Murder in the Margins by Margaret Loudon

Bestselling author Penelope Parish has a case of writer's block, so she decides to accept the position of writer-in-residence at the Open Book bookstore in the village of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. She's enjoying her time in England and getting used to the British way of life, such as brewing the perfect cup of tea. When local resident Regina is murdered at Worthington Fest, Penelope is asked by fellow author Charlotte Davenport to investigate. Charlotte is the American fiancée of Arthur Worthington, Duke of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke, and feels that everyone in town already hates her for snatching up Arthur. She hopes that Penelope, as a fellow American, but one whom people like (and who is on Charlotte's side), will be able to find the killer. Penelope agrees to help out, but wonders what she really knows about how to investigate a crime. Murder in the Margins is the enjoyable first book in a new series by Margaret Loudon, who also writes under the names Peg Cochran and Meg London.