It's spring 1942. Caroline Graham is six months pregnant, overweight, irritable, and most decidedly bored with her "delicate" condition. She hates being tied down and resents her husband Cyril and her cousin Edward for being off on assignment and having fun while she's confined to the village. She grows more restless each day, and her good friend and confidant Leslie Atwater does his best to boost her spirits but fails miserably. What Caroline needs is a problem to solve, "something juicy" to challenge her mind. And, of course, that's exactly what she gets.<br><br>Be careful what you wish for.<br><br>First there's a rash of poison pen letters circulating in the village. Librarian Elspeth Hunter receives a letter, and is the first to die, presumably by her own hand. Other deaths follow. Are the sudden deaths connected to the letters? As weeks pass and the bodies mount, Caroline and Leslie discover a pattern that suggests something more sinister is at work. With Leslie's help, Caroline must use all her cunning and put her life at risk to uncover a cold-blooded murderer -- a remorseless killer who continues to raise the stakes in a deadly game of malice.

A Deadly Game of Malice

There was a definite chill coming off the river and she was glad she’d earlier made the decision to wear one of her warmer wool jumpers. Only a little ways to go and we’ll be all safe and cozy, won’t we? The idea that it would soon be summer briefly warmed her, but not for long. The cold had a way of seeping right through her clothing. What to do now that I know, that I’ve pieced it together?


She was almost home, but for a short walk through a grove of trees that formed a canopy along the lane by the river. Who can I tell? Who do I trust? The vicar? No, maybe Caroline Graham. She always seems so sensibleHas a good head that one


Flora was so caught up in her thoughts she hadn’t heard the rushed footsteps approaching from behind, nor did she feel the pressure of a strong hand on her back until it was too late. I feel as though I’m flying. And truth be told, she was. Flora Denton was indeed flying head over heels into the coldest, deepest part of the river. 14: One Death Too Many


Chapter 17