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A Dinner and a Murder Mystery #1
Death in Castle Dark
Actor Nora Blake finds her dream job when she is cast in a murder-mystery troupe that performs in an imposing but captivating old castle. When she stumbles upon a real murder, things take a nightmarish turn in this first book in an exciting new series.
Maybe it was too good to be true, but when Nora Blake accepted the job from Derek Corby, proprietor of Castle Dark, she could not see any downsides. She would sink her acting chops into the troupe's intricately staged murder-mystery shows, earn free room and board in the fairy tale-like castle, and make friends with her new roommates, which include some seriously adorable kittens.
But something sinister lurks behind the walls of Castle Dark. During Nora's second performance, one of her castmates plays the part of the victim a little too well. So well, in fact, that no one can revive him. He has been murdered. Not ready to give up her dream gig--or to be the next victim--Nora sets out to see which one of her fellow actors has taken the role of a murderous real-life villain.
Maybe it was too good to be true, but when Nora Blake accepted the job from Derek Corby, proprietor of Castle Dark, she could not see any downsides. She would sink her acting chops into the troupe's intricately staged murder-mystery shows, earn free room and board in the fairy tale-like castle, and make friends with her new roommates, which include some seriously adorable kittens.
But something sinister lurks behind the walls of Castle Dark. During Nora's second performance, one of her castmates plays the part of the victim a little too well. So well, in fact, that no one can revive him. He has been murdered. Not ready to give up her dream gig--or to be the next victim--Nora sets out to see which one of her fellow actors has taken the role of a murderous real-life villain.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
78 people are currently reading
1775 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Bond
3 books94 followersVeronica Bond is the pseudonym of a beloved author who has taught high school English for twenty-nine years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
November 18, 2021
One of the best debut cozy mysteries I’ve read in 2021! Originality, intrigue, and many unexpected twists and turns had me mesmerized. The castle setting is unique and a fantastic mysterious setting for this mystery to play out. The characters are flawed, yet ever-so entertaining. I can hardly wait to read book two in the Dinner and a Murder cozy series! *Note: Veronica Bond is a pseudonym for Julia Buckley*
April 5, 2022
Okay so more a 3.5
Another Cozy Crime read, that ticks all the boxes yet again for me, it has a spooky location, kittens, a dog, a murder, a string of suspects....
But it did feel a little too long a book, I think some of the story could have been edited out and you'd have lost nothing.
A light, fun, read that I did enjoy l, will I read the next in the series? Probably 😅
Another Cozy Crime read, that ticks all the boxes yet again for me, it has a spooky location, kittens, a dog, a murder, a string of suspects....
But it did feel a little too long a book, I think some of the story could have been edited out and you'd have lost nothing.
A light, fun, read that I did enjoy l, will I read the next in the series? Probably 😅
May 26, 2021
I had such fun reading this gothic-tinged cozy mystery, and loved spending time in this mysterious castle filled with secret passageways and a delightfully fun cast of characters.
August 11, 2021
Derogatory terms for disabled people in 2021? Thanks no.
September 20, 2022
Loved the ambiance in this cozy mystery. A murder mystery dinner in an actual castle. The map of the castle was a great feature in the beginning of the book. It took awhile for me to wrap my head around all the characters but I finally got them all down. Awesome gothic scene, remote castle and a bunch of suspects, who all happen to be actors that excel at lying. I enjoyed watching all the relationships form and the romances flourish while solving this mystery. Loved the ending and wrap up!
