In the 16th novel of the Agnes Carmichael series, the eponymous heroine finds herself relocating to Hove. Her hatred of animal cruelty aroused by the mistreatment of a pup finds Agnes in conflict with a local youth. When a neighbour who resembles her is found dead she decides to act.
Pseudonym of Doris Simpson, Anthea Cohen, worked as an antiques buyer, shoe salesperson, and was a state registered nurse. She lived on the Isle of Wight. She was the creator of the much beloved anti-hero 'Agnes Carmichael', a nurse who avenges wrongs by killing the culprits. She died in 2006.
This is the type of mystery story that is not too gruesome but never-the-less it is a page turner. I have read eight books from this series and have not been disappointed by any of them.