Seven Lively Suspects

Three Dahlias Mysteries #3

by Katy Watson

It's been five years since Dahlia fan Scott Baker was arrested for a murder that had eerie echoes of one of Lettice Davenport's books. But now a true crime podcast is convinced that the police got it wrong - and they want the three Dahlias to help them prove it.

The murder of aspiring crime writer Victoria Denby created a sensation at the time. The public's imagination was hooked by the detail of a paper dahlia placed beside the body, just like in one of Dahlia Lively's fictional cases. Was there a copycat killer at large in the peaceful town of Market Foxleigh?
Despite the tabloids' fearmongering, the police quickly arrested Victoria's friend and fellow writer, Scott Baker, and when it emerged that he had also been accused of stalking Dahlia actress Caro Hooper, it seemed like an open and shut case.

Five years on most people have forgotten the case. But this baking hot summer, a crime writing festival is being staged in Market Foxleigh - and the guests of honour are the Three Dahlias themselves - Rosalind, Caro and Posy. At the same time, a true crime podcast wants to reopen the cold case, convinced that the police got the wrong man... and they're determined to enlist the help of the Three Dahlias to help prove them right - and find the real killer.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Murder Mystery

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2024

Reviews

[Libbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series gets worse and worse with every iteration. What started as a cozy murder mystery series inspired by the golden age of crime and the late great Agatha Christie has become unrecognisable only 3 books in.

Seven lively suspects follow our same 3 leads from the first 2 books: Posy, Rosalind and Caro and opens at the film premiere of their new Dahlia Lively movie. Approached by 2 women they find themselves now looking into a case solved 5 years ago as the perpetrator's sister is adamant he is innocent.

Let's start with the elephant in the room. This book has horrific pacing issues. Having the first murder over 100 pages in worked in book 1 as they were setting up the characters and relationships. This book doesn't even have a murder. The idea of looking into a solved case is kinda boring and the execution was poor. The titular 7 suspects doesn't even make sense as the suspects we end with aren't the same as those we start with. Though I guess the book does address that.

Honestly even the character relationships were not good enough to fix this one. Most of the characters we grew to love in the first two are either flat out missing or are barely in it. Give me Kit back please I'm begging you. Rosalind as ever comes across as extremely condescending, I genuinely don't think she can stand Posy and Caro nevermind get on with them. Caro and her reaction to the events comes from left field, shoehorning in a traumatic backstory 3 books into your series feels forced as hell. Especially after later reveals show that she was basically scared for no reason.

And the reveal? Still mad. Whoever said it was similar to Murder on the Orient express literally couldn't have been more wrong.

I will still forever recommend book 1 in this series. Just pretend it's a stand alone

[katayoun Masoodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

likeable cozy mystery with interesting main characters and a nice, cozy mystery. looking forward to the next book in the series

[Rike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two books of the series but I still love the dynamic between the main characters and the setting

[Sheila Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read was completely wrong about who had done the deed! I think the best read of the three books of the Dahlias

[Amy (Amy_justonemorechapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Katy Watson’s writing, this series is fantastic. Although this is the third book in the series, I don’t think it’s essential to have read the first two to understand what’s going on, but I do recommend them just for enjoyment purposes. The dynamics between Caro, Rosalind and Posy have developed into a loving and caring nature, like a chosen family, they each take care of each other. This mystery was really enjoyable, it was quite fast paced, I liked it was set in multiple locations too, and I particularly the reference to Daunt Books and for example the tv shows which may be named differently in reality but do still have similar features. The actual detecting in the story had me hooked, the seven suspects who all were suspicious for different reasons, all interlinked with each other through the literary group. I struggled to guess who had committed the crime and even when it was revealed I was still in shock. This book is cozy crime at its best, so enjoyable.

[Jimena Patiño · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much after the low bar that the second novel leave for me. I didn't enjoy that one. So I guess maybe I did enjoy it this one a bit more with my low expectations.

The mystery has two parts : the book fair thing and the rest of the rampant thing that goes like boom pow wow jumping to weird conclusions along the way. it could be lovelier if Katy Watson kept it in the book fair scenario and not going on like the London life of the dahlias. But alas she does, the pace race up like a galgo on a track and left you wondering if this conclusion it's ok or maybe far fetched.

Saying this, I'm totally shock but I think I'm gonna keep going with the series.

