Miss Atalanta Ashford is sightseeing near Venice when a mysterious veiled lady approaches her with the urgent request to look into her daughter's mysterious death on the idyllic Greek island of Santorini. Whilst working as a companion for the eminent Bucardi family, the unfortunate girl took a plunge from the dramatic cliffs during a walk alone. But is all as it seems?
Sailing to Santorini and going undercover as the new companion, Miss Ashford soon discovers that her client hasn't told her the full truth. Someone is watching her. Now she must unravel the mystery and prevent the breathtaking azure sea views from becoming the last she too will ever see…
Last Seen in Santorini by Vivian Conroy is the second book in the Miss Ashford Investigates cozy historical mystery series. Atalanta Ashford has recently inherited her grandfather’s wealth and his occupation as a detective for the wealthy and famous. While on holiday in Venice, Italy, she is approached in Murano by a woman wearing a veil. Atalanta is asked to investigate her daughter Letitia’s death. Letitia had been working on the Greek island of Santorini as a companion to Delilah Bucardi. Atalanta takes over as the companion and starts her investigation with some help from racecar driver Raoul Lemont.
Atalanta is a likeable character, but tended to rehash questions repeatedly. She is rational, inquisitive, analytical, wants to travel, and doesn’t enjoy crowds. Raoul is impulsive, irreverent, adventurous, and a risk-taker. The secondary characters are well defined and easy to visualize.
While the location of Santorini is beautiful, readers only get occasional glimpses of anything outside of the Bucardi family’s home. I wanted to experience more of the island. Additionally, while the novel is set in 1930, there isn’t much of a historical feel to it. Despite these quibbles, the premise is excellent and the story line kept me engaged. The plot has several twists as Atalanta sorts through the lies, questions, and deceptions. Themes include death, guilt, family loyalty, friendship, betrayal, and much more.
Overall, this entertaining novel brings out the inner sleuth in readers as they try to solve the mystery along with Atalanta. This novel works as a standalone novel, but readers will get more background if they start with book one. I am looking forward to finding out her Atalanta’s next case will take her.
HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter and Vivian Conroy provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for January 06, 2023.
---------------------------------------- My 3.44 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Miss Atalanta Ashford decides to enjoy her inheritance and heads to Venice. While there, a veiled woman approaches her and asks her to investigate the death of her daughter on Santorini. She was working for a rich family and fell from the cliffs. While the officials ruled it an accident, she is certain it was murder. She uses connections to obtain the companion position the girl had previously, and immediately her suspicions are aroused. She is surrounded by troubled relationships, but how was the girl involved?
Atalanta’s gentleman friend is along to help her with this one. It will be interesting to see what evolves between the two.
I’d give this 3 stars. It really is amazing enjoyable cozy mystery and I like the characters. There are surprises, but it’s very even paced and just not higher ranked, even though I plan to read more - I really want to get to #4 😊
It’s August 1930, and wealthy heiress Miss Atalanta Ashford is holidaying in Venice and thoroughly enjoying the sights. To her surprise, she is approached by a mysterious woman who begs her to investigate the death of her daughter Leticia on the Greek island of Santorini. She has been working for the well known and wealthy Bucardi family. Atalanta travels to the island, changes her surname to Renard and works as a companion to Mrs Bucardi, she is determined to uncover the truth of Leticia‘s fate.
First of all, it is rich in atmosphere and you do feel as if you have had a trip to Venice and Santorini! It also feels evocative of the times, although it can also be said to feel fresh, modern and lively via the manner in which it is told. There is an interesting and varied array of characters, Atalanta is very likeable with the others not quite so much! The mystery is good, things don’t add up as it’s apparent secrets of being kept and large lies are concealing them. There is tension between characters which is evident via cryptic comments and strange behaviour. The denouement is certainly very dramatic!
However, much as I like Atalanta she doesn’t half go over the same old ground asking the same old questions. Just get to the answer, already! It’s overly long and this is because of its lengthy descriptions which are long winded. For example, we spent a long time dandering about around Venice, nice thought that is. I’d much rather it got straight to the point.
Overall, it’s certainly a decent read but it’s not as riveting as I hoped for. It’s is a decent read to escape the here and now and if you like a cozy mystery in great settings this one may fit the bill.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins U.K., One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
I had so much hope for this series. I loved the first book - found it fresh and interesting with a whole new way to introduce the MC and the mystery was good as well. I should have known from my previous experience with this author that a second book was not going to be nearly as charming as the first book and unfortunately, I was correct.
