Cold-Blooded Murder at the Castle: A Kitty McCray Cozy Mystery

Kitty McCray Cozy Mystery #10

by Avery Kent

An English castle, a smart resourceful young sleuth and an ice house full of haunted secrets…

As autumn chills settle over Frobisher Castle, so has something far colder. When an old ice house is unearthed as well as a long-buried body, whispers of ghosts begin to swirl through the ancient halls.

Soon, American ghost hunters descend on the castle grounds, eager to prove the castle is truly haunted. But when one of them winds up dead, castle employee and amateur sleuth, Kitty McCray, finds herself chasing both specters and suspects.

As Kitty teams up with her handsome castle owner boyfriend, Inspector Haddock and her beloved cat Mittens, she must separate phantom fiction from chilling facts, as she faces ghost hunters with questionable agendas and locals with long-buried secrets.

Is there a dark secret that connects the past and present murders?

Amidst haunted legends, hidden treasures, and lies frozen in time, Kitty must thaw out the truth before the killer vanishes like a ghost in the night.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2025

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical mystery at the castle is uncovered when the new gardener finds an abandoned icehouse in the compost. Inside is a skeleton from the early 1900s linked to Richard’s many times great uncle and a missing treasure discovered on an Amazon expedition. The news of the skeleton brings a team of ghost hunters to the castle to try to make contact with the spirts. Things take a dangerous turn when the gardener is killed and a seance is held to get answers. More secrets reveal others who have ties to the ill fated treasure, and another murder is discovered. Can Kitty help Inspector Haddock untangle this puzzling mystery and put the spirits to rest?

Cold-Blooded Murder at the Castle is a seasonal treat filled with ghosts, curses, mediums, and mysteries. The autumnal setting helps with the spooky themes with misty nights tricking the eyes. Ms. Kent delivers a truly puzzling mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. Mittens lends a paw in finding clues, but Kitty is the one who puts the pieces together. The activity leading up to the reveal of the murderer was definitely well put together and brought the story to a satisfying close.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in this fun cozy mystery series set in a castle in England. Kitty summered there as a child, when she visited her grandmother, who was employed there—and still is. She played with Richard, son of the castle owners and now, as heir, owner of the castle turned hotel turned event venue. After college, Kitty visited the castle again and ended up staying, and her romance with Richard is in full bloom. In this book, it’s October, and a new gardener has discovered the old ice house, having been covered by a compost pile years ago. Unfortunately, it turns out there’s the skeleton of a murder victim hidden inside, along with an old story of a large gem that may be hidden somewhere. Some ghost hunters are staying in the castle, determined to communicate with the murder victim or other spirits said to inhabit the area. When there’s a new murder—and then another (!)—this book becomes very appropriate for reading this time of year, prior to Halloween. The story is very good and the mystery is well-written. Kitty and Richard will help the police, as has become the custom, and it’s fun to solve it along with them. I can definitely recommend this book and series; I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frobisher Castle is the place to be with its air of mystery. It’s a chill place to be but this is much too cold . What’s there to see ?Mercy me an ice house ,well I’ll be… except it’s not so nice as there’s also a dead body on ice so to speak . Well it’s enough to make anyone freak out. Amateur sleuth Kitty Macrae is here to save the day once more and it’s a triumph one that I adore each and every time . But when ghost hunters appear left right and centre to claim the castle is haunted the attention is unwarranted and not cared for and now one has turned up dead. With her boyfriend Richard who happens to be the owner of this humble abode along with Inspector Haddock and Mittens the cat they get to do some delving of their own .Well strewth this has an expiry date because the killer could be in their midst but just as well disappear without a trace nor clue of who they are or want&9 do and that won’t do . Will they catch them a killer or a ghost? Or both? Read this book and see ,it’s no mystery that this author’s work is second to none because she writes so well and it’s immersive fun . Avery Kent hon,take a bow because I love this book ,it was wow.

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another excellent written book about what can happen when you run a hotel.
There are lots of twist and turns when there are murders involved. Richard & Kitty must start digging into the past to find out who the first victim might be, and they find out there was very large emerald stone involved. It just keeps getting more complicate as the story goes and more victims. So, they know that time is running out to find out who it could be, but everyone keeps try to understand what is going on. I love how Avery can keep you so interest in the storyline and make you think about who the murder could be. I have read a few of her books and will continue to read them as they are all very good storylines.

[Giannina Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Cold-Blooded Murder at the Castle" is a fascinating cozy mystery. A skeleton is discovered in a covered over ice house. Kitty, Richard and Inspector at pulled into an age old mystery. The murder occurred just after WW 1. The mystery involves discovering who the murdered person was and unfortunely leads to two more murders. At first the Inspector can not investigate since it took place so long ago. Richard and Kitty have to go records from the castle. Their are multiple suspects and unravelling the suspects is very interesting. I highly recommended this lasted addition to the Castle Mysteries.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another Kitty and Richard story at the Frobisher Castle. This time we have ghost hunters filming what is supposed to be the haunted castle. Then the gardener finds a doorway into what is thought to be an old ice house and a skeleton is found in it. With the things found with it they decide that he was a friend of his three times great uncle that went with him into the Amazon and found a cursed emerald. Unfortunately, they also end up with murders on the grounds that Kitty and The Inspector have to solve. As with all the Kitty McCray stories this is a good one and makes you think when they solve the case.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story!

