Welcome to Elmwick
Join Billy and Margaret as they unravel the secrets of a village that’s anything but sleepy.
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In Death Under the Spire, the charming debut of a new cozy mystery series, retired handyman Billy Stirling and his no-nonsense neighbour Margaret Everly find themselves knee-deep in murder, mayhem, and more than a few cream buns.
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When the vicar of Elmwick is found dead at the altar, the village’s peaceful façade begins to crack—revealing long-buried secrets, and a killer hiding in plain sight. With Billy’s eye for detail and Margaret’s determination, this unlikely duo might just solve the case before the kettle boils.
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Perfect for anyone who believes a good mystery pairs best with a hot cuppa and a slice of cake.
About
Harper Rose Lee is the creative mind behind Death Under The Spire, the first book of a mystery series set in the delightfully quirky village of Elmwick.
Her stories follow the adventures of Billy Stirling, a retired handyman with a talent for fixing everything except his own waistline, and Margaret Everly, his sharp-witted neighbour and best friend, who can smell a secret from two streets away.
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Drawing inspiration from the charm of English village life—with all its nosy neighbours, colourful personalities, and the occasional scandal—Harper crafts cosy mysteries with a generous helping of humour, heart, and homemade baked goods.
With a gift for capturing the warmth and wickedness of village life, Harper Rose Lee invites you to stroll the cobbled lanes of Elmwick—where the tea is strong, the secrets run deep, and solving a murder may well require a cream bun and a stubborn streak.
Coming soon
Murder Most Baked
When the sleepy village of Elmwick is chosen to host the regional Bake-Off, excitement rises faster than an over-yeasted loaf. Bunting is hung (somewhat crookedly), cakes are iced, tensions are whipped—and Margaret Everly is watching it all with the wary eye of a woman who trusts neither Bramblewick volunteers nor jam with too much ambition.
But when one of the contestants collapses during the post-judging tasting, it quickly becomes clear this is more than a soggy sponge. With the competition thrown into chaos, secrets begin to simmer beneath the surface, and only one thing is certain: someone’s recipe included murder.
It’s up to retired handyman and reluctant sleuth Billy Stirling—and his sharp-tongued, sharper-eyed neighbour Margaret—to sift through the suspects, unpick the lies, and catch the killer.
Full of gossip, bunting, and a jam tart that should’ve come with a warning label, Murder Most Baked is a charming and twisty mystery that proves in Elmwick, nothing stays sweet for long.