The Yellow-Tail Moth

by Margot Shepherd

A riveting, literary mystery about two women, their hidden secrets, their friendship and the power of nature to heal

Accusations levelled against her husband force Lily to flee her pristine London home. She hides away in a rundown cottage near a Derbyshire village. She is deeply unhappy. She hates the countryside, the dirt, the smells and the creepy woodland next to the cottage.

Desperately lonely, Lily tries to befriend her neighbour Kathy, a naturalist and recluse who the villagers think is unhinged. Resistant at first, Kathy gradually mellows as Lily starts to share her interest in nature. A surprising connection develops between the two women.

Then a young teenager from the village goes missing and all fingers point at Kathy. Tensions escalate rapidly.

Lily defends Kathy against the villagers but when disturbing accusations are made about Kathy’s past, Lily is determined to uncover the truth.

"Not just a gripping mystery, The Yellow-Tail Moth weaves wonder from the smallest wings. A gem of a book, one that leaves you breathless..."
– Stephen May, Author of Sell Us the Rope

"I was gripped from the outset. Unlikely friendships, the healing power of nature, the danger of judgementalism, the goodness of people, all wrapped up in in a fascinating story."
– Fiona Curnow, Author of Before the Swallows Come Back

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2025

About the author

Margot Shepherd is a British author living in rural Sussex with her husband and Springer Spaniel, Jessie. She writes historical and contemporary literary fiction inspired by real events. They are standalone novels that explore relationships and the complexities of the human experience from a female perspective.

Having been a voracious reader of fiction since she was a small child she was determined that one day she would write a novel. The opportunity to fulfil that dream didn't come until she semi-retired. She studied for an MA in Creative Writing at West Dean College; an amazing experience which she will never forget.

She has no regrets about embarking on a writing career later in life. She loved her career in medical research and has a lifetime of experiences which she can bring to her novels. Her research on improving the treatment of people with diabetes, has given her many invaluable tools: a knowledge about science which she uses in her writing, the importance of attention to detail and a love of researching the subject she is writing about. Her scientific background was invaluable when writing her first novel, Never Closer.

When she is not writing you will find her gardening, walking in the English countryside where she lives or touring in her motorhome around Europe. A favourite summer destination being the Bavarian Alps, and to escape the cold English winter, the beautiful island of Sicily. Her travels provide her with more inspiration for her novels and while she’s travelling, she continues to write.

Her love of gardening creeps into her novels and gardens play an important role in her latest book, The Yellow-Tail Moth. Many of the plants in her garden feature in her novels.