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Val Adolph

Also writing as Valerie Fletcher Adolph

NEW!

The Alice and Trudy mysteries

New in 2020 is the light-hearted series of cozy historical mysteries featuring the quirky Alice and Trudy who find themselves being detectives. Perfect for the post-Covid period as we pick up the pieces of a difficult time, the mysteries are set in post World War 2 England still struggling with shortages and rationing.

Book 1 – Death and the Dear Doctor

His comforting manner conceals a deadly secret that Trudy and Alice must solve!

Fleeing an abusive husband Trudy finds herself helping to run a private hotel for elderly guests. Only a couple of weeks after her arrival Alastair Mackie, one of its owners, is poisoned. Suspicion falls on Trudy and on Alastair’s wife, Alice.

Together Trudy and Alice struggle to find the identity of the killer, or even a reason for the murder. Only slightly in the way are Colonel Starr who has difficulty telling one war from another, Calvin Hunt with his shocking remarks, the name-dropping Mrs Shand and the frequent fainter (but artistic) Fay Bowen. Oh! I almost forgot Miss Harriet; she is easy to overlook.

While Alice tries to discover the secret behind the killing Trudy must fight with a husband who is determined to force her back.

Set in Yorkshire, this novel of 1947 introduces readers to a new pair of detectives – Alice, raised in a mansion by aristocratic parents and Trudy, daughter of a butcher from the market.

Alice and Trudy run a private hotel, home to long-term senior guests who might be described as eccentric. In the first book of the series, “Death and the Dear Doctor” Alice’s husband is murdered and she looks like the suspect who benefits most.  She also receives a most unusual proposal of marriage.

Comments about the first book in this Avalon trilogy “Death and the Dear Doctor”:

Really enjoyed this gem.  Would definitely read more from this author.    P.D., British Columbia

Some nice twists and turns. Makes a great cozy feel good mystery. Left me with a smile on my face. J.H. British Columbia

Just the right amount of deception, intrigue, murder, and romance.  Thoroughly enjoyable. N.P. British Columbia

Very intriguing! D.S. British Columbia

Book 2 – Miss Harriet’s Wedding

Someone plans to prevent Miss Harriet’s wedding. Can Alice and Trudy outwit his sinister plans?

England, 1947, Princess Elizabeth marries Phillip Mountbatten. Also the elderly, shy Miss Harriet is to marry John Prentiss. Avalon guests help to plan a small country wedding.

A few problems arise – the first disagreement, finding the right church, satisfying the hymn critic. Then the worst problem – Miss Harriet’s brother tries to abduct her.

But he has reckoned without the Avalon’s guests. Adding to the confusion are cousin Mike and Gluedog. And Ben, driven to the wedding handcuffed to Miss Harriet. Alice and Trudy call in the friendly police detective, Kenneth Wilson and try to create order out of the chaos.

Comments about the second book in the series “Miss Harriet’s Wedding”:

Amazon.com 5 star review of “Miss Harriet’s Wedding”:

Such great characters.
This book is every bit as good as the first one. Solid plot, engaging
characters and heartfelt emotions make this a really good read.

A Review in the National Historical Society of Miss Harriet’s Wedding by Bonnie DeMoss

In England in 1947, Princess Elizabeth prepares to marry Phillip Mountbatten. And at the Avalon Private Hotel, sweet, elderly Miss Harriet is planning to marry John Prentiss. But there are obstacles in the way. Neither John nor Miss Harriet is particularly interested in wedding planning, there are issues agreeing on a church, and to top it all off, somebody wants to kidnap Miss Harriet! Alice, Trudy, Kenneth Wilson, the local police detective, and the guests at Avalon band together to try and keep the wedding on track and protect Miss Harriet. Tidbits from Elizabeth’s wedding are dropped throughout the book. This is the second in the wonderful Alice and Trudy Mystery series by Valerie Fletcher Adolph.

This is an entertaining read which alternates between the perspectives of Alice, the owner of the Avalon, and Trudy, who helps her run the hotel. In addition to wedding
plans, we are caught up in the other residents—Fay, who is using her considerable talent as an artist to sketch the local dogs; Colonel Starr, whose mind is generally geared to military matters; Mrs. Shand, who does some uppity criticizing of the wedding planning, both royal and non-royal; Calvin, the elderly flirt; and Sophie, who tries to help out in every situation. Alice’s aristocratic family makes appearances, as do Ben, a local man, his dog Yan, and others.

This is a sweet, mild cozy mystery, softer and more comfortable than most. It is a relaxing read about post-World War II England. I loved the characters, especially the elderly hotel guests. Fans of weddings, cozy mysteries, and postwar novels will enjoy
this book.

Book 3 – The Probable Son

Trudy can’t escape the Bickerstaffs. One by one they invade the Avalon until death intervenes.

Old Mr Bickerstaff, recovering slowly from a stroke, moves into Miss Harriet’s old room at the Avalon hotel. His family, inheritance in mind, demands his immediate return home. His grandson Jeremy is not prepared to wait – he wants his money now. His accident – was it an accident? Or did one of Mr Bickerstaff’s closest associates give him a push? And why is it so important that old Mr B should return home?

Mr B’s decision to move into the care of Alice and Trudy puts him in the middle of the Avalon crew – especially Mrs Shand whose obsession with the aristocracy hides her secret. But his family can’t leave him to settle in peacefully. His wife, his sons, his daughter-in-law demand his return with tears, threats, hysteria. His grandsons, future lawyers all according to Grandmamma, confront him with their own drama. But then Perry arrives, not interested in the Bickerstaffs, their money or in becoming a lawyer. But he looks so much like the young Bickerstaff men…

Alice and Trudy negotiate their way through the assaults of the Bickerstaffs, Alice’s new romance and Trudy’s mixed feelings for the young detective Kenneth Wilson. Alice fights to keep her hotel despite evil rumours and the ‘help’ of her family. Ben, steady as always, supplies some of the foods missing since wartime – until he meets Mrs Evans.

Get your copy of The Probable Son HERE

If you’d like to connect with Alice and Trudy, Colonel Starr, the countryman Ben and the young detective Kenneth Wilson you could go to amazon and request the paperback or the ebook. You might also like to join our newsletter community HERE

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