Dee MacDonald

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About Dee MacDonald
The Runaway Wife is Dee’s first (published) novel but in fact she wrote her very first book - at around seven years of age! This was a love story which she duly illustrated before sewing all the pages together up one side. Writing was what she ‘was good at’ in school and she won several essay competitions, but then life got in the way and she didn’t pick up a pen again until after retirement.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep., and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Dee has now written seven novels, the most recent being A Body at the Tearooms (the third in the Kate Palmer crime series). An eighth will be published later this year.
You can find Dee on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dee.macdonald.18659
and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DMacDonaldAuth
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Books By Dee MacDonald
Nurse Kate Palmer thought the pretty Cornish village of Tinworthy would be the perfect place for a peaceful retirement. She couldn’t have been more wrong! But even she is shocked when she attends a beautiful wedding at St. Pirin’s Church and the handsome groom drops dead in front of her very eyes.
While the rest of the wedding party panics, Kate notices the strange behaviour of the not-so-blushing bride and the posh mother-in-law – and vows to find out the truth behind the poor young man’s sudden demise. Especially when the new detective Charlotte Martin makes it known that she doesn’t want Kate involved – and also shows an interest in Woody Forrest, Kate’s partner in crime-solving.
Undeterred, Kate discovers this isn’t the only wedding to have been sabotaged. A series of peculiar letters contain the clues Kate needs to get to the heart of the matter. But is the mystery letter writer behind the unusual deaths? Or is more than one person responsible for the strange goings on in the seaside village…
As Kate digs deeper, she adds more suspects to her growing list: the world-weary vicar, the unlucky-in-love cleaner and the bride’s former flame. But, as a pair of boots bring Kate closer to the killer, it becomes clear their investigation has placed Woody in danger.
Can Kate solve the murder and save the man she loves at the same time?
If you love cozy crime mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin or Joy Ellis, this page-turning novel will have you reading late into the night!
Readers love the Kate Palmer Mysteries:
‘Addictive… fabulous Cornish-set cosy mystery series… brilliantly plotted… full of clever twists and turns and surprises that keep readers guessing… a terrific British cosy mystery I read in a single sitting… top-notch British mystery!’ Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Delightful cosy mystery… I read it in one sitting when I went to bed... and didn't stop until I finished it just after 1am… perfect for fans of cosy reads and Agatha Christie.’ Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What a brilliant mystery… I found myself racing through this one, eager to find out who did what – and to who!’ Grace J Reviewer Lady, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A superb cosy mystery… it’s simply the perfect book to escape from the troubles of the world and inhabit someone else’s even for a few hours… a fun, fast-paced, easy read.’ Readers Retreat, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fantastic… awesome twists and turns… so captivating that you are sure to quickly flip page after page. This “curl up on the sofa” mystery will keep your attention and reading quickly, unable to stop until you get to the end.
The victim is Fenella Barker Jones: chairwoman of the Women’s Institute, doyenne of the amateur dramatic society, and reigning champion of the WI cake-baking contest. But whilst she may have been at the centre of village life, there were plenty who had reason to dislike her – as Kate is about to find out.
As a practice nurse and one of the first on the scene, Kate can’t help but get drawn into the investigation. Her patients are only too eager to tell her about the victim’s extra-curricular activities and, the more Kate hears about Fenella, the more the list of suspects grows: it seems half the village wanted her dead.
Kate’s sister Angie tells her to leave it alone, but Kate can’t resist piecing together the clues. Especially not if brings her closer to the handsome Detective Inspector ‘Woody’ Forrest, who is near to retiring himself and determined to crack his last case.
But when someone breaks into Kate’s home and leaves a warning note on her pillow, it becomes clear the murderer is prepared to do anything to keep their identity hidden… Will Kate and Woody work out who’s responsible, before she becomes the next victim?
If you love murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin or Joy Ellis, then this page-turning novel will have you reading late into the night!
