Napoleon’s war still rages on the Continent, and Lieutenant Christmas Astley-Milne must return to sea. However, Chris is tormented that Emma Clavering, the woman he’s always loved, might marry another while he’s gone. There’s nothing for it but for him to propose before he leaves.

Emma accepts without hesitation. But as months turn into years, and nothing more is heard of Chris, must she also accept that he’s dead, or is he being held captive? The only way she can keep hope alive is to help bring prisoners of war back to England as part of a smuggling operation she runs with her cousin. It’s her dearest wish that Chris, wherever he is, is being treated well, and he, too, will eventually be returned safe and sound.

Finally, after five long years, her steadfastness is rewarded when Chris comes home just in time for Christmas. But he is not the same man who left her to fight the French. War has changed him, and he is wounded inside and out. Will anything, save a Yuletide miracle, be enough to thaw his heart?

A fun, twisty woman sleuth mystery set in Edinburgh!

Fashion writer Amy Thornton has the fright of her life when she narrowly avoids being hit by a car.

The driver was being chased, and swerved to miss her only at the last second. He ends up in hospital.

Wanting to thank the man or, more likely, wanting to stick her curious nose in, Amy charms her way into his ward to find out more.

Thinking she has uncovered a heinous plot she goes to the authorities. Yet her sleuthing does not impress no-nonsense Detective Inspector Russell McCord, who is reluctant to follow up on her wild speculations and won’t, it seems, be charmed so easily.

But that changes when two dead bodies turn up, connected to the crash. Now Amy may become key to solving the affair.

NEAR MISS is the debut mystery novel by TRAUDE AILINGER, brought to you by the publishers of bestselling crime writers PETE BRASSETT, PIPPA McCATHIE and CHERYL REES-PRICE. It will appeal to fans of Louise Penny, Martha Grimes, Verity Bright and L J Ross.