Murder at the Castle

Dorothy Martin #13

by Jeanne M. Dams

Dorothy Martin is in Wales for an opera full of passion, drama . . . and murder.

Dorothy Martin and her husband, retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt, are invited to join their close friends Nigel and Inga Evans at a Welsh music festival where both Nigel and Inga will be performing with the world-renowned conductor Sir John Warner. Amid the glorious surroundings of Welsh castles and the history of long-ago battles, the stage is set for a most enjoyable festival.

However, when a tragic accident takes the life of one of the choir, and the same fate befalls another performer, Dorothy and Alan find themselves in the midst of an investigation as tumultuous, passionate and complicated as any opera.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Crime, British Literature, Suspense, Contemporary

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2021

About the author

Jeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder at the Castle" by Jeanne M. Dams.

Nigel & Inga Evans have invited Dorothy & Alan to a Welsh Music festival. Nigel will be performing as the tenor soloist. The gala event will take place at a Welsh castle with Sir John Warner as the conductor. This time their lovable dog, Watson, will not be traveling with them. So this will be a very special getaway for Dorothy & Alan as well as their close friends the Evans. Dorothy is especially excited to be going to a medieval castle, the Tower, while staying at a B&b.

The book doesn't exactly begin there...rather it begins ten years earlier when the conductor Sir John Warner, was aboard an ill fated ship with his then wife Delia. Delia did not make it off the ship with her husband and was presumed dead.

I so enjoy this series due to an excellent author. J.D. brings the situation to life by introducing the characters and how they interact with each so clearly the story is never boring. This is another delightful Dorothy Martin cozy that educates us, the reader, about the British lifestyle while never overwhelming us. Excellent reading.

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this series when the first few books were being released and enjoyed them quite a lot, then stopped reading cozies for years. Finding this book on OverDrive, I decided to give it a try. Being set in Wales and about classical music and musicians made it sound especially good to me. I'm very glad I tread it, as I found it quite enjoyable.

The MCs are older people, aging but not decrepit, and I think realistically portrayed. There were a lot of musical references and some nice details about the Welsh countryside and castles in general. The mystery was truly puzzling, with clues doles out as the story unfolded. If the ending was a bit of a let-down because there was not really anyone left "responsible", I didn't care because I'd enjoyed the story itself a lot. I'll be going back and revisiting this series again soon.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery even more as it was set in the world of choir singing and concert giving with which I am most familiar.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read in the Dorothy Martin series! I am excited to be able to continue reading this series, shout out to NYPL! Dorothy is smart and attuned to her gut instincts! The mysteries are interesting and make for a satisfying read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

American born Dorothy Martin and her second husband Alan Nesbit, a retired chief constable, are attending a music festival in Wales with their young friends Nigel and Inge. Nigel is an excellent amateur singer who is one of the soloists at the festival. But death seems to be following them: First, there's an accidental fall from a canal boat that kills one of the chorus members, then a difficult singer dies during a rehearsal. The more Dorothy, who is present at both deaths, thinks about it, the more sure she is that something is amiss. This would be a four for setting, but there are some real loose ends in the plotting, which kicks it down one.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

In her thirteenth addition to the Dorothy Martin series, Jeanne Dams almost brings the pace of the old-fashioned British cozy to a halt. Scores of pub meals, constant requests for tea, and frequent visits to the loo do not make this work a page burner. Dams’ last line may be for her readers.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, easy read. I do enjoy Jeanne Dams writing.

[Alison C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dorothy Martin and her husband Alan Nesbitt are in Wales to attend a concert series being held in a castle and featuring their friend Nigel as one of several soloists. While on a canal boat ride before the concerts begin another of the singers somehow falls off the boat and dies, a very sad accident. Later, an impetuous diva arrives for rehearsals, disrupts the entire festival and then, bizarrely, falls to her death from a rampart of the castle during a rehearsal - another very sad accident. Of course, Dorothy being Dorothy, she cannot help but believe that there is more here than meets the eye, that the two deaths must be connected and that perhaps they were not accidents at all…. I have mildly enjoyed this series, of which this is the 13th, but found this one rather trying. Aside from the constant stereotyping of Celts (Welsh and Irish, in this case), the author includes rather more overt plugs for Christianity than she normally does; fine to describe choral music in its often religious context, but resorting to “I surrender all my worries to He who gives us peace” (I’m paraphrasing, but that was the gist of that passage) is a bit too blatant for my taste. I also didn’t buy the behaviours and motivations of several of the suspects, including the guilty party - too much reliance on the “oh, they’re psychologically disturbed” excuse, which in this case I find lazy. I will probably keep reading the series as there are things I like about it (some characters, relationships and animals, for example), but I think one can safely skip this particular entry.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I read this entire Dorothy Martin series years ago but I don't remember reading this one. I really love the series and I so wanted to rate this one higher than 3 stars but it dragged for me. Anything about castles immediately has me perking up my ears. The setting was great- no complaints there. But the story just dragged and the author had to mention every meal they had. Not that we were told what they were eating, just that they were taking a break and eating AGAIN. The other thing is that they went back and forth and back and forth and made little progress. The story was about a several day concert (the old kind with orchestra) in the ruins of a Welsh castle. Several members of this vast orchestra were murdered and Dorothy, amateur sleuth, and her retired British policeman husband Alan set out to solve the murders. Just as they were about to get some answers off they rushed because someone was having a baby.

