Practice to Deceive

When Adrian Brookes shows up at Jessica Scanlon's cottage, however, it's with another line of enquiry in mind

His sister, Laura, has disappeared, and he thinks watercolour artist Jessica might be able to help him find her

Jessica's friend Etta has also gone missing, and when she is called upon to identify one of the bodies discovered by the police, she confirms that it is Etta

But Jessica's landlady Mildred seems to have other ideas

A mysterious suicide, an elaborate insurance scam and the arrival of nosey true crime writer Diana Wishart create further layers of intrigue that lead to a thrilling denouement

Characters ...

Adrian Brookes, late 30s

Mildred McBride, late 60s

Gavin Purdie, 40s

Donald Caffrey, about 70

Jessica Scanlon, early 40s

Diana Wishart, 20s

Susan Tonks, slightly older than Diana

Rhoda Bradstock, 50s

Detective Inspector Dyson, male or female, 40s

Detective Sergeant Morley, male or female, 30s.