Title: A
Testament to Murder
Author Name: Vivian
Conroy
Genre: Cosy
Crime
Release Date: 18th
February 2019
Book
Blurb:
Suspenseful from the
first page to the last, A Testament to Murder is perfect for fans of
And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and Crooked
House
A dying billionaire. Nine would-be heirs. But only one will take
the prize...
At the lush Villa Calypso on the French Riviera, a dying
billionaire launches a devious plan: at midnight each day he appoints
a new heir to his vast fortune. If he dies within 24 hours, that
person takes it all. If not, their chance is gone forever.
Yet these are no ordinary beneficiaries, these men who crossed
him, women who deceived him, and distant relations intent on
reclaiming the family fortune. All are determined to lend death a
hand and outwit their rivals in pursuit of the prize.
As tensions mount with every passing second, retired Scotland Yard
investigator Jasper must stay two steps ahead of
every player if he hopes to prevent the billionaire’s devious game
from becoming a testament to murder…
Chapter 9 Extract:
Hugh leaned his
shoulder against the folly's white wood and sighed. Even that made
his head ache. He needed another drink, but his hip flask was empty
and he had forgotten to refill it before wandering out to avoid the
scent of scrambled eggs and Cecily Jones' attempts to draw him out
about getting his work into some gallery. She had no idea how hard
the life of an artist was. People simply believed you could turn out
masterpieces like clockwork, like a baker baked bread or a carpenter
made cupboards. But there was no mould, no set design, nothing to
recreate time and time again. Each creation was unique, the only one
there'd ever be in the entire world. The idea was wondrous and
intimidating at the same time.
When he picked up
his pen or his chisel, his head was so full of all the expectations
resting on him he could barely hold it without shaking. Not the
expectations of a public, of buyers or patrons. No, the expectations
of the works of art themselves. He was their creator; he had to give
life to them. He had to make them into what they were supposed to be.
And he always felt like he couldn't do them justice. Like they were
more beautiful and grander than he could ever make them.
Hugh sighed sadly.
He fingered his damp forehead, cringing as even that slight touch
beat into his brain. His mouth was so dry he could hardly swallow.
He'd better get back to the house for water or coffee. Or whiskey,
which he felt he needed more. But his legs were too wobbly to move.
He just stood there letting the structure hold him upright as tears
of desolation and failure filled his eyes.
Links
to Book:
Author
Bio:
Armed with cheese and chocolate, Vivian Conroy
sits down to create the aspirational settings, characters with
secrets up their sleeves, and clever plots which took several of her
mysteries to #1 bestseller in multiple categories on Amazon US and
Canada. Away from the keyboard, Vivian likes to hike (especially in
the Swiss mountains), hunt for the perfect cheesecake and experience
the joy in every-day life, be it a fiery sunset, a gorgeous full moon
or that errant butterfly descending on the windowsill.
Social Media Profiles:
Twitter: @VivWrites
