Stagvale Abbey
The peaceful grounds and steady rhythms of monastic life at Stagvale Abbey in South Devon seem to offer an idyllic escape from the pressures of the modern world.
But when Bonnie Bright abandons her career in London to return to her childhood home and care for her dad Richard, she discovers there are some sinister goings-on in the Abbey - family feuds, rivalries, revenge...
And even murder.
Bonnie takes a job in the Abbey’s popular cafe; serving locals, the monks and the many visitors who arrive by the coach-load each day. There, she overhears conversations and notices details missed by the police - making her the ideal amateur sleuth.
Can Bonnie and her friends solve a range of seemingly intractable murder mysteries set in and around the Abbey? Find out in the engaging Stagvale Murder Mystery books by Diane J. Holland, Madonna, A Stiff Drink and Hive.
Available on Amazon, and via all good bookshops.
The People of Stagvale Abbey
Bonnie Bright
Bonnie finds it hard to live up to her name, especially the full version of her first name which she tries to conceal. She has a knack for noticing details but doesn’t always make the right connections.
At the age of 31 she still hasn’t tamed her unruly red hair. Her style is funky and colourful.
Bonnie has a degree in Drama and English and followed this with a Masters in Costume for Performance from the London College of Fashion.
After several years altering, fitting and tracking costumes for minor characters in Downton Abbey, she landed her dream job at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, London.
Bonnie’s career was put on hold when her dad Richard suffered a major stroke and she returned to her home in Staghurst to care for him. Sewing is her therapy.
Kate
Kate is short in stature but big on personality and energy. She still lives with her mum and has a lot of shared history with Bonnie. She has a generous heart and runs the local pharmacy in Staghurst like a community centre.
Bonnie leans on Kate for support in caring for her dad and piecing together clues. Unfortunately, Kate seems unable to write a clear text message which sometimes lands Bonnie in rather awkward situations.
Abbot John
Abbot John is passionate about protecting Stagvale Abbey.
His care extends beyond the Monastic Community to include Abbey employees and residents of Staghurst village. He joined the Abbey as a Brother, then became a priest before being elected as abbot.
He is not entirely comfortable being the public face of the Abbey, preferring the quiet, contemplative life. Many misinterpret his awkwardness as being overly formal, unfriendly and lacking a sense of humour.
He and Bonnie form an unlikely alliance and Bonnie comes to see the kind, fragile man beneath the frosty exterior.
Richard (Bonnie's dad)
Richard worked in the Maintenance Department at Stagvale Abbey for over 25 years before suffering a major stroke. Now retired, he is learning to cope with his limited mobility and a left hand that no longer functions. Both he
and Bonnie are still adjusting to their role-reversal. Richard raised Bonnie as a single parent and now the carer has to accept being cared for.
He is not a Catholic but gets on well with Abbot John and as a Christian, will try and talk to anyone about his Lord Jesus.
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Meet Bonnie Bright.
With a future as promising as her surname, she's all set to become the costume designer to the stars. The dream job of a lifetime awaits.
But is London really her oyster? Or is the pull of her family home in Devon too strong? Maybe Bonnie's heart really belongs in the village of Staghurst, and its iconic Stagvale Abbey where her father works?
Bonnie may be about to find out, when a twist of fate throws all her plans in the air.
Will she find a way to stay in the bright lights of the city?
Or will she say goodbye to London for good as she heads home to Staghurst?
Download your free short story eBook and find out!
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