July 31, 2021
Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond has Nora Blake joining the murder mystery troupe at Castle Dark in Wood Glen, Illinois. Nora loves that she gets to live in the beautiful castle with a library right next to her bedroom. During Nora’s second performance, she loses one of her ruby earrings which are part of the plot. Nora retraces her steps to the chapel where she is shocked to find one her fellow actors dead on the floor. Nora wonders which one of the castle residents committed the evil deed. Death in Castle Dark is the debut of A Dinner and a Murder Mystery series. I love the premise for this series of murder mystery dinners held in a gorgeous yet dark castle. It is unique and fun. Nora Blake is our protagonist. Nora has been trying to succeed as an actress in Chicago with mixed results. This job includes room and board which is a blessing. I wish Nora were a stronger character. I wanted her to be brave and curious. I like that we get to know her family and Nora’s background. We also get to meet her fellow thespians, the cook, co-owners of Castle Dark, and the handsome Detective John Dashiell. I loved Castle Dark. The vivid descriptions allowed me to visualize what it looked like. Who can resist a European castle with hidden passages and a large library? It has a great gothic atmosphere which is perfect for a mystery. The murder of one of the theater troupe is straightforward. A spooky hidden passage along with some creepy incidents add to the gothic atmosphere. I wanted Nora to be curious about the murder (I mean she did find the body) and jump right into investigator mode. She stumbles upon some clues and is involved in some chilling incidents. Nora does share information with Detective John “Dash” Dashiell whom she finds attractive. I like that we get to learn more about the cast (and their possible motives). The identity of the killer and the reason why can be discerned before the reveal. I enjoyed the spooky atmosphere and how the mystery was laid out. I could have done with more action which would have helped the pacing. Death in Castle Dark has a great atmosphere and some interesting characters. I loved Hamlet, the castle’s dog, and an important member of the cast. Another fun addition was the three Bronte kittens with their adorable antics. I am curious to see what happens next time at Castle Dark. Death in Castle Dark is a spooky tale with a creepy costume, a displaced dagger, cavorting kittens, a dashing detective, clandestine corridors, and a malicious murderer.
May 26, 2021
Death in Castle Dark is the first book in Veronica Bonds' Dinner and a Murder Mystery series. I was excited to read this book because it is a new series for author Julia Buckley under a pen name. It is a great nod to the gothic mystery. Set in the midwest, this story takes place in a gothic castle that has been turned into a dinner theater. It is a great setting that adds to the overall enjoyment of the story. Nora, our main character, has relocated from Chicago to take an acting position with the dinner theater troupe. As she starts to settle into her new life, Nora stumbles across the body of a co-worker during a performance. There is a good group of diverse secondary characters, including members of the acting troupe, the owner of the dinner theater company, and Nora's family. Some romances developed among the cast, but it does not detract from or overpower the story.
The mystery is well done. As I mentioned it is a nod to the gothic mystery. There are some creepy incidents and the dark halls of the castle add to the gothic ambiance. The author gives her readers plenty of twists and turns as Nora tries to help the police with clues to uncover the killer's identity. There is a nice reveal and I did not guess the culprit.
I am looking forward to more books in this series to see where the author takes her characters.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Berkley, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The mystery is well done. As I mentioned it is a nod to the gothic mystery. There are some creepy incidents and the dark halls of the castle add to the gothic ambiance. The author gives her readers plenty of twists and turns as Nora tries to help the police with clues to uncover the killer's identity. There is a nice reveal and I did not guess the culprit.
I am looking forward to more books in this series to see where the author takes her characters.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Berkley, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
February 19, 2023
Such a fun cozy mystery! Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
March 31, 2023
I didn’t think this was a very compelling mystery. It seemed like the author would periodically drop the plot for unnecessary scenes that didn’t add anything to the story or characterizations.
It also felt like a self-insert fantasy for someone with dreams of stardom because everyone was constantly fawning over how talented the protagonist is. Multiple characters suggest/request that she sing and play the piano. She plays some showtunes and cries during her own performance! Also, multiple characters are completely overawed by her performance to an unreasonable degree. Maybe I haven’t been around enough theater people, but I’ve just never met anyone who cared that much about someone else’s singing.
I hated that the author included the trope of a woman learning to fight from her brothers, but it was even more egregious here because the adult heroine learned self-defense from her teenage brothers. I rolled my eyes pretty hard at that.
