"Warning At One"

"Warning At One" is Ann Purser's 8th novel in the Lois Meade mystery series.  Life seems to have settled into a routine for Lois and her cleaning business until Bill, one of her long term part-time cleaners, announces his wife is pregnant with their second child and has decided to stop working.  That means he is going to accept an offer at the vet's where he works part-time to become a full-time employee.  Although Lois and the crew will miss him and are sad to see him go, she was not totally surprised by his resignation.

Bill had just started cleaning for a visually impaired woman and she decides Dot Nemmo should take over there.  The house happens to be across the street from the rental Lois and her husband purchased as an investment.  However, the last tenants have moved out leaving it empty because the elderly man next door, Clem, has a cockerel that wakes everyone in the area very early in the morning with its loud crowing.  The neighbor on Clem's other side appears antisocial and reclusive.  Fortunately, for the Meade family, the eldest son, Douglas, is taking a job and moving back to the area and wants to rent their vacant home.

Inspector Cowgill has informed Lois that there may be shady things going on in the neighborhood and he'd appreciate Lois, her son, and Dot keeping an eye out for anything useful that they might report to him.

When Douglas moves in and meets Clem's granddaughter, Susie, sparks fly and a romance blossoms.  Unfortunately, Clem and his cockerel are murdered and Douglas finds himself on the suspect list thanks to some anonymous tips.

However, not all is what it appears to be with the neighbors and, when threats are made, Lois gets involved and finds herself in hot water.  Life is always interesting when Inspector Cowgill and Lois team up!  Another good Lois Meade mystery!  pazt