Another thing I didn't love about the book where the myriad of authors that appears on the beginning quotes from the chapter. It would be nice if she just keep Dahlia's book quotes and maybe caro.

Also I didn't like the caro past backstory with the trial and everything and the posy mother thing.

Yet I'm going to read the next one some time soon.

[Kenzie Leckie ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I fell in love with this series from the first one and was so happy to be chosen for this arc as I look forward to each one!

I love how each premise is laid out differently with all new suspects which makes for intrigue everytime. I love Posy, Rosalind and Caros relationship and you see that grow throughout. They’re protective of each other but also have an understanding of not being overly emotional.

I did think the ending was a little rushed as I would have liked there to be more time to talk about each person extensively and their movements. I just felt like the result wasn’t fully explained at length but may be able to be mentioned in the next book to round things up.

I also really like how characters from past books are brought back as it’s familiar territory and helps ease the tension. I’m looking forward to seeing how relationships expand and grow as the series progresses!

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

realistically this is 3.5 ⭐️s but i had a fun time overall and around these parts (i.e. my life) that goes a long way!

credit where it's due, the premise is pretty unqiue if a bit convoluted and unrealistic (not one but three celebrities helping the community??? perish the thought! the copaganda was as per the course at least). three actress who have all portrayed the same detective character at some point come together to solve actual crime. what the hell, sure!!!

i liked the investigation parts more than the big reveal and i did enjoy that each actress/detective had her own strengths and specialties. oh!!! also!!! one of them is a wlw which is always a win!

the actual case (including motive and perpetrator).... meh. also a bit needlessly convoluted & leading up to not a particularly rewarding payoff but it is what it is. i still want to read more (maybe catch up on books 1 and 2 since i've apparently jumped in blind on book 3) so ggs katy watson, i'll buy more of your books!

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since their second 'Three Dahlias' case, Rosalind has been staying with her new partner, ex-policeman Jack, Caro has written a just-published book about the investigation of their first case, & Posy can't make her mind up about leading man & possible love interest, Kit. At the premiere of the new Dahlia Lively film, the three women are approached by the makers of a true crime podcast who want the 'Dahlias' to investigate a possible miscarriage of justice.

Just over five years ago, aspiring crime writer Victoria Denby was killed & a paper dahlia flower left at the scene. Fellow writer & part of the same friend circle, Scott Baker, was arrested in what seemed to be an open and shut case & has been in prison ever since, but what if he is innocent? Rosalind & Posy decide to tag along with Caro to a book festival being held in Denby's home town where her friends & fellow writers will all be making an appearance.

I found this one a bit disappointing compared to the first two books. The pacing was too slow & dragged in places, & although I like Rosalind & Caro, I find Posy the least convincing character of the three 'Dahlias'. Hopefully this is just a blip. 3.25 stars (rounded down)

[nahla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Along with beautifully illustrated covers, the Three Dahlias Mysteries is an entertaining and enjoyable collection of novels. With its concept of three actresses—who have portrayed the same character in different iterations—forming an unlikely bond as friends and amateur sleuths, these cosy murder mysteries provide more warmth and comfort than one might expect.

As I scrolled through some other reviews, I may have to agree with the opinion that the story seems rushed or unpolished at times. It was difficult to distinguish the voices of the three main characters, so each dedicated section to one of them had—unfortunately—the effect to appear interchangeable. However, this does not dissuade me from continuing to read the newest instalments.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg it was so good!! Potentially my favourite book in the series so far - also solidified this is my favourite books series and I can't wait to read more!!!

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

My bad, I didn’t realise this was the third instalment of a series. Spoiler alert - I haven’t read the first two

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.25/5 stars

[louise reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

[Mairéad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the Three Dahlias so much, the women and their mysteries are just wonderful!

[Anna Reads Mysteries · Rating 2 out of 5]

And here we are once more, with the promise of something good, that yet again Katy Watson was not capable of delivering it.

I am officially unhauling and DNFing this series. We are done :)

It hurts enormously because I fell in love with the 3 Dahlias in book one.
The atmosphere, the character work, the classic murder mystery vibes - all were there.

