A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

I got my copy as an EARC on Netgalley. This was my first ever cosy mystery and I really enjoyed it. It's fast paced, funny and was a great mystery to get my teeth into on a cosy afternoon. I have her other cosy mysteries on my Kindle App and I'm looking forward to giving them a read in 2018.

Rating: ★★★★

Guinevere Evans needs to find some employment when the theater where she is the costume designer decides it's time to close for renovations so when the theater director helps her get the job to catalog the library at the Cornish castle on Cornisea Island. The local historical society will be presenting a re-enactment of the trial of Branok the Cold. During a rehearsal, the local "Scrooge" is found dead locked in the dungeon and the prime suspect is Guinevere's new employer.

Feeling that since the theater where she works performs mainly mysteries and gives her a good start, Guinevere decides to find the murderer.


The setting was extraordinary, however, the characters were somewhat 2 dimensional and need some fleshing out.

What a wonderful new series of crime novels to stumble across on Twitter – how amazing modern technology can be! I’m so glad I came across Vivian and her lovely books, this is her new series (Cornish Castle Mystery) featuring a female lead, a theatre costume designer and wardrobe mistress with a keen eye and a penchant for playing detective and what fun she is to read about, especially with her dog Dolly getting in on the action too.
The story had a large number of characters, but wasn’t confusing and they intertwined very carefully as the story developed. I enjoyed the pace and humour in the book, the story does have a murder but there are no gruesome descriptions and the story is generally light hearted. There were enough twists and turns to keep you interested and intrigued, the ‘closed room’ murder location made the situation more complex and is a great example of crime writing. The culprit was not obvious or ridiculous which gave a satisfying conclusion. The book touches on some serious issues around island life, and the pressures of modern finances on old family owned homes but it is mostly a fun and engaging read with likeable characters and wonderful imagery.
Luckily the Book 2 Rubies in the Roses is now available, and if you enjoy Conroy’s style you can also read her Lady Alkemene Mystery series set in the 1920’s, or Country Gift Shop Mystery series.
Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book to review.

5☆ Full of Mystery, suspense, Drama & the best super sleuth Pup star of the book.... Dolly!!!

Death plays a part is the first book I have read by Viv and I'm very excited to discover more of her books.

I was thoroughly enthralled by the mystery and secrets surrounding the murder of Haydock and the island of Cornisea.
Viv created a very magical, mystical feel to the Island.

When Guinevere and Dolly embark on a summer adventure to help Lord Bolingbrooke catalogue books at he's  castle. Whilst her beloved theatre is renovated back in London.
She wasn't quiet expecting to be involved in a murder investigation.

When Guinevere and Dolly arrive in Cornisea she notices that the castle and The Cornisea Historical Society are to perform a Medieval re-enactment.
They was to re-create the trial of Branok the Cold-hearted, the steward of Cornisea Castle, who had been accused of vile acts against the villagers under his care.

She was so excited as it meant her Theatrical experience could be of use.

On the day of the re-enactment tempers flare between people, particularly Lord Bolingbrooke and Haydock.
It's no secret that they don't get on and Haydock really isn't a very likeable person. He certainly seems to know how to rub people up the wrong way!

So when he is mysteriously murdered at the re-enactment everyone points the finger at Lord Bolingbrooke. I mean he was the last person to see him alive.... wasn't he??

Guinevere and Bolingbrooke's Son Oliver really don't believe that Lord Bolingbrooke killed Haydock.

So they both set out to prove that he is innocent.

Guinevere and Dolly make the best team!!
Dolly the Dachshund by far stole the star role in my eyes.
She was super intelligent, she has a nose for finding clues, and her interaction with humans and other pups is so heartwarming.

Dolly knows exactly when Guinevere is sad or when Oliver needed reassurance.
She has a huge loveable character. Go Team Dolly!!

Oliver and he's Dad Bolingbrooke have a love/hate relationship. That said he was determined to save he's Dad.

With the help of Guinevere and Dolly things start to unravel,cracks start to appear and secrets are no longer buried!

Cornisea Island has a very magical feel to it.
Stories of buried treasure and lots of secrets, make Cornisea a very intriguing place.
The characters all have their fair share of secrets and lies.... but one thing is apparent... no one really likes Haydock!

