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

Genres: Fiction

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.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deserves a 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️++ rating.
Such a lovely story. Such beautifully descriptive language when talking about nature, gardens, plants and bugs.
Women supporting women.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very easy read. It wasn't a book you'd tell someone to read, but I enjoyed it. I would give it 3.5 stars. It was easy to get into, and a different genre....we all need others.

[Sarah Messenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of women helping women. With a touch of mystery, suspense and nature.

[Arvilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about unlikely friendships and building trust once people have completely let you down. Lily, a London wife of a doctor, flees the city for a country cottage after the arrest of her husband. Afraid of the press, and afraid her husband may have tried to murder someone, Lily is confused and lonely -- then she meets her eccentric neighbor, Cathy. Cathy is the town pariah, the woman whom everyone thinks is crazy. But Lily likes this strange woman who loves caterpillars, butterflies, and moths. They form a friendship, each holding their own secrets. But when a local teen goes missing, and Cathy is accused of harming her, Lily finds herself in the position to defend a woman she barely knows. Told in past / present form, this books fills in details from each woman's past and does a lovely job of showing what can happen when bonds of trust are formed.

[Angela Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst not absolutely perfect, this enjoyable book deserves 5 stars. There are excellent descriptions of english village life, nature and countryside. There is emotional depth without hyperbole. There is a good balance of mystery and character exploration. The technical details seem very well researched.
I found myself looking forward to each chapter as the story unfolded and the lead characters developed.
Moreover, there are a number of themes and issues in the book which are ripe for a group discussion.
Very enjoyable indeed.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natural healing through storytelling

The intrigue in this novel is quite eclipsed by the brilliant descriptions of the natural world in which it is set. Each insect mentioned inspired direct research in order to truly appreciate. The natural world softened the hard truths of the plot and made it one to share and remember.

[Susan Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very wooden style of writing..."this happened, and this happened, and she thought, and she remembered..." And packed with too many details of the insect & plant life , essential to the story but disruptive to the narrative.
Plot too engineered with the 2 main characters with similar troubled back stories happening to live next door

[Rosalie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

unique story of friendship, dealing with crisis and coming out more whole

Two women meet, one an avid collector of unusual insects, the other a woman seeking solace in the midst of a crisis. What they learn from each other
And from life.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of ups and downs of life, friendships, and the journey to find the truth. This is well-written, so lyrical you feel like you are among the flowers and wildlife. Strong women! Loved it.

[Kim Butterfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Super wordy. Though the descriptions were beautiful it felt like they went on and on and it took forever to get to the plot. The plot was good and I was very invested in the characters. Good story overall!

[Karen E. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story line. I loved all the connections to flowers and insects. Lots of science imbedded in the story.

[Amanda Hillier Hodny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful character development, not my normal type of a read but was captivating and very well written. Wish the characters could live on in another book.

[karen noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

I was rooting for these characters right from the beginning. Make sure you get all your work done before you start to read.

[Red Car · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling read. I listened to the audio.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like the writing, characters, and imagery was beautiful. The story was interesting but, for me, wasn't super captivating.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story

[Christina Blanton- Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margot Shepherd creates a touching story of the healing power of nature and friendship.

[Sara Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh. It was fine, but I felt there were too many irelrelevant details that hindered my ability to "get lost" in the story.