This book was a hot mess. SO. MUCH. REPETITION. It truly seemed that every other chapter was nothing but the same information over and over again [in the guise of Atalanta running over things in her head; over and over and over and over....], just in vaguely disguised different ways but always the same information. It got very tedious very quickly. As did the MC doing truly stupid things; she'd ruminate [over and over...] about how she needed to NOT do something, or NOT go somewhere etc etc and then TURN AROUND and do the complete opposite and then wonder WHY bad things were happening. Really??
This could have been a really good read with a little more editing and a little less repetition. Atalanta is not a bad MC and I can see her growing into her new role as detective and helper of persons in distress, but not the way she is being written now. The hand-wringing and the constant rehashing is tedious and really needs to be retooled. I know there are at least two more books on the horizon and I am just not sure I want to even begin thinking about reading them. I guess we shall see when the time comes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Vivian Conroy, and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Miss Atlanta Ashford is sightseeing near Venice when a mysterious veiled lady approaches her with the urgent request to look into her daughter's mysterious death on the Greek Island of Santorini. Whilst working as a companion for the eminent Bucardi family, the unfortunate girl took a plunge from the dramatic cliffs during a walk alone. But is it all as it seems?
I quite like a good cosy mystery especially in the winter nights. Set in the 1930s, this book has been descriptively written. There are plenty of twist and turns and nobody seems to be whom they first appeared. Atlanta was asked to investigate the death of a young woman on the island and it's not long before she realises her client hasn't told her the truth. I suspected everybody. I do like Atlanta, she's a well-rounded character. This book could be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #VivianConroy for my ARC of #LastSeenInSantortini in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Jan. 6, 2023 Miss Ashford Investigates #2
I first crossed paths with this book when the author noticed I'd shared several cozy mystery reviews on Twitter, of all places, and suggested this one as one I might like. Despite the slow-to-me start, once I settled into the slower pace, I was hooked. I haven't read book one but other than wondering if it might have made it clearer why Atalanta Ashford didn't completely trust Raoul, there were no issues. In fact, I deducted that it was her own feelings toward the handsome race driver that she didn't trust, not Raoul himself. I also give credit to the book for distracting me while dealing with an unhappy tummy over the weekend, meaning it definitely kept my interest.
The author does a lovely job of description. It allowed me to thoroughly enjoy my arm-chair traveler experience to both Venice and Santorini. Heck, it even seen me to research Santorini, which I knew little about. The photos I found made the scene come that much more alive but, no, you don't need to research your arm-chair travel to enjoy. You'll hear, see, and smell the noises, voices, vivid blues of the sea, and aroma of the flowers. All without leaving home!
As for the murder, this is only Atalanta's second case. She seems to have become a tad over-confident after solving the first, only reluctantly only giving Raoul the deserved credit for his help, not to mention info found in her late grandfather's papers. In this case, she responds to the distress and sadness of a woman in black who begs her to investigate a daughter's death in Santorini.
Thanks to her butler's info, Raoul seen appears. She spends a great deal of time denying her interest in him to herself, despite spending real time with him that is easily observed by others. Heck, she even thinks he may be part of the problem, if not the solution to at least one of her questions. Then, another death. The Bucardi family is not all it appears on the surface and, in fact, she fears for the young son's well-being. Convinced she can solve the investigation on her own, Atalanta tends to leap from one supposition to another. She even resents Raoul pointing out that just because she believes something to be true doesn't mean it is. Her attitude was rather annoying at times but I liked her.
Supposedly arriving to be caretaker to an elderly aunt of the Bucardi family, Atalanta quickly discovers all is not as it appears. Pirate's treasure? Quick tempers that flash into violence? Why are Luca's parents so cool toward him? Why does his father react so violently when Luca is given a puppy? Was Titia the innocent young victim she appears on the surface or could her photos hold a clue? Then, another murder? How the heck does the victim's body wind up in bed when evidence indicates they died elsewhere? Is Atalanta truly safe? Will she ever learn to trust both Raoul and her heart? Who.....oh, enough teasers. You're just going to have to read the book. I know I'll be looking forward to Atalanta's next adventure.
Thanks #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK - #OneMoreChapter, not to mention author #VivianConroy for bringing this book to my attention. Venice sounded dreamy but Santorini, with all its history and beauty was amazing.