When Eal the local constable is called to the murder scene it's clearly obvious he doesn't really have a clue what he is doing.
So they call for Inspector LeFevre to come help him out.

I really liked LeFevre, he was so helpful and actually listened to Guinevere. It very much seemed like he was on their side and was willing to support their theories.

Death plays a part has so many little surprising twists I was spun around in so many directions I didn't have a clue who the murderer was. Just when I thought I had an inkling....another secret uncovered, another twist in the truth.

I loved It!!!

It was so nice not to have a clue, as it adds to the suspense and intensity.
 I felt like I was also playing a detective role as my mind was on overdrive trying to piece the clues together!

Who can you trust? Who is covering for who? What secrets are just waiting to burst out?

Such an exciting, enthralling, suspenseful mystery.
Such a feel good read but still created all the tension and unease you need for a great murder mystery!

The characters were very cleverly written, with secrets to hide.
Uncovering the truth gave me tingles!
A very satisfying end!

I'm so looking forward to the next book Rubies in the Roses. Can't wait to catch up with Guinevere and Dolly again!

Would I recommend this book........Most definitely..... Yes.... 100%

The perfect read for those who love murder mysteries, twists and turns, plenty of secrets and lies, suspenseful, page Turner, perfect cosy feel good read and best of all..... Dolly... the super sleuth pup!

With it's beautiful setting on the Cornish coast and its charming lead, Death Plays a Part makes for an enjoyable reading experience.  It is a cozy mystery that will appeal to a wide range of ages.

Guinevere is a costume maker, but as the London theater she works for is being remodeled, she has taken a job cataloging the library of Cornisea Castle.  Her arrival coincides with the rehearsal of the trial of a historic villain from the area.  The intention is to draw tourists, but police are drawn instead as one of the cast is murdered.  Haydock is a thoroughly despicable man, but it looks like Lord Bolingbrooke was the only one with an opportunity.  Though he has a definite motive, Lord Bolingbrooke proclaims his innocence, and Guinevere believes him.  With the help of Bolingbrooke’s prickly son Oliver and her dachshund Dolly, Guinevere sets out to prove his innocence and find the real killer.  

As a cozy, Death Plays a Part isn't very serious, but it does ask in various ways what are children's (grown) responsibilities towards the past.  The small island is struggling economically and the question is how to maintain tradition while bringing in the tourist dollars that the economy needs.  This is an issue facing many areas, so it is easy to accept its role in Death Plays a Part.  The mystery is fairly straightforward as there are few possible suspects, but despite its simplicity the novel is quite enjoyable.  As the next novel in the series is set in the same area, I hope more time will be spent on characterization.  Apart from Guinevere, the other characters were shallow depictions.  This is the novel’s main weakness.  I look forward to giving Vivian Conroy's next novel a try.

3.5 rounded up to 4 / 5

I received a copy of Death Plays a Part from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

I absolutely adored our main character, Guinevere. I warmed to her the moment I started reading, although that may be something to do with her adorable dachshund, Dolly. (Seriously, fluffy animals make EVERY story a 1000% more cute). Guinevere was a smart, capable protagonist, but she was also fully fleshed out–much more than *just* a amateur detective.
The setting. The reason I was SO excited for this book was Cornwall. I’ve been going to the West Country most years since I can remember, and I was SO looking forward to reading about a place I love so much! Although Cornisea Island is fictional, Vivian has managed to capture the UTTER charm of a close-knit Cornish community.
DEATH PLAYS A PART was written beautifully. Every time I came back to the story, I felt a sense of calm–it was literally the definition of a ‘cozy’ mystery. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a rain day, a large mug of tea in your hand.
I don’t want to say a lot about the plot, because I’m a firm believer in not knowing too much before diving into a mystery. However, this story was tightly plotted, and I had NO IDEA who the killer was. The backdrop of Cornwall, and the the addition of a medieval reenactment was a great and original twist on the murder mystery genre, and this story felt fresh and exciting!
If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, I really recommend picking DEATH PLAYS A PART up, and I’d also recommend picking up Viv’s LADY ALKMENE series as well!

