by Colin Barrow

Synopsis

This comedic murder mystery play is set in the sitting room of the farmhouse at Worth Farm and Vineyard. Heather Watson hatches a plan that in her final handful of years of life, she will have a little fun promising various people they will be her sole beneficiary to the entire farm and vineyard in return for a reduction in their current wages. Each person involved is sworn to secrecy and is not to mention this arrangement to anyone else.

Embroiled in this scheme are Mr and Mrs Daniels who own the neighbouring farm and are now renting land from Heather with beneficial conditions to inherit Worth Farm on her death. Russell, the current farm manager is eager to become the beneficiary, as is Maxine who tends the vines. Heather also adds Jill, her cleaning lady to the list, with the same promise, but she would have to become the live-in cleaner and housemaid.

One evening when all five are invited to a gathering, Heather is murdered by one of them in her bedroom. Heather’s solicitor provides each on them with a letter from the now deceased Heather, and it soon becomes apparent that they have all been given the same false promise of inheritance, because in reality, they each only receive two cases of wine.

Detective Harman has the job to try and unravel the clues which lead to the murderer. As the story unfolds, revelations of a secret romance are discovered along with the true identity of who is to inherit Worth Farm and Vineyard… but, who is the murderer?

Characters

(2m, 4f, 1m/f)

• Heather Watson (f)
• Jill Mason (f)
• Russell Goodman (m)
• Maxine Jackson (f)
• Richard Daniels (m)
• Lynne Daniels (f)
• Detective Harman (m/f)