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Daisy Moore Mysteries #1
Death at the Dolphin
Even in peacetime, death is just around the corner.
London, VE Day, 1945. As Britain takes its tentative first steps into peace, Daisy Moore’s secret wartime work at Whitehall comes to an end.
Convinced that she caused her mother’s death, homeless and with no other job in sight, Daisy should be happy to find herself in Fernfield working at the Dolphin hotel. Instead, she finds the quiet corner of Oxfordshire oppressive and small, and she misses London.
Then a body is found in one of the rooms with the head bashed in by a stone dolphin from the window ledge. The victim is Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist. The villagers thought she was a busybody, and they don’t like foreigners.
Daisy is sure she can use her skills to identify the killer. She spent the war decoding ciphers, and murder is surely just another puzzle. But Inspector Thaxted isn’t convinced he needs the help.
The list of people who wanted Lucinda dead keeps growing and Thaxted’s investigation is going nowhere. Then Thaxted’s prime suspect, a young Jewish refugee, is attacked and left for dead. Can Daisy and the inspector work together to find the killer before anyone else dies?
London, VE Day, 1945. As Britain takes its tentative first steps into peace, Daisy Moore’s secret wartime work at Whitehall comes to an end.
Convinced that she caused her mother’s death, homeless and with no other job in sight, Daisy should be happy to find herself in Fernfield working at the Dolphin hotel. Instead, she finds the quiet corner of Oxfordshire oppressive and small, and she misses London.
Then a body is found in one of the rooms with the head bashed in by a stone dolphin from the window ledge. The victim is Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist. The villagers thought she was a busybody, and they don’t like foreigners.
Daisy is sure she can use her skills to identify the killer. She spent the war decoding ciphers, and murder is surely just another puzzle. But Inspector Thaxted isn’t convinced he needs the help.
The list of people who wanted Lucinda dead keeps growing and Thaxted’s investigation is going nowhere. Then Thaxted’s prime suspect, a young Jewish refugee, is attacked and left for dead. Can Daisy and the inspector work together to find the killer before anyone else dies?
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2022
165 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Gretta Mulrooney
40 books131 followersGretta Mulrooney (1952-2023) was a British author of mystery, thriller, and crime novels. Born and raised in London to Irish parents, Mulrooney began publishing novels in her 30s, working with publishers such as Poolberg Press, Harper Collins, and Joffre Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
September 12, 2024
EXCERPT: If only.
If only I hadn't been distracted by the cat.
If only I hadn't been obsessed by work and a crucial message from Antwerp.
If only I'd remembered to turn and check the hearth.
If only.
I'm convinced that I was responsible for my mother's death. Her regular refrain, railed through a dense fog of fag smoke, used to be: 'Daisy Moore, you'll be the death of me.' It demonstrated a certain prescience n her part. I was a head-strong, curious, accident-prone child, breaking limbs, tearing my skin, falling - usually onto my head. The first time I did that, I was two and came tumbling down the narrow, lino-covered stairs. Maybe all the bashes on my skull accounted for the way I turned out.
I view myself as an accidental killer. That may be why I take to solving crimes. A kind of restitution.
ABOUT 'DEATH AT THE DOLPHIN': Even in peacetime, death is just around the corner.
London, VE Day, 1945. As Britain takes its tentative first steps into peace, Daisy Moore’s secret wartime work at Whitehall comes to an end.
Convinced that she caused her mother’s death, homeless and with no other job in sight, Daisy should be happy to find herself in Fernfield working at the Dolphin hotel. Instead, she finds the quiet corner of Oxfordshire oppressive and small, and she misses London.
Then a body is found in one of the rooms with the head bashed in by a stone dolphin from the window ledge. The victim is Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist. The villagers thought she was a busybody, and they don’t like foreigners.
Daisy is sure she can use her skills to identify the killer. She spent the war decoding ciphers, and murder is surely just another puzzle. But Inspector Thaxted isn’t convinced he needs the help.
The list of people who wanted Lucinda dead keeps growing and Thaxted’s investigation is going nowhere. Then Thaxted’s prime suspect, a young Jewish refugee, is attacked and left for dead. Can Daisy and the inspector work together to find the killer before anyone else dies?
MY THOUGHTS: Life after the war wasn't the peaceful idyll that one might think. There was still rationing. People were still suspicious of outsiders. And people like Daisy, who had held down important jobs in the war effort found themselves unemployed and, in Daisy's case, homeless.
Daisy is intelligent, has an enquiring mind and finds her position as general factotum to an actor who also owns a hotel, not particularly stimulating. So when the prominent and much-loved Lucinda Laidlaw is found in an unoccupied hotel room with her head bashed in, Daisy can't resist trying to solve the murder.
I liked Daisy. She's not backwards incoming forwards. She's bright, intelligent and likes cats. She's not afraid to test her theories and ruffles more than a few feathers, including those of Inspector Thaxted who, at one point, cheerfully admits that he would like to throttle her!
The village where the mystery is set is small, the inhabitants close, the class structure very much in evidence. The inhabitants like nothing more than a good gossip amongst themselves, but when it comes to sharing information that might solve a crime, they're a bit more close-lipped and loyal to their alliances.
I honestly had no idea who had killed Lucinda but, when it came, I greatly enjoyed the resolution.
If you enjoy a good old-fashioned whodunnit, Death at the Dolphin will satisfy your needs.
I enjoyed Emma Noakes narration of Death at the Dolphin.
P.S. I note that Gretta Mulrooney passed away in 2023, so there may well be no more of this series to come which would be a great pity. But she does have a good catalogue of back titles which I intend to explore.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#DeathattheDolphin #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Gretta Mulrooney was born in London of Irish parents and did an English degree in Derry. She has been published for over twenty-five years. Gretta was always an avid reader of crime fiction and decided, in retirement, to turn to crime. She passed away in 2023.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of Death at the Dolphin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
If only I hadn't been distracted by the cat.
If only I hadn't been obsessed by work and a crucial message from Antwerp.
If only I'd remembered to turn and check the hearth.
If only.
I'm convinced that I was responsible for my mother's death. Her regular refrain, railed through a dense fog of fag smoke, used to be: 'Daisy Moore, you'll be the death of me.' It demonstrated a certain prescience n her part. I was a head-strong, curious, accident-prone child, breaking limbs, tearing my skin, falling - usually onto my head. The first time I did that, I was two and came tumbling down the narrow, lino-covered stairs. Maybe all the bashes on my skull accounted for the way I turned out.
I view myself as an accidental killer. That may be why I take to solving crimes. A kind of restitution.
ABOUT 'DEATH AT THE DOLPHIN': Even in peacetime, death is just around the corner.
