Books
The Murder Next Door
July 1912
Leeds, England
A man is found dead on his study floor and his now-missing wife is the obvious suspect. To their neighbour, Louisa Knight, it's a shocking piece of news, but nothing more. However, when she tells her 'companion' over breakfast, Ada Chapman nearly breaks their teapot and looks ready to run out the door.
For Ada watched Mrs Pearce leave from the window of her painting studio. A moment's glance of a fearful face brings back old memories and gives her doubts.
As far as the more pragmatic Louisa is concerned, Ada's determination to investigate is bound to lead them into trouble. Again. Yet Louisa's curiosity cannot be denied, and as the pair delve deeper into their neighbour's life what they uncover only clouds the issue further. The question soon becomes not just 'Who killed Mr Pearce?' but also 'Does that person deserve to hang for it?'
Even if the couple can find the guilty party, will they be able to agree what should become of them?
"Before reading The Murder Next Door I'd never spent one second of my life thinking about Edwardian Leeds and this book made me feel like I was actually there, and like I knew Louisa and Ada and the people around them."
Cat Sebastian, author of We Could Be So Good
"An unputdownable murder mystery filled with twists and turns with a stunning sapphic romance at its heart, this book will have you rooting for the lovable crime-solving heroines until the very end."
Rachel Bowdler, author of Summer at the Scottish Castle
"A gripping mystery oozing with Yorkshire charm, with such vivid and skillful writing you feel like you're right there with the characters. An absolute delight!"
Katherine Shaw, author of Gloria
"The Murder Next Door is Sarah Bell's debut novel and what a debut it is! The atmosphere is fantastic [and] the language, both in the narrative and in dialogues, takes the reader back seamlessly."
LezReviewBooks.com
A full list of content warnings can be found here.
More reviews can be found here.