The Case of the Purloined Pages

<p><strong><em>Death stalks the library. . .Bestselling author Patricia Rice brings you another haunting country house mystery in Regency England. . .</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>Minerva Peniston intrepid spinster and booklover is determined to capture the villain who tried to shoot a duke at a book auction- imperiling her father's position and the only home she's ever known. And now the same wealthy bibliophiles are gathering at Wycliffe Manor. . .</p><p><br></p><p>Paul Upton over-educated and impoverished curate has volunteered to assist the residents of Wycliffe Manor in preparing for a book auction to save the village and the manor's future. When an intriguing wallflower drags him into aiding her quest to find a potential killer he agrees for her safety and to keep trouble from upending the long-awaited nuptials of the manor's owner.</p><p><br></p><p>Despite their efforts Minerva's chatty book-collecting friend is strangled before the auction begins. A killer on the loose threatens to upend both sale and wedding. Paul and Minerva must determine what secrets the garrulous victim revealed. . . and to whom. . . before the murderer strikes again.</p><p><br></p><p>With valuable manuscripts at risk and a half dozen more potential victims on hand only an unlikely white-knight and mousy spinster can save the auction and the wedding. As much as Minerva adores books even she knows they aren't worth dying for.</p><p><br></p>