Finally, I was pretty unimpressed that the culprit turned out to be the only unlikable person we meet. It came across to me as an author who got too attached to her characters and didn’t want any of them to be bad. Worst of all, the murderer is portrayed as being mentally ill or somehow mentally unhinged during the big reveal. I think it’s just really irresponsible.
Spoilers for the ending for those who aren’t invested in finishing the book but still want to know the answer:
It also felt like a self-insert fantasy for someone with dreams of stardom because everyone was constantly fawning over how talented the protagonist is. Multiple characters suggest/request that she sing and play the piano. She plays some showtunes and cries during her own performance! Also, multiple characters are completely overawed by her performance to an unreasonable degree. Maybe I haven’t been around enough theater people, but I’ve just never met anyone who cared that much about someone else’s singing.
I hated that the author included the trope of a woman learning to fight from her brothers, but it was even more egregious here because the adult heroine learned self-defense from her teenage brothers. I rolled my eyes pretty hard at that.
Finally, I was pretty unimpressed that the culprit turned out to be the only unlikable person we meet. It came across to me as an author who got too attached to her characters and didn’t want any of them to be bad. Worst of all, the murderer is portrayed as being mentally ill or somehow mentally unhinged during the big reveal. I think it’s just really irresponsible.
Spoilers for the ending for those who aren’t invested in finishing the book but still want to know the answer:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2021
2.5 stars.
I have received a NetGalley copy from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. I hate to give a bad review, but I am going to be very honest.
I fell in love with the premise of this book: a real murder within a murder-mystery troupe that performs in an imposing but captivating old castle. What I imagined was "Sleep No More" at The McKittrick Hotel in NYC. That performance was really something. Or, some kind of Agatha Christie. That would be nice, too. However, my reading experience of this novel was nothing like those. Frankly, I was bored to death.
The characters are all very flat. Their relationships and conversations felt like 6th grade. These young beautiful actresses are constantly eating donuts and M & M. Maybe it's a cozy mystery thing, but real actresses (including amateurs) do not eat multiple donuts every morning and the troupe would not allow the chef to serve such meals. Even I haven't had donuts for the last 15 years! I could never get rid of extra fat I gain from one donut! I know, I know... it's just a cozy mystery. But some readers including I want a believable fiction. Another thing I couldn't be bothered with was romance between characters. Are they 6th grade kids, again? Every character in this novel acts like middle school kids.
Having said that, I can see some readers would enjoy this kind of sweet cozy mystery. So I added one more star to my 1.5 star.
I have received a NetGalley copy from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. I hate to give a bad review, but I am going to be very honest.
I fell in love with the premise of this book: a real murder within a murder-mystery troupe that performs in an imposing but captivating old castle. What I imagined was "Sleep No More" at The McKittrick Hotel in NYC. That performance was really something. Or, some kind of Agatha Christie. That would be nice, too. However, my reading experience of this novel was nothing like those. Frankly, I was bored to death.
The characters are all very flat. Their relationships and conversations felt like 6th grade. These young beautiful actresses are constantly eating donuts and M & M. Maybe it's a cozy mystery thing, but real actresses (including amateurs) do not eat multiple donuts every morning and the troupe would not allow the chef to serve such meals. Even I haven't had donuts for the last 15 years! I could never get rid of extra fat I gain from one donut! I know, I know... it's just a cozy mystery. But some readers including I want a believable fiction. Another thing I couldn't be bothered with was romance between characters. Are they 6th grade kids, again? Every character in this novel acts like middle school kids.
Having said that, I can see some readers would enjoy this kind of sweet cozy mystery. So I added one more star to my 1.5 star.
January 11, 2025
i mean…i did finish it lol. this books reads like an elderly woman subconsciously smashed every predictable mystery trope, lifetime movie cringe and sickeningly-sweet, non offensive violence into one of the most superficial stories i’ve ever read. i even hesitate to call this a book it’s just very bad. not one single character talked like a regular person, instead they felt ripped from the pages of nancy drew books or from the screen of a murder, she wrote (I say, as a fan of both, but in this it was hard to stomach). corny, trite, i could go on but i know this will appeal to a genre of fans that love all of the above so i’ll just end my review by saying that i understand i am simply *not* one of those fans.
