The Appeal by Janice Hallett

 

The Haywards, Martin and Helen, are the big fish in their village's small pond.  They own and run the local country club and they created the local theatre group, The Fairway Players.  Martin directs the plays with the help of his son James and Helen is the star of every show.  They also have a daughter, Paige.  Tragedy has hit the family.  Paige's two year old daughter, Poppy, has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor.  Martin has talked with a doctor, Tish, who informs him that a new treatment has been found in the United States but is very expensive since it's not covered under the National Health Plan.  The family launches an appeal to raise the money for Poppy's treatment.

The Fairway Players get involved.  One of the main couples of the players grew up as best friends with the Haywards and the wife agrees to head up the fund raising for the appeal.  There are also nurses on the roster.  Izzy has been with the group for a while and she has brought in Samantha and Kel, both nurses who have recently returned from volunteering for several years in Africa.  Sam and Izzy work together.  

But everything doesn't go smoothly.  Although lots of money is being raised, there doesn't seem to be an easy way to account for it or pin Martin down about how it's being spent.  There are rumors floating around about a scandal in Africa that may have resulted in Sam and Kel coming home.  There are scammers floating around the appeal trying to get their hands on some of that money.  When one of the participants is found murdered, everything falls apart.

This is one of the most unique mysteries I've read in years.  The entire action is told through emails and phone messages that a group of junior lawyers is reviewing for the head of their law firm.  It is amazing that this is a debut novel and I'm looking forward to reading more by Janice Hallett.  Everyone has a secret and there are plots and subplots, lies and startling revelations.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.