Murder in My Backyard: An Inspector Ramsay Novel (Inspector Ramsay Series Book 2)

Murder in My Backyard is the second novel in Ann Cleeves's Inspector Ramsay series. The book was first published in the US after the author went on to create the Shetland and Vera series. In the village of Heppleburn, Alice Parry is found murdered in her backyard on St. David's Eve. Though the community initially speaks well of her, detective Stephen Ramsay's investigation reveals a more complicated picture. Mrs. Parry's kindness, while genuine, had sometimes caused problems. Her two nephews were close to her but resented her involvement in their personal affairs. Even her helpful gestures toward neighbors had occasionally backfired. Following her death, tension settles over the village. As Ramsay continues his inquiry, multiple suspects emerge, and the investigation deepens into the darker motivations behind the crime.