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French Village Mystery #2
The Chateau Murder
Don't miss the next utterly gripping and escapist cosy crime mystery in the French Village Mystery series - The Chateau Murder is available for pre-order now!
Wish accidental detective Zoe Pascal bonne chance as she finds herself embroiled in another murder!
Zoe Pascal has settled into her new life in the picturesque village of Sainte-Catherine, running her beloved bookshop with her new companion, Russell the dog.
When an old friend invites Zoe to join her family at Chateau Palotte for the holidays, Zoe heads off into the French countryside to the grand, yet slightly dilapidated, castle.
But there's a frosty atmosphere at the chateau - and when the butler is found dead, Zoe is forced to Was this an accident, or is there a murderer in the grounds?
Soon, Zoe uncovers that everyone staying at the chateau has a motive for murder - can she uncover the truth, before they strike again?
Wish accidental detective Zoe Pascal bonne chance as she finds herself embroiled in another murder!
Zoe Pascal has settled into her new life in the picturesque village of Sainte-Catherine, running her beloved bookshop with her new companion, Russell the dog.
When an old friend invites Zoe to join her family at Chateau Palotte for the holidays, Zoe heads off into the French countryside to the grand, yet slightly dilapidated, castle.
But there's a frosty atmosphere at the chateau - and when the butler is found dead, Zoe is forced to Was this an accident, or is there a murderer in the grounds?
Soon, Zoe uncovers that everyone staying at the chateau has a motive for murder - can she uncover the truth, before they strike again?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2026
36 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 13, 2026
ARC REVIEW
This was such a cozy, comforting read with just the right amount of intrigue. I went in expecting a classic whodunit, but what I loved most was the atmosphere. A snowy French countryside, a slightly crumbling chateau, and a cast of characters who all seem to be hiding something.
Zoe Pascal continues to be a protagonist I really enjoy following. She’s observant without being over-the-top, curious without being reckless, and she feels very human. I liked watching her piece things together while also navigating friendships, old memories, and the strange dynamics inside the chateau.
The mystery itself genuinely kept me guessing. I went through multiple theories, changed my mind more than once, and still didn’t fully see the ending coming. That’s always a win for me in a cozy mystery. The motives were layered, and I appreciated how the story handled darker themes without losing its warm, comforting tone.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. It’s perfect for curling up with a cup of tea and letting yourself get absorbed in the setting. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing with this series.
This was such a cozy, comforting read with just the right amount of intrigue. I went in expecting a classic whodunit, but what I loved most was the atmosphere. A snowy French countryside, a slightly crumbling chateau, and a cast of characters who all seem to be hiding something.
Zoe Pascal continues to be a protagonist I really enjoy following. She’s observant without being over-the-top, curious without being reckless, and she feels very human. I liked watching her piece things together while also navigating friendships, old memories, and the strange dynamics inside the chateau.
The mystery itself genuinely kept me guessing. I went through multiple theories, changed my mind more than once, and still didn’t fully see the ending coming. That’s always a win for me in a cozy mystery. The motives were layered, and I appreciated how the story handled darker themes without losing its warm, comforting tone.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. It’s perfect for curling up with a cup of tea and letting yourself get absorbed in the setting. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing with this series.
February 9, 2026
[NetGalley Read #62]
3.75 ⭐️
"Those that have, they don't need to give much thought to those that don't."
Good. A bit slow in the middle but a satisfying conclusion makes up for it.
Like the last book (The French Bookshop Murder) in this series, the plot revolves around two things: Murder and family tensions among the residents of Château Palotte (in the previous book, it was 'murder' and 'a treasure hunt'). Similarly, the family drama (like the treasure hunt in the last book), with good reason, takes the centre stage in this story. And it's written very well. The examination of a complex family with its many members under a well-meaning patriarch is quite enjoyable to read. I really liked the conclusion of this.
The number of characters in this story are less than there were in the previous one. And that, I think, makes for a tighter, concentrated story that can focus more on the characters and really lets them grow and shine. The setting and the atmosphere helps in that regard too. I also like the variety of characters. The entitled Marie-France. The practical Elizabeth. The charming Isabelle. The worried Adélaïde. The curious Junior. Both sets of twins with their own problems and quirks and ambitions.
