''A beguiling heroine - clever sympathetic and bearing a weight of guilt . . . This is Andrea Carter''s first book; she''ll go far'' The Times

''Haunting, atmospheric and gripping. One of the finest Irish mystery debuts of recent years.'' John Connolly, New York Times best-selling author

When a skeleton is discovered, wrapped in a blanket, in the hidden crypt of a deconsecrated church, everyone is convinced the bones must be those of Conor Devitt, a local man who went missing on his wedding day six years previously. But the post mortem reveals otherwise.

Solicitor Benedicta ''Ben'' O''Keeffe is acting for the owners of the church, and although an unwelcome face from her past makes her reluctant to get involved initially, when Conor''s brother dies in strange circumstances shortly after coming to see her, she finds herself drawn in to the mystery. Whose is the skeleton in the crypt and how did it get there? Is Conor Devitt still alive, and if so is there a link? What happened on the morning of his wedding to make him disappear?

Negotiating between the official investigation, headed up by the handsome but surly Sergeant Tom Molloy, and obstructive locals with secrets of their own, Ben unravels layers of personal and political history to get to the truth of what happened six years before.

Praise for Death at Whitewater Church:

''The colourful cast of characters may be fictional, but the landscapes, towns and villages are instantly recognisable'' Irish Daily Mail

''A promising start'' The Sunday Times Crime Club

''Death at Whitewater Church is a charming debut that bodes well for Andrea Carter'' Irish Times

''I adored this traditional crime novel; it''s modern day Agatha Christie with Ben as Miss Marple'' Irish Examiner

''. . . filled with well-drawn and engaging characters, lyrical descriptions of the stunning scenery, and intriguing mysteries to be unravelled . . . hugely enjoyable . . .'' Irish Independent

''It''s like a modern day Agatha Christie set in a small community with all the alliances, secrets and rivalry such a place can engender. There are enough twists to hold the interest throughout and it builds to a crescendo in a dramatic and highly satisfying close'' Books Ireland Magazine

''A proper old-fashioned crime novel in the best sense of the word'' Jane Casey