London, VE Day, 1945. As Britain takes its tentative first steps into peace, Daisy Moore’s secret wartime work at Whitehall comes to an end.
Convinced that she caused her mother’s death, homeless and with no other job in sight, Daisy should be happy to find herself in Fernfield working at the Dolphin hotel. Instead, she finds the quiet corner of Oxfordshire oppressive and small, and she misses London.
Then a body is found in one of the rooms with the head bashed in by a stone dolphin from the window ledge. The victim is Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist. The villagers thought she was a busybody, and they don’t like foreigners.
Daisy is sure she can use her skills to identify the killer. She spent the war decoding ciphers, and murder is surely just another puzzle. But Inspector Thaxted isn’t convinced he needs the help.
The list of people who wanted Lucinda dead keeps growing and Thaxted’s investigation is going nowhere. Then Thaxted’s prime suspect, a young Jewish refugee, is attacked and left for dead. Can Daisy and the inspector work together to find the killer before anyone else dies?
MY THOUGHTS: Life after the war wasn't the peaceful idyll that one might think. There was still rationing. People were still suspicious of outsiders. And people like Daisy, who had held down important jobs in the war effort found themselves unemployed and, in Daisy's case, homeless.
Daisy is intelligent, has an enquiring mind and finds her position as general factotum to an actor who also owns a hotel, not particularly stimulating. So when the prominent and much-loved Lucinda Laidlaw is found in an unoccupied hotel room with her head bashed in, Daisy can't resist trying to solve the murder.
I liked Daisy. She's not backwards incoming forwards. She's bright, intelligent and likes cats. She's not afraid to test her theories and ruffles more than a few feathers, including those of Inspector Thaxted who, at one point, cheerfully admits that he would like to throttle her!
The village where the mystery is set is small, the inhabitants close, the class structure very much in evidence. The inhabitants like nothing more than a good gossip amongst themselves, but when it comes to sharing information that might solve a crime, they're a bit more close-lipped and loyal to their alliances.
I honestly had no idea who had killed Lucinda but, when it came, I greatly enjoyed the resolution.
If you enjoy a good old-fashioned whodunnit, Death at the Dolphin will satisfy your needs.
I enjoyed Emma Noakes narration of Death at the Dolphin.
P.S. I note that Gretta Mulrooney passed away in 2023, so there may well be no more of this series to come which would be a great pity. But she does have a good catalogue of back titles which I intend to explore.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#DeathattheDolphin #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Gretta Mulrooney was born in London of Irish parents and did an English degree in Derry. She has been published for over twenty-five years. Gretta was always an avid reader of crime fiction and decided, in retirement, to turn to crime. She passed away in 2023.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of Death at the Dolphin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 19, 2022
What did all those smart women who took on the important roles in England during WWII do when they were unceremoniously thrown out of their jobs when the war was over. Well, one, Daisy, ended up in a small village as an assistant to an actor who also owned a hotel. It wasn't the exciting and mental challenging job as a code breaker she was use to but she had to put food the table somehow. Things were going along fairly smoothly until someone is murdered in a room at the hotel. Now at least Daisy had something to challenge her mind as she decided to help the police, if they wanted it or not. But it might have been as dangerous as living through the Blitz in London...
It was interesting to read about England right after WWII and especially about one woman who had an important role that used her brain but as soon the war ended she had no job, no way to earn money which she needed, and a big whole in her life where she once had done meaningful work. This was a smart mystery. It fooled me. I thought I knew who the murderer was before the end but I was wrong. And the depiction of the village was realistic. People were prejudice against outsiders, Jews, and Germans. After all, it was just after the war. It was filled with secrets, gossip and some good people too.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.
It was interesting to read about England right after WWII and especially about one woman who had an important role that used her brain but as soon the war ended she had no job, no way to earn money which she needed, and a big whole in her life where she once had done meaningful work. This was a smart mystery. It fooled me. I thought I knew who the murderer was before the end but I was wrong. And the depiction of the village was realistic. People were prejudice against outsiders, Jews, and Germans. After all, it was just after the war. It was filled with secrets, gossip and some good people too.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.
July 31, 2022
Classic mystery lovers, rejoice! This story feels like Foyle's War mixed with Agatha Christie and sucked me in right away. In fact, it was so compelling it was really hard to put down. (Really hard...as 'it was midnight and I needed to sleep but I couldn't stop' hard.) Set in the chaotic period right after the end of World War II, this has all the best mystery story hallmarks-small town in the middle of the country, quirky insular inhabitants, random giant estates outside town, sharp local police and a main character who is an unwilling transplant but comes to love the area despite herself. There are plenty of little hooks left for future books and I hope this turns out to be a series.
Recommended for classic murder mystery readers and those who would like to read works with a possibly (?) neurodivergent main character.
Recommended for classic murder mystery readers and those who would like to read works with a possibly (?) neurodivergent main character.
August 17, 2022
Set in Oxford just after the Second World War, this murder mystery follows heroine Daisy Moore. Rebuilding her life after a family tragedy, Daisy relocates from London to Oxford and begins work for the owner of the local hotel, The Dolphin. All goes well until a villager, a charitable and kind older lady, is found murdered in one of the hotel rooms, her head bludgeoned with a stone dolphin. Daisy and the wry, stoic police inspector, Peter Thaxted, set about trying to solve the crime. Who could possibly want to brutally kill such a sweet woman? Will Daisy and Thaxted be able to uncover the many secrets and buried resentments of the locals and find the murderer before anyone else is hurt?
I enjoyed this gentle mystery, which falls firmly into the cosy category. Daisy is an intelligent and feisty heroine and Thaxted proves a good foil, bringing dry humour and neat insights to the case. There is a large, lively cast of local characters and an evocative sense of British post-war history, particularly detailed when it comes to food and clothes. The writing is solid and the story well developed.
I did find there were perhaps a couple more subplots than necessary. While a village may hold secrets, there were an awful lot of major revelations for such a small place. The pace was slow and I would have loved a second murder to enliven the story. Daisy faces very little peril until the end of the book and it definitely lacked tension.
Overall this was a satisfying, pleasing mystery and I would happily read more of Daisy’s adventures.
*This book was provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review*
I enjoyed this gentle mystery, which falls firmly into the cosy category. Daisy is an intelligent and feisty heroine and Thaxted proves a good foil, bringing dry humour and neat insights to the case. There is a large, lively cast of local characters and an evocative sense of British post-war history, particularly detailed when it comes to food and clothes. The writing is solid and the story well developed.
I did find there were perhaps a couple more subplots than necessary. While a village may hold secrets, there were an awful lot of major revelations for such a small place. The pace was slow and I would have loved a second murder to enliven the story. Daisy faces very little peril until the end of the book and it definitely lacked tension.
