The Torso in the Town: A Fethering Mystery (Fethering Mysteries) - Tapa dura

In the historic village of Fedborough, Jude attends a dinner party for the new homeowners of Pelling House. But an uninvited guest - in the form of a mummified, armless and legless torso - has crashed the party. There's no telling how long the dead body has been in the cellar, or even who it once was.
Intrigued with the new mystery on her hands, Jude elicits Carole's help to solve the case - and hopefully snap Carole out of her growing depression from a recent failed relationship. Their detective work soon uncovers that Pelling House's previous owners include two divorced couples who harbor a lot of resentment. And Jude and Carole suspect that they may be harboring some dark secrets as well.

Simon Brett is the former president of Britain's Crime Writers' Association and Chair of the Society of Authors.