False Witness

Abbot Agency #17

by Veronica Heley

The restoration of a stately home takes a deadly turn in the gripping new Bea Abbot mystery.

No one had been more surprised than Julian to find he was the heir to Marston Hall, a stately home in the Home Counties. His hitherto unknown relatives had done their best to ensure he didn’t live to inherit, but with his ill-wishers in jail, Julian and his wife Polly celebrated the birth of their son and heir and set about the uphill task of restoring the neglected Tudor mansion to its former glory.

Bea Abbot is called in when yet another attempt is made on Julian’s life and the corpse of a woman is found in the stables at the Hall. Could the relatives who targeted Julian before be behind this murder, and what is the link between the dead woman and the Marston-Lang family? Something wicked is afoot at Marston Hall, and Bea is determined to get to the bottom of it.

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2024

About the author

Veronica Heley has published more than fifty books, including crime fiction, historical, and children's titles. She is currently involved in the Ellie Quicke series of crime stories and a variety of other projects. A full-time writer, she has been married to a London probation officer since 1964, and has one musician daughter.

AKA Veronica Thorne

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF ! I did not finish this book about halfway through. I read this entire series and have loved it. This book was confusing and sad and I could not go on. DNF !

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edgy cozy mystery

Bea Abbot runs a domestic agency, and it seems a sideline in solving mysteries like murder. Her husband Piers whom we catch glimpses of through phone calls is a renowned portrait artist. He’s off in the Balkans having troubles of his own.
( I’m not sure what to make of Piers. Perhaps previous novels give a clue.)
Bea receives a phone call from friend and previous client the now Sir Julian Marston-Lang.
Julian, much to his surprise, has inherited a manor complete with disgruntled relatives, missing funds, and angry previous employees. Julian now finds himself with a mouldering pile of a house that needs extensive repairs and no funds as they’ve been stuck in an offshore account by his “some kind of uncle” Frederick, who’d thought he was the rightful heir. Julian’s had to close down the Amusement Park and the Home Farm due to health and safety concerns. The villagers are angry over lost jobs. All background to the fact that Julian’s been shot at, and accused of murder. Someone’s trying to kill him! Who’s behind this?
Bea goes to assist, and along the way engages the unassumingly, awesome, almost archangel Rosemary Sweeting, to help sort out the mystery of the missing monies and other aspects of the property renovation.
This is my first Bea Abbot mystery. I enjoyed its slightly off beat entanglements immensely. So much so that I’m thinking of reading the previous sixteen of the series I’ve missed.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishing for the opportunity to read this early draft before publishing. False Witness is book 17 of the Abbott Agency mystery series, but is the first in the series for me. However, for a book late in a long series I had no trouble getting into it and following along. Apparently this was, while a separate story, a continuation of an earlier tale. But again, that did not prove to be a problem, in fact, I quite enjoyed it. The main character in the series, is a bit different from those in most other series that I have read. Bea Abbott is the owner of an employment agency, but with a talent for solving mysteries. The story takes place in a remote country estate, who's new owner is in the midst of some badly needed updates and repairs. However, as the estate is the main source of employment in the community, having it shut down even for necessary repairs does not go over well with some. In fact, there have been attempts on his life. It's a good dark cozy mystery, with very interesting characters and an array of possible culprits. I enjoyed the authors writing style which draws you smoothly along, a with a well described setting and good humor to go along with the engaging mystery. If you enjoy Agatha Christie style mysteries you will enjoy this book.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST ONE YET! I have certainly come to understand the Bea Abbot unconventional heroine role now, and am so pleased with the ending! What a ride!

I read this one as an Ebook, but have gone between audio & digital copy on all the others. What a journey filled with crazy but understandable characters! All with human foibles covering the spectrum of today’s society.

Veronica Heley - Thank you for entertaining me soo deeply for the past five years as I’ve discovered and digested your Abbot Agency series!

Bea is remarkable character and one I hope you can squeak another few adventures from?? She is my fictional / real life role model with her dignity, grace & leadership! Bea Abbot truly embodies the old-school mantra of “function in disaster, finish in style” … my hero!!

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.

Such a skinny book but so dull I quit halfway thru ..though already knew who the evil shite were ..Skim read last few ..confirmed my thoughts..still.boring .

Ps confused where the " gentle humor and wit " is the reviewers babbled about ..more like doom.n gloom.book ..even the ending as the town folk are ungrateful whiny wankers. I would of sold and ran .

Ps Bea? Annoyingly boring not clever or witty .And reading reviews in the 1sT couple books..the same

Oh well

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun in reading this cozy mystery as I love Bea Abbot and it was a well done and solid mystery.
There's plenty of surprises, red herring, and I was to catch with these characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite so far- love that Sir Julian is trying to fix up Marsdon Hall while we are working on Cherokee.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series.

[Anne Herbison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bruno, the german shepherd, has a starring role again.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

just ok

I love this series but this one was not one of my favorites. It seemed a bit scattered. I miss the steadiness of Bea’s homefront.