Overall this was a satisfying, pleasing mystery and I would happily read more of Daisy’s adventures.
*This book was provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2022
Post VE Day 1945. Daisy Moore's secret employment at Whitehall has finished and after causing the death of her mother (so she believes) and burning down their home, she finds herself at the Dolphin Hotel in Fernfield, Oxfordshire. When a murder occurs at the hotel Daisy starts to ask questions much to the irritation of Inspector Peter Thaxted who is investigating. But between them can they gather all the clues.
An entertaining well-written cozy mystery with its cast of varied, and likeable characters especially the main ones.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining well-written cozy mystery with its cast of varied, and likeable characters especially the main ones.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2022
With the the end of World War II in sight, Daisy Moore losses her mother and home to a fire, that just may have been her fault. Soon after, she finds that she is no longer needed in her job at Whitehall as a codebreaker. Relegated to living in a hostel, Daisy’s interest is piqued when given the opportunity to be general factotum to Jeffrey Berrow, actor and owner of the Dolphin Hotel She’s soon off to the village of Fernfield to keep “JB” organized. But then a woman is found dead in one of the rooms at the Dolphin, and a young man stands accused of her murder. Not convinced of his guilt, Daisy must use her skills as a cryptanalyst to work out the puzzle of who is the real murderer.
I love a good British mystery set around the time of World War II. While it fit the setting and the time period, unfortunately, this book did not fit into the good category. The plot involving the murder should have been a good one, but often got lost in the subplots (of which there were several). The author also chose to write in first person, resulting in stilted dialogue and an awkward narrative.
Several of the characters were OTT (over the top) in every way. Much more caricature than character. There were also far too many of them, making it difficult to keep track. But most disheartening was that the character of Daisy was never fully fleshed out. She was barely drawn and had no real depth. I just could not find myself engaging with her, or any of the characters for that matter, in any way.
So, this was definitely not an enjoyable read for me, and not a book which I would recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced reader copy of this book made available for my review.
I love a good British mystery set around the time of World War II. While it fit the setting and the time period, unfortunately, this book did not fit into the good category. The plot involving the murder should have been a good one, but often got lost in the subplots (of which there were several). The author also chose to write in first person, resulting in stilted dialogue and an awkward narrative.
Several of the characters were OTT (over the top) in every way. Much more caricature than character. There were also far too many of them, making it difficult to keep track. But most disheartening was that the character of Daisy was never fully fleshed out. She was barely drawn and had no real depth. I just could not find myself engaging with her, or any of the characters for that matter, in any way.
So, this was definitely not an enjoyable read for me, and not a book which I would recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced reader copy of this book made available for my review.
September 23, 2023
As the book opens, WW II is winding down, Daisy Moore is trying to decode a cipher, and then accidentally kills her mother and her cat (or at least she’s convinced she did). Clearly Daisy is smart, but she also admits she’s accident prone.
When Daisy is told her job for Whitehall has ended, and she should find a nice man to marry, she’s at a loss. Having burned down her home (and mother and cat), she has nothing. She’s placed in horrible shelter and is floundering. Then, her mother’s priest hooks her up with a job as general factotum for the owner of the Dolphin Hotel, located outside of Oxford. It seems the owner is an actor friend of the priest.
The book was written in the first person present tense, which I despise, and I almost put it down in the first pages. But, I persisted, and I’m glad I did. I was intrigued by the mystery. Everyone associated with the Dolphin Hotel has secrets. When a woman is murdered in a room in the Dolphin, Daisy hops in to investigate. After all, she’s uncoded important ciphers for the government, this seems more suited to her intellect than tracking down lost vegetable orders. I’ll admit I didn’t guess who the murderer was; there were so many possible suspects.
In addition to finding the mystery intriguing, I grew to like Daisy (although most people around her don’t). I’m also intrigued by the inspector called in to solve the case. I hope he’ll make an appearance in the next book, as I definitely plan to read it.
When Daisy is told her job for Whitehall has ended, and she should find a nice man to marry, she’s at a loss. Having burned down her home (and mother and cat), she has nothing. She’s placed in horrible shelter and is floundering. Then, her mother’s priest hooks her up with a job as general factotum for the owner of the Dolphin Hotel, located outside of Oxford. It seems the owner is an actor friend of the priest.
The book was written in the first person present tense, which I despise, and I almost put it down in the first pages. But, I persisted, and I’m glad I did. I was intrigued by the mystery. Everyone associated with the Dolphin Hotel has secrets. When a woman is murdered in a room in the Dolphin, Daisy hops in to investigate. After all, she’s uncoded important ciphers for the government, this seems more suited to her intellect than tracking down lost vegetable orders. I’ll admit I didn’t guess who the murderer was; there were so many possible suspects.
In addition to finding the mystery intriguing, I grew to like Daisy (although most people around her don’t). I’m also intrigued by the inspector called in to solve the case. I hope he’ll make an appearance in the next book, as I definitely plan to read it.
August 3, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Death at the Dolphin, a stand-alone cosy novel set in the fictional Oxfordshire town of Fernfield in 1945.
At a loose end after her top secret war work comes to an end and orphaned after a house fire she blames herself for kills her mother Daisy Moore accepts a job as general factotum to actor and hotelier Jeffrey “JB” Berrow in Fernfield. The job isn’t very exciting, looking after JB’s fan Mail and house and standing in at his hotel, The Dolphin, when required, but that changes when Lucinda Laidlaw is killed in Room 1.
I enjoyed Death at the Dolphin, which has an endearing protagonist in Daisy Moore and an absorbing plot. It is told in the first person from Daisy’s point of view so the reader can enjoy her sleuthing and rather caustic take on events.
The plot is interesting with several possible suspects, the staff and guests at The Dolphin, a local landowner and Inspector Thaxted’s prime suspect, Felix Koller, a refugee who was staying with Lucinda. It therefore revolves around Daisy asking questions, making deductions and verbally tangling with Inspector Thaxted over her interference. Personally, I was pretty sure that I had it all worked out by the 50% mark, only to be proved badly wrong in the end, so kudos to the author for misdirection. Who knew there could be so many crimes in a small town?
Daisy is a fun protagonist. Her life has obviously slowed down considerably with the loss of her job and the move from home sometimes makes her homesick, but she deals with it with resolution and an optimistic attitude. Her comments on events and some of the characters make the reader laugh.
Death at the Dolphin is a good read that I can recommend.
At a loose end after her top secret war work comes to an end and orphaned after a house fire she blames herself for kills her mother Daisy Moore accepts a job as general factotum to actor and hotelier Jeffrey “JB” Berrow in Fernfield. The job isn’t very exciting, looking after JB’s fan Mail and house and standing in at his hotel, The Dolphin, when required, but that changes when Lucinda Laidlaw is killed in Room 1.
