Death on the Rhine

Miss Ashford Investigates #5

by Vivian Conroy

Tha next installment in the Miss Ashford Investigates series taking Atalanta on a river cruise along stunning castles, picturesque villages and fairytale forests.

A luxury cruise

Hidden family secrets

A body on board…

A birthday trip to Bonn sees amateur detective Atalanta Ashford drawn into the scandalous will of a wealthy grandmother during a scenic cruise down along the Rhine.

But growing tensions lead to a sudden and shocking death. Facing suspicion all around, Atalanta must unravel a deadly web of family secrets as treacherous as the river they voyage on, to find the killer.

Look out for the other Miss Ashford mysteries and get your passports ready as you travel with her to some of the most sought-after destinations on the continent… Each title can be read as standalone and in random order.

Book 1: Mystery in Provence

Book 2: Last Seen in Santorini

Book 3: A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany

Book 4: Last Dance in Salzburg

Book 5: Death on the Rhine

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Germany, Historical, Family Drama, Cozy Mystery

Audible Audio

Published July 24, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh this one was good! I loved the Rhine River cruise and how the setting and mythology worked into the story. The mystery was also very interesting and I loved Atalanta’s love/hate relationship with the police detective who knew her grandfather. They were a good team for the most part and I liked their heart to heart talk at the end. Atalanta’s grandfather’s letter in this was also a highlight. Poor Raoul and Atalanta’s relationship is really on the rocks though. I thought their conversation later in the book was really good though. Raoul was less closed off though he has put himself in an impossible situation.

But is that cliffhanger really necessary? 😜

[Alona · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cozy mystery that I unfortunately found quite underwhelming. The pacing felt a bit off - too many repetitions of the same facts instead of just progressing the plot. The reader is not trusted to remember what happened earlier in the chapter and the possible motives, etc. are overexplained. I wish it was edited a bit differently: flow through conversations and new information first, then give us a little brainstorming session from the main character if you have things to sum up/reiterate.

Also spotted some frustrating inconsistencies, like Otto not knowing that Atalanta was a detective (she made it a point not to tell him), and then later in the book he treats it like common knowledge.

So overall it was just okay, but not gripping enough for me to want to pick up the rest of the series.


Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly Van Damme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Rhine is the fifth book in the Miss Ashford Investigates series, time does fly when you’re having fun! If you haven’t read the previous books, I’m sure you’ll be fine to read this one, since sufficient background information is provided. If you like your Golden Age mysteries with a spot of travel, though, you should definitely add this entire series to your TBR.

Atalanta, who came from rather modest means, has become an heiress, not only inheriting her grandfather’s fortunes but also his sleuthing business. This time around, she decides to treat herself to a little birthday trip to Bonn, Germany. But Atalanta wouldn’t be Atalanta if a mystery didn’t pop up right away, and before long, she finds herself on a river cruise trying to solve a murder.

I always look forward to the next Atalanta Ashford mystery because I know I always have such a good time with it, and Death on the Rhine was no exception. The mystery (and accompanying deaths) to solve was engrossing, the local folklore was an interesting and enriching addition, and who doesn’t love a wealthy family with secrets to unravel! Love interest Raoul is still – somewhat – on the scene, but their relationship is a bit strained at this point, and it looks like Raoul has got himself in a spot of trouble.

Death on the Rhine is a fun, well-rounded murder mystery and I would happily recommend it to fans of cosy murder mysteries. And while you catch up with Atalanta, I’ll be waiting for autumn to join her in the Alps!

Massive thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

[Matleena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excuse me!!!!????

This was a bit different than the other four books being far more serious and dark, but also quite interesting.

The main villain, because villain he was, was straight up psychopath and I actually felt quite crept out by him. Bro had no remorse at all. But I like how the characters were portrayed because they had little more depth in them than I recall they have had in the previous books.

But with all these new turns this series has took with its storyline and character development, I almost felt underwhelmed by the sudden more sinister and dramatic themes. So I cannot help but to miss the previous books a little since I have mainly treated this series as a lighthearted read.

Still, I did enjoy this story as always and will not rate it any less valuable, although the ending was straight up diabolical.