July 23, 2022
What a fun, unique spin for a cozy. Actress Nora joins a troupe who run a murder mystery dinner theatre in a castle! She gets to both live and work in the castle and the majority of the book -- investigation, hints at romance, all the cozy vibes -- come from the castle setting. Such a neat idea! I loved Nora and her fellow thespians and the mystery was clever. I think I expected pretty much everyone at some point but did finally settle on the killer a chapter or two before Nora figured it out -- an armchair sleuth gut feeling, if you will. :-)
Love Nora and her long distance relationship with her teenage twin brothers. For characters who had very little 'real' page time, they sure made an impact on the story. A nice host of secondary characters and the potential of a love interest (no love triangle in sight...yet!) and some special fur buddy bonding all added to the cozy ambiance. Excited to dive into the second book in the series.
Love Nora and her long distance relationship with her teenage twin brothers. For characters who had very little 'real' page time, they sure made an impact on the story. A nice host of secondary characters and the potential of a love interest (no love triangle in sight...yet!) and some special fur buddy bonding all added to the cozy ambiance. Excited to dive into the second book in the series.
April 6, 2022
This book was so good. I don't know how she does it, but the author nailed it. How fun would it be to live in a castle and participate in a murder mystery dinner as your career?! Of course, things get scary once a real murder happens. I liked that Nora wasn't actively investigating... whenever she found something out she shared with Detective Dash right away. I was surprised at who the killer was and I really like how everything unfolded. I will definitely be pre-ordering book 2.
December 15, 2024
If you're a fan of the theater, gothic atmospheres, locked room mysteries, and a loveable cast of characters, I highly recommend checking this one out. It's up there in cozy mysteries for me!
August 11, 2021
2.5 stars. Looks like I am the odd one out with the low rating.
This book obviously was not written for me and that's okay. I prefer my books with some grit or teeth to them and more suspense but this was a very clean, light take on a locked door murder mystery and I can respect that it likely just didn't meet my expectations for it. I think the author does a good job at creating a mysterious, dark atmosphere with a modern day castle and the "murder mystery employment" setting was a fun twist but I did not feel excited or compelled to find out what happened and I found myself skimming a lot when things became overly descriptive or didn't add to the storyline.
I think if you like a super clean take on a "whodunit" - this is the book for you and the beginning of a series! Enjoy.
This book obviously was not written for me and that's okay. I prefer my books with some grit or teeth to them and more suspense but this was a very clean, light take on a locked door murder mystery and I can respect that it likely just didn't meet my expectations for it. I think the author does a good job at creating a mysterious, dark atmosphere with a modern day castle and the "murder mystery employment" setting was a fun twist but I did not feel excited or compelled to find out what happened and I found myself skimming a lot when things became overly descriptive or didn't add to the storyline.
I think if you like a super clean take on a "whodunit" - this is the book for you and the beginning of a series! Enjoy.
May 18, 2021
When actress Nora Blake takes a job in a castle, as part of a mystery dinner troupe, she doesn't expect to find herself wrapped up in a real murder investigation.
I was really excited to read this book, I enjoy a good gothic style mystery, and this author is one of my favorites.
The secondary characters are a great fit, they add excitement to this first in a new series.
I think this new series is going to appeal to a lot of readers, as it is a terrific blend of cozy & gothic writing styles.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
Thank you for selecting me to read an advanced digital copy of Death in Castle Dark.
#DeathinCastleDark #NetGalley
I was really excited to read this book, I enjoy a good gothic style mystery, and this author is one of my favorites.
The secondary characters are a great fit, they add excitement to this first in a new series.
I think this new series is going to appeal to a lot of readers, as it is a terrific blend of cozy & gothic writing styles.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
Thank you for selecting me to read an advanced digital copy of Death in Castle Dark.