Then book two came along with its subpar storytelling, with fist-sized holes in the logic, which outraged me so badly that I did not notice the obvious, which sadly is the quality of writing.
But that sprang to the eyes time and time again in this one - the ideas this author comes up with have been very good and feels directly grabbed from the golden age of murder mystery.
However, I'm sad to say that she does not know how to put it on paper. And I know I'm no writer and it's not that easy etc... but how about (and this will sound crazy) TAKE YOUR TIME WRITING THEM!!! There is now one book per year coming out in this series and it is very clear that this is not enough for Watson to produce and polish a good story. And I am very sorry about that because she created an amazing cast and generally she has good ideas.

On to the story -
And before we do, let me just say that these characters DO NOT require a tragic backstory. Every time one is added, it feels like it came out of nowhere.
Our prime example is this one - apparently, back in the days (5 years ago to be more precise) Caro had a stalker who went to prison for murder. Now her sister came to see Caro, because she and her two friends want to get the case against his brother re-opened, they think he is innocent. We kept being promised that this was because new evidence came to light, but we were given NONE. All Caro and the other suspects get is an envelope from What'shisname, stating again that he is innocent....... And that seems to be enough. On top of that one of the sister's friends works on a podcast trying to clear his name.
Plus let's just say that out of a sudden Caro is now spoked and is scared of stalkers... apparently that whole ordeal left her very traumatized. Now, where was this trauma 2 books ago? It just feels so forced. If you wanted to put this in someone's story, it should have been Posy, perhaps Rosalind, but definitely not Caro Hooper.

Now on to the 7 suspects. We start with a different 7 and end with a different 7, which luckily is acknowledged by the book, otherwise, I would have screamed :)

But to begin with, I don't understand why there were only 7 suspects when the murder takes place at a writing festival with over a dozen people who could have been suspected. Or in comparison, it was an open-and-shut case for the police, they never suspected anyone but the chap who went to prison, so where did we fish up this amount of suspects from? Your guess is as good as mine.
May I also add that the mentioned chap was convicted on very little in my opinion.
But to add to that, the new murder suspect will also be convicted on super little as well, bare speculations at most.

So yeah, we go here and there, we talk with this and that, mostly repeating what was already said by someone else. Then out of a sudden, we are on page 200 and no one died yet...
Then we start suspecting Caro's publisher who conveniently was involved with these 7 people.
And we get great dialogues in which every character sounds the same and speaks the same. All of them say 'um' this and 'um' that like a nervous teenager.
There are a few scenes Watson likes to repeat, so all of them will at some point or another cross their arms and lean back OR tap their fingers on their mug/cup/glass.....

We come to the end, where they figure it all out based on what I am still not sure. Frankly, I was so bored that I did not even attempt to guess it myself, but I can attest to it not making much sense and being very out there. One of those cases where 'why would the murderer go to the cops to get the whole thing investigated'?? Yes, the author kind of explains it, but no.. just not good enough.

I will say this - the last scene, the so-called J'acuse moment, where they 'unmask' the killer was set up nicely. However, they had zero pushback from the suspects, and everyone just confessed. On top of that, they called this scene the J'acuse moment so often that it lost all its spark.

Nope, just much nope.

I hope Katy Watson gets more time to write and match the ideas with a structured, put-together story. The ideas are there, the execution hasn't left the station yet, and we are still waiting for it to arrive...
I wish her all the best - but sadly, I am tapping out here. There are so many better mysteries to consume as a reader, that I feel like if two books in a row don't do it for you, it's time to stop.

It feels disappointing having to write this, but these are my honest feelings.
So....with regret and sorrow - toodels.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Lively Suspects is another entertaining mystery featuring the three actresses; Rosalind, Caro and Posy who are the three Dahlias.
This time, Caro is the guest speaker at a Crime Writers Festival and she has invited Rosalind and Posy to go with her. Five years ago at the festival a murder was committed, Caro was a witness for the prosecution but now, the sister of the convicted man wants the Three Dahlias to investigate the case again as she is convinced her brother is innocent.

I have loved both of the previous books in this series and this third book is just as good. The setting of the festival is well shown and we get a real sense of how an event like this is organised. It also gives a plausible reason for all of the suspects in the murder to have gathered together again. I enjoyed the way that the three women carried out their investigation and the final resolution was certainly dramatic and brought the classic idea of all of the suspects being brought together for the final showdown bang up to date.

The success of a cosy crime novel really depends on the main characters and the three Dahlias are all brilliant. I’m not sure how well this book would stand on its own as I think you would miss a huge amount of the background of the three actresses which is such a big part of them. Each of them has developed over the series. In this book, Rosalind is worrying about the future of her romance with a retired detective and Caro is carving out a new career as an author. Posy has really grown though and has gained a confidence that she didn’t have in the earlier two books and now takes a leading role in the investigation. The relationship between the three of them is lovely and has a real ‘found family’ feel to it.