How dare the author leave the story to such a big cliffhanger😤 and the next part is not even published yet…

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A birthday trip to Bonn sees amateur detective Atalanta Ashford drawn into the scandalous will of a wealthy grandmother during a scenic cruise down along the Rhine. But growing tensions lead to a sudden and shocking death. Facing suspicion all around, Atalanta must unravel a deadly web of family secrets as treacherous as the river they voyage on, to find the killer.
The fifth book in the series & it could easily be read on its own. I do like Atalanta who became an heiress when she inherited her Grandfather’s fortunes also she has his sleuthing abilities. This time we see her enjoying a birthday treat. Another well written entertaining cosy mystery with twists, turns & red herrings & a river cruise as the location
voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Danielle Hughes · Rating 1 out of 5]

So glad this is over honestly. Every character was so bothersome throughout this whole story. I’m not going to listen to any more of this series partially because of how awful of a person the main characters love interest is and how blind she is to it…

[Antigoni · Rating 2 out of 5]

A charming mystery with delightful characters, but lacking the twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.
Death on the Rhine by Vivian Conroy is a cozy mystery that offers a charming setting, but unfortunately, it falls short in the plot department. If you’re a fan of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters or The Maid by Nita Prose, this book will feel somewhat familiar, with its quirky characters and historical backdrop. While Death on the Rhine has its moments, it ultimately doesn’t offer much in terms of surprises or suspense.

The story follows Atalanta, a sharp-witted heroine, as she embarks on a journey through Germany, where she becomes entangled in a mystery involving an old friend and a plot to murder his controlling grandmother. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Atalanta and Raoul, the dashing race car driver. Their relationship added a delightful layer to the story, with banter and chemistry that kept things entertaining.

That said, the novel's biggest drawback for me was its predictability. I found myself solving the mystery almost immediately. In fact, I had figured out who the culprit was before any crime was even committed, which significantly dampened the intrigue. The lack of twists and turns made it hard to stay invested in the investigation, and by the time the reveal came, it felt almost anticlimactic.

Overall, Death on the Rhine was just fine. It has some charm and a likable lead character, but the predictable plot left me wanting more. If you’re looking for a light, easy read with some historical flair, this book might suit your tastes, but if you’re after a truly gripping mystery, it may not meet your expectations.

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atalanta Ashford is a bundle of contradictions. Named for a Greek goddess, on the one hand, she's a calmly cool and collected investigator, working to prove her grandfather's trust in her was correct. On the other, she's a bundle of emotions, most tied to her relationship, or maybe I should say wannabe relationship with race car driver Raoul. We get insight into his thoughts this go-round which only makes the situation all the more perplexing. It's clear both have strong feelings for the other but are for various reasons stuck in neutral. Good thing her sleuthing gears are in full working order because this case is a complex one.

It starts innocently enough. On a vacation where she's joined by Raoul, Atalanta encounters an old acquaintance, the brother of a former teacher associate. Quite frankly, unhappy by Raoul's rejection once again, she enjoys the attentions of Otto Rabenhorst, someone she seems to have lots in common with. Otto invites her to a gathering that evening and Raoul tags along, giving lies to his earlier claims of no interest. Is he jealous? Maybe. He bows out quickly enough, however, when she accepts Otto's invitation to join his admittedly odd family on a cruise on the Rhine River. Like Raoul, this family seems to have many, many secrets. Initially mostly agreeing in hopes of brightening up Otto's now motherless daughter's angst over the believed harsh treatment of her grandmother, Frau Rabenhorst, Atalanta quickly finds herself embroiled in not just the workings of a dysfunctional family but a murder.

But, wait. There's more. A daughter that sees all. Shady dealings. Mysterious deaths in past, not to mention present. Arranged marriage. Blackmail. Paper cuttings? Manipulation. Lies. A missing page of a letter. Pride. Greed. Drugs. Haughtiness of wealth. Riverboat cruise. Secrets. And more secrets. And even more secrets. Who is who? Who to trust? What is Raoul hiding. Heck, what is Atalanta hiding? Death. And, oh, that's more than enough teasers. Seriously, I don't want to give away the twists and turns by being too specific. While I had an inkling of the guilty party....been reading too many cozy mysteries of late.....I definitely didn't see those last couple twists coming. Thanks #HarperCollinsUK - #OneMoreChapter for letting me have this early peek at Atalanta's, oh, so complicated life. That ending has me anxious to see where it leads us next.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

