How to Solve Your Own Murder (Castle Knoll Files, #1)

by Kristen Perrin

My backpack weighs a ton, but the library was having a sale and I couldn’t resist. And I can justify buying seven hard copies of Agatha Christie books as research.

He can see that I’m sad to have lost a relative I never got to know.

The Frances in those pages is someone I want to be friends with. And I want to know how her story ends.

“I’ve thought about that day so many times, Frances, but you know what stands out the most? More than Walt’s rage or Emily’s manipulations? Your kindness. Just before we drove off, you mentioned forgiveness. And your words, and the generous and calm expression you had—it was a moment of peace that has resonated in me like music, for weeks. I’ve been chasing it ever since.

“Of course,” I say. I wonder what he sees when he looks at me. My blond hair, wide-set eyes, and high cheekbones—does he see Emily Sparrow when he looks at me? Or just the odd feature that’s familiar? And now that I really look at him, I see that my cheekbones and eyes could come straight from John. This might be why, when I saw Emily’s photo, I couldn’t see the resemblance between Mum and her. The blond hair is the one thing we share with Emily, but our faces favor John. Warmth floods through me, because I never knew Peter and Tansy or my father. And here is this kindly old man who regards me with such amazement that I feel remarkable even though I’m doing nothing but sitting here. He’s looking at me as if I’m exceptional just because I exist. It’s a new feeling for me, and it’s like the cheerful crackle of logs when you first light a fire, or the comforting smell of baking bread. Both are things I’ve never really experienced in my life. It’s a different feeling of family, I decide. The unconventional life Mum has given me isn’t lessened by this, but a new dimension has suddenly been added to the word for me.