#DeathinCastleDark #NetGalley
August 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this book quite a bit. The premise is fun, the location interesting and the cast of characters intriguing. Nora is an cheerful, smart and creative young woman. She is only in her second performance at the Castle Dark when there is a murder. Who can she trust? What is really going on, could one of her castmate really have killed another? Is she safe in the Castle? Come along for the ride, it's worth your time!
December 13, 2021
Julia Buckley is one of my favorite cozy authors. As Veronica Bond, she has started this new series that has an intriguing setting and the same solid storytelling that I've always enjoyed. This story started slowly to set the scene but picked up and kept me guessing the whole time. I did figure out who the murderer was but it did not take away from my enjoyment of this new series. Can't wait for the next one!
April 3, 2022
Now this is how you write an amateur sleuth cozy mystery! Very fun!
August 3, 2021
DEATH IN CASTLE DARK is the delightful first book in the A Dinner and a Murder Mystery series by Veronica Bond (aka Julia Buckley). I adored the setting because who can pass up an old castle set in an isolated forest and farmland, surrounded by antiques and intriguing actors? With a gothic suspense vibe, reminiscent of Rebecca, I was pulled in from the very start. Protagonist, Nora Blake, is appealing and she comes across as an ingénue, which I found sweet given her chosen profession as an actress. Prone to bouts of kindness, such as taking in three kittens and naming them for the Brontë sisters, she easily befriends her fellow actors/actresses who live and work alongside her at the castle. But things aren’t as friendly as they seem when Nora stumbles across the murdered body of an actor during their dinner and murder mystery gig. A real murder that wasn’t supposed to take place. Ms. Bond does an admirable job weaving together secrets and suspense as Nora tries to find out who wanted the actor dead. The pacing was spot on and there were enough suspects to keep a reader guessing. I’m looking forward to more books in this series that brings to mind some of the master storytellers from bygone years.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 4, 2022
Actor Nora Blake finds her dream job when she is cast in a murder-mystery troupe that performs in a captivating old castle. During one of the performances, Nora stumbles upon the dead body of one of the other actors. As she helps with the investigation, things take a nightmarish turn. Can she find the true killer before she becomes the next target?
Some cozy mysteries are so good that they become one of my favorites. This is one of them. The plot of this story was so suspenseful, and the suspects were so intriguing, I wanted to figure out the solution but couldn’t. The atmosphere of the book was one that I wanted to visit in real life. This story dripped “coziness.” Personally, I want to be a guest the next time they have a murder-mystery dinner. I will read the next book in this series.
Some cozy mysteries are so good that they become one of my favorites. This is one of them. The plot of this story was so suspenseful, and the suspects were so intriguing, I wanted to figure out the solution but couldn’t. The atmosphere of the book was one that I wanted to visit in real life. This story dripped “coziness.” Personally, I want to be a guest the next time they have a murder-mystery dinner. I will read the next book in this series.
January 15, 2023
3.5 stars. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The premise of a dinner/murder mystery seemed so intriguing. But, at least to me, it didn’t really live up to my expectations. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it. I did. But I didn’t love it. That said, I’m still going to give the second book a try.
Good narrator.
Good narrator.
February 6, 2022
OK PLEASE KNOW OFFICIALLY I GIVE THIS BOOK 4.5 STARS - BUT STILL - STILL GOODREADS DOES NOT ALLOW.5 STARS!
Great Setting? TICK!
Great Murder? TICK!
Great Investigation? TICK!
Great Cozy-Side? DOUBLE-TICK!
I felt so sure I was going to give this book 5 stars. However, post the reveal of 'whodunnit' it seemed to sag for me. So my rating faltered to 4.5. I think our MC was fantastic and I simply LOVED her job and the setting of Castle Dark. Truly amazing!
I just wish it had ended a page after the reveal of the killer to prevent the sagging.
4.5 Stars!
xoxo.
Great Setting? TICK!
Great Murder? TICK!
Great Investigation? TICK!
