hilary west

'House of Parrots' is a multi-layered mystery novel involving Gerald Brown the parrot man, who lives in the village of Beauhampton and courts the attractive Wendy Hewlitt. Things seem to be going well for all concerned and Gerald plans on building himself and Wendy a new bungalow on his own land. However, the Potter-Barnes', lords of the manor, have other ideas. They wish to open a butterfly farm and want Gerald's land on which to do so. Gerald is adamant they cannot have it. Meanwhile the Potter-Barnes' old family retainer Dolby is dying so Fenella Potter-Barnes advertises for a replacement. Up turns Robert Bailey, a handsome young guy Fenella thinks she can interest in Julie Farrell, her maid. But things do not go well for the couple, particularly after Robert meets Darren Bignold and his cousin Dylan, who make a play for Robert. Robert becomes confused and experiments with his sexuality, eventually sleeping with Darren. But Julie finds out and is furious. Fenella Potter-Barnes is not too pleased either and reacts to the news by ordering bromide from the chemist. Other characters in the village include Gerald Brown's sister, Gloria Rosen, who has an affair with local grocer John Painton. At first Gloria sides with Gerald and frowns upon the Potter-Barnes demand to buy his land but eventually, as her liaison with John Painton intensifies, Gloria decides it would be best to let the butterfly farm go ahead, as John wants the extra traffic the farm would bring to increase trade for his ailing shop. When Gerald knows Gloria has changed sides he is maddened and threatens to cut her out of his will. It is not long after Gerald is murdered. Derek Moore is gardener for the Potter-Barnes and he is a bit of a ladies man though on the rough side. He dates Kay, the daughter of local barmaid Ella Dickson, but is frowned upon by Beulah, Ella's sister, who takes care of Kay. Ella denies that Gerald is the father of Kay but most people suspect that he is. A paternity test follows and Ella is furious at the result. Derek, although in love with Kay, gets cheated by Beulah who influences Kay against him. His attention turns to Wendy Hewlitt and he has an attraction for her that is strong. The police begin to wonder if Wendy and Derek have plotted Gerald's murder. Robert Bailey the new butler is all out of sorts over Julie and Darren Bignold and tussles with many demons, so much so that one night on the river he tries to drown himself. He is, however, saved by Derek Moore. After Gerald's murder the village community comes under scrutiny and Darren Bignold runs away frightened for his life, but is he in fact the guilty party. Ella Dickson is then arrested for fraud. She has been fiddling thousands for herself from the brewery under the close eye of accountant Gerlad. He has said nothing, however, because of the hold Ella has over him. What is the nature of that hold and why we ask ourselves is it so crucial to solving the mystery? Kay does some digging and gets in touch with Gerald's first wife and she learns something crucial to solving the puzzle. But not until more tragedy follows and there is another death.