I enjoyed Death at the Dolphin, which has an endearing protagonist in Daisy Moore and an absorbing plot. It is told in the first person from Daisy’s point of view so the reader can enjoy her sleuthing and rather caustic take on events.
The plot is interesting with several possible suspects, the staff and guests at The Dolphin, a local landowner and Inspector Thaxted’s prime suspect, Felix Koller, a refugee who was staying with Lucinda. It therefore revolves around Daisy asking questions, making deductions and verbally tangling with Inspector Thaxted over her interference. Personally, I was pretty sure that I had it all worked out by the 50% mark, only to be proved badly wrong in the end, so kudos to the author for misdirection. Who knew there could be so many crimes in a small town?
Daisy is a fun protagonist. Her life has obviously slowed down considerably with the loss of her job and the move from home sometimes makes her homesick, but she deals with it with resolution and an optimistic attitude. Her comments on events and some of the characters make the reader laugh.
Death at the Dolphin is a good read that I can recommend.
July 30, 2022
1945 VE Day and Daisy Moore in Hailsham House Hostel her parents are dead and now find herself with no job at Whitehall working for the government in central London her boss tells her to find herself a husband.
Father Hickey comes to her rescue and she moves to Fernfield in Oxfordshire working for Mr Jeffrey Berrow who also owns the Dolphin hotel along with two identical cats and living at Brize Lodge she ready to give it a try.
This hotel has eight bedrooms and only five guests at the moment then Daisy encounted her first murder Lucinda Laidlow a retired teacher and Daisy without a doubt is a very observant character in this book, as we read the pre war years that I love.
I find this one of my favourites that I have read by this author.
Sharp witty and fun to read loved it.
Father Hickey comes to her rescue and she moves to Fernfield in Oxfordshire working for Mr Jeffrey Berrow who also owns the Dolphin hotel along with two identical cats and living at Brize Lodge she ready to give it a try.
This hotel has eight bedrooms and only five guests at the moment then Daisy encounted her first murder Lucinda Laidlow a retired teacher and Daisy without a doubt is a very observant character in this book, as we read the pre war years that I love.
I find this one of my favourites that I have read by this author.
Sharp witty and fun to read loved it.
November 9, 2024
4.5 stars. This wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but in a good way! I was thinking the usual amateur sleuth cosy mystery, and so when it opens with Daisy and the fire, I was thinking crikey we’re not in usual cosy territory. She is smart and savvy and did something in Whitehall during the war, so it has a nice tone and a clever female lead character. I also liked Detective Thaxted, who grows to tolerate Daisy’s actions…
All in all a good mystery and characters, and I’ve just seen there is a second book which I’ll look out for. There are other series that Mulrooney’s written, so I might check those out too.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay in providing this.
All in all a good mystery and characters, and I’ve just seen there is a second book which I’ll look out for. There are other series that Mulrooney’s written, so I might check those out too.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay in providing this.
August 18, 2022
Death at the dolphin by Gretta Mulrooney.
London, VE Day, 1945.
Daisy Moore is at a crossroads.she needs a job and somewhere to live. She gets one at the dolphin hotel. But when a body turns up she must use her skills to find the murderer.
Really good read. I did like Daisy. 4*.
London, VE Day, 1945.
Daisy Moore is at a crossroads.she needs a job and somewhere to live. She gets one at the dolphin hotel. But when a body turns up she must use her skills to find the murderer.
Really good read. I did like Daisy. 4*.
November 20, 2024
Historical murder mystery set in 1946! Historical!!!
Anyhow, I loved this book! Absolutely brilliant. Great characters, humour and plot.
Such a great change from the usual and very different from the previous books I’ve read from this author!
Anyhow, I loved this book! Absolutely brilliant. Great characters, humour and plot.
Such a great change from the usual and very different from the previous books I’ve read from this author!
July 8, 2023
2023 bk 218. What a delight to read, if you are a lover of classic British country mysteries. Gretta Mulrooney's new (hope to be ) series opens in the last weeks of WWII when one of the nation's coders loses her mother and home to a fire and upon returning to work learns that she and the other women are out of a job. "Thank you and go find a young man to marry." is the attitude. It is when her mother's priest steps in and offers a chance at a job, that our heroine sees her way of making a new life for herself. "Just for a year" she promises herself. The job is a an aide to an actor - filling in at the hotel he operates, responding to his fan mail, feeding the cats - and it comes with room, board, and pay. When a local villager is bludgeoned to death at the hotel (The Dolphin), it requires her wits to prevent the police from arresting the wrong man for the murder. However her curious nature reveals many secrets that may make life more difficult. Well conceived, well written, well enjoyed!
September 26, 2022
Grim and gritty
The protagonist, who tells the story from her point of view, is not terribly sympathetic. She is evasive about her job in London during the Blitz and derisive about her mother, who dies in a house fire she accidentally set. She stumbles into a cushy job on a recommendation from her late mother's priest and encounters a strange assortment of characters at the remote inn in Oxfordshire. Death then visits the Dolphin.
I did not get the sense of time and place I usually find in a historical mystery. Here there are random references to ration coupons and perpetually bad food, but there is no real sense of how the British people lived as the war in Europe was winding down The murdered woman was the only person who was sympathetic and all the people Daisy Moore encountered were comprised of stereotypes
I struggled to finish this book, and the heroine was not a very effective amateur sleuth. Her rescue from the killer's attempt to kill her in an arson fire (Two fires in a matter of months?) was definitely far fetched. I was glad the book was free, because it was definitely not worth my time or an outlay of money.
The protagonist, who tells the story from her point of view, is not terribly sympathetic. She is evasive about her job in London during the Blitz and derisive about her mother, who dies in a house fire she accidentally set. She stumbles into a cushy job on a recommendation from her late mother's priest and encounters a strange assortment of characters at the remote inn in Oxfordshire. Death then visits the Dolphin.
I did not get the sense of time and place I usually find in a historical mystery. Here there are random references to ration coupons and perpetually bad food, but there is no real sense of how the British people lived as the war in Europe was winding down The murdered woman was the only person who was sympathetic and all the people Daisy Moore encountered were comprised of stereotypes
I struggled to finish this book, and the heroine was not a very effective amateur sleuth. Her rescue from the killer's attempt to kill her in an arson fire (Two fires in a matter of months?) was definitely far fetched. I was glad the book was free, because it was definitely not worth my time or an outlay of money.
October 3, 2024
Ok for a cozy mystery
It was alright for a cozy mystery, but not what I was expecting. It said it was gripping WWII mystery. It was set right after the war and it certainly wasn't gripping.