It looks like there are 2 more titles written after this one so perhaps I didn't previously read them either.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dorothy Martin and her husband, retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt, are invited to join their close friends Nigel and Inga Evans at a Welsh music festival where both Nigel and Inga will be performing with the world-renowned conductor Sir John Warner. Amid the glorious surroundings of Welsh castles and the history of long-ago battles, the stage is set for a most enjoyable festival.

"However, when a tragic accident takes the life of one of the choir, and the same fate befalls another performer, Dorothy and Alan find themselves in the midst of an investigation as tumultuous, passionate and complicated as any opera."
~~front flap

A lovely little mystery set in a small Welsh town and a new music festival. The festival is dedicated to operatic music, and the author is obviously very knowledgeable about that genre -- so many pieces referred to by name, with glowing, gushing descriptions. The characterization is excellent, as is the description of the castle and sounding countryside. A cliffhanging finish, as is becoming more typical of these mysteries.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, clean old time mystery. This is the first Martin book I have read. I enjoyed it. Alan Nesbitt, former Constable is invited to join their friends Nigel and Inga at a Welsh music festival. Nigel is preforming in the festival lead by Sir John. Sir John is a famous and kind music conductor who organized the festival to raise money for ship wrecks. Sir John lost his wife at sea 10 years before in a ship wreck. When a member of the festival dies on a tour boat, questions are ask and Alan is on the job.


Alan Nesbitt, are invited to join their close friends Nigel and Inga Evans at a Welsh music festival

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy and Alan go to a music festival in Wales, where their friend Nigel is performing as one of the soloists with a noted conductor. But two deaths occur and some of the participants disappear and they are asked by the conductor for help when his family is threatened. They, along with Nigel and his wife, are already looking into various suspicious things. This one was a bit all over the place. I think for me it was primarily because there were so many characters, several of whom were not at all likable, which made it harder to get into. But overall it held my interest, and I enjoyed all the musical references.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dorothy Martin and her dear hubby, and this is one of their best adventures yet. I was actually puzzled on this one and didn't have a clue who did the deed or why until the very end.

Particularly loved the area as I've just recently discovered I have some Welsh DNA and was delighted to visit, vicariously, this new setting. Seems that Dorothy is depending a little more on her dear, ex-police husband now and that does make me feel a little safer for her. On to #14 in the series.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Dams is back on course. One of the most enjoyable, in fact, because Dorothy is actually ASKED to investigate, rather than skipping around trying to get herself murdered. My one complaint is that I wish they stayed home a little more; granted they can't kill off their entire town, but the atmosphere and the cathedral close are a large part of the charm of this series.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to a Welsh music festival at Flint Castle led by world renowned conductor, Sir John Warner. Before the festival begins one of the choir members dies in a tragic boat accident and during the festival the star soloist dies. Throughout the book there are many twists and turns before we discover the answers of this Dorothy Martin mystery book.

[Anne Rayner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review murder at castle

I enjoy all of Jeanne M Dams books, but please what has happened to M25?? And how can someone drive from Penzance to North Wales in 1hour???? they have internet
And mobile phones so M25 there to go round London and from Penzance No motor way till M5 Would take a day to get to north wales

[Charline Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diva

I liked this story because if the location, the music and the mystery. After the pre-quell the story takes up with Alan and Dorothy going to a music festival in Wales. As they are sight-seeing a tragic mortal accident happens that they were witness to. As the music festival continues there is another “accident”. Are they connected somehow?

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

#13 of the series Dorothy Martin Mysteries. Dorothy Martin and her Husband a retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt Take a trip with their young friends Nigel and Inga Evans to a Welsh music festival.

[Gloria Mccracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entry in this prolific and charming cozy series featuring 70ish, American ex-pat Dorothy Martin who lives in an English village and stumbles over corpses on a regular basis. The first in the series is Murder in the Transept.

[Elainebowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This series of books are brilliant, the characters are really well written and enjoyable to read, I live the characters,I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.

[Lisa T. Ungerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half

Some stumbles at the ending, but such an improvement over the prior book. The descriptions of Wales, the castles and the music festival are the best part. Recommended

[Bonnie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Music lovers, be happy

I loved the settings in this tale and all of the great musical
references. The only thing that would have made it better would have been actual music playing along!

[NhaughtyV says Damn the Zon Save the Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

"But never be afraid to do something because you think you'll look foolish. The secret to enjoying life is not to mind making a fool of yourself."

Really enjoy this cozy mystery series & would recommend to fans of this genre!

[debra caspell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Culture and murder, a good combination

Her books are always a "good read," but this one has the added depth of the back ground history and the glorious description s of the music and Wales. I did not guess the ending...always good in a mystery story.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Another great story in the Dorothy Martin series this time set in a music festival in Wales.Great characters and a good story line with plenty of twists and turns. Hoping for many more in this series.

[Wendy Hearder-moan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice “cozy” mystery. I enjoyed the references to places I have visited, such as Conwy Castle and the Chester Rows. I’ve read other books with the Martin/Nesbitt duo and they are a good team. The story line was interesting enough to keep me engaged.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun romp. Love the characters especially Dorothy

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of tedious. Getting tired of the series for sure.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow. Tedious dialogue.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the cameo appearance of Penny Brannigan from Elizabeth J Duncan's mysteries set in Wales.