One of his New York clients was dying. Ethel was the last living Servant of the Stanhope family. When Susan’s parents, William and Charlotte Stanhope, sold Stanhope Hill, the ancestral home, there was one stipulation. Ethel and her husband George were to live in the Gate House of the mansion free of charge for as long as they lived. George had already died and now Ethel lay in hospice, very near death. Thus it was that John Sutter was staying the in the Gate House at Ethel’s invitation.

When he came to the Gate House, John discovered that ex-wife Susan had purchased the guest house from the present owner of Stanhope Hall, Anthony Belarosa. He wasn’t surprised that Susan would try to buy back the family estate. The surprise was that Belarosa would sell it to her. After all, Susan had murdered his father ten years ago and never spent a minute in prison for the crime. It was a magnanimous gesture from Belarosa unless he had an ulterior motive. That was what worried John.

His worry didn’t lessen of when he was approached by Anthony Belarosa. John had worked as a tax lawyer for Frank, and Anthony now wanted John to work for him.

The Gate House is a compelling story of wealth and privilege, murder and the Mafia. The characters are realistic and human. The plot could happen all too easily. So pick up The Gate House and The Gold Coast; you’re in for a double treat.