The Stanhope Inheritance is the First in the Annabel Staple Series:
It is London, 1965 and wealthy Alec Stanhope dies leaving behind a house of mystery and suspicion. Annabel Staple inherits from a father she thought had died in WWII but a missing fortune, art thefts, forged cheques and murder all suggest that her father’s death might not have been the ‘accident’ everyone thought it to be.
With nothing but a locket containing a photograph of her mother to go on, Annabel must unravel the mystery of her father’s death before she too falls victim.
An Enjoyable Murder Mystery Set in the Sixties...
"This classic murder mystery by Maggie Peck is presented in the period setting of the mid-sixties. It has an interesting premise: a man’s recent death is investigated by the daughter who never knew him, but who inherits his wealth. The book is well written, with a cast of interesting characters and no shortage of suspects, all newly involved in one way or another with Annabel Staple, the surprised heiress. This central character is drawn carefully through her thoughts and actions, proving a determined but vulnerable investigator. The novel is thoroughly enjoyable and excitement builds as the story progresses."
Great Fun in the Swinging Sixties!
"First-time author Maggie Peck has created a gentle yet exciting world in the mid 1960s, with this story of a young woman who inherits a country house - and a mystery! By the end of the book we have had great fun romping through Sixties London and the British countryside, encountered a cast of characters who it will be good to meet again as (what I'm sure will be) the series progresses. This is a cosy mystery but one distinguished by excellent writing, an authentic period setting that doesn't feel laboured, a sly humour and an intelligence that makes it all the more enjoyable. Bring on the sequel!"
A Brilliant Read!
"I loved this book. It's well written, with a captivating plot and interesting characters, it was a lovely read. Reading this while travelling abroad felt like a comforting hug from home. The settings of rural Hertfordshire and West London are beautifully evoked by the writer and made me miss the English countryside and city. I thought The period of The 1960s made a nice change as not many books are set during this exciting and interesting time, and the characters really brought this to life. I found the main character, Annabel, very relatable and hope to read more about her in future books! More please!"
The Omega Trap is the Second in the the Annabel Staple Series:
When ex MI6 Rosemary Hutton asks Annabel and Ferdy to help uncover a spy at a weekend country house party, they think it will be a straightforward surveillance operation.
But things are never that simple; Ferdy is forced to confront his estranged father, there is a thief at work and the list of potential spies grows.
Then murder raises the stakes and Annabel must use all her ingenuity and determination to expose the thief, solve the murder … and catch the spy.
Solve a Murder and Catch a Spy….
"I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and The Omega Trap has definitely not disappointed. Maggie’s writing draws you into the story and you can’t wait to read how the mystery develops. Her descriptions of the places and scenery involved are so good and help you visualise the locations beautifully. I enjoy the relationship between Ferdy and Annabel and intrigued to see where it leads. I also like how she introduces new characters into the storyline keeping it moving along. Her writing keeps you guessing all the way through on how the story will unfold. I loved it! Looking forward to the next."
Well Written...
"The first thing to impress me was how well written this book was. I loved the way the descriptions made me right there on the page I also found that the dialog strengthened the story and kept it moving right along. The book was hard to put down because I kept wanting to know what happened and was trying to work out who might have done what. The characters were well drawn out and felt significantly real. The only thing I didn't get was the relationship between Annabel and her partner in the beginning whereas everyone else was very clear. They became clear to me towards the end."
A Great Follow Up to The Stanhope Inheritance
"I was really looking forward to reading The Omega Trap having enjoyed The Stanhope Inheritance. The novel is set in the sixties and Maggie breathes life and colour into it, making it believable. Annabel Staple develops as a character and is given much more licence to solve the puzzles in this novel. The action takes place in a country house and is best described as a murder mystery. We have surveillance, then theft, and finally murder. Everyone has a motive and many red herrings are offered to the reader. It is pleasurable to see Maggie's skill as a writer visibly developing."
