The Cornish Conundrum Series . . .
DOOM WATCH
When recently-widowed George Gilbert comes to Padstow, she finds many oddities. What made the Doom Bar sandbank change sides?
Nearby, Policeman Peter Travers wrestles with the identity of a newly-discovered headless torso. Was the death spontaneous or was it pre-planned? There is hard evidence for both.
So how is all the conflicting evidence to be reconciled?
SLATE EXPECTATIONS
George Gilbert's new cottage in Treknow has a driven neighbour, bent on dramatizing the history of Delabole Slate Quarry. Made worse when the lead actor is found dead on the improvised stage at Trebarwith Strand. George has video footage of the event; but is this enough?
LOOE'S CONNECTIONS
George Gilbert's new project is in Looe: why does the town flood so often? More immediately, whatever's happened to her new colleague? Local police are less than sympathetic when her concerns are raised. For a time she herself is under suspicion. The only way to clear her name is to search for herself.
TUNNEL VISION
Local enthusiasts want to extend Padstow's cycle Camel Trail up to Delabole. Journalist Robbie Glendenning, checking the tunnel near St Kew, finds a skeleton. Who was it; and how did they get there? But his search ruffles too many feathers. It takes George Gilbert's late arrival to rescue her friend from a grisly fate and put the pieces together.
TWISTED LIMELIGHT
George Gilbert is in Bude for the Limelight Festival when she meets an old friend, Maxine, fleeing attempted abduction. The escape continues via a car-chase through Bude. It turns out that Maxine works at nearby Bude Camp, part of GCHQ. But what's the wider picture? And how can her assailants be brought to justice?
FOREVER MINE
Maxine is to marry policeman Peter Travers on Land's End at New Year, with George as chief bridesmaid, when a dead body is found down a local tin mine. The culprit has to be found: the wedding guests start their own enquiry.
Much is discovered, including an old Commando exercise on Brandy Cliffs; but how might it all be drawn together?
CROWN DUAL
George Gilbert and new police friend Frances Cober find a body on Kynance Cove. What's going on? Meanwhile Historian Harry Jennings has a remit to trace a legacy from a 1600s sailing ship, wrecked just up the coast. But it turns out the old relic has much present-day significance.
UNSETTLED SCORE
Vicar Joy Tregorran is hosting an "Assisted Dying" study in Truro Cathedral when a sudden death occurs. By chance, Police Sergeant Frances Cober is on the course and investigates: poison was involved. Via communion wine? Is the cathedral the target, and if so why? What's in its history? It's far too young to have any link to the Slave Trade - isn't it?
BRUSH WITH DEATH
Covid 19 sweeps the land - like Spanish Flu a century earlier. George Gilbert's team surveys early infection transfers in Delabole, whilst friend Harry Jennings researches the WW1 origin of Spanish Flu. Meanwhile the local Care Home suffers multiple cases of Covid.
For any coherent reason? And was one death deliberate?
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BEYOND REACH
The Lady of Merrifield Manor has vanished. George Gilbert has just met the family's son and is keen to help, but there are no easy answers.
At Bude Camp, Maxine is asked to make sense of a long-running feud.
Both analysts grapple with local history: at the Camp, the old Bude Railway and the even older Canal. But some of their findings are very unexpected.
WELL ABOVE PAR
1800s engineer Joseph Treffry of Fowey mined copper around Par. Today's search is for Lithium. When a local Ops Manager vanishes, a search is needed to find him. In the end historical insights help George and her friends complete the journey; but raw courage is needed to tackle those responsible.
COSMIC CALAMITY
The satellite launch from Newquay Airport was the first in the UK: the tonic the whole country needed. Till it all went horribly wrong.
Maxine came from GCHQ Bude to find out what had really happened. But there were no obvious discrepancies. Even George Gilbert was baffled.
Nothing might ever have been found without the gallant librarian from Newquay; or the enterprising teacher from Fowey.
And the lasting influence of John Betjeman.
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Questions or Comments?
I'd love to have feedback - or even suggestions for further Conundrums.
I will do my best to get back to you soon!
david burnell author
