Book Extract: A Blighter is Bumped Off By Helen Golden

I’m very happy to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her book, A Blighter is Bumped Off.

The only thing worse than a persistent suitor? A dead one on your lawn.

London, 1892. Alice, Duchess of Stortford, has returned to town determined to enjoy her first Season as a wealthy widow. But instead of balls, flirtation, and whispered gossip, she finds herself besieged by ambitious bachelors—none more persistent than the insufferably smooth-talking Miles Fonthill. When Alice firmly refuses his sudden proposal, she assumes the matter is settled.

Instead, he turns up dead in her garden.

The police are happy to call it a tragic accident. Alice is less convinced.

Why was Miles climbing over her garden wall in the middle of the night? Why had he become so determined to win her favour? And what did he really want?

As Alice begins to dig into Miles’ final days, her search leads her into the glittering heart of London society, where old loyalties run deep, secrets are guarded fiercely, and reputation matters more than truth. But when whispers of the mysterious Order of the Golden Key begin circling dangerously close to her own late husband’s name, Alice realises this death may be far more complicated than one unwelcome suitor meeting an unfortunate end.

And if someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets…this Season may prove positively deadly.

Perfect for fans of feisty female sleuths, Victorian High Society, and secret scandals, all served with a dash of humour and a cup of tea.

Helen has shared an extract from A Blighter is Bumped Off with us today. Grab that comfortable chair, a cup of whatever you fancy, a snack and enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

In this opening scene, Alice, Duchess of Stortford, is enjoying a quiet afternoon at Darby House when one of her more persistent admirers, Miles Fonthill, decides the time has come to propose. Unfortunately for him, Alice has very different plans for her future…

*****

“I understand that you are still technically in mourning,” Miles said, his voice softening to a tone that she supposed was meant to convey respect but somehow missed the mark. His fingers moved to the signet ring on his right hand, turning it idly as he spoke. “But soon you will be required to rejoin society fully, and a woman of your standing needs a husband by her side.”

Required? Needs? Alice’s fingers twitched on her lap, smoothing an imaginary wrinkle from her dark-blue silk morning dress. Did he truly believe her incapable of managing her affairs, or was it simply that he wished to manage them—and her considerable fortune—himself?

Boris lifted his head for a second and sneezed—violently and damply—before closing his eyes again with a satisfied snort.

Miles paused for a second, his face a picture of disgust as he stared at the small black dog.

Here’s my moment to close this down. “Mr Fonthill—” she began, but he raised a hand, his signet ring glinting in the morning light.

“Please, Your Grace, call me Miles. After all, we have known each other over these many months.” His smile revealed perfectly straight teeth, a studied charm that never quite reached his eyes. “I have come to admire you greatly during this time.”

As he continued to outline the benefits of their potential union, her attention drifted away from his words. She folded her hands loosely in her lap and inclined her head. She didn’t interrupt. There seems little point.

“…so I’ve taken the liberty of making some enquiries about the management of Manning Hall.” His words pulled her back to the present.

Alice blinked. Heat bubbled up her spine. You’ve done what?

“I believe there are several improvements that could increase its profitability considerably.”

Alice swallowed, the pressure threatening to burst from the top of her head. She took a deep breath. “You’ve made enquiries about my estate in Derbyshire?” She attempted to keep the horror out of her voice. “I don’t believe that’s your—”

He waved her away. “Merely out of concern for your interests, my dear.” His hand moved to his ring again, turning it twice around his finger. “You’re fortunate the estates are entirely under your own direction. Many widows find themselves… dependent, but a woman alone cannot be expected to navigate these complex matters without guidance.”

Well, I do! Along with her steward and some occasional assistance from her older brother, Duncan, and advice from Baxter, she’d been managing her affairs quite capably since her husband’s death, thank you very much. And I’ve built a school!

But now, watching Miles examine the morning room as though mentally cataloguing its worth, she felt a chill of recognition. His interest had never been personal.

Never once had he asked about her two sons, Harry and Freddie, currently away at boarding school. She couldn’t recall a single conversation where he’d enquired about her interests, her thoughts, her preferences in anything not related to her properties or finances.

How did I get myself in this position? She’d encouraged nothing. She’d been polite. Attentive perhaps, in the way she was to anyone who addressed her civilly. She’d listened. She’d not corrected him when he’d spoken too familiarly because correcting men in public only ever created more interest, not less.

He leaned forwards again, reaching as if to take her hand. Alice shifted in her seat, placing herself beyond his reach.

“Your Grace—Alice,” he corrected himself with a accomplished smile, “I believe I’ve made my intentions clear. I’m offering you my hand, my name, my protection.”

From his bed, Boris gave a soft, distinctly unimpressed huff.

Exactly!

She didn’t want this man. Not his charm, not his ambition, not his assumptions. She’d no intention of getting married again so soon—exchanging one set of expectations for another, no matter how assertively presented.

She stood, smoothing her skirts with deliberate calm. “Mr Fonthill, I appreciate your… concern for my welfare. However, I must decline your proposal.”

Miles blinked, his composure momentarily slipping as he rose. “Decline? But surely you understand the advantages—”

“I understand perfectly,” she interrupted, her voice cool and measured. “But I have no interest remarrying at present, if ever. My period of mourning has given me time to reflect on what I truly want for my future, and that future does not include marriage.” Especially to you!

Boris had abandoned his bed and was now investigating Miles’ boots. He snuffled with determination, nudging one shoe with his nose. Miles looked down in disgust. Boris looked up at him, snorted and moved over to sit squarely on Alice’s slipper, as though anchoring her in place.

Miles’ eyes drifted back to her face. “You’re still grieving, of course. Perhaps in time—”

“No, Mr Fonthill.” She met his gaze directly. “My mind is quite made up. I wish you well, but I must ask you not to call again with such intentions.”

He stared at her for a long moment, his hand once more playing with his signet ring.

She shifted her foot slightly, only for Boris to lean his weight more firmly against her. She suppressed a smile.

Miles rose, then bowed, more stiffly than before. “As you wish, Your Grace. I hope you will not come to regret your decision.”

*****end of extract*****

About Helen Golden –

Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

 Say hello to Helen on Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok. 

A Blighter is Bumped Off is book four in The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries and was released in June 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.