Death on the Downs — Simon Brett

Exploring the South Downs of the well-to-do town of Weldisham, Carole Seddon is caught in a sudden rainstorm. She finds refuge in an old barn--but relief turns to revulsion when she discovers the bones of a human skeleton packed inside two bags.

Some townspeople believe the remains are those of a missing girl named Tamsin Lutteridge, who disappeared after becoming involved with several practitioners of alternative medicine--including Carole's friend Jude. On her own investigation, Jude discovers that Tamsin is very much alive and keeping close company with a very charismatic New Age healer.

Now Jude and Carole have two mysteries to unravel. Why is Tamsin deliberately hiding from her father? And if the skeleton wasn't hers ... whose was it?