A Study in Stone by Michael Campling

Dan Corrigan wants to disappear.

Burnt out by the pressures of corporate life, he escapes to the countryside. But when he least expects it, a chance discovery draws him into a compelling mystery.

An ancient legend, a coded message on a stone slab, and a secret concealed in a country manor house: these are the clues that take Dan on a journey into the past, delving deeper into a hidden history.
But reputations are on the line, and there are those who want the mystery to remain unsolved.
Uncovering the truth might give Dan the confidence to rebuild his life, but if he fails, there's no going back.

Can you solve this very British mystery?
Find out when you join Dan as he chases down the clues in A Study in Stone.

The Devonshire Mysteries are traditional British mysteries in a modern-day setting.
These are cosy mysteries (or 'cozy mysteries' for Dan Corrigan's trans-Atlantic fans). There's a touch of dry humour and the stories pay homage to the legacies of Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle. You'll always find a mixed bag of suspects, plenty of clues and a few red herrings, so that you could have solved the mystery if only you'd put two and two together.

Amateur Sleuth Dan Corrigan is quick-witted, driven and far too clever for his own good. Fortunately, his friend and neighbour, Alan Hargreaves, is the perfect foil for Dan's intellect. Loyal, dependable and with a knack for detailed research, Alan keeps Dan on track, and together, they make an effective team.

Recommended Reading Order
A Study in Stone
Valley of Lies

Mystery at the Hall (bonus story for newsletter subscribers)
Murder Between the Tides

Mystery in May.

Praise for A Study in Stone:
A tightly written, fascinating mystery. The protagonists are mysterious in their own ways. Their interactions are interesting and realistic. It held my interest and I look forward to more in this series.

How refreshing to find!  What's not to love?  The pace is faster; the male sleuths are quick-witted, modern, and multidimensional. The setting is English.  More please.

It's the characters that really made it work. Dan and Alan are an unlikely pair, having very different personalities, but a shared inability to leave a puzzle unsolved sparks a friendship.  I liked their refusal to give up until the mystery was solved.

This was just fun to read from start to finish! I had no idea where it was going, didn't guess the end either.

A quick and light story just right for my mood.  I hope for more!

The interaction between Dan and Alan reminded me of the Odd Couple. Their relationship may seem to grate on each other, but they learn that they do indeed make a good detective team!  For this alone, I loved the book!

This was a very different story, and well worth reading.