I do love a cosy mystery and I found this one rather better than some others I have read recently mainly due to the fabulous main character Guinevere and her adorable little dachshund Dolly who goes elsewhere with her. When they head off to Cornwall to work at the castle on the island of Cornisea they have no idea that they are about to become involved in a murder enquiry.

I loved Guinevere and the setting here on Cornisea island. Vivian Conroy has created a visual feast where I found it comparatively easy to visualise the characters and their surroundings which then lead me to think that it would make a great transition from book to t.v. drama. There was a timeless feel to it that captured the atmosphere of a more sedate bygone era, even though it’s set in the modern day, making a pleasant change to the gritty dark police thrillers I have been reading recently. I found it an easy read as the narrative flowed along with the fluidity of intrigue following Guinevere and her “partner in crime” Oliver as they try to solve what should really be an open and shut case. Throw in some local legends about buried treasure, some quirky villagers and you have the perfect package for this delectable cosy mystery and one that I’m happy to recommend.

Death Plays a Part by Vivian Conroy is the first book in the Cornish Castle Mystery series. Guinevere and her dog, Dolly, arrive at Cornisea castle for a summer job while the theater she works at in London is being renovated. During a historical reenactment a man who wants the castle for his own is found murdered inside a locked cage. Guinevere sets out to solve the murder before her summer job is ended by her boss' imprisonment. The book moves along slowly, but the mystery is a clever one. I enjoyed writing style and found myself immersed in the setting. Cornisea is a lovely setting for Guinevere and Dolly's adventures! This was a good start to a new series, and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Finally, another great cozy mystery from Vivian Conroy! This will likely be my 2nd favorite series of hers, right behind the Lady Alkmene books. (Which the 4th book comes out soon!!)

This introduces Guinevere, who is a costume designer for the stage, and when her job entails her to take a hiatus for the summer she accepts a position on the Cornish coast. Her job will find her working for a Lord who is quite volatile at times. However, on her first day there a murder happens! Since she's an outsider and doesn't want to lose her job so soon, she works the case to save her boss. Along the way, Oliver, the boss's son, will help her.

Its no secret that I love cozy mysteries. This one was right up my alley--great characters, a strong murder case, beautiful imagery, an isolated island in England, and, of course, a cute little dachshund. The 2nd book comes out in August and I can't wait to see what's in store for this cast of characters!

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every once in awhile I like to change things up and pick up a cozy mystery, there’s something comforting about these light mysteries that make for a nice change of pace. Death Plays a Part is the first book in a new series with an adorable and sweet lead character named Guinevere. Fans of this genre will adore her, she’s just a lovely character with that perfect combination of curiosity and charm that’s so appealing.

This was a quick read with fairly fast pacing, the action begins right away, almost as soon as Guinevere arrives in Cornisea. The setting was both pretty and slightly spooky, it has a deep history and the residents like to tell old ghost stories and legends which added drama to the story. There was a gossipy, small town feel as well, especially as many of the members of the town had secrets they intended to keep. There were plenty of suspects to choose from and Conroy really kept me on my toes trying to figure out whodunnit.

This was a good old fashioned mystery with no gory descriptions or graphic violence. Guinevere and Oliver made quite the pair of amateur sleuths and both were lovely and very likable. This was an enjoyable read with a puzzling mystery and I can’t wait to see what Guinevere and her sweet dog Dolly get up to next!

This weekend while I was away finished Death Plays A Part by Vivian Conroy. This British Cozy was a breath of fresh air, a fun and light. A great start to this first in the Cornish Castle Mystery Series. A main character who has accepted what some would think is a very boring job cataloging books, at a castle away from everyone and everything, however Guinevere is perfectly at peace and she and her dog look forward to the summer ahead. That ideal summer is foiled by a murder during a reenactment that sees Guinevere working to vindicate her new boss with the help of his son. This was a lovely armchair traveler read.

