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False Relation
Bea Abbot discovers that secrets are never safe in a small village . . .
Julian Marston-Lang calls Bea Abbot in a panic – his glamorous step-cousin Mona has been murdered!
Mona’s body was discovered in the garden of the house where she was living with her husband, Marcus. Once a billionaire businessman, Marcus’s reversal of fortunes and inability to maintain his wife’s lavish lifestyle was the source of heated rows. Did they reach breaking point?
While it seems an open-and-shut case, Marcus has mysteriously vanished. And Bea is sure there’s something Julian isn’t telling her . . . As she travels down to Marston Hall, Bea is determined to solve the mystery. But she’s about to discover that there’s more to Mona’s death than meets the eye . . .
Fans of Richard Osman, M.C. Beaton and Agatha Christie will love this page-turning mystery.
Julian Marston-Lang calls Bea Abbot in a panic – his glamorous step-cousin Mona has been murdered!
Mona’s body was discovered in the garden of the house where she was living with her husband, Marcus. Once a billionaire businessman, Marcus’s reversal of fortunes and inability to maintain his wife’s lavish lifestyle was the source of heated rows. Did they reach breaking point?
While it seems an open-and-shut case, Marcus has mysteriously vanished. And Bea is sure there’s something Julian isn’t telling her . . . As she travels down to Marston Hall, Bea is determined to solve the mystery. But she’s about to discover that there’s more to Mona’s death than meets the eye . . .
Fans of Richard Osman, M.C. Beaton and Agatha Christie will love this page-turning mystery.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Veronica Heley
100 books132 followersVeronica 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
AKA Veronica Thorne
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 8, 2026
Simple village life! Ha!________3.5
Returning to the world of Bea Abbot and her husband Piers, Bea’s friends Sir Julian Marston-Lang and Lady Polly of Marston Hall and the connected village, brings unforeseen challenge for Bea.
For starters Julian’s step-cousin Mona has been murdered and Marcus her husband accused, although the police from the neighboring town of Askin feel that really Lord Julian has done the deadly deed.
Village life is under the microscope as Heley gives us another mystery novel with characters we love, and love to hate. I particularly liked Old Jenny and her relationship to the spirits of the Spring.
I did feel that this story had run its race in the previous title. This book added a further dimension which pleasantly surprised me.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Returning to the world of Bea Abbot and her husband Piers, Bea’s friends Sir Julian Marston-Lang and Lady Polly of Marston Hall and the connected village, brings unforeseen challenge for Bea.
For starters Julian’s step-cousin Mona has been murdered and Marcus her husband accused, although the police from the neighboring town of Askin feel that really Lord Julian has done the deadly deed.
Village life is under the microscope as Heley gives us another mystery novel with characters we love, and love to hate. I particularly liked Old Jenny and her relationship to the spirits of the Spring.
I did feel that this story had run its race in the previous title. This book added a further dimension which pleasantly surprised me.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
False Relation is exactly the kind of cosy-but-twisty mystery I love dipping into on a quiet evening. Veronica Heley delivers another engaging Bea Abbot investigation, full of small‑village secrets, complicated family ties, and that gentle, classic‑mystery feel that fans of Richard Osman and M.C. Beaton will recognise instantly.
The setup is wonderfully dramatic: Bea gets a frantic call from Julian Marston‑Lang announcing that his glamorous step‑cousin Mona has been murdered. From there, the story unfolds with a steady, satisfying pace. Mona’s life—full of luxury, tension, and a husband whose fortunes have taken a nosedive—gives Bea plenty to untangle. And when Marcus, the husband, promptly disappears, the whole thing becomes even more intriguing.
What I enjoyed most is the atmosphere around Marston Hall. It’s one of those places where everyone seems to know more than they’re saying, and Heley captures that simmering village tension so well. Bea remains a grounded, likeable protagonist—calm, observant, and quietly tenacious as she picks her way through half‑truths and hidden motives.
The mystery itself is layered without ever feeling convoluted, and the final reveal lands neatly. It’s the kind of story that keeps you turning pages not because it’s flashy, but because it’s consistently engaging and full of character.
A charming, well‑crafted whodunit with just the right amount of intrigue. Perfect for readers who enjoy traditional mysteries with modern warmth.
With thanks to Veronica Heley, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The setup is wonderfully dramatic: Bea gets a frantic call from Julian Marston‑Lang announcing that his glamorous step‑cousin Mona has been murdered. From there, the story unfolds with a steady, satisfying pace. Mona’s life—full of luxury, tension, and a husband whose fortunes have taken a nosedive—gives Bea plenty to untangle. And when Marcus, the husband, promptly disappears, the whole thing becomes even more intriguing.
What I enjoyed most is the atmosphere around Marston Hall. It’s one of those places where everyone seems to know more than they’re saying, and Heley captures that simmering village tension so well. Bea remains a grounded, likeable protagonist—calm, observant, and quietly tenacious as she picks her way through half‑truths and hidden motives.
The mystery itself is layered without ever feeling convoluted, and the final reveal lands neatly. It’s the kind of story that keeps you turning pages not because it’s flashy, but because it’s consistently engaging and full of character.
A charming, well‑crafted whodunit with just the right amount of intrigue. Perfect for readers who enjoy traditional mysteries with modern warmth.
With thanks to Veronica Heley, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
This enjoyable cozy with a bite was just what I needed after some dark mysteries. Bea is a lovely protagonist with a clear head who can handle herself with grace.
This was my first book by the author, but definitely won't be the last!
This enjoyable cozy with a bite was just what I needed after some dark mysteries. Bea is a lovely protagonist with a clear head who can handle herself with grace.
This was my first book by the author, but definitely won't be the last!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews