The Irish Cottage Murder

Torrey Tunet is a thief. At least she was, when at the age of fourteen she and her best friend, Donna, stole from a suitcase of dirty money the town psychiatrist had collected. Fourteen years later, Torrey has left her past behind and is now a high-powered translator, working for some of the most important people in the world. But the crime still haunts her. While preparing for an assignment in Dublin, Torrey meets wealthy American Desmond Moore, who invites her to stay the week with him at his castle just outside of the city. Castle Moore is straight out of a fairy tale: eighteen rooms, extensive grounds, stables, and a cottage sitting at the edge of the property from where fresh, home-baked bread is delivered daily. Torrey is joined by three other guests: Winifred Moore, Desmond's cousin, in town to receive the Irish Women's Poetry Award for the year; her publisher, Sheila Flaxton; and Luke Willinger, the landscape artist hired by Desmond to design the castle's gardens. All seems well in the charming village of Ballynagh, and the guests happily enjoy Desmond's hospitality. But there are secrets lurking beneath the town's old-fashioned appeal, and more than a little ill will among members of the group. Suddenly murder strikes. A stranger is found dead in the swamp surrounding the castle, and another death follows soon after. To make matters worse, a priceless heirloom is stolen, and Torrey looks like the obvious suspect.