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An Artless Deceit: A Midford Abbas Mystery
It was supposed to be a quiet visit to an art gallery…
After a bitter divorce, art teacher Nisha Parnell isn’t sure she belongs in the sleepy town of Midford Abbas. With budget cuts looming and her job on the line, a field trip to the local gallery is her last chance to prove her worth. But nothing in Midford Abbas ever goes quite to plan.
The advertised exhibition has vanished — replaced at the last minute by a mysterious collection from an unknown artist. The gallery won’t explain the switch, and everyone seems oddly determined to protect the newcomer.
As Nisha’s students are drawn to the enigmatic artwork, strange things begin happening at the money goes missing, her boss is acting out of character — and somehow, all signs point to Nisha as the one to blame.
With her reputation and career on the line, Nisha must uncover the truth. What’s the connection between the gallery and the college? And why is everyone so desperate to keep it hidden?
Armed with determination — and her reluctant cat, Muffin — Nisha must untangle the web of secrets before she’s fired… or worse.
After a bitter divorce, art teacher Nisha Parnell isn’t sure she belongs in the sleepy town of Midford Abbas. With budget cuts looming and her job on the line, a field trip to the local gallery is her last chance to prove her worth. But nothing in Midford Abbas ever goes quite to plan.
The advertised exhibition has vanished — replaced at the last minute by a mysterious collection from an unknown artist. The gallery won’t explain the switch, and everyone seems oddly determined to protect the newcomer.
As Nisha’s students are drawn to the enigmatic artwork, strange things begin happening at the money goes missing, her boss is acting out of character — and somehow, all signs point to Nisha as the one to blame.
With her reputation and career on the line, Nisha must uncover the truth. What’s the connection between the gallery and the college? And why is everyone so desperate to keep it hidden?
Armed with determination — and her reluctant cat, Muffin — Nisha must untangle the web of secrets before she’s fired… or worse.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
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About the author
AJ Varley
1 bookAJ Varley is the pen name of artist Richard Eveleigh. He has a sweet tooth, a soft spot for cats, and a lifelong love of cosy mysteries. When he’s not exploring the English countryside, he can be found in his studio, painting or writing. His gentle mysteries are inspired by small-town life and his experiences in the art world, all told with a dry, distinctly British sense of humour.
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