It was alright for a cozy mystery, but not what I was expecting. It said it was gripping WWII mystery. It was set right after the war and it certainly wasn't gripping.
January 22, 2025
Downloaded this by accident on my kindle. A cozy historical murder mystery. Overall a bit boring and long winded.
April 20, 2024
Daisy was a code breaker for Britain during World War II. After the war, she lost her job and her mother died when their home caught fire. Daisy was at loose ends until her mother’s priest told her about a job that would be “perfect for her”.
She would be working in Oxfordshire at a hotel, but also being the general factotum for the owner of the hotel, J B. I am a fan of J B. He is a charmer.
Everyone who lives in the village or the area around the village is unusual. J B lives in one house and his wife lives in another. She is the one with the money. J B is an actor. He has been in a few films, many plays and now his main work seems to be doing radio plays. He is truly wonderful with accents.
Shortly after Daisy’s first day at the hotel, a woman from the neighborhood is found murdered in one of the empty rooms. Inspector Thaxted, the man in charge of the investigation, arrests the young man who was living with the woman. Hugo, the young man, is a refugee. His family died in a concentration camp and he was interned during most of the war.
And the villagers are not the least bit friendly to anyone new and definitely not a Jewish refugee from the War.
Daisy decides she must investigate. She believes Hugo is innocent and she plans to prove it. Daisy is intelligent and she pays attention to details. She learns many of the secrets of the villagers. Her questioning does not go unnoticed, but people do seem to want to share with her.
For me, Daisy got to be quite annoying. I understand her motivation. She found things out and then shared those things with Inspector Thaxted. He did not become a fan of hers, but he did get to the point where he shared with her and respected her. But, Daisy just seemed to steamroll over the people she investigated.
I liked the book, I liked nearly every character in the story. The plot moved along at a good pace. I just wanted to warm up to Daisy more than I did. Although, she liked cats and that did give her quite a few points with me.
She would be working in Oxfordshire at a hotel, but also being the general factotum for the owner of the hotel, J B. I am a fan of J B. He is a charmer.
Everyone who lives in the village or the area around the village is unusual. J B lives in one house and his wife lives in another. She is the one with the money. J B is an actor. He has been in a few films, many plays and now his main work seems to be doing radio plays. He is truly wonderful with accents.
Shortly after Daisy’s first day at the hotel, a woman from the neighborhood is found murdered in one of the empty rooms. Inspector Thaxted, the man in charge of the investigation, arrests the young man who was living with the woman. Hugo, the young man, is a refugee. His family died in a concentration camp and he was interned during most of the war.
And the villagers are not the least bit friendly to anyone new and definitely not a Jewish refugee from the War.
Daisy decides she must investigate. She believes Hugo is innocent and she plans to prove it. Daisy is intelligent and she pays attention to details. She learns many of the secrets of the villagers. Her questioning does not go unnoticed, but people do seem to want to share with her.
For me, Daisy got to be quite annoying. I understand her motivation. She found things out and then shared those things with Inspector Thaxted. He did not become a fan of hers, but he did get to the point where he shared with her and respected her. But, Daisy just seemed to steamroll over the people she investigated.
I liked the book, I liked nearly every character in the story. The plot moved along at a good pace. I just wanted to warm up to Daisy more than I did. Although, she liked cats and that did give her quite a few points with me.
September 12, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and @Bolindaaudio for an ARC of this audiobook
Gretta Mulrooney's "Death at the Dolphin" offers a captivating glimpse into post-World War II England through the lens of a classic whodunit. Set against the backdrop of a quaint Oxfordshire village, the novel weaves together elements of historical fiction and mystery, creating a narrative that is both engaging and informative.
The protagonist, Daisy Moore, embodies the spirit of a generation emerging from the shadows of war. Her transition from London's wartime excitement to the insular world of Fernfield village provides a compelling contrast, highlighting the social dynamics of the era. Mulrooney's attention to period details, such as food rationing and the mention of Woolton Pie, adds authenticity to the setting, immersing readers in the challenges of post-war life.
The murder mystery at the heart of the story is well-crafted, with the victim's pacifist beliefs and connection to an Austrian Jewish refugee adding layers of complexity to the plot. The use of a hotel's trademark stone dolphin ornament as the murder weapon is a clever touch, tying the crime intimately to its setting.
Mulrooney excels in character development, particularly in her portrayal of Daisy. The young protagonist's determination to uncover the truth, despite the resistance she faces as an outsider and a woman, adds depth to her character and reflects the changing role of women in post-war society.
While the novel follows many conventions of the cozy mystery genre, it distinguishes itself through its historical context and the underlying themes of prejudice and social change. The tension between locals and outsiders, coupled with the lingering effects of the war, provides a rich backdrop for the central mystery.
"Death at the Dolphin" is an entertaining and thoughtful read that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and those interested in post-war British society. Mulrooney's skillful blend of period detail, character development, and mystery craftsmanship results in a charming and thought-provoking novel.
Gretta Mulrooney's "Death at the Dolphin" offers a captivating glimpse into post-World War II England through the lens of a classic whodunit. Set against the backdrop of a quaint Oxfordshire village, the novel weaves together elements of historical fiction and mystery, creating a narrative that is both engaging and informative.
The protagonist, Daisy Moore, embodies the spirit of a generation emerging from the shadows of war. Her transition from London's wartime excitement to the insular world of Fernfield village provides a compelling contrast, highlighting the social dynamics of the era. Mulrooney's attention to period details, such as food rationing and the mention of Woolton Pie, adds authenticity to the setting, immersing readers in the challenges of post-war life.
The murder mystery at the heart of the story is well-crafted, with the victim's pacifist beliefs and connection to an Austrian Jewish refugee adding layers of complexity to the plot. The use of a hotel's trademark stone dolphin ornament as the murder weapon is a clever touch, tying the crime intimately to its setting.
Mulrooney excels in character development, particularly in her portrayal of Daisy. The young protagonist's determination to uncover the truth, despite the resistance she faces as an outsider and a woman, adds depth to her character and reflects the changing role of women in post-war society.
While the novel follows many conventions of the cozy mystery genre, it distinguishes itself through its historical context and the underlying themes of prejudice and social change. The tension between locals and outsiders, coupled with the lingering effects of the war, provides a rich backdrop for the central mystery.
"Death at the Dolphin" is an entertaining and thoughtful read that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and those interested in post-war British society. Mulrooney's skillful blend of period detail, character development, and mystery craftsmanship results in a charming and thought-provoking novel.
