Jacqueline Harrett

The Whispering Trees

Who is the dead man found in Nant Fawr woods? The only clues are his handmade shoes and a wad of cash. Cinderella Man, as DI Mandy Wilde and her team call him, seems to be well dressed so why doesn’t anyone claim to know him? Where has he come from?

The team unravels a series of leads to find out the identity of the dead man. How are the Merry Widows linked to him and do they know more than they are admitting?

When one of the lads who found the body disappears, Mandy has a bigger problem. Is it linked to the mystery of Cinderella Man?

At the same time a spate of burglaries across the city sends them spinning in all directions and to add to her troubles it seems her twin sister, Joy, is going to provide more hassle to Mandy’s already overburdened life.

£3.99

The Merry Widows

Four older women seem to have had some connection to Cinderella Man. Each one is shrewd and, in the main, well-to-do. How could people like this have connections to someone with no identity?
Two women stood with arms stretched out by a lake. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez from Unsplash.

Isobel Price Williams

Her late husband owned a successful wine business which is now run by her son, Simon. She is tough with a superior attitude towards Mandy and the team. The most elderly of the four women she is arthritic, keeps herself to herself and helps in the church. Isobel does not hold Ruth Crozier in high esteem, despite their husbands being good friends.

Ruth Crozier

Mrs Crozier owns an estate agency in Rhiwbina. She has been forced to downsize due to debts owed to Isobel – a former neighbour. Despite this she doesn’t appear to hold a grudge against Isobel. She always seems on edge. She’s reluctant to talk to the police. Guilt or something else?

Beverly Bowen

A philanthropist at heart, Beverly occupies her time with ‘good works’. She sells her late husband’s art works to help immigrants as part of her charity work. She’s a little OCD. Everything in her home is perfect. Even the front lawn is immaculate. Of all the widows she feels the loss of her husband the most and misses his company.

Rebecca Hubert

Rebecca is the odd one out in this bunch of women. She’s well off but drinks a lot and her large house is shambolic. She makes jewellery as a hobby; chain smokes and seems more open when questioned than the others. With her raucous laugh and ‘devil may care’ attitude she seems a strange contrast to the other merry widows.

"A really intricate crime novel involving a very up to date problem. I was very taken with the main character Mandy Wilde. Her sense of humour and dedication to the job make her an endearing person. I had many a laugh out loud moments and highly recommend The Whispering Trees."
"Great new series, based in Cardiff. Interesting twisty story line and great characters but as someone who lives in Cardiff, I did especially enjoy all the references to the City and its suburbs. Look forward to reading more in the series."
"I've been eagerly awaiting the second DI Mandy Wilde novel and it didn't disappoint. I feel we're starting to get to know Mandy, her team and family life. Love that it's set in Cardiff and I can vividly picture Mandy's home, the garden, the neighbours...Can't wait for book three to see how it pans out with her sister, and did I detect a hint of romance? A real page-turner."