''Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers'' Daily Mail

''Brody''s writing is like her central character Kate Shackleton: witty, acerbic and very, very perceptive'' Ann Cleeves

AN IDYLLIC SEASIDE TOWN

Nothing ever happens in August, and tenacious sleuth Kate Shackleton deserves a break. Heading off for a long-overdue holiday to Whitby, she visits her school friend Alma who works as a fortune teller there.

A MISSING GIRL

Kate had been looking forward to a relaxing seaside sojourn, but upon arrival discovers that Alma''s daughter Felicity has disappeared, leaving her mother a note and the pawn ticket for their only asset: a watch-guard. What makes this more intriguing is the jeweller who advanced Felicity the thirty shillings is Jack Phillips, Alma''s current gentleman friend.

A COMPLEX MYSTERY TO SOLVE

Kate can''t help but become involved, and goes to the jeweller''s shop to get some answers. When she makes a horrifying discovery in the back room, it soon becomes clear that her services are needed. Met by a wall of silence by town officials, keen to maintain Whitby''s idyllic façade, it''s up to Kate to discover the truth behind Felicity''s disappearance.

Praise for Frances Brody''s Kate Shackleton series:

''Delightful'' People''s Friend

''Frances Brody matches a heroine of free and independent spirit with a vivid evocation of time and place . . . a novel to cherish'' Barry Turner, Daily Mail

''Brody''s excellent mystery splendidly captures the conflicts and attitudes of the time with well-developed characters'' RT Book Reviews

''Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine'' Ann Granger