I enjoyed this so much! I was a little skeptical in the first book but Atalanta has grown on me, as has Raoul. I like how this book explores their connection. They don’t know each other well enough to be fully certain of the other, so there is a lot of trust building that happens in this. I happened to run across a note in Shakespeare’s As You Like It about the mythical character of Atalanta. She was a swift-footed maiden huntress who was averse to marriage. She agreed to marry only the man who would defeat her in a foot race. So I find it interesting that Raoul is a race car driver. Hmm… I’m here for it!
The mystery itself was enjoyable as well. I really liked two of the female characters in particular because I wasn’t sure what to make of them. Luca is a fun addition to the story. He provides something of a character test for the adults. In hindsight, the villain was obvious but the villain’s motive and means were well hidden. I’d say the setting on the Greek island of Santorini was less prominent than I expected. The Venetian presence on the island v. the Greek locals is more at the forefront with regard to the mystery, at least until the end. It did make me curious about that history of Venice being the strong power. Obviously that had declined by the year this is set, 1930.
I always enjoy discovering a new-to-me historical mystery series, even though I’m in the middle of about twenty series. 😂 I’d definitely recommend this one to fans of T.E. Kinsey, Verity Bright, and Sara Rosett, all historical mystery writers with strong female sleuths.
Last Seen in Santorini is the second book in Vivian Conroy's historical mystery series Miss Ashford Investigates.
This series takes readers on adventures to new, beautiful locales with each book, and this one takes us to the gorgeous Greek island of Santorini. I love the concept of these books. With the first set in Provence and future installments planned for Tuscany and Salzburg, they provide armchair travel to go along with each whodunnit.
It's 1930, and Atalanta Ashford is visiting Venice when approached by a woman asking her to go undercover as a paid companion in a wealthy family to investigate the mysterious death of the woman's daughter. Unfortunately, Atalanta finds more than she bargained for between the family, their secrets, and an unsettling feeling of imminent danger.
This setting is spectacular and reads rather like a PBS Masterpiece show. The descriptions of the island and the grand house put you in the time and place. A large pool of suspects with tense interpersonal dynamics and plenty of motives creates enough misdirection to keep you guessing. Atalanta's backstory is intriguing. A poor school teacher, she was left a fortune by a grandfather she never met as he and her father were estranged. But it comes with strings as he asks her to make discreet inquiries for the well-to-do. As Atalanta travels, sees more of the world, and works as a detective, her confidence grows, and her naivete is slowly fading. However, this works as a stand-alone, and there are no spoilers from the first book. Enjoyable and escapist, this immerses the reader in a picturesque world, and the clever globe-trotting premise promises more adventures to come. Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter HC for the opportunity to review this ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars. While on vacation in Venice after her first successful investigation, Atalanta Ashford is approached by a veiled, grieving mother, who begs Atalanta to investigate the unexpected and supposedly accidental death of her daughter Letitia. Leticia had been employed by a wealthy Venetian family who own a burg on Santorini, Greece. Letitia loved to travel, and wanted to become a photographer.
Raoul (from book one) is reluctant for Atalanta to take on this commission (he is in Venice prior to an upcoming race) but decides to help her nonetheless. She pretends to be the new companion, as Letitia was, to the aunt of the Bacardi patriarch. Aunt Delilah is a thoroughly unpleasant woman, while the lady of the house, Victoria, is cold, and her son Luca is a little rascal full of energy. Interestingly, Atalanta is warned by a friendly servant to never find herself alone with Mr. Bucardi. Atalanta also meets Paula the nanny, who is often delinquent in her job, and the free-spirited Calista, longtime friend of Mrs. Bucardi. Raoul arrives soon, and Atalanta notices that Mrs. Bucardi seems troubled by his presence.
During a celebration, Paula is murdered, and there are many conflicting details, motives and secrets about infidelity, parentage, addiction, etc. Of course, Atalanta eventually figures everything out.
This is definitely a cozy, with a locked room mystery. Atalanta doubts her abilities several times, but she is a good observer, and is able to piece together seemingly disparate bits of information. I enjoyed this instalment a little less than the previous, but still intend to read the next.
This time Atlanta has stepped into a nest of vipers!
