Chicken Out by Alma Fritchley
It's hard to believe that Letty's ancient neighbor, George, had a mysterious past, but when he dies under suspicious circumstances, village tongues begin to wag. Could it really be a coincidence that George's glamorous niece, Stephanie, suddenly appeared just hours before George met his death? And can a gorgeous woman who sends Letty such powerful mixed messages really be happily married? Trapped into arranging an unusual funeral, and struggling against Stephanie's considerable charms, Letty wishes she wasn't involved. But as dramatic revelations unfold, she becomes embroiled in a dangerously tricky case involving cryptic letters, hidden treasure, and a secret lesbian love affair. Library Journal called Alma Fritchley's debut novel, Chicken Run, "a satisfying English village cozy...evocative of warmth, charm, and intimacy"; Kirkus Reviews wrote: "This is a gentle lesbian love story with a kiss of slow-burning mystery".