August 25, 2022
Daisy Moore killed he mother when her carelessness caused their home to catch fire. Luckily the Germans had also bombed the area that night so nobody questioned the source of the fire. With the help of the local priest she finds a position as the general factotum for Mr. Berrow, owner of a small hotel in Fernfield. She was not there for long before the body of Miss Laidlaw was found in one of the hotel’s rooms. She was a local woman who was involved in charity work. Inspector Thaxted arrests Felix Koller, who was seen leaving the room. Koller was a student from Austria who escaped the war and was living with Laidlaw, a family friend. While the police are satisfied, Daisy believes that Koller is innocent and sets out to investigate.
Daisy is intelligent and inquisitive. Even though she dropped out of school to work in a factory, she worked during the war at Whitehall as a decoder. At the end of the war she was released from her position along with the other women in the office who were told they should find husbands and settle down. Daisy isn’t ready to settle down. Even though village life is not for her, she enjoys Berrow’s company. He is an actor and her responsibilities include helping him to rehearse as well as answering his fan mail. At the hotel she assists where needed and has gotten to know the staff. If Koller is innocent then the most likely suspect is one of the staff or guests, but each one can account for their activities at the time of the murder. As a decoder she was responsible for solving complex messages so this is her chance once again face a challenge. Daisy is a well developed character and Death at the Dolphin had a number of twists to delight the reader. I hope that we will see her return in future investigations. I would like to thank Joffre Books for providing this book for my review.
Daisy is intelligent and inquisitive. Even though she dropped out of school to work in a factory, she worked during the war at Whitehall as a decoder. At the end of the war she was released from her position along with the other women in the office who were told they should find husbands and settle down. Daisy isn’t ready to settle down. Even though village life is not for her, she enjoys Berrow’s company. He is an actor and her responsibilities include helping him to rehearse as well as answering his fan mail. At the hotel she assists where needed and has gotten to know the staff. If Koller is innocent then the most likely suspect is one of the staff or guests, but each one can account for their activities at the time of the murder. As a decoder she was responsible for solving complex messages so this is her chance once again face a challenge. Daisy is a well developed character and Death at the Dolphin had a number of twists to delight the reader. I hope that we will see her return in future investigations. I would like to thank Joffre Books for providing this book for my review.
August 23, 2022
After reading a couple of Gretta Mulrooney's books in the Siv Drummond series I thought this would be another instalment but it turned out to be a stand-alone or maybe the first episode in a new series. Well, who can tell, I wouldn't mind because I liked the book.
This historical mystery is set in England right after the end of the Second World War and features Daisy Moore, a former Whitehall codebreaker. Daisy gets the boot as soon as the war ends and men are coming back to take jobs over once again from the women that served loyally during their absence.
After her mother dies in a house fire, being unemployed and out of a place to live, her priest, or actually her mothers priest, finds her employment at a country estate hotel in Oxfordshire as the assistant to rich owner's estranged husband.
Pretty soon after her arrival one of the villagers, Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist, is killed in an unoccupied room in the hotel. Feeling rather underemployed and smarting to use her analytical skills, Daisy sets out to find the killer, with a little help from her employer. This brings her in some dangerous situations and in a kind of love-hate relationship with the detective on the case. Well in the end they manage to solve the case between the three of them.
I wouldn't mind a follow up, because I kind of liked the interaction between Daisy and some of the other characters.
Maybe not quite on a par with the last Siv Drummond book, buy at least 3 stars.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
This historical mystery is set in England right after the end of the Second World War and features Daisy Moore, a former Whitehall codebreaker. Daisy gets the boot as soon as the war ends and men are coming back to take jobs over once again from the women that served loyally during their absence.
After her mother dies in a house fire, being unemployed and out of a place to live, her priest, or actually her mothers priest, finds her employment at a country estate hotel in Oxfordshire as the assistant to rich owner's estranged husband.
Pretty soon after her arrival one of the villagers, Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist, is killed in an unoccupied room in the hotel. Feeling rather underemployed and smarting to use her analytical skills, Daisy sets out to find the killer, with a little help from her employer. This brings her in some dangerous situations and in a kind of love-hate relationship with the detective on the case. Well in the end they manage to solve the case between the three of them.
I wouldn't mind a follow up, because I kind of liked the interaction between Daisy and some of the other characters.
Maybe not quite on a par with the last Siv Drummond book, buy at least 3 stars.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
September 26, 2022
Finally, here is a character I can relate to in more ways than one. Like Daisy, I also tumbled down the stairs when I was about 4 or 5 and surprisingly managed to survive the experience relatively unscathed. I am also accident prone like her. I am a bit of a scatterbrain and so is she. The main and major differences would be in race, age, and level of intelligence... for the girl is a marvel at solving puzzles. The setting of this work: England, after WWII and still recovering so there were still food shortages and lingering differences in ideologies. After Daisy Moore's house burned down with her mother in it... Father Hickey, a family friend found her a job at Fernfields, a village in Oxfordshire. Having been politely let go from her code~breaking job at Whitehall (to make way for the men returning from the war) and cavalierly told to get a husband, homeless and orphaned and also wracked with guilt over her mother's death and the loss of her cat (missing after the fire), she reluctantly left her beloved London for the bucolic countryside to work as a Girl Friday for a theatre actor at his house called Brize Lodge (given that she would be living~in) and to help~out at his hotel called the Dolphin. Being a general factotum was not much of a challenge to a mind like hers until a murder happened at one of the Dolphin's rooms. I do so like this debut of the Daisy Moore series... here are quaint and interesting characters that the reader could easily imagine as a loved one, or maybe characteristics found in a pet~peeve, or a neighbour, a plethora of plausibilities... plus this author gives you lots of layers and directions to pursue by way of clues. A Fun Read.
October 26, 2023
1945, Daisy's life is turned upside down when her home burns down with her mother inside. While recovering in hospital, the war ends and she finds herself without a job as well as neither a home or family. The local priest helps her to find a new role as an assistant whose tasks include working in a hotel. One day a murder occurs and Daisy is convinced the police have the wrong man...
Death at the Dolphin is a stand alone, cosy murder mystery novel set in Oxfordshire, England in 1945.
Daisy is a wonderful lead character and the narrative is written from her first person perspective. We are instantly sympathetic to her due to her guilt over her mother's death. She has had an important role in national security during the war but is then at a loss during peace time. The murder gives her a purpose again, especially when an Austrian Jewish refugee is accused.
The victim is a retired teacher who was passionate about social justice so who could have wanted her dead? There is little forensic information which is appropriate to the genre of cosy murder mystery. I can easily imagine this being made into a TV drama and there is a good antagonism between Daisy and the lead detective Inspector Thaxted.
I enjoyed the larger than life characters of JB and Declan, as well as the myriad of potential suspects. The setting of the hotel means that guests and staff all fall under Daisy's suspicion. The aftermath of the war feels like it is authentically represented through the attitudes of the characters as well as the devastation many have experienced.