Approached by a heavily veiled woman in Venice, Atlanta Ashford cuts short her holiday to go to the Greek of Santorini, to try to discover if the death of the woman’s daughter Letitia, was an accident or murder. (Atlanta has just lately, and out of the blue, inherited her unknown dead grandfather’s houses, stocks, cars and fortune. A wealth that enables her to travel the world. She also inherits his mission to “sleuth discreetly in the highest circles.”) Raoul Lemont, the racing car driver she’d previously met in Provence, turns up in Santorini. Atlanta thought she’d spied him in Venice as well. The Island stronghold of the Bucardi family turns out to be a bed of intrigue, rumors and strange behaviors. Supposedly Atlanta is a companion to Pietro Bucardi’s elderly aunt, Delilah. A strange woman, at one moment fragile, the next tyrannical. When the Nanny disappears Atlanta finds herself stepping into those shoes. Mystery and danger! Who is to believed? Who had a motive to kill ? Where does Raoul fit in? So many questions and seeing to the heart of the matter is no easy task as red herrings are strewn across Atlanta’s path willy nilly.
A HarperCollins One More Chapter ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher. Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
Brilliant book to finish as the year ends Really enjoyed it so very highly recommend! Miss Ashford is following her grandfather's role Helping nobility by discretely investigating is her goal.
After successfully concluding her very first case She sets off to explore a new to her place. A Venetian holiday in 1930 is where this story starts When a grieving mother explains her broken heart.
An elderly aunt keeping an eye on things, a possible romance And a young child who insists on taking chances. Along with a marriage is it what it seems? What about the other young lady following wild dreams?
A new investigation, another death, what’s the cause? Evidence for an accident or murder give her pause. A broken family with secrets galore Can Atalanta discover more?
An intriguing read with so many disparate clues Can she piece them together to create true views? Strange friendships and relations, too, But just who is saying what is true?
There are questions, suppositions, lies and deceit, Nothing is really sorted, though it appears so neat. With the help of someone from her last case Can Atalanta put all the pieces into the right place?
For my complementary copy, I say thank you, As I share with you this, my honest review
Historical cosy mysteries are very much a new genre for me to venture into, and I enjoyed the first book in this series. This one had the same vibe to it, and my favourite part was definitely the final showdown!
However, the storytelling aspect fell flat in my opinion. The book was overly lengthy, with Atalanta chewing over the same points throughout, and it did grow tedious over time.
I do like the main character, but the story itself needed some more work.
3.5 stars! Not the most thrilling mystery I’ve ever read but it was cozy and fun. It would have gone crazy in Greece. I definitely will check out the rest of the series if I want a fun European mystery to read!
I was hoping this series would warm up and grow on me a bit more, it’s an entertaining enough diversion but a stilted style and continuing need to suspend disbelief wearing a bit as the story progresses. A bit of escapism, but not my favourite of the genre.
I chose this book to read on the basis of the synopsis and the absolutely beautiful cover which reminds of old time railway advertisements. Atalanta is on holiday in Venice when she is approached by a mysterious woman in black who asks her to investigate her daughter's death in Santorini where she was working for an old Venetian family. This is the second book in a series and the author does refer quite heavily to the previous novel, but it is not a prerequisite to have read it. The setting in the story is interesting and detailed and the characters are all different and striking. The mystery is also satisfyingly twisty. So, why only two stars? Because of the style of telling. Atalanta goes over everything in her head and questions the possibles endlessly. Every paragraph is laced with questions marks and it slows down the action and the interactions no end. Moreover it stops the read working things out for themselves. I don't always want to be told that is could have been this person or that person. I want to work it out for myself. By the end of the book I was so annoyed with the style of writing that I wanted to take a red pen and cross out the endless questions. So while the book ticked all the boxes in the type of story I like to read, I'm afraid this one was not for me. With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and Netgalley for an arc copy in return for an honest review.
A rather passive murder mystery. Miss Ashford seemed to do more internal debating of possible questions as opposed to her actively collecting evidence and clues. The plot would have unfolded as it did with or without her.
I was hoping for more interesting and likable characters in this sequel, but, unfortunately, I didn't get that. Conroy is good at writing bland yet irritating secondary characters/cast of suspects. Once again, I was not emotionally invested in any of them and didn't really care who was going to be the next victim, who might be wrongly accused, etc.
This is the most long winded, repetitive book I ever read.
Could it be blah, blah blah or is it because blah blah blah or maybe its due to blah blah blah. But why.., woudn’t it, or…, maybe.., if then.. But…,or…, was it …?
The second is the series but the first I’ve read. A bit wrong-footed at the beginning as we were introduced to Atalanta and given a brief backstory, which confused me at first, but once I’d moved on made more sense. This is supposed to be set during the 1930’s, but there isn’t much of a feel of that, although the descriptions of both Venice, where the story begins, and Santorini, where it finishes, are quite lovely.