Death On The Rhine is the newest book in the miss Ashford investigates historical mystery series by Vivian Conroy and in this addition we find Atalanta, touring Bon Germany, and is surprised when her special friend Raul Lamont the race car driver shows up and says he is scheduled some surprises for her. One of them is going to see Dune Beatles at a local zoo and this is where she runs in to Auto, the brother of an old friend of and fellow teacher Gertrude. Atalanta remember being intrigued with auto but thinks it is only because she was teaching at the time but when he invites her to dinner to see her old friend and meet his family she’s enchanted and since Raul doesn’t want to take their relationship, any further she feels she can do whatever she wants. so she is surprised when she tells Raul about the dinner and he invites himself as her guest. At the dinner, she meets auto and Gertrude Steely grandmother and his 11 year-old daughter. Who at the time or having an argument with the 11-year-old Lisa tells her grandmother she wish she was dead, but this is just the beginning of the surprises this dysfunctional family has in store for the amateur slueth. She is invited to go on the cruise of the Rhine with them under the guise of being a companion to Liesel, but really it’s to find out who is trying to kill the mean grandmother. sadly, the night before they leave instead of her and Raul taking their relationship to the next level he ends it telling her he could never give her what she wants and although. Atalanta is devastated she promised auto she would help. So heartbroken, She goes on the cruise. Are Raul and Atalanta’s Special friendship over if someone really trying to kill the grandmother? I know this is a horrible review but usually when the book is awesome my reviews usually come out the opposite. Just know if you love historical mysteries miss Ashford investigates or some of the best. You can read them a standalone’s, but you get a much fuller picture as it is an ongoing story and one I absolutely enjoy. I really love these mysteries and always am anxious for the next one. #NetGalley,#HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter, #VivianConroy, #DeathOnTheRhine,

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death on the Rhine by Vivian Conroy is another foray into the world of Atalanta Ashford, heiress and investigator. One of the enticing things about this book is how letters from her grandfather arrive at precisely the moment she needs them. Not odd at all, you say, until you realized her grandfather is dead and has been for several years. In fact, her current lifestyle, both financially and professionally, is due to that fact, as is the fact that she also inherited his butler, Renard, who has proven invaluable. She is in Bonn, arriving to spend the day with erstwhile love, Raoul, who is a race care driver and a man who will not commit. While together they run into a man that Atalanta had meet once, the brother of a previous colleague, Otto, who invited them to dinner. It turns out it was small family dinner; a precursor to a cruise they were to depart upon the following day. He promptly invited Atalanta to join them on the river cruise, ostensibly to help with his daughter. Knowing her time with Raoul was short at best, she accepted. Then things went haywire.

They were an odd family: an overbearing grandmother; an eleven year-old daughter who was spoiled at best; her former colleague engaged to a man she didn’t seem to want. All excellent characters and all of whom contributed to the eventual mystery, Otto and Gertrude’s parents had died when they were young: a tragic accident? And, had Otto been a witness? Then grandmother’s lawyer, who claimed to be the long-lost and far from dead son, turned up dead. It strained Atalanta’s investigative chops until she met a police officer; one it turned out who had worked with her grandfather and had a letter for her. The solution turned out to be one I didn’t see coming. It was a complex and interesting story, one that stretched Atalanta’s capabilities and those of the reader. Quite good.

I was invited to read Death on the Rhine by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #VivianConroy #DeathontheRhine

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once a teacher at an exclusive girls' school to pay off family debts, Atalanta Ashford became a female detective as part of a surprise inheritance in Paris. While in Bonn with the auto racer she loves (unrequited) she meets a young woman who had also been a teacher but now is simply the granddaughter of a control freak rich woman. She also meets the brother, a whole entourage including his rebellious daughter who prefers the fantasy world of Scherenschnitte, and winds up going on a Rhine River cruise with the family. Soon there is a body and a policeman assigned to accompany them. Complex and fascinating story with many things to learn along the way.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter via NetGalley. Pub Date Apr 04, 2025
#DeathOnTheRhine by Vivian Conroy #MissAshfordInvestigatesBk5 @onemorechapterhc @harpercollinsuk #NetGalley #cozymystery @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble **** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #Scherenschnitte #extortion ##historicalsoapopera #germany #murderinvestigation

[Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death in the Rhine is a solid entry in the Miss Ashford Investigates series. This entry finds Atalanta visiting Bonn to celebrate her birthday. Despite how they parted, Raoul surprises her to spend the weekend with her. While visiting a museum, Atalanta runs into Otto Rabenhorst, the older brother of a girl she taught with at the girls' school she worked at prior to becoming a detective. They had one conversation together several years prior that had stuck with her so she readily agrees to attend a dinner at the hotel where he and his family is staying. When Atlanta and Raoul arrive, they quickly experience the tension that exists between members of the family including Otto, his sister Gertrude, his precious daughter Lisl, and his grandmother, the family matriarch who raised the siblings after the tragic death of their parents years ago. Otto confides in Atalanta his fears that his daughter may be trying to kill his grandmother and convinces her to come on a boat trip down the Rhine that has been arranged to celebrate his grandmother's birthday and determine if there is actually any danger. Unfortunately, death follows and Atalanta must figure out the murder's identity before it is too late.