The perspective changes from third person to first person are a bit of a mixed bag for me. It's done well for the most part. But, in some places, it just...irks me.
This book is written in a way that makes it accessible for anyone who hasn't read the previous entry in this series. While that's good news for the new readers, it might get a wee bit tiring for the familiar readers to read the stuff they already know and are aware of some of the elements about Zoe and her past and her relationship with Maisie and the details of The French Bookshop Murder.
It's easy to read. Short-ish to medium length (350+ pages). Here's hoping that by the time of Zoe's next adventure, the weather has finally 'turned'.
Recommended. 👍
3.75 ⭐️
"Those that have, they don't need to give much thought to those that don't."
Good. A bit slow in the middle but a satisfying conclusion makes up for it.
Like the last book (The French Bookshop Murder) in this series, the plot revolves around two things: Murder and family tensions among the residents of Château Palotte (in the previous book, it was 'murder' and 'a treasure hunt'). Similarly, the family drama (like the treasure hunt in the last book), with good reason, takes the centre stage in this story. And it's written very well. The examination of a complex family with its many members under a well-meaning patriarch is quite enjoyable to read. I really liked the conclusion of this.
The number of characters in this story are less than there were in the previous one. And that, I think, makes for a tighter, concentrated story that can focus more on the characters and really lets them grow and shine. The setting and the atmosphere helps in that regard too. I also like the variety of characters. The entitled Marie-France. The practical Elizabeth. The charming Isabelle. The worried Adélaïde. The curious Junior. Both sets of twins with their own problems and quirks and ambitions.
The perspective changes from third person to first person are a bit of a mixed bag for me. It's done well for the most part. But, in some places, it just...irks me.
This book is written in a way that makes it accessible for anyone who hasn't read the previous entry in this series. While that's good news for the new readers, it might get a wee bit tiring for the familiar readers to read the stuff they already know and are aware of some of the elements about Zoe and her past and her relationship with Maisie and the details of The French Bookshop Murder.
It's easy to read. Short-ish to medium length (350+ pages). Here's hoping that by the time of Zoe's next adventure, the weather has finally 'turned'.
Recommended. 👍
Read
December 22, 2025 This is the second book in the series, but you don't need to have read the first book to understand the returning characters. There is a recap of the previous book.
The butler for the chateau is murdered, and it's like nothing ever happened. The characters in this book were completely shallow and unlikable. It was difficult to get into the story, because of this fact. I didn't feel invested in the story or the mystery or motivations.
One item that needed to be revised in this story was there was a conversation about a child's Playstation being taken away. Then there is a question about the kid's favorite game. The kid says Zelda. Zelda is Nintendo exclusively. This was not researched or caught by editing.
Overall, there was not enough character development in this story or post-editing.
The butler for the chateau is murdered, and it's like nothing ever happened. The characters in this book were completely shallow and unlikable. It was difficult to get into the story, because of this fact. I didn't feel invested in the story or the mystery or motivations.
One item that needed to be revised in this story was there was a conversation about a child's Playstation being taken away. Then there is a question about the kid's favorite game. The kid says Zelda. Zelda is Nintendo exclusively. This was not researched or caught by editing.
Overall, there was not enough character development in this story or post-editing.
December 5, 2025
** “I need to know what it feels like to kill.” **
Greg Mosse continues his French Village Mystery series with “The Chateau Murder.”
When village bookstore owner Zoe Pascal’s friend Adelaide Amour asks Zoe to travel to her family’s chateau in nearby Saint-Paul-de-Palotte, she’s reluctant to go but doesn’t want to disappoint her friend. It’s the 70th birthday celebration of Adelaide’s husband, Primo, and his twin brother Boris, and a really big deal in the small town.
But Zoe quickly realizes things aren’t as they seem at the chateau. Repairs are needed. Staff is down to one — a butler named Monsieur Alaine. And a lot of family members live under one roof, including ex-wives, with a lot of drama.
