Miss Penny Prunes the Roses

Asterton's popular garden fair is interrupted by the shocking news that Jacob, the elderly gardener at Winterfrost Hall, lies dead.

But worse news is to come. Inspector Strong soon ascertains that Jacob was strangled by an unknown assailant.

Who would want to kill a harmless old gardener? What possible motivation could the murderer have? These are the questions that the intrepid schoolmistress Miss Penny will try to answer with the help of her animal and ghost friends. She will also use her supernatural powers during a séance to summon the late gardener and appeal to him to help throw light on the case.

Not only does she work tirelessly to unmask the unknown killer, but she must also carry out her investigation without the knowledge of Inspector Strong, who is adamantly opposed to any involvement by someone he views to be a meddlesome female sleuth.