Russell- Crime

(Originally published as Tongued with Fire.)

Lord Renfield is short of cash as ever but is determined to hang on to

the family estate. His plan along with his domineering wife is to marry

their daughter off to a wealthy American who is interested in the

English aristocracy. An old book has been found by a villager relating

to the house and village and the bookseller finds a letter within it which

may cast a shadow on the Renfields' hold on their inheritance. When

the bookseller is found dead, suspicion is cast but could this be a

lucky break for the titled family?

A story of murder and doubt with lots of twists and turns. This

reminded me of a “Miss Marple” type scenario where all the

characters know one another in a small village type setting and

there are lots of backstories and history adding to the suspense.

An entertaining read to keep the grey matter very active. 

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

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AN INVITATION TO MURDER by Norman Russell

       “I always look forward to the next book by Norman Russell . . . One to read slowly, and savour like a fine wine.” MyShelf  

    “Crime, murder, debt, revenge, family, image, obsession, past impacting the present . . . so many emotions and motivations in this book!” Cathy

Originally published as Tongued with Fire.

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Welcome to Oldminster, a quaint little town where there’s always a mystery to be solved. And even the murderers are dripping with old-world charm.

Carole Renfield, vixenish lady of Renfield Hall, is throwing a party.Things are looking up for her and husband Frank. A bookseller tried to swindle them out of their ancestral home. He thought it would be easy.Instead he is found dead in his shop. His head caved in by a tacky table-lamp.A stroke of luck for the Renfields?There is not a shred of evidence to suggest otherwise. Until the night of Lady Renfield’s party.Once again, murder comes calling at the Renfields’ door. And now one guest will never leave.With the party in full swing, a desperate scream tears through the house, and the Renfields’ daughter appears, covered in someone else’s blood.Is she as guilty as she looks?

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Do you love Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie, Frances Lloyd, Catherine Moloney, Anthony Horowitz, or Ann Cleeves? Then you’re sure to be hooked on this dazzlingly clever homage to all the best mysteries of the Golden Age.

What everyone is saying about An Invitation to Murder:

       “With a plot containing blackmail, several murders, secondary characters who are more rounded than in many other novels, good pacing, and good style, this is a novel that I relished to the end.” Michael     

  “Enjoyed it immensely.” Aileen

       “This is a quality modern-day murder mystery but with an old-fashioned feel. Well written and entertaining with excellent characterization throughout, plenty of plot twists and turns . . . certainly more than enough for this reader at any rate. Authentic and engaging from first to last page. Highly recommended.” John

       “A fantastic mystery that is well written and has great characters. I loved this book and want to read more from this author.” Cristie

       “Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.” Heather

ALSO BY NORMAN RUSSELL

THE OLDMINSTER MYSTERIES

Book 1: AN INVITATION TO MURDER

NORMAN RUSSELL

Norman is an established novelist and academic writer, an MA of Jesus College, Oxford, and a PhD of Birkbeck College, University of London. An English specialist, he taught English for many years in a Liverpool comprehensive school before becoming a full-time writer. Norman has had over twenty novels published. He is a recognised authority on Victorian finance and its reflections in the 19th century novel, and his book on the subject, The Novelist and Mammon, was published by the Oxford University Press. Norman has also had three academic books of Roman Catholic interest published.

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