Readers are loving A Body in the Village Hall:
‘I found myself racing through this one, eager to find out who did what – and to who! A terrific read… a full house of sparkling stars.’ Grace J Reviewer Lady, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Charming, well written, with excellent characters and an intriguing plot, I adored my visit to this charming Cornish village! What a perfect read with some tea… I gobbled it up in a day and evening!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Kept me involved till the end, turning pages as fast as I could… a great cast of characters and a lovely setting… The mystery is solid, full of twists and turns, and kept me guessing… an excellent and fun read that I strongly recommend.’ Scrapping and Playing, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Full of superb village characters… LOL humour and a good storyline, this book had me ‘there and part of it’ right from page 1 and I loved every word, just the right book for unsettled times when you can relax and be drawn into pure escapism.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved the characters… Kate was a standout and makes for a perfect lead… I was so caught up and entranced in the story that I was disappointed when it came to the end. Dee definitely had me under her spell and glued to the pages.’ Once Upon a Time Book Blog
‘This delightful book is a joy to read… I loved all the descriptions of village life… I can’t wait for Dee MacDonald’s next Kate Palmer mystery.
Kate Palmer thought spending the day at Tinworthy’s annual summer party would involve sea air, sunshine and Cornish cream cake – how very wrong she was! When Kate goes for a cliff-top walk she is shocked to spot the body of Sienna Stone – Cornwall’s biggest gossip – on the sandy beach below.
Rumours swirl around the close-knit community and all eyes are on Kate. Half the village saw her arguing with Sienna at the party earlier that day. It was the usual bickering between neighbours, but when Kate finds herself in the frame can she – and her new husband Woody Forrest – solve the puzzling death and clear her name?
There’s a long list of people who might have wanted to push Sienna – her long-suffering husband Irvin, her jealous younger sister Sally and Timmy Thomson, the man who idolised her, not to mention all the villagers who felt the sharp end of her tongue. Finding out the truth isn’t going to be easy…
Just as Kate thinks she’s getting closer to an answer, an unexpected afternoon visitor shares some curious information over tea and scones that sets her on an entirely different path. And soon she starts to wonder if she might be in real danger too…
Can Kate solve the curious case before the murderer declares the party over? Or have her days of sleuthing come to an end?
If you love cosy crime stories complete with quirky characters, twisty plots and plenty of suspects, A Body on the Beach will have you absolutely hooked until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase.
Why readers are gripped by A Body on the Beach:
‘This series just keeps getting better! I am in love with the charm of Higher, Lower and Middle Tinsworthy. The pubs, the restaurants, the shops and the villagers became more familiar with each new mystery… I’m looking forward to what comes next! @khhsc, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Made me smile and had me captivated.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘With a likeable protagonist in Kate, a colourful cast of supporting characters, and a delightful setting this is another thoroughly enjoyable, fully entertaining read providing some gentle escapism.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A brilliant story and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved it… if you haven’t tried these books give them a go, this can be read as a stand alone but the series is so good I would start at Book 1. Enjoyable, humorous, relaxing read from a fabulous author 10/10.’ Book Mark!, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Yet another great read. I love the detectives in these books. Perfect read for a summer afternoon laying in the garden.
Connie McColl is finally free to make her own decisions for the first time in decades. And when she meets glamorous Gill and downtrodden Maggie, at a rather dull flower arranging class, it seems that she’s not the only one dreaming of adventure. The three very different women all agree it’s about time they had a holiday to remember.
So they make a pact for this summer to be their best yet - and drive off into the sunset together…
As they meander their way along the beautiful beaches of France and onto the glorious delights of Italy in their luxury campervan, the new friends have plenty of fun and frolics in the sunshine. But the vacation isn’t quite what they expected…
Gill will do anything to have one last holiday romance, Connie has a surprise inheritance awaiting her in Italy, and Maggie has a secret that is going to catch up with them all…
In the end, all three women discover that the journey they thought would be their last really is just the beginning…
From the bestselling author of The Runaway Wife, The Getaway Girls is a laugh-out-loud, life-affirming journey of friendship, romance and living life to the full. If you loved The Kicking the Bucket List and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry this book is for you.
