Death in the Abstract

When a young teenage girl is found brutally murdered in East London, veteran Detective Inspector Elaine Hope catches the case alongside her superior, Marcus Benford. Benford suspects Peter Willend, an ex-military surgeon from Texas and one of the last people to see the victim alive, but Elaine isn't so sure. But when Benford is taken ill, and Elaine takes over the case, she's given the chance to develop a new line of enquiry.

But now she's in charge of a bungled case and has released the only suspect. Her superiors are doubtful, and London's tabloids are screaming for a scapegoat. With her protégé, Liz Barker, Elaine chases leads that entangle her in a web of secrets tied to a multi-national criminal organization. And as she tracks her prime suspect through wintery London boroughs, other, darker hunters come out from the shadows.

Elaine's life gets even more complicated when Willend, her former suspect, shows romantic interest, despite personal tragedies he won't reveal to anyone—but Elaine has her own secrets to match. Souls of Men, A. R. Ashworth's masterful debut, is sure to appeal to readers of Sharon Bolton and Deborah Crombie.Praise for Fine Art of Murder:
“Fans of cozy mysteries and well-seasoned sleuths will hope that this debut is the first of a long series.”
—Booklist

"This entertaining debut...will please cozy readers hungry for more mysteries in the style of Steve Forman’s ’Boca Knight’ series."
—Library Journal

"Engaging and well written...tension and development within the story...make this book hard to put down."
—San Francisco Book Review starred review

"The author doesn’t allow you time to be bored. New things are forever happening. The ending will amaze you."
—Night Owl Reviews

“The Fine Art of Murder is a true delight! ...Katherine is a smart, intriguing new heroine, full of compassion and good humor, but also hard-nosed enough to follow the twists and turns of a complex murder investigation. Writing with a light touch, Barnes gives us an engaging new mystery series. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and settle in for a great read.”
—Ellen Hart, award-winning author of the Jane Lawless series

“A very nuanced mystery that pulls the reader into the daily life of former Chief of Police Katherine Sullivan. Detail by detail, Emily Barnes builds the tension and ultimately leads the reader to the satisfying conclusion.”
—Carolyn Haines, USA Today bestselling author of the Sarah Book Delaney mystery series

"A retired police chief with an artistic bent uses all her skills when murder interrupts her return to her hometown. Appealing, genuine, engaging."
—Carolyn Hart, author of Ghost to the Rescue

"Not many grandmas can cook, dispense good advice—and solve crimes. But retired cop Kate Sullivan can and she joins Jessica Fletcher as a sleuth of a certain age who proves some skills never get old. When Kate returns to her hometown in Minnesota she’s thrust into a murder investigation involving one of the town’s most prominent citizens—and her own daughter. In The Fine Art of Murder, Emily Barnes has created a likeable, no-nonsense character who can juggle friends, family and felons.
—Rosemary Harris, author of Pushing Up DaisiesEmily Barnes lives in Laughlin, NV. An artist herself, she has published more than sixty mystery short stories and six novels.