{"product_id":"murder-at-thornwood-park-a-rose-mchugh-mystery-cosy-crime-for-lovers-of-sally-hepworth-richard-osman-and-ann-cleeves-9781761472503","title":"Murder at Thornwood Park","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen historian Rose McHugh is left a mysterious bequest after the death of the reclusive heiress of Thornwood Park, she's excited to visit the estate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut when Rose realises she may have found evidence of women going missing, she delves deeper. During World War II, the nearby Robertson Hotel housed trainees of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, who often attended lavish parties thrown by Thornwood's wealthy owners. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnearthing a decades-old mystery is a challenge ... particularly when it may lead to the unmasking of a serial killer. And it appears that someone in the misty Southern Highlands will do anything to keep the killer's identity hidden.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A haunting mystery, lush with landscape, history, memory and a decaying grand estate. At its warm heart, Rose McHugh makes for wonderful company. She's unravelling under pressure here, yet remains brave, funny, vulnerable, true. This is the amateur sleuth's third Southern Highlands rodeo, and Joan Sauers is in whip-cracking form.' Matthew Spencer, author of \u003ci\u003eBlack River\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBroke Road\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Amateur sleuth Rose McHugh is back, and this time the trail leads to a crumbling Southern Highlands mansion steeped in secrets. Brimming with atmosphere and intrigue, \u003ci\u003eMurder at Thornwood Park\u003c\/i\u003e is equal parts cosy mystery and compelling thriller.' Kate Horan, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Inheritance\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Atmospheric and intriguing, this cosy murder mystery sees Rose McHugh uncovering a little known part of Australia's history inside the ghostly mansion at Thornwood Park. Rose is a feminist Miss Marple who won't stop, despite the dangers, until she finds the truth.' Petronella McGovern, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Last Trace  \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Rose McHugh Mysteries:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'An intoxicating blend of suspense and melody, \u003ci\u003eWhisky Valley\u003c\/i\u003e hits all the right notes. A must-read for fans of cosy crime with a touch of mystery and a load of charm.'\u003cb\u003e Joanna Jenkins, author of \u003ci\u003eHow to Kill a Client\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Joan Sauers masterfully intertwines intrigue, romance, dogs, and the beauty of the Australian landscape. Her vivid storytelling pulls you into a compelling world you won't be in a hurry to leave. There is a cosy quality to \u003ci\u003eWhisky Valley\u003c\/i\u003e, but it's cosy with a bite as the reader rushes towards the final dramatic showdown.' \u003cb\u003eVikki Petraitis, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Unbelieved\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'As cosy as it is compulsive, Sauers brings the eerie beauty of winter in the Southern Highlands to life. A highly recommended, vivid read!' \u003cb\u003eJacqueline Bublitz, author of \u003ci\u003eLeave the Girls Behind\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Not just a whodunnit, \u003ci\u003eEcho Lake\u003c\/i\u003e also contemplates what makes for a good life, reminds the reader of the importance of historical truth and throws in a ghost story for good measure.' \u003cb\u003eMaryrose Cuskelly, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Cane\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Move over Miss Marple. With its indefatigable heroine, mist-shrouded setting, cast of quirky characters and as many trips to the pub as there are mysteries to solve, \u003ci\u003eEcho Lake\u003c\/i\u003e is cosy crime at its dynamic, atmospheric best - and Sauers is certainly a writer to watch.' \u003cb\u003eAnna Downes, author of\u003ci\u003e The Shadow House\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDetails\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eISBN13: 9781761472503\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumber of Pages: 384\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEdition: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication Date: 02 Jun 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublisher: Allen \u0026amp; Unwin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication City, Country: Sydney, Australia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions (cm): 23.4(H)x15.3(L)438\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight (gm): 438\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h4\u003eBorn in New York, Joan Sauers is a screenwriter, producer and author who worked in London, Los Angeles and New York before settling in Australia. She has lectured in screenwriting in Sydney, London, Paris, Berlin and Casablanca, and has had seventeen books published in Australia, the United States, India and Japan. Joan has written for television series including\u003ci\u003e Heartbreak High\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWakefield\u003c\/i\u003e and\u003ci\u003e Ladies in Black\u003c\/i\u003e, and currently has a comedy feature film in development with Denim Pictures. She lives with her family in the Southern Highlands.\u003ch4\u003eReviews\u003c\/h4\u003e","brand":"Joan Sauers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48808784363737,"sku":"9781761472503","price":34.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0502\/9530\/8441\/files\/9781761472503.jpg?v=1781329131","url":"https:\/\/www.arielbooks.com.au\/products\/murder-at-thornwood-park-a-rose-mchugh-mystery-cosy-crime-for-lovers-of-sally-hepworth-richard-osman-and-ann-cleeves-9781761472503","provider":"Ariel","version":"1.0","type":"link"}