When a death occurs, though, Zoe’s mystery instincts kick in. Can she figure out what’s truly going on at Chateau Palotte, before more devastation occurs?
Perhaps a tad darker in tone than Mosse’s “The French Bookshop Murder,” “The Chateau Murder” is filled with a lot of twists and turns, misdirections, and intriguing and enigmatic characters. Mosse does a great job of delivering a thrilling story, all while filling it with some good themes, like the power of bitterness, jealousy and passive aggression; can people have an evil will with a malign intent; the past always seems to intrude on the present; “Murder is like an infection or a bad smell. Nothing and no one is left untainted”; and neither nothing good nor nothing bad lasts forever.
Fans of cozy mysteries, Mosse’s “Maisie” series, which is frequently referenced, and slightly darker authors like Ruth Ware and Sarah Pearce will enjoy “The Chateau Murder,” which is due out Jan. 15.
Five stars out of five.
Hodder & Stoughton provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Greg Mosse continues his French Village Mystery series with “The Chateau Murder.”
When village bookstore owner Zoe Pascal’s friend Adelaide Amour asks Zoe to travel to her family’s chateau in nearby Saint-Paul-de-Palotte, she’s reluctant to go but doesn’t want to disappoint her friend. It’s the 70th birthday celebration of Adelaide’s husband, Primo, and his twin brother Boris, and a really big deal in the small town.
But Zoe quickly realizes things aren’t as they seem at the chateau. Repairs are needed. Staff is down to one — a butler named Monsieur Alaine. And a lot of family members live under one roof, including ex-wives, with a lot of drama.
When a death occurs, though, Zoe’s mystery instincts kick in. Can she figure out what’s truly going on at Chateau Palotte, before more devastation occurs?
Perhaps a tad darker in tone than Mosse’s “The French Bookshop Murder,” “The Chateau Murder” is filled with a lot of twists and turns, misdirections, and intriguing and enigmatic characters. Mosse does a great job of delivering a thrilling story, all while filling it with some good themes, like the power of bitterness, jealousy and passive aggression; can people have an evil will with a malign intent; the past always seems to intrude on the present; “Murder is like an infection or a bad smell. Nothing and no one is left untainted”; and neither nothing good nor nothing bad lasts forever.
Fans of cozy mysteries, Mosse’s “Maisie” series, which is frequently referenced, and slightly darker authors like Ruth Ware and Sarah Pearce will enjoy “The Chateau Murder,” which is due out Jan. 15.
Five stars out of five.
Hodder & Stoughton provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kindle (ARC)
📃 336 pages
⏱ Approx. 4 hours read
🏷️ Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
📅 Expected publication: January 15, 2026
📖 Genre: Mystery
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley
I'll say this upfront: I liked The Chateau Murder better than The French Bookshop Murder. While the first installment laid the groundwork for Zoe Pascal's life and move to Sainte-Catherine, the second book felt more complete and confident in its storytelling, even without leaning heavily on the backstory. In fact, this could very easily be read as a standalone, which works in its favor.
This classic closed-house mystery setup gets a delicious tweak with the butler as the victim. Talk about flipping the script! The brooding, slightly dilapidated chateau sets the perfect dark and tense atmosphere for holiday murder, and Zoe Pascal has her hands full, wrangling a house full of jittery, motive-loaded characters. The frosty tensions build nicely, and the mystery keeps you guessing.
That said, while the premise is strong and the reading experience pleasant, it never quite grabbed me by the collar. The mystery unfolds competently, but without the spark that makes you desperate to know what happens next. I found myself enjoying the process rather than being truly invested in the outcome.
Would I Recommend it?
The Chateau Murder is a perfectly nice, atmospheric cozy mystery with a grand French chateau, nervy holiday guests, and a dead butler who shakes up the classic formula. This one's worth a weekend read. However, this is not a series I'll follow any longer.
Chateau Secrets or Cozy Comfort?
