A Sleuth’s Guide to Murder and Fine Art
A scandalous art sale. A dead multimillionaire. An accusation of murder. Turning sixty isn’t supposed to be this hard.
Art teacher Hazel Bond feels as though fate has painted a target on her back. Widowed and jobless, she retreats to the picture-perfect alpine community of her childhood to paint, ski, and seek serenity.
But serenity is off the menu. A rumoured sale of art and heritage treasures sparks angry protests. Then a wealthy art collector dies in an apparent accident at a nearby ski field with Hazel as the only witness. Or, as the police view it, the only suspect.
Her hopes of extricating herself aren’t helped when she is drawn deeper into the mystery by two men with their own agendas. Benedict Finlayson is an uptight fish out of water who claims to be an international art expert. Gary Taylor is so laid back that he never left the ’70s. Neither man is quite what he seems to be. Luckily, Hazel’s eccentric godmother is right behind her, even if that means giving her a helpful shove in the back.
Fuelled by wine, cheese, and pig-headed determination, these sleuths of a certain age are not about to let wealth and power get in the way of justice.
Welcome to a murderous mystery tour of the stunning beauty of southern New Zealand.
Publication date: 24 July 2026. Exclusive to Kindle Unlimited for 90 days.
A Sleuth’s Guide to Murder and Fine Wine
When a missing winemaker is found dead, the Sleuths of a Certain Age are drawn into an intriguing new mystery. Beneath the organic hype of an idyllic vineyard, they uncover enough tension to sour an entire vintage of fine wine.
For Hazel Bond, teaching art classes amongst the vines scores a perfect ten on the scale of life – until the arrival of her favourite English art expert nudges the dial off the scale. Benedict is ready for a long-overdue holiday. Hazel would like nothing better, but she has promised to help search for a missing boyfriend.
The last thing they expect to find is a corpse at a romantic picnic for two. The winemaker’s death appears to be from natural causes, so why will nobody admit to being the second picnicker?
To unravel the secrets and lies shielding an ingenious killer, Benedict puts himself in harm’s way. Fortunately, he and Hazel have cyber-sleuth Gary Taylor and detective Louisa Pyke to watch their backs.
Publication date: 2 December 2026. Preorder now.
A Sleuth’s Guide to Murder and Pure Bliss
Pure bliss is crystal-clear alpine water, serenity, and the lure of eternal youth. A luxury wellness retreat with views to die for … and a dead body that definitely wasn’t on the list of spa treatments.
When an old friend receives threatening letters, the sleuths cannot refuse his plea for help. A visit to an alpine resort might be just the tonic they need after their last case. With Hazel and Benedict undercover as art therapists, and Gary and Louisa playing a honeymooning couple, it seems as if nothing can spoil their stay, other than Gary’s loathing for kale smoothies and hot yoga.
But when threats turn to murder, they’ll need more than a detoxifying thermal mud wrap to uncover the murky truth.
Coming June 2027
Rose Pascoe 