Atalanta is approached in Venice by the mother of a young Italian woman who died whilst working as a lady’s companion for the Bucardi family on Santorini. The woman’s mother is not convinced it was an accident, but has no proof otherwise, and wants Atalanta to find out what actually happened. Atalanta is hired, via this woman, as the new lady’s companion for the family’s elderly aunt (who, as a point I noted, if she never married, wouldn’t be Mrs Bucardi, but Miss).
Whilst the mystery is quite good and the characters reasonably well-presented, it moved quite slowly and Atalanta also spends a lot of time in her head asking the same questions and reviewing information over and over, and I skimmed quite a lot towards the end because I got tired of reading the same stuff again and again.
Definitely an armchair traveller type of book, gentle and not especially gripping, but good enough to while away some holiday time with. The series won’t be added to my TBR pile, but I would read it if I came across it at a charity shop or needed a bit of a break between other, grittier/darker books.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Vivian Conroy the author of Last Seen in Santorini reached out to me on Twitter after seeing my review requesting me to read her book. This is the first time have read Vivian Conroy and I wasn't sure what to expect. The story starts off very slowly and it takes a little time to really get into the mystery. The author creates her world in the book that will have reader transported into Venice, Santorini and the many different locations that will come to life.
The story does get a little wordy at times, Atalanta needs less internal monologues, and lastly yes, I figured out the mystery before the characters. That being said Vivian Conroy creates a cozy mystery that will bring readers into her colorful world and a mystery that needs to be solved.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Author for advance copy of Last Seen In Satorini.
Irregular, a ratos entretenida, a veces aburrida, se recrea demasiado tanto en las diversas posibilidades de culpabilidad o inocencia como en la relación entre la protagonista, Atalanta, y Raoul, el interés romántico, del que desarrolla una dependencia tanto emocional como para investigar que la aleja de ser alguien independiente y segura, capaz de desenvolverse por sí misma y tener sus propios criterios.
Un poco decepcionante, además de previsible, tanto en los diversos misterios como en la identidad del personaje que comete los crímenes, y sus motivos, que se ven venir de lejos. A veces llama más la atención lo que no se dice que lo que sí.
I typically enjoy cosy mysteries, and I got the impression that this might be a historical cosy mystery, maybe a little bit like Agatha Christie, so I was pleased to be approved for a review.
The writing in general was excellent, and the story provided the kind of escapism that I would expect from reading a cosy mystery. Atlanta was a protagonist that I warmed to, and identified with in some ways, and the story itself was entertaining. It did remind me a little bit of Agatha Christie too!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
Another good mystery in this series: I thooroughly enjoyed it, had fun and the solid plot kept me guessing. I loved the descriptions of the setting and was glad to catch up with the characters. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Con una premisa que nos recuerdan a los libros de Agatha Christie no adentramos en el 2º de los libros de esta serie. Es una historia de habitación cerrada y con giros que nos harán ver que nadie es quien parece. La protagonista intentará resolver unos asesinatos con la ayuda de un amigo. A lo largo del libro dudará de todo el mundo, incluso de él. No vamos a encontrar muchos personajes ni descripciones que no aportan. El lenguaje es sencillo y eso hace que sea ameno de leer. Aunque empieza lento y la investigación apenas está presente, luego se va animando. El final me ha gustado bastante, por el giro en los acontecimientos y el ritmo. Me ha sobrado que la protagonista se hacía continuamente preguntas y teorías, algunas incluso se repetían en más de una ocasión. Si os gustan los casos de habitación cerrada y Agatha Christie, adentraros en esta historia y ayudad a Atalanta a descifrar el misterio.
Contrived plot, stilted conversation, indefinite era setting combined to make this an unsatisfactory read. Poor characterisation made the various names like cardboard cut-outs so you don't believe in them or care. I did complete reading the book in case it improved but found it slow. No specific Santorini place names were featured, nor the magnificent caldera which was disappointing - if you're setting a piece in a famous place, then at least mention some of the renowned landmarks. Atalanta Ashford spends much of the book mulling the ifs & buts & maybes which slows the pace. I won't be reading any further from this series.
If you enjoy stream of consciousness in a historical soap opera you will adore this book. Atalanta is tasked with discovering the truth about a young woman's death, becomes companion to a senior member of a wealthy family, and discovers a concealed murder on beautiful Santorini, and even a locked room murder mystery. Let the sleuthing begin as the twists and red herrings multiply until the Grand Confrontation! Excellent read I requested and received a free temporary e-book copy from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!