A Rustle of Silk

Gabriel Taverner has recently purchased a country house in which he has set himself up as a doctor.  However, someone in the area doesn't like him doing so, and has been leaving gruesome gifts on his doorstep.  He is sure that it is some other doctor who is afraid that Gabriel will steal his patients.

Not long after settling in, he is asked by the local coroner, Theo Davey, to examine a body.  He is sure that the dead man committed suicide.  Theo sets about trying to determine who the dead man is.  His identity will be hard to prove as he has been dead several days and rats and maggots have attacked his face.  It takes awhile, but soon Theo has his answer.  The dead man was married to Gabriel's sister Celia.

Vicar Jonathan Carew informs Gabriel that because his brother-in-law was a suicide, he could not be buried in hallowed ground.  This further depresses Gabriel's sister who was devastated by her husband's death.  Gabriel wonders if he can prove that the death was not a suicide.  Looking at the body, both Gabriel and Theo realise that it couldn't have been a suicide because his arms wouldn't have been long enough to self administer the sword into himself.  He had been placed in a pose of suicide!

Gabriel begins his investigation with the help of Theo and Jonathan.  Shortly afterwards he is attacked near his home.  Is this because of his investigation or related to the previous incidents?  Much to the consternation of Theo and Gabriel, their prime suspect is brutally murdered.  Why and by whom?

Gabriel also learns that his brother-in-law and the second victim were involved in extortion.  In addition his brother-in-law had been beating his sister.  How can Gabriel prove that Celia wasn't responsible for his death?

Author Alys Clare leaves the above puzzle to be solved just before the final pages of this murder mystery.  Two murders with different results.  All-in-all a good read.