A Study in Gold

Oxford Dog Walker Crime Thrillers #3

by Annie Dalton

A Second World War-themed murder mystery weekend ends in murder for real.



Having reluctantly agreed to make up the numbers at a World War II-themed murder mystery weekend at Mortmead Hall, Anna Hopkins and her fellow dogwalkers, Isadora and Tansy, enjoy themselves far more than they’d expected. Not for long. The weekend’s festivities come to an abrupt halt when a body is discovered floating in the ornamental pond.



Who was the mysterious woman in the red dress who attended the event without a ticket? As Anna and her friends delve further, they find themselves caught up in a web of intrigue that leads to a lost painting and a devastating wartime secret: a secret that involves Anna’s own family. Was her late father really guilty of a monstrous crime …?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, British Literature

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2017

About the author

Annie grew up as an only child in the English countryside during the 1950s. Her father was not always around but when he was, he would tell her fantastical stories, often with her as the principal character. Annie missed him and his stories, which led her to the fantasy section at her local library, thus sparking life-long love of fiction.

After undertaking jobs such as waitressing, cleaning and factory work, Annie went on to study at University of Warwick and soon started writing.

Annie lives in Norfolk. She has three children, Anna, Reuben, and Maria (the inspiration for the first “Angels Unlimited” book, “Winging It”) and two grandchildren, Sophie and Isabella.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story in the Oxford Dog Walkers series, although the ending did seem a bit rushed. The case was solved and, boom, the story ended. The epilogue tied up some loose ends, but I felt a bit cheated out of reading some of those conversations as they happened. There were also a few other moments throughout the book that felt abrupt or disjointed.

I would read the series again, so it's a "high" 3 star rating, rather than a "just barely" 3.

[Judy Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley and Severn House Publishers. Thank you.

This is the third book in the Oxford dog walkers series and appears to be the final book. I don't know that for sure, but information I saw listed this as the third book of three. If I'm not correct and the series continues, I will not be reading more. Most of the loose ends are more or less tied up with the ending, just not quite all of them. I'm actually glad to see this because I had already decided this would be my last book to read concerning the three women who had become friends only because they happened upon each other as they walked their dogs. My interest initially had been in hoping the white German Shepherd belonging to Annie would figure into the solving of crimes or at the very least, in the investigative process. When that didn't happen I began to lose interest.

So once again the main character is Annie and she is still trying to find the clue which will lead her to the identity of the murderer of her parents and siblings. Her mental health has been much improved by ownership of Bonnie, her dog, and making friends with Tansy and Isabella so when clues about a murder which took place during a Mystery Murder night at a crumbling manor house begin to point to Annie's past she is able to cope well with what she learns. The murder clues lead to a missing Vermeer painting called A Study in Gold. Did Annie's father know of this painting when he was the owner of an antiques shop or is the painting a figment of one man's imagination?

I enjoyed the book, but as I said previously I had already decided this would be my last time to read a book from this series. The writing is good but I didn't feel any kind of connection to any of the three women. The plots also didn't keep me glued to the pages. Not a bad series, just not engaging enough to make me eager to read more.

[Barb M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable book once I got through the first few chapters. Some of the things that happened, both past and present, seemed a bit too over-the-top. Yes, people have lived through things our three main characters have, but what are the odds that a woman whose family was murdered, a woman whose father was a crime boss, and a woman who was almost manipulated into joining a spy ring by a sociopath, would all meet and become friends, over walking dogs? Part of a journey taken in this story also seemed superfluous, although I'm guessing one of the characters we saw may show up in a further book? If not, this just seemed like wish fulfillment that didn't add anything to the story. 3.5 stars.

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read #1 & #3 (this one) and am still waiting for #2. There was a lot of back story from #1 & #2 to get through before this one finally started. I would say it's a very weak 4, but too good for just a 3. Lots of action and angst, but a trip on the Orient Express and several elaborate teas made for interesting reading. I love reading about Innsbruck. I spent the night there in December of 1972. We arrived by train a snowstorm and left the next morning. The sky was that unreal high altitude blue, and the white peaks sparkled as if they had been sprinkled with fairy dust.

[David Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the three books, the stories are good, the characters (including the dogs) are good. I have just started another book by an author I have read before and it made me realise how well written the books by Annie Dalton are. Cannot specify why just that they much better than the average. I hope that there will be another. My reviews don’t tell the details of the books unlike some people just my impression.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m giving 2 stars bc this book seemed to tank out the whole series. It wasn’t as strong as the others and felt like authors were trying to do too much and not much at the same time. Epilogue jumped ahead a year so I assume this is the end and there was a desperate attempt to try to wrap up what they started (while still leaving so many unanswered and unsatisfying questions). Fail.

[Louisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, from these authors, a very good book.

I’m starting to really understand the Oxford Dog Walker series. I wouldn’t call them cozy mysteries, as I was initially looking for, but there’s enough intrigue and less “bodies hanging from rafters” that are typically part of an intense murder mystery.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful engaging characters.

I have enjoyed all the books in this very well written series. Intriguing storyline and oh so many suspects for the dog walking detectives. Great descriptive writing of each scene and believable dialogue. Recommend the series.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. A really great mystery. I hope that there will more in the series than just the 3. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a really great mystery.

[Rita J. McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series.

Interesting plots and engaging characters. Anna's history is a bit dark for a cozy mystery but the unlikely combination of the three main characters and the plot lines makes for a great read.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these characters & hate for the series to end. This one had an intriguing plot that still didn’t resolve all my questions about the central character’s family, but it did make my heart race a bit & my mind tickle to figure out who to trust & not. Well done.

[Mary Nuttelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing mystery that has an art theft and its restitution at its core. Not knowing who to believe until the end, the end was nicely tied up, with the main characters coming to terms with the events in their personal lives.

[Carola Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely books

I read all three books back to back and I loved them. I am sad that there are no more books in this series . Maybe at some point there will be. I would like to know what happened to Anna’s family.

[Nancy]

Dogwalker #3 - Oxford.

[Barb McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pins and Needles Mystery

The 3rd book of the Oxford Dog Walkers is as good as the first—had me wanting to get to the end to see how this would resolve. Do read them in order!

[Sheena Nisbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enchanting

Bought the 1st book, and did not end until I read a the books in the trilogy, really captivating and enjoyable

[Dayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three muskateers

Loved the interaction of the three musketeers and their beaux and pups. loves won and friends lost in a well
woven tale.

[Yvonne Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I hope there are more books to come with these three fantastic women in. A wonderful well written series with lots of twists and turns.

[Saadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun but a bit complicated

Heroine faces her old trauma beliefs while chasing down clues about an elusive and priceless old Master painting entwined with her family heritage.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nice Trilogy

I was all three of the Oxford Dog Walker Crime Thrillers. Fun to read especially since the crime team are dog lovers.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope there will be more.

[Gillian Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant series

I really enjoyed this series, felt I got to know the characters well and felt their ups and downs. Feel bereft it's ended.

[Sylvie Chevalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book series. I will miss the dog-walker detectives 🥲

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite close to the sotry of the movie "Woman in Gold" which was based on a true story. Interesting.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

This looks to be the final installment of the Oxford Dogwalkers Mysteries. Anna Hopkins, Tansy Lavelle and Isadora Salzman agree to take part in a Murder Mystery Weekend to make up for cancellations. Anna's brother Tim's wife, Anjali, is just getting her business off the ground, and they want to help her. Costumed and playing parts in one of several mysteries being performed, they have a good time until a body is found in the fountain, believed at first to be a woman inebriated to the point of accidently falling. It turns out to be a murder. Lili Rosetti is then linked to Anna's father's former auction house, Hempels. Anna works up the courage to visit Hempels and meets David Fischer, a man who believes that Hempels is connected to the disappearance of a painting "A Study in Gold", a Vermeer, that was looted by the Nazis from his family. Thomas Kirchmann owns the gallery now, and it is very different from the chaotic place her father owned. His manager is Alexi Lenkov, and his PA is Alice Jinks. The auction house members do not believe such a painting ever existed.

Anna will begin to pursue the hunt for the painting as Chris Freemantle, her biological father, tells her that he had heard her father refer to the painting. Anna also believes that in finding the painting she may solve the crime of her family's killing. She again hears the name Dominic Scott-Nevelle, a former boyfriend, who she now thinks is a monster, having been told this by Alec Faber, now dead. It turns out Dominic has reformed and is not the one who had the painting. Another painting that had been owned by the Fischers was by Thoma, and had been photographed in a Nazi's home. The Fischer art had been given to Kirchmann's father for safekeeping, but his father's reputation as the righteous gentile was false apparently. He sold the art to the Nazis military unit that sought art during wwii, the Kunstschutz.

