Countryside Mysteries: A Cosy Shorts Series

The Cotswolds village of Bunburry is not only picturesque but also historic, about to mark its 500th anniversary. Self-made millionaire and amateur sleuth Alfie McAlister is dreading the celebrations, having been coopted to make a speech from an outsider’s perspective, despite having lived in the village for more than four years. But Dorothy from the post office has worse concerns. She suspects the mayor of the neighbouring town of Rimingford is using the celebrations for dodgy dealings. It’s exactly the sort of situation to be investigated by the Bunburry Triangle: Alfie and his elderly friends Liz and Marge. But Dorothy decides she’s going to uncover the truth without any help. This could prove a dangerous mistake ...

There is shock in the local high school when Alison Shaw, a young, dynamic chemistry teacher, goes into a coma after being struck by a falling smart board. But is it an unfortunate accident or something more sinister? When the headteacher asks amateur sleuth Alfie McAlister to investigate, Alfie enlists the help of Liz and Marge, his fellow members of the Bunburry Triangle. And Noah, a pupil at the school and an aspiring detective, is also determined to help the investigation. As they delve deeper, they encounter an alarming number of possible suspects. Will they uncover the truth behind the dangerous events unfolding at the school?

Wedding bells are ringing In the picturesque village of Bunburry with the community coming together in joyful celebration. But the festive atmosphere takes a dark turn when the home of Rakesh Choudhury, the respected owner of Bunburry's popular Indian restaurant, is viciously attacked. As whispers of racism ripple through the tight-knit community, tensions rise. Who could have committed such a heinous act? Is the attack a targeted hate crime, or is something more sinister at play? There is an official police investigation, but amateur sleuth Alfie McAlister believes there are other jealousies and hidden grudges at play. Is he the only one who can uncover the truth?

A wealthy developer has turned up in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Bunburry with the aim of building a luxury golf course. It will mean buying up nearby farmland, and the locals are bitterly divided over the scheme. Then one of the leading opponents is found dead in a murder staged to look like an accident. The Bunburry police are on the case, but so is self-made millionaire and amateur sleuth Alfie McAlister, backed by his elderly friends Liz and Marge, fellow members of the Bunburry Triangle.

As they all uncover other longstanding mysteries and secrets, police officer Emma Hollis enlists Alfie’s help. But Alfie decides to delve further than he was asked. Has his meddling jeopardised the discovery of who the murderer is?

About the author: Helena Marchmont is a pseudonym of Olga Wojtas, who was born and brought up in Edinburgh. She was encouraged to write by an inspirational English teacher, Iona M. Cameron. Olga won a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award in 2015 and recently published her fourth book in the Miss Blaine mystery series.

When Alfie McAlister agrees to join a writers’ retreat at the remote and imposing Hallwood Hall, he hopes to find inspiration - and perhaps a moment of clarity about his past and future. But among the aspiring authors and eccentric personalities, tensions simmer beneath the surface. Then a guest disappears without a trace, and fiction starts to feel dangerously close to reality. As secrets begin to unravel, Alfie must uncover the truth - before someone decides his story should come to an end.

Helena Marchmont is the pen name of Scottish author Olga Wojtas, who lives in Edinburgh and works as a journalist. Her popular cosy crime series BUNBURRY, set in a fictional village in the Cotswolds, combines British humour, eccentric characters, and classic mystery elements. Wojtas was awarded the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award and has also written the Miss Blaine Mystery series as well as numerous short stories.

Wedding bells are ringing in Bunburry - but not everyone is celebrating...

Alfie and Emma are finally planning their big day in the idyllic Cotswold village of Bunburry. With the legendary wedding planner Elizabeth Ravensdale in charge, perfection seems guaranteed. But when a body is discovered, the dream of a flawless celebration quickly unravels. While the police are convinced they’ve found their culprit, the Bunburry triangle senses that something doesn’t add up. Determined to uncover the truth, Alfie and his friends launch their own investigation - only to find that love isn’t the only thing in the air.

Can they untangle a web of secrets before a veil of lies ruins more than just the wedding day?

Helena Marchmont is the pen name of Scottish author Olga Wojtas, who lives in Edinburgh and works as a journalist. Her popular cosy crime series Bunburry, set in a fictional Cotswold village, combines British humour, eccentric characters, and classic mystery elements. Wojtas, a recipient of the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award, is also the author of the Miss Blaine Mystery series and numerous short stories.