Why readers are falling in love with The Getaway Girls:
‘5 Fabulously FUN Stars… such a delightful and fun book from first page to last!... An absolutely perfect summer read that I would strongly recommend to all!’ Audio Killed the Bookmark, 5 stars
‘This is an adventure with a difference!... absolutely brilliant… I felt quite emotional… very touching and extremely poignant…. A thought-provoking, energetic, promising, and huggable read… another delightful treat from Dee MacDonald!’ The Writing Garnet
‘Delightful!… a wonderful summertime story!.. the fun begins NOW!... hilarious… love this story about strong women!!’ Escape With a Book, 5 stars
‘A fabulous and entertaining read that I didn't want to end… The Getaway Girls is a heart-warming and fun filled story that every woman should read. It's an uplifting story that makes you realise that you are never too old to go after what you want in life. Loved it.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Overflowing with humour and hilarity, this novel often had me laughing out loud making a huge spectacle of myself.’ Mythical Reads
‘Made me laugh out loud one minute and then hit me with an emotional bombshell the next… I loved The Getaway Girls… It was hilarious, delightfully different… warmed my soul…’ My Chestnut Reading Tree
‘A truly inspirational, delightful and uplifting story with plen
Kate Palmer is most disappointed when renovations at her sister Angie’s new tea rooms are derailed after a body is discovered in the cellar. She was looking forward to clotted cream teas with a seaside view. Instead she has another murder mystery to solve…
If the village gossip is to be believed, the unfortunate man was connected to the wealthy Hedgefield family. Kate is reluctant to get caught up in the investigation but a curious card in the victim’s jacket pocket sparks her interest. Not to mention the ridiculous rumour Angie is somehow involved! Keen to clear her sister’s name so she can finally eat cake in the charming tea rooms, Kate teams up with handsome retired Detective ‘Woody’ Forrest to untangle the baffling case.
After quizzing the locals over copious cups of tea, Kate begins to realise the Hedgefields, who live in a grand mansion and own half the village, are not as perfect as they make out. They’re hiding a long-buried family secret and plenty of people have a grudge against them, including a number of their ex-employees.
But who could have murdered a member of Lower Tinworthy’s most enviable family? Was it the old gardener? The seemingly sweet cook? Or the bitter maid?
Just as she inches closer to the truth, Angie goes missing. Does amateur sleuth Kate have what it takes to get to the bottom of this extraordinary puzzle and save her sister at the same time?
If you love murder mysteries with a brilliant cast of characters, twisty plots and plenty of cake, A Body at the Tea Rooms will have you hooked until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.
Why readers are gripped by A Body at the Tea Rooms:
‘Addictive… fabulous Cornish-set cosy mystery series… brilliantly plotted… full of clever twists and turns and surprises that keep readers guessing, A Body at the Tea Rooms is a terrific British cosy mystery I read in a single sitting… top-notch British mystery – I cannot wait for the next one!’ Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Delightful cosy mystery… I read it in one sitting when I went to bed... and didn't stop until I finished it just after 1am… perfect for fans of cosy reads and Agatha Christie.’ Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fabulous cozy mystery… I loved… it was a fantastic… awesome twists and turns… so captivating that you are sure to quickly flip page after page. This “curl up on the sofa” mystery will keep your attention and reading quickly, unable to stop until you get to the end. As you flip the last page you are completely stunned as the culprit is revealed… charming mystery is so entertaining...’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Like putting on a pair of comfy slippers and curling up in the chair for a cozy night in front of the fire...
One evening in early August, while mashing the potatoes for dinner, Connie McColl decides she’s had enough…
Connie is tired of solving one family crisis after another - usually involving her unruly grandchildren - while her husband Roger spends all day at his beloved golf course. Surely it must be time for her to shake off her apron and start living again?