Do you love a slow-burn, atmospheric cozy mystery set in an old chateau, or do you need a mystery to fully pull you in from page one? Tell me which camp you're in.
📃 336 pages
⏱ Approx. 4 hours read
🏷️ Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
📅 Expected publication: January 15, 2026
📖 Genre: Mystery
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley
I'll say this upfront: I liked The Chateau Murder better than The French Bookshop Murder. While the first installment laid the groundwork for Zoe Pascal's life and move to Sainte-Catherine, the second book felt more complete and confident in its storytelling, even without leaning heavily on the backstory. In fact, this could very easily be read as a standalone, which works in its favor.
This classic closed-house mystery setup gets a delicious tweak with the butler as the victim. Talk about flipping the script! The brooding, slightly dilapidated chateau sets the perfect dark and tense atmosphere for holiday murder, and Zoe Pascal has her hands full, wrangling a house full of jittery, motive-loaded characters. The frosty tensions build nicely, and the mystery keeps you guessing.
That said, while the premise is strong and the reading experience pleasant, it never quite grabbed me by the collar. The mystery unfolds competently, but without the spark that makes you desperate to know what happens next. I found myself enjoying the process rather than being truly invested in the outcome.
Would I Recommend it?
The Chateau Murder is a perfectly nice, atmospheric cozy mystery with a grand French chateau, nervy holiday guests, and a dead butler who shakes up the classic formula. This one's worth a weekend read. However, this is not a series I'll follow any longer.
Chateau Secrets or Cozy Comfort?
Do you love a slow-burn, atmospheric cozy mystery set in an old chateau, or do you need a mystery to fully pull you in from page one? Tell me which camp you're in.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a cute mystery! The cover of the novel grabbed me immediately. A murder at a French château? Sign me up!
This is the second book in the series, but it's not necessary to have read the first one (I haven't, yet). The characters reference the happenings of the first book often enough I felt like I had an idea of what went down, and the action didn't impact this book at all, except that our supporting cast knows that Zoe is clever enough to solve a case.
It felt like I was in a classic episode from a TV detective drama. The murder and mystery were well plotted, with lots of little red herrings. I appreciate that the setting was very French, with the nods to the countryside, weather, food, and language. All of the side characters were interesting, if not typical of this kind of episodic mystery. I felt like I could predict what each of Boris's wives would be like before they opened their mouths. On top of that, all of the residents of Château Palotte were exactly as annoying as I imagined they would be.
I rated this book 4 stars because of how quickly it ended. The pacing went well until the book was about to wrap up. It was too abrupt for me, that the person revealed themselves too abruptly. The clue/inciting incident for doing so was a bit more ham-fistedly placed than all previous clues as well. However, outside of this, I enjoyed this cute mystery, and will be going back to the first book to find out how Zoe got her start with her bookshop.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC!
This is the second book in the series, but it's not necessary to have read the first one (I haven't, yet). The characters reference the happenings of the first book often enough I felt like I had an idea of what went down, and the action didn't impact this book at all, except that our supporting cast knows that Zoe is clever enough to solve a case.
It felt like I was in a classic episode from a TV detective drama. The murder and mystery were well plotted, with lots of little red herrings. I appreciate that the setting was very French, with the nods to the countryside, weather, food, and language. All of the side characters were interesting, if not typical of this kind of episodic mystery. I felt like I could predict what each of Boris's wives would be like before they opened their mouths. On top of that, all of the residents of Château Palotte were exactly as annoying as I imagined they would be.
I rated this book 4 stars because of how quickly it ended. The pacing went well until the book was about to wrap up. It was too abrupt for me, that the person revealed themselves too abruptly. The clue/inciting incident for doing so was a bit more ham-fistedly placed than all previous clues as well. However, outside of this, I enjoyed this cute mystery, and will be going back to the first book to find out how Zoe got her start with her bookshop.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC!
November 23, 2025
Greg Mosse’s The Chateau Murder is a charmingly atmospheric cozy crime that blends intrigue with warmth. We return to Sainte-Catherine, where accidental detective Zoe Pascal has settled into her new life running a bookshop with her loyal dog, Russell. When she accepts an invitation to spend the holidays at Chateau Palotte, the grand yet slightly faded castle seems the perfect festive escape—until the butler is found dead.
