The Family Friend

by Claire Douglas · 2026

When Imogen receives an unexpected inheritance—a secluded country house near Bath—she sees it as a chance for a fresh start with her partner, Josh. The property once belonged to Dorothea Roe, a reclusive artist whose tragic summer sixteen years earlier left an indelible mark on Imogen’s life. While exploring Dorothea’s abandoned study, Imogen discovers a mysterious box addressed to her, hinting at a secret message from the late artist. As rumors surface that Dorothea may have been murdered, Imogen’s curiosity turns to dread, and she begins to wonder whether the inheritance is a lifeline or a trap. Dark family secrets surface, and the line between victim and suspect blurs, pulling Imogen into a suspense‑filled quest to uncover who wanted Dorothea dead—and whether she herself is now in danger.