A very fascinating, engaging story that I loved and highly recommend to others.  Kitty, Lord Frobisher and their lovable fur babies, Mittens and Flint, investigate yet another murder at the castle. The input of the regular cast of the castle characters, as well as the castle guests, adds depth and humour to this story.  I definitely did not see the clever ending coming.  What a surprising and unexpected twist.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunted castle?

The discovery of a skeleton in a forgotten ice house disrupts preparations for Halloween at Frobisher Castle. As guests check out, a team of ghost hunters checks in, looking for proof of a haunting. When a member of their team is murdered, Kitty, Richard, and Inspector Haddock begin unearthing secrets, rumors, and treasures.

Avery Kent has delivered another excellent mystery. The clues are fun to follow. How Mittens always manages to escape and assist in the case is another mystery altogether! I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Robin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and entertaining entry in this series! A mystery with ties to the past and a crew of “ghost hunters” recording at the castle have Kitty, Richard, and Mittens the cat investigating spooky shenanigans. Realistic and relatable characters in an interesting plot kept me turning pages! I have enjoyed all of this author’s books. Highly recommended!
I received a free copy from the author, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Jodi Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is autumn at the castle and the guests are ghost-hunters. So of course a body shows up in the ice house. One of the ghost hunters is a medium (or so she says) and wants to hold a seance to reach out. There ends up being a couple of bodies and Kitty and her companions to determine who the murderer is before she ends up closed down. What a fun series and I love the characters. It is very well written and keeps you guessing along the way with all the twists and turns.

[Cat B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series but I think this is my favorite. A decades old crime leading to a present mystery/crime. Ghost hunters, a cursed gem and murder most foul. A nice roundup of plausible culprits and possible suspects and Kitty, Richard and Inspector Haddock on the trail. Oh what fun this was.
I received a copy of this book via the author and I voluntarily leave my opinion of the tale.

[L.a.l · Rating 5 out of 5]

Setting up for the Halloween holiday at the castle should not involve solving a decades old murder, but then what is just another ghostly event.
When ghost-busters book into the castle following a report of ghosts at the castle, murder follows and all kinds of "spirits" are seen or heard. At least that is what seems to be happening. With loads of suspects and an unexpected ending, you have to read from cover to cover. Great writing!!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the storyline in this book. Lots of twists and turns and a great build up to a surprise ending. And, of course, Mittens was up to her neck in helping to solve the mystery.

I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is both voluntary and honest. I highly recommend not only this book but the entire series. I loved the book so much that I purchased a ebook when it became available.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book in this series (all can be read standalone). Characters that are so warmhearted and working together, and a storyline that keeps you guessing to the end, and some animal help make this the perfect cozy mystery to relax with. Wonderful to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty teams up with her handsome castle owner boyfriend, Inspector Haddock and her beloved cat Mittens, she must separate phantom fiction from chilling facts. She faces ghost hunters with questionable agendas and long-buried secrets.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series with more murders at the castle, both old and new, and mistaken identity!
Kitty sets out to investigate the skelton in the Ice House, looking up old journals in the study and discovering Richard’s hidden family history from World War One. Flint and Mittens both help as they unearth bodies and clues. Interesting and entertaining.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ice house is uncovered on Forbisher Castle grounds along with a dead body inside. Ghost hunters flock to the grounds to prove the castle is haunted. But then one of the ghost hunters is found murdered. Kitty, along with the rest of the castle, must uncover what is going on and solve the murder. Another great mystery by Avery Kent.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty McCray is on an unusual journey with murder, ghost hunters, and lots of suspense. There is a lot more than it seemed to this mystery . An intriguing read. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers .

[Lavada Haga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love the Kitty McCray Cozy Mystery series! The mystery is intriguing. The characters are great. I would love to stay at the castle. It all comes together as a very enjoyable story.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, the series is entertaining and filled with action and adventure. The interaction and chemistry between the characters is great. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Cheryl Bourdet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting tale for October

Just happened to finish this series on 30 October and it’s a delightful read! Has everything spooktacular and quite charming plus leaves you wanting another episode!

[Kestrelmorn Geiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ghost hunting stuff, so this was a lot of fun. Didn't guess whodunnit either.

[Penny Perse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Blooded Murder at the Castle

Great story because it really kept my attention. I’m still not sure if it is completely finished. It felt kind of hung in the air.

[Diane]

Do you believe in ghosts? A team of ghost hunters come to the castle to search for them. With this activity we find it leads to the past and four men who were buddies and a expensive stone they find in their travels. Only a few dead bodies old and new.