The echoes of Golden Age mysteries are still present in this book. Dahlia Lively is a character in a set of books supposedly written from 1930 onwards and each of the chapters in this book begins with a quotation from one of the novels that has reference to something that will occur in the chapter. This time there is a new twist as one of the suspects is actually writing a series of books based on the author of the Dahlia Lively books investigating crimes herself.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to the next appearance of the three dahlias.
Thank you to Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[what.heather.loves · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sarah's last words echoed in behind them.
'The real murderer is still out there. You have to help me find them!' 
Caro grabbed It's arm and started walking again.
She might be a part-time private detective and part-time crime author now, but the case Sarah Baker was talking about wasn't one she had any interest in revisiting.
Ever."

Book three of the Three Dahlias crime fiction series the ladies investigating a cold case that involved Caro. Always good to be back with this team of amateur detectives, I particularly enjoyed the summertime setting in a Cotswolds town literary festival (I visited last summer so was picturing a small town like Bourton-on-the-Water). A podcast to clear the name of the man in prison for the cold case murder seeks Rosalind's, Caro's and Posey's involvement, suggesting there are seven suspects. Our heroines soon find themselves investigating a new murder.

Each chapter starts with a fictional quotation from either a Dahlia Lively novel or Caro's novelisation of their first case. There are many bookish layers to this series based on a fictional Golden Age series, the three actresses who have played the titula Dahlia Lively character, their own book and, in this third outing, the books by some of the suspects, also authors attending the festival. I love the well-drawn characters, particularly the returning ones with their own lives and partners and the pretty Llangollen location (having grown up nearby, I know it well) where Rosalind visits Jack. Pacy and readable, mysterious and entertaining, perfect cosy crime! Whilst it helps to have read the first two books in the series, it is a self-contained story, so could be read alone. I found at least two hints that the next book may be set in a Scottish castle? Having read them all, I think this may be my favourite Three Dahlia's novel yet!

Thanks to the publishing for granting me access to an advanced copy through NetGalley.

[Niamh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very kindly given an e-arc of this book via Netgalley and Little, Brown.

The third instalment in the Three Dahlia's series is much stronger than its second and makes for a twisty, if occasionally too complicated for its own good, murder mystery that adds a sprinkle of 'Only Murders in the Building' into the mix for good luck.

Caro, Rosalind and Posy return, this time attending a crime writing festival in a small town, where the murder of the festival's former organiser still hangs over everything. A new podcast is due to launch about the murder and the Dahlia's have been drafted in to help the creators solve it. Because the characters are so well established now, slipping into these books feels like putting on a very comfy pair of leggings. This book spends more time focusing on Caro than any other and adds great depth to a character who has a lot more personality (it feels) than the other two. Their stories never quite take off in this instalment, though they add plenty to the unravelling of the murder mystery.

Because there are seven suspects and, quite literally, an entire village to cram into a book, I felt things got a bit too complicated. The supporting characters tended to blur into one another after a while - particularly the men - and so by the time we got to the big reveal (which I did very much enjoy), it was difficult to get fully shocked over who was actually the murderer. The ending felt rather rushed, particularly as we had spent so very long getting to that point (I've often found the middle of Watson's books to be the weakest aspect), though you get a conclusion that feels suitably satisfying. My socks are never blown completely off by a Dahlias mystery, but I don't put them down, which says everything. Another good addition to the series.

'Seven Lively Suspects' is available now.

[Reggie Billingsworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well back again trying this author out once more...mostly because the trio of book titles given me are just there to be reviewed but a strong sense of deja vu rapidly appeared by page 38...whoaaa! Haven't I read something like this before?? Eg: Ann Granger's Dead in the Water and...more recently and uniquely E.C. Nevin's A Novel Murder: A Mystery....as well as at least a few Midsommer Murder plots with an Agatha Raisin TV series show thrown in.

Sidebar: It would seem that writing conferences/book fairs etc. are emerging as wildly dangerous and therefore highly problematic events to attend but despite all that danger they remain events popular in the 'cosy' moment these days I guess.