Death at the Dolphin is a very enjoyable murder mystery with a strong narrator and plot.
Death at the Dolphin is a stand alone, cosy murder mystery novel set in Oxfordshire, England in 1945.
Daisy is a wonderful lead character and the narrative is written from her first person perspective. We are instantly sympathetic to her due to her guilt over her mother's death. She has had an important role in national security during the war but is then at a loss during peace time. The murder gives her a purpose again, especially when an Austrian Jewish refugee is accused.
The victim is a retired teacher who was passionate about social justice so who could have wanted her dead? There is little forensic information which is appropriate to the genre of cosy murder mystery. I can easily imagine this being made into a TV drama and there is a good antagonism between Daisy and the lead detective Inspector Thaxted.
I enjoyed the larger than life characters of JB and Declan, as well as the myriad of potential suspects. The setting of the hotel means that guests and staff all fall under Daisy's suspicion. The aftermath of the war feels like it is authentically represented through the attitudes of the characters as well as the devastation many have experienced.
Death at the Dolphin is a very enjoyable murder mystery with a strong narrator and plot.
August 27, 2022
This was just the right mystery for my reading pleasure after having read a string of thrillers. Spending time in the village of Fernfield in Oxfordshire with Daisy after VE Day was a nice change. Daisy had spent the war working at Whitehall but, now that the war is over, she has been made redundant. Her life is at a crossroads. Her family home has been lost in a fire that took her mother's life and Daisy blames herself. How will she find a home, a job and a future? It comes in the form of JB Berrow, an actor and owner of the Dolphin Hotel. It's not in any way the kind of job that taxes her mental powers like the code breaking she did at Whitehall but it's a place to call home and it pays her bills. She misses London and Fernfield is just plain boring. But not for long. Besides her job as a personal assistant to JB and filling in s needed at the Dolphin, she finds herself with a new challenge - solving the murder of one of their guests. She is found dead in her room, killed by an architectural gargoyle. The police, of course, wish she would keep her nose out of their investigation but Daisy isn't having it.
I really liked Daisy with her can do attitude and her sharp mind. Following her thought process to unmask the killer kept me guessing - and I guessed wrong to the very end. I wouldn't mind spending more time with Daisy if she finds herself solving another case.
My thanks to the publisher Joffe and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really liked Daisy with her can do attitude and her sharp mind. Following her thought process to unmask the killer kept me guessing - and I guessed wrong to the very end. I wouldn't mind spending more time with Daisy if she finds herself solving another case.
My thanks to the publisher Joffe and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 18, 2022
London, VE Day, 1945. As Britain takes its tentative first steps into peace, Daisy Moore’s secret wartime work at Whitehall comes to an end. Daisy finds herself homeless & an orphan so accepts a job at the Dolphin hotel in Fernfield but she misses London. Then a body is found in one of the rooms with the head bashed in by a stone dolphin from the window ledge. The victim is Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist. Daisy is sure she can use her skills to identify the killer. She spent the war decoding ciphers, and murder is surely just another puzzle. But Inspector Thaxted isn’t convinced he needs the help. The list of people who wanted Lucinda dead keeps growing and Thaxted’s investigation is going nowhere. Then Thaxted’s prime suspect Felix Koller, a young Jewish refugee, is attacked and left for dead.
A well written cosy mystery, I really liked Daisy who was an interesting character, some of her comments had me laughing out loud. There are plenty of suspects plus twists, turns & of course, red herrings, I kept thinking I’d worked out who the villain was but was proved wrong each time. I loved the banter between Daisy & Thaxted. A captivating read which I recommend & hope there’s more outings for Daisy
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A well written cosy mystery, I really liked Daisy who was an interesting character, some of her comments had me laughing out loud. There are plenty of suspects plus twists, turns & of course, red herrings, I kept thinking I’d worked out who the villain was but was proved wrong each time. I loved the banter between Daisy & Thaxted. A captivating read which I recommend & hope there’s more outings for Daisy
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
September 15, 2024
For fans of an English village mystery, especially one set in just after WW2, this is your book. Daisy Moore has been made redundant from her secret war work in the code-breaking center at Bletchley. And she's accidentally set fire to her family home, leaving her orphaned AND unemployed. So when she's offered a job by a friend of her family priest, she jumps. Hired as factotum for a somewhat glamorous actor who owns a hotel and lives separately from his wife, Daisy quickly finds a use for her particular set of skills.
Then comes the murder of a beloved local do-gooder in the hotel where Daisy works.
This is a solid mystery, with plenty of timely details and a fleshed-out setting. Daisy is a quirky, oddly naive young woman — though to be fair, one cannot overestimate the invisibility of LGBTQ+ during the late 1940's in the UK. I did not guess the killer, which is a sort of a touchstone for the genre, and for a moment forgot entirely that the guilty party even existed. And though I wanted to like it more, I found the book is breezy, entertaining, and fun. Narrator Emma Noakes does a nice job with the various English accents.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the advance listening copy in exchange for my unfettered opinion.
Then comes the murder of a beloved local do-gooder in the hotel where Daisy works.
This is a solid mystery, with plenty of timely details and a fleshed-out setting. Daisy is a quirky, oddly naive young woman — though to be fair, one cannot overestimate the invisibility of LGBTQ+ during the late 1940's in the UK. I did not guess the killer, which is a sort of a touchstone for the genre, and for a moment forgot entirely that the guilty party even existed. And though I wanted to like it more, I found the book is breezy, entertaining, and fun. Narrator Emma Noakes does a nice job with the various English accents.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the advance listening copy in exchange for my unfettered opinion.
August 18, 2022
This well done cozy (appears to be a series debut), set in post WWII Britain, features young Daisy Moore whose services as a codebreaker are no longer needed and who is in need of a job and a home after a catastrophic fire. Her family priest finds her a position as a general factorum at a hotel in the village of Fernfield. Daisy has hardly unpaced before a village do-gooder is murdered at the Dolphin Hotel, and a young Jewish refugee from Austria is blamed. Putting her deductive skills to work, Daisy sets out to find the murderer, much to the chagrin of Inspector Thaxted, who has been officially tasked with the case.
