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An Excuse for Murder
Ex-bodyguard Gary Fenris has made two grave mistakes. The first was letting the woman he loved die on his watch. The second was thinking vengeance could bring him peace.
Bookstore owner and amateur lockpick Kate Rowan loves nothing more than a good murder mystery. When her housemate Mr. Wendell dies of a seemingly natural heart attack, Kate’s curiosity soon leads her to uncover her reclusive neighbour’s shady history with obsession and violence. Despite the risk — or maybe because of it — Gary finds himself drawn to Kate. As danger closes in on Kate and her sleuthing, she must use her wits and skills to escape unscathed, and Gary must face the fact that he once used love as an excuse for murder. To protect Kate, would he do it again?
“A lyrical thriller that crackles with defiance, danger, and uncertain romance. Kate Rowan is the perfect heroine for our times; wit, charm, and spirit balanced by impressive skills in self-defense and lock-picking.”
“A riveting introduction to a charming, smart bookstore owner who can pick locks and solve murders – and this one she must solve at all costs. An Excuse for Murder is original, compelling, and a lovely launch for a great new sleuth.”
“A well-written, immensely readable debut novel by Vanessa Westermann. An Excuse for Murder skillfully interweaves the elements of spy thriller and cozy to create an engaging story with emotional resonance. Bookstore manager, Kate Rowan, who can deal in vintage books as easily as fighting off villains, makes an attractive amateur sleuth. Well-drawn supporting characters like Kate’s flamboyant friend, Marcus and the appropriately gothic Victorian mansion are especially enjoyable. Looking forward to Kate’s next adventure.”
“Vanessa Westermann’s debut mystery is a mesmerizing page-turner, filled with quirky, colorful characters and memorable settings. An Excuse for Murder is a compelling read. Westermann is a talent to watch!”
“Engaging characters, and an intriguing take on a classic murder mystery. The prose is lively and entertaining!”
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Accessibility summary
We adhere to the Charter for Accessible Publishing and have tried to make this ebook as accessible as possible. Our knowledge of accessibility standards is a work in progress so please forgive us if this is not accessible to you. This book contains various accessibility features such as alternative text, a table of contents, structural navigation, a page-list, landmarks, and reading order. There are no flashing, sound, or motion simulation hazards. Blank pages have been included to preserve the same experience with the print book. Please contact us through info@cormorantbooks.com if there is a feature you need that we have not included.
We adhere to the Charter for Accessible Publishing and have tried to make this ebook as accessible as possible. Our knowledge of accessibility standards is a work in progress so please forgive us if this is not accessible to you. This book contains various accessibility features such as alternative text, a table of contents, structural navigation, a page-list, landmarks, and reading order. There are no flashing, sound, or motion simulation hazards. Blank pages have been included to preserve the same experience with the print book. Please contact us through info@cormorantbooks.com if there is a feature you need that we have not included.
EPUB Accessibility Specification 1.0 AA
Single logical reading order
Short alternative textual descriptions
Language tagging provided
Print-equivalent page numbering
Table of contents navigation
Publisher contact for further accessibility information
ebooks@cormorantbooks.com
ebooks@cormorantbooks.com
Details
Dimensions:
300 Pages
Published:
January 31, 2026
Publisher:
ISBN:
9781770868359
Book Subjects:
Language:
eng
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