Overview
When Lori Shepherd's husband, Bill, is summoned to the reading of a will at the resplendent country estate of Earl Elstyn, Lori jumps at the chance to come along. She didn't expect, however, to find herself entangled in a messy - and dangerous - family dispute. The aristocratic earl has called together the entire Elstyn family to disclose the beneficiaries of his fortune, and all present will be affected. When Bill and Lori arrive at Hailesham, the earl's grand Palladian country house, they find that a beautiful dove-shaped topiary on the grounds is ablaze. Is this an extravagant welcoming gesture or the work of an arsonist? Later, a classic poison-pen note Watch the birdie. It could happen to you. Leave Hailesham or it will. Someone has a grudge against the Elstyns and will stop at nothing to get revenge. The burning topiary, a suspicious maid, family secrets, and threatening notes lead Lori to seek her phantom Aunt Dimity's help in identifying the culprit before he or she can torch the whole house - with the guests in it. Atherton's signature whimsy and splendidly original twists make for yet one more delicious adventure with cozy-mystery lovers' favorite supernatural sleuth.