With these sinking thoughts I did note that the "Seven" in the title lifted my hopes ("Please God...compared to the cast of thousands in the previous title Watson perpetrated on us....only seven? May it be so"). And then someone (editor? agent?) has included a cast list ("Thank Goodness!") and, as a bonus...a little map to help those of us spatially challenged to keep track of characters' travels since this author loves moving everyone around and about the board.

Consequently, I delved into this title with only mildly reduced trepidaion...wary of this author's habit of overburdening her plots with swirling but pointless complexities. And so this one went on and on... *sigh* in its pedestrian style way with little to attract me I fear ... so I can only surmise that my tolerance for 3 'detectives' and all the detail Watson requires her readers to wade through is pretty low by now. Especially since I just automatically suspected the initially dismissed character from the get go. Thus, there is little fun for the reader here.

Have I now endured too many of these things that I can finger the perp in the first three chapters? Is that a symptom of my fiendishly clever ability to predict how Watson constructs her plots? Nope. I strongly doubt that it's my genius. More than likely the truth lies in a coincidental but truly greater excellence in the stiff competition from the above mentioned Nevin and Granger as well as so many others.

Pity...but there it is.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Three Dahlias series and I really enjoyed being reunited with the three main characters again.

In the Seven Lively Suspects Posy, Rosalind and Caro are investigating a cold-case murder. The setting this time is a crime writing festival held in Market Foxleigh. Caro is also attending as an author for her book about the first investigation the Three Dahlias solved. The author and organiser of the book festival was murdered five years earlier. A podcast is being made which is trying to prove the innocence of the convicted killer and due to one of the Dahlias having a connection to the murder, Rosalind, Caro and Posy are joining the investigation too, even if they do not all have the same motivations.

The three main characters are continuing to grow on me. I think this series is really underrated and is deserving of more attention. I could picture this as a TV series and I liked the setting of this one in the small town with all the book-related content. I did not guess the outcome but I mostly just found this very readable and a great, cosy read. I would have liked there to have been more from the podcast aspect of the book as I am a fan of that type of media in mystery/thriller books and it is this expectation going into to the book about the podcast that has kept my rating a little lower.

I am rating this book 4 stars, it was a great mystery read and the series is now one I will automatically be picking up.

Thank you to the publisher, Little Brown Book group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is the third book in the "Three Dahlias" series, I think it would work just fine as a standalone (I'll just say that after reading Book 2, I bought Book 1 so that I had the full picture though!)

In this novel, Caro, Rosalind and Posy have been invited along to a literary festival, following the publication of Caro's book (which in a clever twist, is her re-telling of the events of the last "Three Dahlias" novel!). Things take a darker turn after they are essentially "ambushed" into agreeing to help on a cold case - The Paper Dahlia murder - that Caro had originally been involved in several years earlier.

The plot has plenty of twists and turns, and just when I'd settled on my main suspect, there was another twist! I won't say more for fear of "spoilers"!

I really enjoyed reading this. It's great to see how the main characters and the relationships between them have developed over time. There's also an interesting supporting cast of characters, and the storyline is set in several locations - adding to the interest.

I'm pleased that this series seems to have taken off, as I like the author's writing style, and the characters. Looking forward to the next in the series!

Recommended for fans of "cosy" murders (bizarre description I know!).

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

[mo (sie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5
this had pacing issues, but the dénouement was very satisfying. i love these characters, but except for annie i just don't much care for the love interests - especially as they all barely had page time and i didn't remember enough from the earlier installments to really have enough to care about.
i liked the setting and the fact that caro got her spotlight here, but i think more could have been done. for a long time nothing much happened and they just talked to people and didn't find out anything. i was glad many of the things they learned were taken up during the big reveal, but i got quite bored there in the middle.
i wasn't a fan of how the "stalking" was handled. having it been fake and caro basically too fearful just didn't sit right with me. it is so easy to gaslight yourself when something like this happens and i bet it almost never happens that the authorities think someone is stalking you when actually they aren't. the other way around - all the time: how many women and queer people die every year because no one believes them? i'm fine with him not having been the murderer, but i would have appreciated a more complex character there (not a murderer, but still a creep) instead of caro having been wrong.
i'm really looking forward to the christmas novel - i love this premise and the characters!

[Kate Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third novel in the highly enjoyable Three Dahlias series, but I think works as a standalone because the author does catch you up with the characters. (I would recommend reading the previous two, as they're good reads!)