Great Cozy-Side? DOUBLE-TICK!
I felt so sure I was going to give this book 5 stars. However, post the reveal of 'whodunnit' it seemed to sag for me. So my rating faltered to 4.5. I think our MC was fantastic and I simply LOVED her job and the setting of Castle Dark. Truly amazing!
I just wish it had ended a page after the reveal of the killer to prevent the sagging.
4.5 Stars!
xoxo.
November 20, 2025
4.5 Fun and atmospheric!
February 5, 2022
Julia Buckley/Veronica Bond hit it out of the park with this book! I was engaged since page 1! Couldn't put the book down. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
August 12, 2021
Nora Blake is excited to start a new acting job set in Wood Glen, Illinois in an old castle called Castle Dark. She would be part of a murder/mystery theater group. It sounds both spooky and fun. When she arrives she meets her fellow actors and is quite happy with her decision to accept the job.
Then, tragedy strikes when fiction turns into reality. One of her castmates ends up murdered. Nora doesn’t want to be the next victim and, also, fears that one her new friends could be the killer. She decides to do a bit of snooping to see if she can uncover the truth before another murder takes place.
This is the first book in a new series, “A Dinner and A Murder Mystery”. As soon as I heard the premise of this book, I knew I had to read it. I’ve always wanted to go to a murder mystery show, but I haven’t had the chance yet. So, an armchair visit sounded like the best alternative. I was right.
I’ve always enjoyed gothic mysteries and this definitely fit that bill. The setting put me right into the mood. I found the cast of characters to be intriguing, quirky and a bit on the scary side. Nora is the only one I trusted. I suspected everyone and so did she.
The author gave us a fast-paced mystery with numerous twists and turns along the way. I was truly captivated and wasn’t prepared for the thrilling finale. I didn’t see it coming and was quite surprised by how it all unraveled.
I hope there will be more books in this riveting new mystery series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Then, tragedy strikes when fiction turns into reality. One of her castmates ends up murdered. Nora doesn’t want to be the next victim and, also, fears that one her new friends could be the killer. She decides to do a bit of snooping to see if she can uncover the truth before another murder takes place.
This is the first book in a new series, “A Dinner and A Murder Mystery”. As soon as I heard the premise of this book, I knew I had to read it. I’ve always wanted to go to a murder mystery show, but I haven’t had the chance yet. So, an armchair visit sounded like the best alternative. I was right.
I’ve always enjoyed gothic mysteries and this definitely fit that bill. The setting put me right into the mood. I found the cast of characters to be intriguing, quirky and a bit on the scary side. Nora is the only one I trusted. I suspected everyone and so did she.
The author gave us a fast-paced mystery with numerous twists and turns along the way. I was truly captivated and wasn’t prepared for the thrilling finale. I didn’t see it coming and was quite surprised by how it all unraveled.
I hope there will be more books in this riveting new mystery series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 12, 2021
I loved it from cover-to-cover!
As Nora Blake drives to the castle...
Just as Nora is a newcomer to Castle Dark the reader is also getting acquainted with the castle layout, castle residents from staff to coworkers, and wondering right along with her if everyone can be trusted and if friendships formed are real or a pretense for a means to an end. I was appreciative of the floor plans for the 3 floors of Castle Dark at the beginning of the novel. I hope the floor plans continue to be included in future books in the series.
For all feline lovers there are some "shenanigans" as the author describes some particular activities that are hilarious and had me laughing out loud and also brought fond remembrances of my own experiences as a pet "parent" of young ones over the years.
I pre-ordered this novel as soon as I learned that Julia Buckley was writing a new series under the pseudonym of Veronica Bond and I'll not hesitate to pre-order the next book in this series. It's one of those reader moments when the only question is, "Is it time yet?"
As Nora Blake drives to the castle...