Unable to post a review due to in-completion of book as a result of technical issues. The author is fully aware

Death Plays a Part by Vivian Conroy is the first book in the new series A Cornish Castle Mystery. Guinevere Evans and her dog, Dolly are heading to Cornisea Island on the Cornish coast. Guinevere is a costume designer at a theater in London. The theater is closing for the summer to do renovations and Guinevere would be at loose ends. Mr. Betts, theater director, helped her acquire a job cataloguing books for Lord Bolingbrooke at Cornisea Castle. Guinevere arrives to a little kerfuffle between Lord Bolingbrooke and his son, Oliver. Oliver is a documentarian who has just returned to the castle after his latest excursion. He has been trying to convince his father to open Castle Cornisea for public tours. Guinevere discovers that the Cornisea Historical Society is recreating the trial of Branok the Cold. At one time, he was the steward of Cornisea Castle and accused of vile acts against the villagers. There is a rehearsal that afternoon. Arthur Haydock is playing Branok and fireworks are sure to abound. Arthur and Lord Bolingbrooke do not get along. They have differing view for the castle and island. Haydock is put in a cell for the rehearsal. When they return, Haydock in on the floor with a knife sticking out of his chest. Lord Bolingbrooke is suspect number one. Guinevere believes he is innocent and embarks on a mission to prove it with Oliver’s assistance. Cornisea Island is a small community that Guinevere discovers is rife with secrets. Who killed Haydock and why? Can Guinevere uncover the killer and save Lord Bolingbrooke?

Death Plays a Part sounded like a cute cozy mystery. The book has a slow pace that would put Loralei Gilmore (she drinks vast quantities of coffee) to sleep. A majority of the story is Guinevere running around the island (with her dog) talking to the locals who are wary of strangers. I wished the author had fleshed out her characters (especially Guinevere). We are given very little information on Guinevere. The mystery was intriguing (treasure). The killers’ identity, though, was easily discerned (at least I thought so). I identified the killer after Haydock was discovered dead in the cell. The suspect pool is limited. How the murder was accomplished, though, was clever. I am rating Death Plays a Part 3 out of 5 stars. The reason for Guinevere to investigate the murder is flimsy. She dislikes unsolved crimes plus she is curious. It is a weak excuse since London has dozens of unsolved crimes every week. I wish the author had provided a pronunciation guide for the Cornish names. I would rather the mystery had been set at the theater in London (so many possibilities). I was hoping Rubies in the Roses (second book in the series) would return Guinevere to the theater in London, but she will be continuing her stay on Cornisea Island.

DEATH PLAYS A PART by Vivian Conroy is the first book in this utterly captivating, new cozy mystery series, and I am eagerly awaiting the second instalment.

When the London theatre where Guinevere works as a costume designer, closes for the summer, she is delighted to have secured a position as a book cataloguer in Cornisea Castle off the coast of Cornwall, to while away her days. Along with her four-legged companion, Dolly, Guinevere is delighted to spend time in such a historical treasure trove, and the stunning scenery and friendly village all combine to make Guinevere feel welcome and settled. But when a medieval re-enactment up at the castle goes awry and one of the actors is found murdered, Guinevere must unravel many secrets and lies to discover the killer. But who can she really trust?

As always with Vivian Conroy's stories, the descriptive settings really come alive and I could picture myself standing at the castle window, or walking along the shoreline as the sun set over the village. The characters are a motley crew that are really likeable and unique in their own ways, and I enjoyed getting to know Guinevere who throws herself wholeheartedly into whatever situation she finds herself and wants to help wherever she can. Knowing little of her own family history, we can see how this has affected her in her decisions.

With plenty of mystery, twists, turns, and misunderstandings, DEATH PLAYS A PART by Vivian Conroy is exactly what you want in a good book, and I imagine it would translate perfectly onto our TV screens. I am hooked on this new series and I invite you all to come and join the mystery tour - you won't regret it!

