Ann Crew

A Presumption in Perthshire Ann Crew

Johnnie, ninth Earl of Tay and Elspeth Duff's cousin, pleads with her in desperation. His soon-to-be ex-wife, Louisa, has changed the conditions of their divorce to include taking possession of Tay Farm. Johnnie's sister, Lady Elisabeth (Biddy) Baillie Shaw, has lived at the farm all her life and managing the farm encompasses her whole being. Johnnie turns to Elspeth to help him find a way to stop Louisa and save the farm for Biddy. Then Louisa is strangled. Johnnie is charged with the murder and taken to court. Elspeth must balance her investigation of Johnnie's plight with the demands of her work for Lord Kennington. Set against the background of Highland Scotland and the unique Scottish legal system, Elspeth's extended family becomes involved in the hunt for the real murderer. This is the eighth in the Elspeth Duff mystery series. See elspethduffmysteries.com