Books like Witness before the fact by Elizabeth Ferrars

When a phone call interrupts the evening news, Peter Corey—renowned author of children's books—receives a request from his friend and illustrator, Clare Methven. She asks him to travel to Madeira, a trip that will irrevocably alter his life. Arriving at the island, Corey discovers Clare’s ex‑husband lies in a garden, his head riddled with a bullet. Initial speculation points to suicide, but as clues surface, the case shifts toward murder. Suspects begin to multiply—James Raven, a jealous and possessive man; his wife Harriet, who appears fearful; Harriet’s godchild Sara Baird, whose behavior is unsettling; Michael Searle, the nephew and sole heir; Frank Pelley, a casual acquaintance with a suspicious interest in the crime; and even Clare herself. Tasked as a witness before the fact, Corey must sift through motives and alibis, piecing together the puzzle to expose the true killer before another tragedy unfolds.

First publish date: 1979