Guinevere arrives at Cornisea castle in Cornwall to take up a summer job cataloging the treasured books of Lord Bolingbrooke. The theatre where she works has closed for refurbishment and Guinevere jumps at the chance to work on the beautiful Cornish island, with its ancient legends and folklore. Guinevere is accompanied by her trusty little dachshund Dolly and will be residing at the castle for the Summer. On arrival, she finds an ancient trial re-enactment taking place by residents, but the atmosphere soon changes when a murder is discovered in a locked dungeon.
It is down to the local, inexperienced Constable Eal and Inspector LeFevre, to solve the case, but Guinevere has ideas of her own. She is helped by the dashing Oliver who is the son of Lord Bolingbrooke. His father is the main suspect of the crime and the duo plus Dolly don’t leave any stone unturned to clear his name.
First, she must meet the residents and learn about their characters and their backgrounds. Dolly helps to break the ice with the small community and gradually they begin to trust her. Guinevere’s theatrical background helps her unravel the mystery bit by bit. The inhabitants of the island are worried about their livelihoods and appear guarded, there is an air of suspicion and mistrust to the once close-knit community.
As an added dimension there is talk of lost treasure, does it exist? and who knows the secret?
There is a hint of Agatha Christie to Vivian Conroy's writing and she beautifully describes the magnificent backdrop and the plot is intricate and solid. She keeps the Cornish theme alive with Cornish names for the characters and interesting fictitional Cornish folklore. Guinevere and Oliver make a great team, Oliver is well travelled and Guinevere has a good head for puzzle solving, is there a slight hint of romance between the amateur sleuths? Any Dachshund owner will relate to Dolly’s character, she is inquisitive and full of energy. The bond between Guinevere and Dolly is truly adorable, you get the feeling that they know what each other is thinking and Dolly is constantly at her companion’s side.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, Rubies in the Roses which is published soon.
The book was sent to me by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

OK, so I have to start by saying that you know me and when it comes to books I'm either reading more chick-lit type books or I've got my head buried in American Literature or maybe even an Autobiography, but I don't believe I have ever picked up a murder mystery.
I'm not one for death or anything scary. So, I was a little nervous when it came to reading Vivian Conroy's book, especially because I love Viv and think she is awesome. She's such a supportive and positive person on Twitter and is always sharing food treats with us, you should go follow her now. Anyway, back to my point, I was anxious as to if I was going to enjoy 'Death Plays a Part'.

Well, you'll never guess what.... I absolutely LOVED it. I legitimately could not put it down. I had trouble answering questions when my husband spoke to me. I had difficulty getting ready for work in the morning when I just wanted to read one more chapter, I just had to keep turning the page to find out what happened. Work, sleep and everything else needed to wait.

In 'Death Plays a Part' we meet Guinevere, a twenty-four year old young lady who works as a costume designer at a Theater in London. She also helps out with any kinks in the plays/re-enactments they have there. She loves the storytelling. However, the theater is closed for the summer for renovations, so Guinevere is off to Cornisea Island to do some book keeping for Lord Bollingbrooke, at his castle. Along with her dachshund Dolly, she is looking forward to learning more about this small island, the history the Castle holds and the treasures it might unlock. What she doesn't account for is a murder happening moments after she arrives. With her love of theater and solving problems, Guinevere can't help but begin to try and unravel the murder herself. With Lord Bollingbrooke being the only suspect as far as the town is concerned, Guinevere and Oliver, Lord Bollingbrookes son, set about to clear his name.

This was just an absolute treat. Ok, yes, I'm terrible and cringed when the murder happened and I got a bit sad, because I really am that squeamish and emotional when that sort of talk happens, but at the same time I was fascinated. At every turn I was just blown away with Viv and her creativity and how she conjured up this plot with all it's twists and turns and adventure. It was brilliant.

Guinevere, our aforementioned leading lady was a dream. I found myself smiling when reading the words she spoke or how her brain worked when she was thinking. She was just so positive and always herself, her character was beautiful and inspiring. I also feel she had a certain innocence about her, not in that she didn't stand up for herself or anything, because she did, but because she was very sweet and did things her own way. I liked that she talked to her dog too, it was just so cute. That relationship was such a lovely one to read and rather unique for me too, I haven't read many books that displayed a bond like Guinevere and Dolly. Dolly was an endearing character that I very much enjoyed. Oliver kept me intrigued throughout the entire story, at one point I believed that he was the murderer and I was sitting at the edge of my seat, you will have to pick up a copy to find out if he was. His subtle charm was hard to resist, there was very much something special about him and I really loved the way him and Guinevere connected and helped each other. I really liked that I felt there was a sense of romance that could blossom within there relationship but it's not quite brought forth in this story. However, their friendship is heartwarming and I have a feeling they like each other. It was fun to see them interact and learn more about each other. I can't wait to read the next book to see if I'm right about their romance.