“It’s like going to Manderley,” I said to myself, and when I steered around a slight bend, there was an opening in the wall of foliage, and before me was a real, bona fide castle with turrets and gray stone and mullioned windows. It was enchanting and surprisingly large.And as I read Nora's description I not only thought of the fictional estate for the novel "Rebecca" as created by Daphne du Maurier but for all the Gothic mysteries I loved reading in high school from du Maurier to Victoria Holt to Mary Stewart.
Just as Nora is a newcomer to Castle Dark the reader is also getting acquainted with the castle layout, castle residents from staff to coworkers, and wondering right along with her if everyone can be trusted and if friendships formed are real or a pretense for a means to an end. I was appreciative of the floor plans for the 3 floors of Castle Dark at the beginning of the novel. I hope the floor plans continue to be included in future books in the series.
For all feline lovers there are some "shenanigans" as the author describes some particular activities that are hilarious and had me laughing out loud and also brought fond remembrances of my own experiences as a pet "parent" of young ones over the years.
I pre-ordered this novel as soon as I learned that Julia Buckley was writing a new series under the pseudonym of Veronica Bond and I'll not hesitate to pre-order the next book in this series. It's one of those reader moments when the only question is, "Is it time yet?"
March 7, 2024
Synopsis: Nora Blake joins a troupe of actors performing “Murder Mystery Weekends at Castle Dark”, a real life castle built by the Corby family. Current owners Derek and Paul Corby are sweet, eccentric, and dedicated to making Castle Dark a thriving business, but also a real home for the people living on site. When one of the actors is murdered during Noras first performance, her love of the beautiful castle turns to fear and dread as someone is clearly terrorizing Nora and the other castle residents.
All in all, the mystery itself was ok. It was fairly easy to work out the who, even if the motive wasn’t as clear to pinpoint. The real joy was the friendships and bond between the characters, and the incredible setting. It’s hard to call this a cozy “mystery” as Nora isn’t actively trying to solve the murder. It’s just a series of events that lead her to the person. It was odd, but it didn’t put me off the way I thought it would. Sadly, it looks like the series won’t continue after the second book which is a shame. I would be curious to see more from these characters.
All in all, the mystery itself was ok. It was fairly easy to work out the who, even if the motive wasn’t as clear to pinpoint. The real joy was the friendships and bond between the characters, and the incredible setting. It’s hard to call this a cozy “mystery” as Nora isn’t actively trying to solve the murder. It’s just a series of events that lead her to the person. It was odd, but it didn’t put me off the way I thought it would. Sadly, it looks like the series won’t continue after the second book which is a shame. I would be curious to see more from these characters.
October 31, 2021
I enjoyed this. A good entry in the cozy genre.
The setting of this was interesting and clever - a castle that holds murder mystery events with a group of actors who live in the castle full time when not acting in the events. This allows for many different people to enter the scene.
In this first book, the murder was one of the actors. I won't say more to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say the plot was well-constructed and interesting, with enough clues for those who like to try to figure it out in advance of the reveal.
I liked the characters in this book, all of whom are interesting and likable with plenty of variety. The setting of the castle is another fun aspect of the series - who doesn't love a moody castle?!
This was enjoyable and I will definitely look for more books from this series in future.
The setting of this was interesting and clever - a castle that holds murder mystery events with a group of actors who live in the castle full time when not acting in the events. This allows for many different people to enter the scene.
In this first book, the murder was one of the actors. I won't say more to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say the plot was well-constructed and interesting, with enough clues for those who like to try to figure it out in advance of the reveal.
I liked the characters in this book, all of whom are interesting and likable with plenty of variety. The setting of the castle is another fun aspect of the series - who doesn't love a moody castle?!
This was enjoyable and I will definitely look for more books from this series in future.
September 27, 2021
This gothic themed mystery was a lot of fun. It reminded me of a Nancy Drew mystery with secret passageways, scary characters running around in the dark hallway, and just a little bit of romance thrown in. I like the new friendship between Nora and Connie. It’s nice to see women being nice instead of snarky with each other for a change. There is also a great list of supporting characters to look forward to reading about in the next installments.
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