A PRIZE-WINNING author from Dunfermline has published her second novel.

Linda Menzies has released a series of works over the years, ranging from poetry to prose, and Stone Dead is her latest piece of fiction.

The story is set in a rural area of a fictionalised Angus at the Barleyknowe farmhouse, which is accompanied by semi-derelict outbuildings and land.

On the book, Linda said: "A wealthy woman from London, Jennifer Armstrong, purchases and renovates the property and sells five of the cottages, retaining ownership of the farmhouse, guest cottages and barns.

"The unusual condition of sale is that all the cottages have to be bought by women, who will take part in occasional communal activities.

"The owners are: Irene and Rose, a lesbian couple of retired teachers; Frankie, a young bisexual woman; Maureen, a retired nurse; Jo, whose wife Wendy had died; and Elaine, a straight, divorced businesswoman. Jennifer, a single lesbian, lives in the farmhouse. All the women have issues from the past, secrets and guilt.

"All goes smoothly as the neighbours form friendships and attachments, until the arrival at one of the guest cottages of a charismatic, attractive but unscrupulous and promiscuous lesbian, Sam, whose actions impact on the whole community.

"Sam fails to attend a communal meal one Sunday and is found dead of a head injury in the guest cottage, where there are signs of a struggle. All the women, and one male guest, are under suspicion and the police discover everyone has motive to harm Sam."

Linda, who has worked in journalism and public relations, has had her work featured in a number of journals and publications.

She has published two collections: Epiphanies (poetry) and Into the Light (poetry and short stories), as well as her first novel A Unicorn on The Meadows.

l Stone Dead is available for £7.99 (paperback) and £6.99 (Kindle) on Amazon.