What follows is a classic whodunit with a modern touch. Mosse fills the chateau with a cast of guests, each carrying secrets and motives, and Zoe must untangle the truth before the murderer strikes again. The setting is richly drawn: frosty landscapes, candlelit dinners, and the quiet tension of a house where everyone is under suspicion.
This isn’t a story of gore or grit, but of atmosphere, character, and puzzle-solving. The pleasure lies in watching Zoe’s sharp instincts and gentle persistence uncover layers of deception, all while the cozy trappings of village life and holiday cheer provide a comforting backdrop.
The Chateau Murder is escapist, engaging, and elegantly written—a mystery that invites you to curl up with a blanket, savor the clues, and enjoy the ride.
With thanks to Greg Mosse, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
What follows is a classic whodunit with a modern touch. Mosse fills the chateau with a cast of guests, each carrying secrets and motives, and Zoe must untangle the truth before the murderer strikes again. The setting is richly drawn: frosty landscapes, candlelit dinners, and the quiet tension of a house where everyone is under suspicion.
This isn’t a story of gore or grit, but of atmosphere, character, and puzzle-solving. The pleasure lies in watching Zoe’s sharp instincts and gentle persistence uncover layers of deception, all while the cozy trappings of village life and holiday cheer provide a comforting backdrop.
The Chateau Murder is escapist, engaging, and elegantly written—a mystery that invites you to curl up with a blanket, savor the clues, and enjoy the ride.
With thanks to Greg Mosse, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, thank you Netgalley as well as Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC!
Soooo... I did not realize this was part of a series. I just needed another cozy mystery to read and really felt drawn in by the cover and the blurb. Therefore, it was not exactly easy to get into the story at first - simply because I did not read the other book - but it was still a good read. The writing style did really create a rich and cozy atmosphere, even when sometimes it felt sort of slow when it came to the progesss of the story.
There were also some dark tones under all the cozyness, though, which you maybe would not expect with such a book, and there were also a lot of twists and turns along the way after the dead butler turned up and it is on Zoe to figure out what is going on in this French Chateau and who was responsible for the murder. I also really did enjoy Zoe as a character as well as - of course - her dog Russell. And bonus point for her being a bookshop owner! The other characters.... well, let's just say, they are not the most likeable people on the planet. At least, in my opinion.
All in all, I can recommend this book, even though, maybe read the first instalment of the series first!
Soooo... I did not realize this was part of a series. I just needed another cozy mystery to read and really felt drawn in by the cover and the blurb. Therefore, it was not exactly easy to get into the story at first - simply because I did not read the other book - but it was still a good read. The writing style did really create a rich and cozy atmosphere, even when sometimes it felt sort of slow when it came to the progesss of the story.
There were also some dark tones under all the cozyness, though, which you maybe would not expect with such a book, and there were also a lot of twists and turns along the way after the dead butler turned up and it is on Zoe to figure out what is going on in this French Chateau and who was responsible for the murder. I also really did enjoy Zoe as a character as well as - of course - her dog Russell. And bonus point for her being a bookshop owner! The other characters.... well, let's just say, they are not the most likeable people on the planet. At least, in my opinion.
All in all, I can recommend this book, even though, maybe read the first instalment of the series first!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Zoe Pascal has settled into her new life in the picturesque village of Sainte-Catherine, running her beloved bookshop with her new companion, Russell the dog. When an old friend invites Zoe to join her family at Chateau Palotte for a birthday celebration, Zoe heads off into the French countryside to the grand, yet slightly dilapidated, castle. But it’s not only the weather that’s frosty at the chateau - and when the butler is found dead, Zoe wonders if this an accident, or is there a murderer in the grounds? Especially when she finds a branch which could have lain across the path.