There is a very powerful group behind the hidden art that is now owned by others. When Anna decides to go back to Mortmead Hall where the mystery weekend was held and look for the painting which Lili had found, she is confronted by Alice Jinks. She finds the painting in the Maze, and Jinks takes it from her, locking her in the gazebo and setting it on fire. Tansy had gotten the message of where she had gone and the police with Liam Goodhart shows to save her and arrest the thieves and murderers. However, the powers behind the original theft are free. Their power was demonstrated in the ability to have art restitution expert Frau Brunner arrested in Innsbruck for suspected fraud.
Tansy and Anna had gone to Innsbruck to follow leads, and barely escape on the Orient Express to Paris, as Tansy's criminal father Frankie McVeigh secures them tickets on the hugely expensive and difficult to obtain transport.

All are safe in the end, Isadora marrying her long-time friend, Valentin. Jake McCaffrey, Anna;s boyfriend is setting up his own security business in Oxford and is going to participate in a dog rescue organization started by a friend. Somewhat slow in the beginning, it was a good read after all, and I only wish there were to be more.

[Crittermom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Dalton is an amazing writer.  I’ve enjoyed her entire Dog Walking Detectives series, and feel that A Study in Gold in particular is exceptional.  The introduction puts the readers off guard.  Initially I didn’t know that the murder was present day.  The flavor was entirely 1940s.  Into the first chapter, the reader discovers that Anna, Isadora and Tansy have agreed to take part in a 1940s mystery weekend -culminating in a celebration and an actual dead body.  

Initially Anna, Isadora and Tansy have no plans to investigate the murder.  It is only a series of coincidences beginning with a witnessed argument at the art auction house previously owned by Anna’s father that causes the trio to be drawn into two mysteries.  An elderly Jewish man claims that an unknown masterpiece A Study in Gold was stolen from his family during the war, and that Anna’s father had knowledge of the masterpiece.  As Anna digs, she discovers connections between the murdered woman and the man looking for the painting.  Is it possible that A Study in Gold is the reason behind her family’s murder?

I was glued to the page from start to finish.  I had to find out what happened next.  It is nice to see Anna confronting her demons, developing as an individual and furthering her relationship with Jake.  Unlike the leads in many series, Anna, Isadora and Tansy are not static.  They are human.  And of course Bonnie, the white shepherd, is wonderful as always.

Annie Dalton’s books are far more serious than standard dog mystery fare.  They will definitely appeal to a wide range of readers, including fans of Clea Simon.  I highly recommend these mysteries even to those who aren't dog lovers.

5 / 5

I received a copy of A Study in Gold from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

-Crittermom

[Damaskcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dog walking detectives are back again and this time with a mystery which is much closer to home than Anna finds comfortable. Could her father really have been guilty of a heinous crime? Anna, Isadora and Tansy attend a World War II themed murder mystery weekend but the murder becomes all too real when the body of a young woman in a red dress is found in the ornamental fountain at Mortmead Hall.

A missing painting, major criminals and Anna's own tragic past collide in this fast paced and well written mystery which has an interesting background of looted art treasures and their restitution to their rightful owners. I do like the three main characters - especially the theatrical Isadora and I keep hoping Anna will come to terms with her own past and what happened to the rest of her family.

This book is part of a series but the books can be read in any order. However if you want to follow the development of the friendship between the three main characters then you really need to read them in the order in which they were published starting with The White Shepherd. A Study in Gold is the third in the series.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Good friends Anna, Tansy and Isadora go to a mystery weekend at a grand old manor house. A total of eighty people are present and different groups are matched to solve their own mysteries. The theme is WWII, so Anna and her friends dress for the part.

When a body is discovered in a pond on the property, the weekend is called off. After being interviewed by the police, Anna and her friends head home.

A murder, a missing painting and mysterious clues to Anna’s father’s past are just a few of the things that drive the plot of this book. There is sufficient background information given about the characters for the reader to understand them better, but not so much that it detracts from the story the author is trying to impart.

This is a well written and plotted novel. It builds suspense nicely. This is my first Annie Dalton book and I will be looking into her other works.

I want to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.

[Kay Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I still really like the characters and much of the story, especially the end, I found this third book a harder read. I probably should have waited longer between books in the series because the plot didn't really grab me. There were some indications of a comma explosion ("gnarly, old tree" instead of "gnarly old tree" and places where it seemed that any two adjectives couldn't be allowed to exist without a comma to separate them) that made me put the book down and seriously consider not reading it. It was that distracting and pervasive.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this series since the first book - and the newest story grabbed my attention from the start and had me turning the pages as quickly as I could. I love the friendship between the three women, and how they support one another in all things. All the cast of characters from earlier books is also woven into this new mystery. I hope this isn't the final book - but I get the feeling it may be. I'll be on the lookout for future stories by Annie Dalton.