So Connie packs a bag, gets in her little green car and drives off...
As Connie journeys from England to Scotland on an unexpected adventure, she finally begins to rediscover herself. And she starts to wonder, will she ever be ready to return home? Or will this summer change her life forever?
The Runaway Wife is an inspiring and joyously uplifting novel about being true to yourself. If you loved The Kicking the Bucket List and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry this book is for you.
What readers are saying about The Runaway Wife:
‘A warm, funny, brilliant read! I love the warmth and humour that jumps from the page. Connie is proof that you’re never too old to have an adventure! I LOVED the ending!!!!’ Sue Watson
‘I was laughing out loud… totally did not see the ending coming! WOWSERS! 5 stars for me!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Hilarious! I loved every page… ' Dawn at Crooks on Books
‘Made me laugh and cry and laugh again, especially at the end. That was a little bit of genius!... beautifully written and the characters are lovingly drawn to make them come alive. I absolutely loved the ending, that really had me chuckling…’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘A funny romantic comedy… a book about love, friends, family and self-discovery. There were moments where you would laugh out loud, and then it would have you crying into a tissue… really emotional and tugged at the heart strings! A fun, life-affirming read!’ Stardust Book Reviews
‘A breath of fresh air! Wry and sharply observed, I was rooting for Connie the moment I met her. Fabulous!’ Kat French
‘Once you start reading you can't stop…’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘Had me laughing out loud, getting emotional and taking the main character to heart… if I could give this book more than five stars, I would.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘The Runaway Wife is uplifting and inspiring.’ Novel Deelights
‘I love Connie! Like reading sunshine emerging on a grey day… Uplifting, riveting… Reminded me of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
When amateur sleuth Kate Palmer is asked to do some nursing at Seaview Grange, a Victorian building with beautiful views of the coast, the request comes at just the right time. Her new home, Lavender Cottage, needs substantial repairs and her sister Angie’s fondness for gin does rather stretch the purse-strings. All is going well until Edina Martinelli, a glamorous ex-opera singer, is found poisoned in one of the luxury apartments.
Poor Edina’s death is ruled an overdose but Kate is sure the flamboyant woman she met was not suicidal. With the reputation of her practice on the line, Kate decides to do some digging. Luckily, she’s got the newly retired Detective Inspector Woody Forrest to help her…
It’s not long before Kate discovers evidence of foul play, and there’s no shortage of suspects. Was it the besotted vicar? The ill-tempered stepson? Or perhaps Edina’s neighbour finally had enough of her constant warbling?
It seems everyone had a motive, but who amongst them had the stomach for murder? And can Kate solve the baffling crime before they kill again?
If you love murder mysteries with quirky characters, warm wit and twisty plots then this page-turning novel will have you reading late into the night! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.
Readers love the Kate Palmer Mysteries:
‘Addictive… fabulous Cornish-set cosy mystery series… brilliantly plotted… full of clever twists and turns and surprises that keep readers guessing… a terrific British cosy mystery I read in a single sitting… top-notch British mystery!’ Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Delightful cosy mystery… I read it in one sitting when I went to bed... and didn't stop until I finished it just after 1am… perfect for fans of cosy reads and Agatha Christie.’ Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What a brilliant mystery… I found myself racing through this one, eager to find out who did what – and to who!’ Grace J Reviewer Lady, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A superb cosy mystery… it’s simply the perfect book to escape from the troubles of the world and inhabit someone else’s even for a few hours… a fun, fast-paced, easy read.’ Readers Retreat, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fantastic… awesome twists and turns… so captivating that you are sure to quickly flip page after page. This “curl up on the sofa” mystery will keep your attention and reading quickly, unable to stop until you get to the end. As you flip the last page you are completely stunned as the culprit is revealed… charming mystery is so entertaining...
Tess and Orla have been best friends throughout most of their adult lives. So when life gave them lemons and their loved ones let them down, they pooled their resources and bought a dressmakers shop on the corner of Penny Lane. And they’ve been doing just fine ever since.
