01 - Shadow of the Rope by E. W. Hornung

Accused of murdering her estranged husband, Rachel Minchin finds herself at the center of a media maelstrom. The public is quick to condemn her, but a shocking Not Guilty verdict leaves them stunned. Suddenly, Rachel needs protection and finds it in an unexpected marriage proposal from a mysterious spectator of her trial, Mr. Steel. Their marriage, devoid of romance, is based on a mutual agreement of silence about their pasts. But when they retreat to Steels isolated estate, Rachel stumbles upon a link between her new husbands past and her own. As her suspicions grow and nosy locals threaten to expose her, a web of secrets begins to unravel. Enjoy this gripping mystery as it takes unexpected twists and turns. (Introduction by Christine Dufour)