Murder by suicide - Veronica Heley

The second in a series of Ellie Quicke Mysteries, based in a church setting and featuring a recently widowed woman who finds herself to be something of a sleuth.

When Ellie returns home from her Christmas holiday, she is shocked to hear allegations of foul play at the vicarage. Within days, the vicar, Ellie's good friend, is dismissed and transferred admist rumours that he was having an affair with Nora, the plain but talented organist.

Everyone is furious with Nora for the departure of the vicar, yet Ellie tries to help the disturbed woman. Nora shows her some of the threatening letters she has received and tells her of some menacing harassment she is enduring.

But it all becomes too much for Nora, and the village is shocked when she commits suicide. Ellie decides to get involved, despite warnings from Roy, a newcomer who is showing romantic interest in her. As she begins to decipher a series of clues and strange confrontations, she realizes that her own life is in danger.