The Mystery of the Crooked Man

A distinctive murder mystery with an unforgettably spiky protagonist, for fans of The Twyford Code, Magpie Murders and Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Meet Agatha Dorn, cantankerous archivist, grammar pedant, gin aficionada and murder mystery addict. When she discovers a lost manuscript by Gladden Green, the Empress of Golden Age detective fiction, Agatha's life takes an unexpected twist. She becomes an overnight sensation, basking in the limelight of literary stardom.

But Agatha's newfound fame takes a nosedive when the 'rediscovered' novel is exposed as a hoax. And when her ex-lover turns up dead, with a scrap of the manuscript by her side, Agatha suspects foul play.

Cancelled, ostracised and severely ticked off, Agatha turns detective to uncover the sinister truth that connects the murder and the fraudulent manuscript. But can she stay sober long enough to catch the murderer, or will Agatha become a whodunit herself?

PRAISE FOR THE MYSTERY OF THE CROOKED MAN

'As fresh and pithy as a ripe tangerine - a hoot from start to finish. Tom Spencer has created a riotously funny crime caper that Agatha Christie would have loved' - M.H. Eccleston, author of The Trust

'Oh how I enjoyed this thoroughly delightful and nasty mystery. It's hard to write a protagonist who is both completely unlikeable, yet desperately sympathetic and charismatic, but Tom Spencer has managed it at the same time as providing an intricately written and very funny crime story.' - Alice Bell, author of Grave Expectations

'Not your usual cosy, and that's exactly what I loved! Spencer tip-toes on that line between traditional and modern with a delicate charm and deftness of touch to create a juicy whodunnit. Simply brilliant!' - Jonathan Whitelaw, author of The Bingo Hall Detectives