Anita Davison – författare

‘A lovely mystery evocative of the period from a talented writer’ Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay mysteries

Someone’s been read their last rites…

1915, London: Working in the dusty bookshop that her Aunt Violet mysteriously inherited, Hannah Merrill is accustomed to finding twists in every tale. But discovering her beloved best friend Lily-Anne – with a paperknife through her heart – in the middle of the bookshop, is not a plotline she saw coming.

The case is anything but textbook. With the discovery of a coded German message, and Hannah’s instinct that Lily-Anne’s husband is keeping secrets, she determines to get to the bottom of it.

She can’t do it alone though. To crack this case, Hannah will need the enlist the help of her outrageous, opinionated, only-occasionally-objectionable Aunt Violet.

They think they’re making progress until one of their chief suspects is found dead. And Hannah realises that she is herself now in the murderer’s sights. Will the final chapter be the ending of a killer… or just a killer ending?

A totally addictive, WW1-set cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey, and Agatha Christie.

Readers love Murder in the Bookshop:

‘Wonderful!! I had high hopes for this novel and it did not disappoint. Once I began I could hardly put it down. I am excited to read Ms. Davison’s next installment’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘I couldn’t put this book down, I just wanted to keep reading. The story kept me guessing all the time and the ending was unexpected. Can’t wait for the next book’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘What a fabulous setting for a murder Aunt Violet''s dusty bookshop is!… If I could have read it in one sitting, I would have done. A brilliant plot with some clever twists! I think I''ve found a new favourite series. I can’t wait for the next instalment. Highly recommended!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘A fabulous historical novel that entertained me from the start… Reminiscent of Miss Jane Marple… I loved the inclusion of Bartleby, the bookshop cat who was very much a character in his own right’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘I loved this book. Hannah and Aunt Violet are wonderful characters and I liked them from the start. The surrounding characters are well imagined. The setting is interesting. I enjoyed the references to literature and the way books were a part of the story line… Very entertaining and I highly recommend it’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Set against the backdrop of the war in 1915, with the very real fears of invasion and bombings, the characters are beautifully drawn, especially the wonderfully bold and rather scandalous suffragette Violet who carries a few secrets of her own and who I immediately loved. This is a great start to a new cosy crime series and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next to the amateur sleuths and their friends’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Fascinating characters, scandals, espionage and murder…Kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen to Hannah and her delightful feline companion’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

A body in a hospital isn’t so unusual. Unless they’ve been murdered!

1916, London: Keen to support the war effort, bookshop manager and sometime amateur sleuth Hannah Merrill has taken a volunteer role in the library of the nearby military hospital.

But arriving at the hospital one cold winter’s morning, she is horrified to find the body of a dead soldier in the library.

What’s more, a beautiful young nurse confides in Hannah that she thinks she’s being followed, and then she abruptly disappears.

Hannah can’t shake the suspicion that the two cases are connected, but she can’t solve the case alone. She’ll once again need to call upon her delightful, demanding, only-occasionally devious aunt, Violet.

The two women know they must find the missing nurse before it’s too late… but they don’t realise they’re now both in the killer’s sights.

A totally gripping, unputdownable, WW1-set, cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, and Agatha Christie.

Readers love the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet series:

‘Wonderful!! I had high hopes for this novel and it did not disappoint. Once I began I could hardly put it down. I am excited to read Ms. Davison’s next installment.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I couldn’t put this book down, I just wanted to keep reading. The story kept me guessing all the time and the ending was unexpected. Can’t wait for the next book.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a fabulous setting for a murder Aunt Violet''s dusty bookshop is!… If I could have read it in one sitting, I would have done. A brilliant plot with some clever twists! I think I''ve found a new favourite series. I can’t wait for the next instalment. Highly recommended!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A fabulous historical novel that entertained me from the start… Reminiscent of Miss Jane Marple… I loved the inclusion of Bartleby, the bookshop cat who was very much a character in his own right.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book. Hannah and Aunt Violet are wonderful characters and I liked them from the start. The surrounding characters are well imagined. The setting is interesting. I enjoyed the references to literature and the way books were a part of the story line… Very entertaining and I highly recommend it.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Set against the backdrop of the war in 1915, with the very real fears of invasion and bombings, the characters are beautifully drawn, especially the wonderfully bold and rather scandalous suffragette Violet who carries a few secrets of her own and who I immediately loved. This is a great start to a new cosy crime series and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next to the amateur sleuths and their friends.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fascinating characters, scandals, espionage and murder… Kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen to Hannah and her delightful feline companion.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this delightful new cozy mystery featuring a young society girl and her suffragette aunt… 5 stars. I look forward to more in this series.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A compelling tale, full of red herrings, lost love, along with excellent research of the time period.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A very fun read! I can’t wait to read the next installment!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The BRAND NEW instalment in Anita Davison''s gripping cozy mystery series!