Zoe’s second outing & another well written cosy mystery. I must admit Zoe was the only person I liked & unfortunately the more I read the more I disliked the residents of the Chateau. They were self centred & the way they treated Zoe was appalling, the final straw was when they didn’t leave her any lasagne! There were plenty of secrets, red herrings & twists & turns before the denouement. The pace was more of a walk then a run & the ending was satisfying. I look forward to more of Zoe’s adventures
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Zoe’s second outing & another well written cosy mystery. I must admit Zoe was the only person I liked & unfortunately the more I read the more I disliked the residents of the Chateau. They were self centred & the way they treated Zoe was appalling, the final straw was when they didn’t leave her any lasagne! There were plenty of secrets, red herrings & twists & turns before the denouement. The pace was more of a walk then a run & the ending was satisfying. I look forward to more of Zoe’s adventures
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story follows Zoe as she's invited to stay with an old friend at Chateau Pallotte for the holidays, when she suddenly finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery.
Locked-room style mystery, where everyone has a motive, and described as cosy, this book should have been right up my alley. Unfortunately, it fell short for me. It was rather bleak as opposed to cosy, and the writing was disjointed it was often difficult to follow dialogue. All of the characters are a bit drab and their personalities didn't differ so it was difficult to connect or discern between them.
There is a lot of useless, filler information and descriptions. Unfortunately I found it all quite boring. It may need a bit of polishing in editing, and certainly the e-book file requires proper formatting as it was very choppy to read on Kindle.
This book may be great for fans of slow-burn mysteries, it just wasn't for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Locked-room style mystery, where everyone has a motive, and described as cosy, this book should have been right up my alley. Unfortunately, it fell short for me. It was rather bleak as opposed to cosy, and the writing was disjointed it was often difficult to follow dialogue. All of the characters are a bit drab and their personalities didn't differ so it was difficult to connect or discern between them.
There is a lot of useless, filler information and descriptions. Unfortunately I found it all quite boring. It may need a bit of polishing in editing, and certainly the e-book file requires proper formatting as it was very choppy to read on Kindle.
This book may be great for fans of slow-burn mysteries, it just wasn't for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 22, 2026
Zoe Pascal and Russell return in this sequel to The French Bookshop Murder. Zoe is invited by long time friend Adelaide to visit the chateau where she resides with her husband and his family. Each year Adelaide’s husband Primo and his twin brother have huge birthday celebrations with the local town and this one proves to be one to be remembered. When a snowstorm comes through and the beloved butler is found dead on the outside walkway, things get interesting and the family’s secrets start to unravel.
While a good cozy mystery, this book leaves something to be desired as I had hoped to find out more concerning the mystery surrounding Zoe and Adelaide’s acquaintance and history as it was mentioned several times in the first book as well. I still love the imagery of French countryside woven throughout the book though!
Thanks to #NetGalley for providing me the ARC in exchange for my review.
While a good cozy mystery, this book leaves something to be desired as I had hoped to find out more concerning the mystery surrounding Zoe and Adelaide’s acquaintance and history as it was mentioned several times in the first book as well. I still love the imagery of French countryside woven throughout the book though!
Thanks to #NetGalley for providing me the ARC in exchange for my review.
January 19, 2026
When an old acquaintance contacts her and asks her to visit the family chateau in early January, Zoe Pascal isn't too keen. The chateau is cold but former actress Adelaide is insistent that she attends for the birthday celebrations of her husband, Primo, and his twin brother. It is clear that Zoe has her work cut out with an entitled extended family and then the first death occurs. Accident or murder, Zoe isn't sure until the second death occurs...
The setting for these novels is wonderful, a remote and beautiful part of the South of France and the author's love for the French lifestyle is evident. I find it a little too forgettable at times but that is often the case with this sort of book - great to read when in the moment but doesn't really leave much behind. that's not a problem as this is very cosy crime and as such it really succeeds.
The setting for these novels is wonderful, a remote and beautiful part of the South of France and the author's love for the French lifestyle is evident. I find it a little too forgettable at times but that is often the case with this sort of book - great to read when in the moment but doesn't really leave much behind. that's not a problem as this is very cosy crime and as such it really succeeds.
