A Coat of VarnishHumphrey Leigh, retired resident of Belgravia, pays a social visit to an old friend, Lady Ashbrook, who is waiting for medical test results. When Lady Ashbrook gets the all clear, she enjoys her new lease of life for ten days. When she is then found brutally murdered, the entire upper middle class neighbourhood is thrown into disarray.

a famous artist

This is a secret too big to let him live

Quebert is the only suspect

even more terrible scandal

Abandoned by its leader

Inspector Thomas Lynley makes a cameo appearance

forge and break shifting allegiances that drive them to dangerous lengths

Beaton's imperfect heroine is an absolute gem' Publishers Weekly 'The Miss Marple-like Raisin is a refreshing

left where she died

he really is

The Personal History of Rachel DuPree is an unforgettable novel about love and loyalty

more treacherous emotion