Thea Osborne has landed her second housesitting job. Two blissful weeks at beautiful old Juniper Court in the heart of the Cotswolds. But with an elderly pony, a gaggle of geese, two guinea pigs and a Siamese cat to look after, she’s not going to get much peace.

But things are about to take an unexpected turn. Thea finds the stable doors swinging open and goes to check on Pallo the pony. Only to get the shock of her life.

A body is swinging from the rafters.

Something doesn’t add up. There’s no reason for a young man in his prime to take his own life.

Thea is convinced there’s a connection with the well-spoken man who turned up on her doorstep the day before, asking for directions. He was soaking wet — even though the sun was shining brightly.

It looks like Thea and her trusty spaniel Hepzibah have another murder to solve.