Nobody should be in the market… for murder!

Even though its famous opera house has shuttered its doors for the war, Covent Garden remains one of the most exciting, bustling areas of London. It’s where Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet have their bookshop and, in spite of the recent spate of burglaries in the area, it’s generally thought to be a good neighbourhood.

So Hannah is surprised when she sees a fellow shopkeeper – a jeweller named Jacob Cornelis – having a heated argument with a stranger. Especially when the next day Cornelis is found dead in his shop, apparently the victim of another burglary.

But what shocks Hannah more is when she meets the policeman supposedly there to investigate the crime. Because he is none other than the man who Hannah saw arguing with Cornelis the day before.

Hannah knows it’s up to her and Violet to investigate. But they don’t know they’re about to uncover a secret underworld of theft, murder and blackmail. And they must act fast, before the Covent Garden Killer strikes again…

A gripping and unputdownable Golden Age cozy crime mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon and Verity Bright.

Readers love the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet series:

‘I couldn’t put this book down, I just wanted to keep reading. The story kept me guessing all the time and the ending was unexpected. Can’t wait for the next book.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A fabulous historical novel that entertained me from the start… Reminiscent of Miss Jane Marple… I loved the inclusion of Bartleby, the bookshop cat who was very much a character in his own right.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful!! I had high hopes for this novel and it did not disappoint. Once I began I could hardly put it down. I am excited to read Ms. Davison’s next installment.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a fabulous setting for a murder… If I could have read it in one sitting, I would have done. A brilliant plot with some clever twists! I think I''ve found a new favourite series. I can’t wait for the next instalment. Highly recommended!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this delightful new cozy mystery featuring a young society girl and her suffragette aunt… 5 stars. I look forward to more in this series.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book. Hannah and Aunt Violet are wonderful characters and I liked them from the start. The surrounding characters are well imagined. The setting is interesting. I enjoyed the references to literature and the way books were a part of the story line… Very entertaining and I highly recommend it.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fascinating characters, scandals, espionage and murder… Kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen to Hannah and her delightful feline companion.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The BRAND NEW instalment in Anita Davison''s gripping cozy mystery series!

Escaping the city doesn’t mean escaping the criminals…

1916, Midwinter Manor: Desperate for a Christmas weekend break from war-torn London, Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet take Bartleby the cat and themselves off to visit Hannah’s sister, in her beautiful country estate, deep in the English countryside.

The huge house is full of relatives, friends and merrymakers, and everyone’s excited to have a Christmas to remember.

But then, when a fellow-guest’s body is found in the library – apparently bludgeoned to death – and a precious ruby is stolen from another guest, it appears that it’s going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

With the house snowed in, and the rural police force completely incapable of finding a single credible suspect, Hannah and Aunt Violet realise that once again it’s going to be down to them to get to the bottom of it.

Because whoever’s behind the crimes must be at Midwinter Manor… And if they’re not found, who knows what their next ‘gift’ will be?

A totally unforgettable Golden Age, country house, cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, and Agatha Christie.

Readers love the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet series:

‘I couldn’t put this book down, I just wanted to keep reading. The story kept me guessing all the time and the ending was unexpected. Can’t wait for the next book.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A fabulous historical novel that entertained me from the start… Reminiscent of Miss Jane Marple… I loved the inclusion of Bartleby, the bookshop cat who was very much a character in his own right.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful!! I had high hopes for this novel and it did not disappoint. Once I began I could hardly put it down. I am excited to read Ms. Davison’s next installment.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a fabulous setting for a murder… If I could have read it in one sitting, I would have done. A brilliant plot with some clever twists! I think I''ve found a new favourite series. I can’t wait for the next instalment. Highly recommended!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this delightful new cozy mystery featuring a young society girl and her suffragette aunt… 5 stars. I look forward to more in this series.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book. Hannah and Aunt Violet are wonderful characters and I liked them from the start. The surrounding characters are well imagined. The setting is interesting. I enjoyed the references to literature and the way books were a part of the story line… Very entertaining and I highly recommend it.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fascinating characters, scandals, espionage and murder… Kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen to Hannah and her delightful feline companion.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

NEW YORK,1900: A captivating cozy crime novel set on-board the maiden voyage of the S.S. Minneapolis, featuring series character Flora Maguire. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey.