January 21, 2026
The Chateau Murder is an enjoyable crime novel with a great setting — because a murder in a château automatically feels more dramatic (and far more glamorous) than one anywhere else. The atmosphere is one of the book’s strongest points, and the mystery itself was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
That said, I didn’t fully connect with all of the characters, and the pacing dipped in places, which pulled me out of the story now and then. It’s one of those books I liked while I was reading it, but didn’t immediately feel the urge to rave about once I’d finished.
Overall, this was a solid 3 out of 5 stars for me: a good read with a compelling setting, even if it didn’t quite blow me away.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I didn’t fully connect with all of the characters, and the pacing dipped in places, which pulled me out of the story now and then. It’s one of those books I liked while I was reading it, but didn’t immediately feel the urge to rave about once I’d finished.
Overall, this was a solid 3 out of 5 stars for me: a good read with a compelling setting, even if it didn’t quite blow me away.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2026
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Publication date: 15th January 2026
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Review rate: 3.75/5 (rounded up)
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Thank you Greg Mosse, Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for opportunity to read and review this book!
In all honesty I went into this book never touching the first book and had no problem enjoying the story even in the slightest. Author writing style was very pleasant for the eye and I liked dropping info about situations from book 1 as it helped me grasps some of these more easily and gave impression of The Chateau Murder being standalone.
Very cosy and comfortable read, something that I will appreciate especially after busy day at work, when i look for comfort within book. If you look for some cosy mystery with French chateau, a dead butler and very nosy and nervy guests, then it may be book for you!
Publication date: 15th January 2026
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Review rate: 3.75/5 (rounded up)
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Thank you Greg Mosse, Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for opportunity to read and review this book!
In all honesty I went into this book never touching the first book and had no problem enjoying the story even in the slightest. Author writing style was very pleasant for the eye and I liked dropping info about situations from book 1 as it helped me grasps some of these more easily and gave impression of The Chateau Murder being standalone.
Very cosy and comfortable read, something that I will appreciate especially after busy day at work, when i look for comfort within book. If you look for some cosy mystery with French chateau, a dead butler and very nosy and nervy guests, then it may be book for you!
February 4, 2026
2 1/2 stars. The writer has delivered an atmospheric winter mystery set in a crumbling chateau during a bad snow storm. You can feel the cold winds blowing through the corridors as the mystery skates along. There are all the suspects you could want without it being overwhelming and lots of twists because no one in this dysfunctional family is in the clear. Zoe, a visitor, will have to work overtime to keep herself and her rescue dog safe from a cunning killer.
This one kept me guessing. I loved the winter atmosphere. I recommend reading it with a cup of hot chocolate. Overall, a decent mystery though I thought that there were too many mentions of the previous story. Also, Zoe didn't do that much detecting. She thought and talked a lot more than finding clues in my opinion.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This one kept me guessing. I loved the winter atmosphere. I recommend reading it with a cup of hot chocolate. Overall, a decent mystery though I thought that there were too many mentions of the previous story. Also, Zoe didn't do that much detecting. She thought and talked a lot more than finding clues in my opinion.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
February 5, 2026
Set in an isolated snow bound setting the first death of an old butler seemed like an accident waiting to happen.. Zoe has been invited by her friends to come. It seems like a desperate summons. When she arrives
however, the friend is evasive and an occasion for a chat seems almost impossible. Undercurrents run high between the aged twin brothers, and having three ex wives on the premises does not augur well. The only child on the premises is strange as well, moulded and influenced by very complicated adults.
The story is a complicated one and I didn’t see the end or the murderer clearly at all. The setting was descriptive and the characters were very varied.
however, the friend is evasive and an occasion for a chat seems almost impossible. Undercurrents run high between the aged twin brothers, and having three ex wives on the premises does not augur well. The only child on the premises is strange as well, moulded and influenced by very complicated adults.
The story is a complicated one and I didn’t see the end or the murderer clearly at all. The setting was descriptive and the characters were very varied.
November 27, 2025
grippingly effective mystery with some fantastic writing throughout from the start to the end of it. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
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