I really enjoyed the mystery even though I was able to guess the identity of the murderer as well as a key piece of the puzzle. Atalanta is such a fun character and I love the secondary characters in the series such as her butler Renard and Raoul. There has been a side storyline related to Raoul and his racing that sees development in this one that will carry over into the next book. I really appreciate how the locations in Europe are almost a character in the book and the author does a great job of describing the locations in every book. The only downside is that my pocketbook isn't big enough for me to take a river cruise down the Rhine to see the places mentioned in this book. Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC of this title.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Ashford Investigates #5

A birthday trip to Bonn sees amateur detective Atlanta Ashford drawn into the scandalous will of a wealthy grandmother during a scenic cruise down along the Rhine. But growing tensions lead to a sudden and shocking death, forcing suspicion all around. Atlanta must unravel a deadly web of family secrets as treacherous as the river they voyage on to find the killer.

This time Atlanta is investigating a sudden and shocking death as she travels down the Rhine. She was on holiday with Raoul when she saw Otto, the brother of a former friend and teacher associate.

I really quite like this series and the love interest between Atlanta and Raoul. Everyone seems to have secrets. The characters are well-developed, and I liked how the murder mystery played out.

Published 4th April 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #VivianConroy for my ARC of #DeathOnTheRhine in exchange for an honest review.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really look forward to the adventures of Atalanta Ashford, I have to say,
And reading this latest shows that I'll stay that way!
Atalanta unexpectedly inherited a fortune and her Grandfather's role
Being a detective now is a role she'll extol.

She decides, to celebrate her birthday, to visit Bonn with another.
Where she meets Otto Ravenhorst, her ex-colleague's brother.
He invites her to join his family cruise down the Rhine for a while
The idea sounds great and makes her smile!

However, things aren't as pleasant as they first seem
With family secrets, treachery - a nightmare not a dream!
With manipulations, mystery and lies, too,
Maybe joining them was something she shouldn't do!

Another intriguing historical cosy mystery
Set in an intriguing time in history
With a female detective following her father's lead,
Assisting others in their times of need.

For my copy of this fantastic book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atalanta is having a break in Bonn to celebrate her birthday. Raoul surprises her there and has a day planned. The day is spoiled in a couple of ways, the first being the appearance of Otto, whom she had met once as he is the brother of one of her colleagues at the school. She doesn't reveal that her circumstances have changed and he invites her to join his family for dinner that evening as he is worried that someone is trying to kill his Grandmother.. Raoul returns to his commitments and Atalanta is asked to join the family on a cruise on the Rhine.
Various things happen and all of it makes her question her abilities.
I went to the area when I was at school and the descriptions of the places mentioned are what I remember. A nice story with a twist or two.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atalanta is in Bonn, Germany, on a birthday holiday break organised by her faithful butler, Renard, who she inherited from her grandfather, along with his high-class sleuthing business. Raoul, her glamorous racing driver friend, makes an appearance, but it does not end well. Her fragile emotional state forces her to accept an unusual invitation to prevent a possible death at the request of a man she hardly knows. What follows is a river trip with unpleasant characters, who all have secrets and motivations for what happens. Atalanta questions her abilities in such a toxic ethos, but her sleuthing skills prevail. It's an immersive, cosy mystery with vivid characters, a lovely setting and a complex and courageous amateur sleuth.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Perpetual Reads (Angel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Ashford is invited by an old friend to a family river cruise in the Rhine when death strikes and she is once again called upon to solve the mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense and mystery and found each of the characters to be unique and charming, lending their own twist to the tale. I have to say, I was drawn to read to the very end, and when the plot twist began to appear and the truth began to reveal itself, I was definitely taken by surprise and shock! I am definitely adding the rest of the books in the series to my TBR!

If you are looking for a cozy murder mystery that gives Carmen Sandiego meets Benoit Blanc, then this is definitely the series for you!

Thank you @netgalley and @onemorechapter for providing me with an e-arc. All thoughts are my own.

[Kristin- Kristin's Bookstack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Atalanta Ashford has natural detective instincts and can solve any complex case. I enjoyed the complex plot of this mystery. The Robenhorst family was full of drama and everyone had a plausible motive so it was hard to pinpoint who the killer was. It was like putting together an intricate puzzle. I got lost in the story and the landscape descriptions along the Rhine River. I also enjoyed all the historical facts and myths about the region. The book ended with a cliff-hanger so I can’t wait to read the next book coming out in the Autumn of 2025!