Young governess Flora Maguire is on her way home from America on the maiden voyage of the S.S. Minneapolis with her young charge Eddy, Viscount Trent, when she discovers a dead body.

Unconvinced when the death is pronounced an accident, Flora starts asking questions, but following threats, a near drowning and a second murder, the hunt is on for a killer. Time is running out as the Minneapolis approaches the English coast.

Will Flora be able to protect Eddy, as well as herself?

Is her burgeoning relationship with the handsome Bunny Harrington only a shipboard dalliance, or something more? And what secrets must Flora keep in order to stay safe?

An absolutely gripping cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of T.E. Kinsey, Verity Bright, and Helena Dixon.

What readers are saying about Death On Board:

‘I thought it really evoked the era. And the atmosphere of an ocean-going cruise lent itself well to a murder scene. And you can quote me on that!’ Faith Martin

‘A lovely mystery evocative of the period from a talented writer’ Helena Dixon

‘Wow! I was kept guessing right to the end. A great read and I will be looking out for more of this author’s work!!!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘I’m a big fan of this author’s work, so I was excited to read the first instalment in her new mystery series. It did not disappoint. Along with the sparkling dialogue and likeable characters I have come to expect, I found an intriguing, page-turning whodunnit’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘With intrigue heaped upon intrigue this is certainly a great whodunnit that kept my attention from start to finish’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘Pulls you in and won’t let go!!!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

*Previously published as *Murder on the Minneapolis.**

Even the most glamorous stately homes hide secrets and lies from the past...

When Flora Maguire receives an alarming telegram informing her of her father’s tragic death in a riding accident, she races back from London to her childhood home.

But when Flora and her new husband, Bunny, get to Cleeve Abbey – where she was once Governess to Eddy, Viscount Trent, and her father was butler to Earl Trent – it’s all is not well.

Flora’s intention was to bury her father next to Lily, her mother, who sadly passed away when Flora was a small child. But it turns out that a mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Lily’s final resting place.

No-one is willing to talk. And, with her father now dead in what seems like a suspicious accident, Flora must now strive alone to uncover hidden family secrets. And a terrible betrayal with the power to change everything…

A cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey, and set in the glorious Cotswolds landscape.

What people are saying about Anita Davison:

‘A lovely mystery evocative of the period from a talented writer’ Helena Dixon

‘Intriguing… Clues to keep you guessing… I was caught up in the story immediately’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘I love, love, love this series! … The intricate plot with its many odd characters kept me turning the pages until the stunning end. I highly recommend this to everyone who loves historical fiction and who would like to venture into the cozy mystery genre. Highly recommended!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘An intriguing mystery… Flora makes a wily opponent with first rate detective skills’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

''Would recommend to anyone who likes their heroines feisty’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

Previously published as *Murder at Cleeve Abbey.*

Step back into Edwardian London and join Flora Maguire in this addictive cosy mystery that is guaranteed to keep you turning pages.

1903 London is bustling and glamorous. With troubling secrets simmering and worrying signs of war Flora Maguire must solve a deadly mystery which leads right to the heart of the corridors of power.

When the body of a London socialite, and leading light of the burgeoning women’s suffrage movement, is found outside The Grenadier public house in London’s fashionable Knightsbridge, Flora Maguire can’t resist investigating.

Mysterious letters are discovered in the victim’s belongings, including strange links to the foreign office. But why do the clues keep coming back to the assassination of a Baltic king?

As Flora closes in on the killer, it soon becomes clear she is no longer safe in London, but – as her husband Bunny rushes to be by her side – will he be the one to save her, or will she have to find her own way out?

An absolutely gripping cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of T.E. Kinsey, Verity Bright, and Helena Dixon.

What readers are saying about Anita Davison:

‘A lovely mystery evocative of the period from a talented writer’ Helena Dixon

‘London makes for a wonderful setting for this cozy mystery, brought to life by the author''s elegant prose and deep historical research. I am enjoying this series. Flora Maguire is an excellent amateur detective!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘I just finished one Flora book to move onto another! … A super book to curl up with and apparently, there''s more to come!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘This is a series mystery lovers won''t want to miss’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘I enjoyed it tremendously!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘Careful though, it’s hard to put it down once you start!!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

Previously published as Murder at The Grenadier and A Knightsbridge Scandal