But one day, while studying her tired eyes and shapeless figure in the mirror, sixty-two-year-old Tess realised that she doesn’t want her life to be just fine anymore. She wants it to be extraordinary. For as long as she can remember she’s put everyone else first. Now she wants to rediscover herself – and experience the kind of whirlwind adventure that will have the power make her smile when she’s confined to the armchair of a retirement home.
With the encouragement of fun-loving and quirky Orla, Tess joins an over-the-hill dating agency and the two friends book a singles cruise around the Mediterranean. And that’s when their adventure of a lifetime really begins…
A totally uplifting, heart-warming, hilarious page turner about embracing the moment, learning to love again and the joy of second chances. Perfect for fans of The Kicking the Bucket List and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
Why readers are falling in love with The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane:
‘I was totally hooked and struggled to put the book down… really tugged on my emotions… a feel good, fun and fabulous read. I absolutely adored it and was so sad to get to the end… Brilliant!’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘Hilarious… I laughed until tears poured.’ Book Chaser, 5 stars
‘Oh my… Reading this book soon became an addiction… I binge read the book…
one of those feel good and uplifting books that would be ideal for a holiday read.’ The Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars
‘I ADORED The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane!! It was brilliantly funny, entertaining and Orla and Tess I was so connected with, I felt tears as well as laughter… a thought-provoking good time.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Delightful… Put a big smile on my face and swept me away into these characters lives… An upbeat heart-warming tale full of heart and hope… An engaging story that will make you feel good!’ Audio Killed the Bookmark
‘Such a feel-good read!... Creased me up!... I smiled and grinned my way through this story… This one certainly brightened my day.’ Grace J Reviewerlady, 5 stars
‘A real joy. I really laughed out loud… So uplifting… It was really hard to put this down as something interesting seemed to happen in every chapter… It was genuinely so funny and relatable.
Tess and Simon Sparrow may have a few more grey hairs than they used to, but that doesn’t stop them being swept up in a whirlwind romance and starting over. Swapping their city lives for an escape to the Cornish countryside, they fall in love with a crumbling hotel and impulsively buy it to renovate as their forever home. But soon the newlyweds have had their first fight (and their second and third…) and building costs are spiralling out of control. Their families think they’re mad and Tess is starting to agree – she just wants to escape back to civilisation.
Doing up the glorious, wisteria-clad property was meant to be a delightful retirement project. But the electrics are faulty, there’s no central heating, and the kitchen ceiling’s fallen in: the dream has become reality and things only get more chaotic when the first guests arrive…
Mysterious Celia, hapless romantic Dominic and tarnished, lovelorn actress Titania are all looking for a fresh start. Everyone in this eclectic group has their own reasons for being in Cornwall, but the summer is full of secrets and surprises. As plans go awry and truths are revealed, Tess and Simon realise that they’ve taken on a bigger challenge than they intended to: can their happily-ever-after survive the chaos or will this end up being the biggest mistake of their lives?
From the bestselling author of The Runaway Wife and The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane, this is a completely uplifting page-turner about embracing new friendships, finding love and making each day count. Perfect for fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village.
Why readers are loving The Golden Oldies Guesthouse:
‘Five golden stars for Dee McDonald’s latest… charming… The Golden Oldies Guesthouse features humour with a deft touch, charm, fun, love and romance.’ Jena Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Utterly charming!... It’s gentle, humorous, heart-warming and packed full of characters that you will remember long after the book is finished. I adored every word and my only complaint is that the story ended!’ NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Absolutely loved everything about this book. It was charming and fun. I loved the characters and settings. Will be recommending.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Loved this book, the characters, the setting. A really special read one I didn’t want to end. I will be recommending this.’ NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved this book, it was a perfect summer read and it made me laugh loud more than once. I loved the quirky and well written characters and the plot. I look forward to reading other books by this author.