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time we find Atalanta on a river cruise on the Rhine with an old school colleague. As usual she finds herself caught up in a murder and the detective on board had previously known her grandfather who via letters which he has written before his death, tries to help Atalanta. I love how she tries to be this independent woman of means however still would love to have a relationship with her friend Raoul. The story goes to and fro making the reader work to guess who the culprit is !!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review

[Avril Hemingway]

Death on the Rhine is the fifth book in the Miss Ashford Investigates series but the first I have read. There is sufficient background information is provided to follow along but I did find this mystery a bit easy to follow and the character's didn't really grab me. Not sure if this is down to not having read the earlier books buts that's how I felt. Enjoyable and pleasant enough but a bit forgettable for me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Miss Ashford Investigates series (but it's okay if you haven't read all four of the others yet, although I would recommend at least the first one to avoid partial spoilers), and possibly my favourite. I greatly enjoyed following Atalanta on a river cruise and discovering alongside her the secrets of the family who needed her sleuthing skills. And I also liked the parts about her friend/love interest... but now, how am I supposed to wait for the next book to find out how things will go when she sees him again?

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deftly plotted mystery with plenty of suspects and red-herrings that kept me guessing until the end. The writer did a wonderful job describing the scenery and the folklore that gave it a wonderful atmosphere.

This is the first I have read in the series (I could understand what was going on without reading any of the others), so I don't know if Miss Ashford normally dwelled this much on her relationship or regoing over motives for people but it felt repetitive. A particular comment about someone seen leaving a room with scissors just got annoying.

But other than that, I felt it was an enjoyable mystery and I would read more in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Debbie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy the Miss Ashford Investigates series , it’s a great period cosy murder mystery series set in various countries around Europe. This book spends more time considering Atalanta’s relationship with the dashing racing driver Raoul than usual. The case has lots of intrigue and red herrings to keep Atalanta on her toes. I did work it out before the big reveal. I’m looking forward to the next book as we’re left on a huge cliffhanger!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motives and Murder

This story is well written and enjoyable, with a plot that keeps you guessing, plus its message about not judging people too easily seemed to be the correct moral for this plot. As you follow the story you are drawn into a family, the past, and their dark secrets. As the secondary story about Miss Ashford's romantic liaison with Raul the racing driver comes under the spotlight it becomes harder to put this book down. As usual we are left with a cliff hanger situation...needing the next book to follow events! Excellent.

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read most of the books in this series and love seeing what Miss Ashford is up to. She asks to go on a river cruise this time, she’s asked to be companion to an 11 year who might want to kill her grandmother. When the grandmothers nurse turns up dead, who’s the killer. Love this twisty mystery reads, it keeps you guessing throughout and the author keeps you engaged. A great 4 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Vivian Conroy for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death on the Rhine coming out April 4, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A birthday trip to Bonn sees amateur detective Atalanta Ashford drawn into the scandalous will of a wealthy grandmother during a scenic cruise down along the Rhine.

But growing tensions lead to a sudden and shocking death. Facing suspicion all around, Atalanta must unravel a deadly web of family secrets as treacherous as the river they voyage on, to find the killer.


I am obsessed with historical mysteries. I have read a ton of them. I love the author. Her writing is amazing. I really love the subject matter. I thought it was fun that this was a vacation murder mystery. I would definitely read more books in the series. The characters are really fun and I’m excited to see what happens next.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical cozies!

[Alison Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Atalanta Ashford Investigates book 5. This adventure sees Atalanta on a Rhine cruise with the wealthy German family of a former schoolteacher friend. Adventures abound, red herrings galore and of course, murders. Racing driver Raoul has joined a new team and Atalanta is worried about him. Will their romance ever come to fruition?A very satisfying cosy murder set in the 1930s. And ends on a cliffhanger - can't wait for the next one. #netgalley #deathontherhine

[Lori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting historical mystery that is sure to grab your attention from page one!

Amateur detective Atalanta is on a cruise on the Rhine, going to Bonn for her birthday. Glamour, mystery, murder and suspense. What more can you ask for?

Take a fun journey and find out what happens!

[Mary Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun series

I am enjoying this series immensely. I love all the different settings. The mysteries are intriguing and not easy to solve. There are always plenty of culprits to choose from. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Maryteresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and Turns

This was a fast easy to read story. you didn't realize the twists in the story are headed your way. Fun summer read.