The well-drawn characters, especially Daisy and her boss JB, make the book a pleasure to read and the mystery offers plenty of suspects and red herrings. The plot suffers a bit from the many coincidences that occur that help Daisy solve the mystery and the seemingly out-of-left-field denouement. Despite this, I am looking forward to reading the next series entry and spending more time with Daisy and the denizens of Fernfield again.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
The well-drawn characters, especially Daisy and her boss JB, make the book a pleasure to read and the mystery offers plenty of suspects and red herrings. The plot suffers a bit from the many coincidences that occur that help Daisy solve the mystery and the seemingly out-of-left-field denouement. Despite this, I am looking forward to reading the next series entry and spending more time with Daisy and the denizens of Fernfield again.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
September 26, 2024
Death at the Dolphin is a historical cozy mystery that takes place in Oxfordshire after VE Day. England is still recovering from the war, with rationing still in place. Daisy Moore has lost both her mother and her job at Whitehall. So, she’s happy to take a job at a hotel and as a helper to an aging actor. Things are pretty boring until the body of a local woman is found at the hotel. The woman was known for her altruistic traits and pacifist beliefs, which not everyone appreciated.
Crime mysteries that rely on amateur sleuths often fall flat for me. But I appreciated that Mulrooney crafted a story that didn’t rely on coincidences or far stretched circumstances to allow Daisy to investigate. And I found Daisy an interesting main character, just the right amount of brains and spunk. She didn’t get the benefit of a proper education and isn’t ashamed to ask when she doesn’t know a word. And the relationship that develops with the detective was well crafted with each giving the other respect for their abilities.
Mulrooney excelled when it came to providing a sense of time and place, especially the small town “everyone is in everyone else’s pocket” atmosphere and anyone not born there is an outsider.
There are plenty of red herrings and I was totally at a loss for who the murderer was. I will definitely follow up with this series.
I listened to this and a large part of my enjoyment was due to Emma Noakes’ narration. She just had a great way with all the voices.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.
Crime mysteries that rely on amateur sleuths often fall flat for me. But I appreciated that Mulrooney crafted a story that didn’t rely on coincidences or far stretched circumstances to allow Daisy to investigate. And I found Daisy an interesting main character, just the right amount of brains and spunk. She didn’t get the benefit of a proper education and isn’t ashamed to ask when she doesn’t know a word. And the relationship that develops with the detective was well crafted with each giving the other respect for their abilities.
Mulrooney excelled when it came to providing a sense of time and place, especially the small town “everyone is in everyone else’s pocket” atmosphere and anyone not born there is an outsider.
There are plenty of red herrings and I was totally at a loss for who the murderer was. I will definitely follow up with this series.
I listened to this and a large part of my enjoyment was due to Emma Noakes’ narration. She just had a great way with all the voices.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.
November 4, 2024
When Daisy Moore's secret work at Whitehall concludes at the end of the war, she takes on the role of general factotum at the Dolphin Hotel in Fernfield. When a local charity worker is found murdered, Daisy becomes determined to see that justice is done, despite Inspector Thaxted’s disapproval of her involvement. As tensions rise and more lives are at risk, Daisy and Thaxted must collaborate to catch the killer before more deaths occur.
This was a pleasant start to a series. I wasn’t sure about Daisy when I first met her, but she really grew on me. Intelligent, straight-forward, she was a competent character to follow through the story. I loved how she interacted with Inspector Thaxted.
The mystery was full of twists and turns. Daisy’s method of finding clues was reasonable and I enjoyed how she put things together. The end surprised me, but in a good way. I liked how the story was resolved.
Overall, this was a fun mystery. Readers looking for a historical mystery set just after WW 2 will definitely enjoy this one.
I received an advance reader copy via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
This was a pleasant start to a series. I wasn’t sure about Daisy when I first met her, but she really grew on me. Intelligent, straight-forward, she was a competent character to follow through the story. I loved how she interacted with Inspector Thaxted.
The mystery was full of twists and turns. Daisy’s method of finding clues was reasonable and I enjoyed how she put things together. The end surprised me, but in a good way. I liked how the story was resolved.
Overall, this was a fun mystery. Readers looking for a historical mystery set just after WW 2 will definitely enjoy this one.
I received an advance reader copy via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
July 28, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
I enjoyed the feistiness and craftiness of the main character, Daisy, and her banter with the other characters in the book; mainly the detective Thaxted and her employer, JB. I wasn’t sure why they introduced the book with such a sinister start- especially when it wasn’t really resolved nor developed further in the book- but it did parallel well to the last conflict between Daisy and the discovered murderer.
The book had snappy dialogue; occasionally some modern terms popped up which I found odd, considering the time period (“fart,” “BO,” calling someone a bitch) but otherwise flowed. I found it a little difficult to keep track of the different characters but the author did a good job of making a point of each having a storyline and featuring in the plot, making it tie up nicely.
All in all, a satisfying mystery that I would recommend, and I hope there are future Daisy books as I feel themes were left to further explore and develop.
I enjoyed the feistiness and craftiness of the main character, Daisy, and her banter with the other characters in the book; mainly the detective Thaxted and her employer, JB. I wasn’t sure why they introduced the book with such a sinister start- especially when it wasn’t really resolved nor developed further in the book- but it did parallel well to the last conflict between Daisy and the discovered murderer.
The book had snappy dialogue; occasionally some modern terms popped up which I found odd, considering the time period (“fart,” “BO,” calling someone a bitch) but otherwise flowed. I found it a little difficult to keep track of the different characters but the author did a good job of making a point of each having a storyline and featuring in the plot, making it tie up nicely.
All in all, a satisfying mystery that I would recommend, and I hope there are future Daisy books as I feel themes were left to further explore and develop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
Death at the Dolphin by Gretta Mulrooney
Funny choice for a title since this is also the name of a book by the great Ngaio Marsh although that is a theater and this is a hotel.
No matter because I love this author, having discovered her a year or so ago on Netgalley. I have read all the Siv Drummond books and several of the Tyrone Swift series. I was a bit leery of this one since it is set during the post WWII years which is not my favorite but I took a chance and I’m glad I did.
I love Daisy and her cohorts and the story was fascinating. This author’s books are so atmospheric that I feel I’m there. Loved the Cockney rhyming slang, some I had heard before and some not. Learned a new word, buckshee means free.
I hope this turns into a series because I am not ready to let go of Daisy, JB, the inspector and the Fernies. Except you know who, if you read the book. And if you haven’t, get to it!
Thanks to Netgalley
Funny choice for a title since this is also the name of a book by the great Ngaio Marsh although that is a theater and this is a hotel.
No matter because I love this author, having discovered her a year or so ago on Netgalley. I have read all the Siv Drummond books and several of the Tyrone Swift series. I was a bit leery of this one since it is set during the post WWII years which is not my favorite but I took a chance and I’m glad I did.
I love Daisy and her cohorts and the story was fascinating. This author’s books are so atmospheric that I feel I’m there. Loved the Cockney rhyming slang, some I had heard before and some not. Learned a new word, buckshee means free.
I hope this turns into a series because I am not ready to let go of Daisy, JB, the inspector and the Fernies. Except you know who, if you read the book. And if you haven’t, get to it!
Thanks to Netgalley
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