A Graceful Death (Lowenna Series Book 1)
By Ann Summerville
Giovanna Matthews has an acceptable life in London with her own flat, a good job, and recent engagement to the son of a Scottish landowner. But not long after her engagement to Alan, news of Aunt Grace’s death hits Giovanna like a red double decker bus. Ignoring Alan’s pleas to stay, she bundles her dog and suitcase into a rusty Volkswagen and drives to Aunt Grace’s cottage on the Cornish coast where Giovanna had spent childhood summers with her cousin. Putting her aunt’s affairs in order is further complicated when Giovanna discovers the local constabulary has its own view on Aunt Grace’s demise – A view that Giovanna vows to challenge. Unless she can discover how her aunt died and find her missing cousin quickly, she stands to lose both her inheritance and Alan.
Like the old harbor wall, Giovanna’s feet sink into the sand and it becomes more difficult to leave a village where she is accepted as part of their “family.” There’s Mrs. Penrose with her flyaway gray hair and floral wardrobe; The sensible Mrs. Trewellyn who owns the grocery store; Holly, a long time friend and confidant; and Miss Brea who learned to drive in her retirement years. Self-centered, Alan threatens to break off their engagement if Giovanna doesn’t return to London. Should she stay and solve the mystery surrounding her aunt’s death or return to London and her fiancé?
Giovanna Matthews has an acceptable life in London with her own flat, a good job, and recent engagement to the son of a Scottish landowner. But not long after her engagement to Alan, news of Aunt Grace’s death hits Giovanna like a red double decker bus. Ignoring Alan’s pleas to stay, she bundles her dog and suitcase into a rusty Volkswagen and drives to Aunt Grace’s cottage on the Cornish coast where Giovanna had spent childhood summers with her cousin. Putting her aunt’s affairs in order is further complicated when Giovanna discovers the local constabulary has its own view on Aunt Grace’s demise – A view that Giovanna vows to challenge. Unless she can discover how her aunt died and find her missing cousin quickly, she stands to lose both her inheritance and Alan.
Like the old harbor wall, Giovanna’s feet sink into the sand and it becomes more difficult to leave a village where she is accepted as part of their “family.” There’s Mrs. Penrose with her flyaway gray hair and floral wardrobe; The sensible Mrs. Trewellyn who owns the grocery store; Holly, a long time friend and confidant; and Miss Brea who learned to drive in her retirement years. Self-centered, Alan threatens to break off their engagement if Giovanna doesn’t return to London. Should she stay and solve the mystery surrounding her aunt’s death or return to London and her fiancé?