Dahlia Lively is the heroine of a Golden Age detective series; Rosalind, Caro and Posy are the three actresses who've played her. Caro has moved on to writing, and is one of the guests of honour at a Cotswold crime festival. Five years ago, she was a witness in a murder case; but the sister of the man convicted for the murder believes he's innocent and wants Caro to help with a podcast re-examining the case. Caro, Posy and Rosalind start investigating - only for another author to be murdered. Is there a link with the cold case? Who's telling the truth - and who's lying?

Lots of twists and turns, and a thoroughly good read. It's also lovely to see the relationships growing between Rosalind, Caro and Posy.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five years ago a lovely town was rocked by a murder connected to its burgeoning literary festival. Now the man convicted is claiming innocence and a popular podcast is involved. Cornering the Three Dahlias at their film premiere the podcast makers strong-arm the three sleuths to take on the case. However when seven suspects are decreased by the death of one, the Dahlias are wondering if they have bitten off more than they can chew.
This is building up into a great series of cosy crime novels. I love the fact that the three protagonists are so different but who demonstrate friendship values that are really old-fashioned and the whole premise of the stories being built around the Golden Age fiction of a completely fictitious writer, Lettice Davenport, is really clever. This story bounces along with a complicated plot, solid dialogue and some lovely set pieces.

[Elizabeth Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in this cosy mystery series. It was definitely better than the second book, but didn't quite live up to the first.

I've really come to love all three of the Dahlias and their relationships and interactions with each other. These books all take place somewhere that has a connection to the Dahlia Lively series and movie, which I really enjoy, and they always have a fun cast of supporting characters (or suspects). I hope that we get to see more of the Dahlias love interests in coming books as well as these relationships definitely need a bit more exploring.

I felt like the mystery in the second book got a little too convoluted for its own good, and I appreciated that the mystery in this one was a lot more straight forward (but still interesting and compelling) and didn't try to shock the reader with last minute twists at the expense of a resolution that made sense.

I've docked a star because the pacing did feel a bit slow to start with (despite it being a relatively short book). Whilst I liked the idea of the literary festival setting in theory, in reality that part of the book felt a bit mundane, with a lot of just following the Dahlias around from one location and event to the next rather than any real action. Once the story moved back to London and the stakes were upped, the Dahlias got a lot more 'into' investigative mode and I flew through the book from there.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful addition to the Dahlia series! This time we see Caro, Rosalind and Posy tackle a cold case which Caro helped to convict in a small village. Yet, nobody seems to be telling the truth and the layers of this mystery prove to be deceptive and challenging for the Dahlias.

I enjoyed the writing of this, and really love these characters. I’m so invested in their stories and love each installation of the series. In the middle of this one it did feel a little muddled with what was happening, but I think that may have been because I had to read it in blocks between busy life! I did actually guess the murderer quite early on too, but couldn’t have said why!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three Dahlias are asked to investigate a murder that happened five years ago. They find themselves at a crime writing festival where not everyone wants to revisit the past.

A new Dahlia book is always cause for excitement and this was such a fantastic read.

I loved the fact that it was set around a book festival, I could imagine the scenes and events taking place as if I was there. It was incredibly fun to see that Caro had written a book about their first mystery together.

I couldn't stop thinking about the plot and who could have been involved in the murder. I was constantly finding myself getting suspicious when I thought I had spotted a clue!

I really enjoy the quotes from the Dahlia books at the start of each chapter. I think it really adds to the idea that these characters have been brought together by the books and it is such a nice touch.

Katy Watson has the perfect voice for modern golden-age crime and I can't wait to see more from these fabulous characters that I have come to love.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Posy, Caro, and Rosalind are called in to investigate a decade old murder. The accused has been in prison for the last ten years, partially on Caro’s own testimony. Do the Dahlias really want to find a different suspect? But suspects there are in plenty.

I’m still enjoying this series. Mainly because of the three leading ladies. I love their bond and distinctive personalities. I feel like the mystery in this one is stronger than in the second book, although disbelief must be radically suspended on how the glorious revel is conducted. Implausible but fun.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, we join Rosalind, Caro, and Posy, the Three Dahlias, for a murder investigation. This time, the ladies are pulled into a cold case regarding the murder of an aspiring author five years ago.
As usual, there are plenty of suspects, red herrings, and clues, which the ladies must tackle in order to solve the crime.
Another great, cosy mystery from Katy Watson, I look forward to number four in the series.