Furthermore, I'm very excited to head back to Cornisea. I adored the setting of the castle and the small town and I truly hope all it's inhabitants will be able to get along now that the murder case is over. The cute book shops, restaurants and B & B's made me happy and there was that sense of pride in their home and community, but there was also sadness and fear, people didn't know who to trust. I would love to see Cornisea blossom, for everyone to get along and create that cozy, happy environment. I think that would just be lovely and the people there deserve it!

This book was simply fantastic, such an awesome read. I'm so very happy I met Viv through Twitter and learnt about her books. I couldn't have been more impressed with my first murder mystery. From the interesting, unique and fabulous cast of characters, to the twists and puzzles and super clever plot, I was in awe. This is a wonderful read and I highly suggest you pick up a copy of 'Death Plays a Part' now!

With her London theatre closed for renovations. Guinevere takes on a summer job at the castle on the Cornish island of Cornisea. What she doesn’t expect is to be witness to a murder with her new boss, Lord Bolingbrook, as the prime suspect. Determined to clear her employer’s name, Guinevere teams up with his son, Oliver, to find the true culprit.

Death Plays a Part is a fun and traditional murder mystery. Guinevere interviews everyone on the island and follows all the clues until she can work out whodunit, how, and why. Conroy’s writing is smooth and enjoyable, with beautiful scenery and endearing characters (special shout out to Guinevere’s dachshund, Dolly). I actually preferred the slick glamour of Conroy’s Lady Alkmene series, but Death Plays a Part is an equally enjoyable, sweet and light read. The laidback atmosphere of a murder in Cornwall is a nice change of pace to the grit and rush of many murder mysteries.

Anyway, who doesn’t love a story with a canine sidekick?

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

With gorgeous descriptions of the fictional Cornisea and the people who live there it felt as if I had just arrived too and I was taking in the new sights and feelings. It really is easy to fall in love with the setting and the castle itself along with some lovely quirky and fun characters in Death Plays a Part. Guinevere is a lovely character and I have to say I instantly liked her especially her tenacity in trying to discover who was behind the crime. I liked the pairing of Guinevere and Oliver as they teamed up to discover the truth and of course there has to be a special mention for Dolly the Dachshund she was just brilliant. I especially loved the scene where she was training Vivaldi and helping to keep him in his place, very cute! 

The murder certainly captured my attention and I have to admit my imagination was working overtime trying to figure out what had happened. I love a good mystery and this really is a brilliant one as I just couldn't seem to put the clues together properly. There is suspicion all around but what really happened? It's even more baffling as it is a closed door mystery which is always going to be a tough one to solve along with providing plenty of suspects.

Well I have to say that if you love a cozy mystery than this book is ideal. It was so much fun trying to figure everything out but after a while I just decided to sit back and relax whilst Guinevere continued her sleuthing. After all she did seem much more capable than me! I didn't know which way the story would go so it was a joy to see everything play out. The plot moves at a pretty good pace so I never found myself losing interest in either the story or the characters. Reading Death Plays a Part was a wonderful way to spend my evening and I can't wait to read the next in the series, Rubies in the Roses.

A fabulous start to the Cornish Castle Mystery series!

With thanks to Vivian Conroy, HQ Digital & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

This is the first mystery novel I’ve read and also the first book by Vivian Conroy so two firsts. It’s so good to open your eyes to new genres and new authors.

I loved the premise of this story; Theatre Costume Designer Guinevere and her cute Daschund companion Dolly were off to spend the summer in Cornwall working for the owner of an ancient castle on the fictional island of Cornisea, off the coast of Cornwall. Sounds like a perfect summer working vacation to me as Guinevere was to help catalogue the books in the castle. The island was steeped with history and legends and the castle was also to play host in the re-enactment of one of the local legends. During the re-enactment history was to repeat itself as one of the cast was found murdered in the dungeons.

After the initial shock, horror and upset from all the cast involved in the re-enactment Guinevere and Oliver the son of Lord Bolingbrooke, decide to do some detective work and solve the mystery of the murder in the dungeons themselves. With Oliver’s local knowledge, Guinevere’s theatrical background with scene plotting and Dolly the Daschund’s inquisitive mind and doggy instincts the trio go on an ‘whodunit adventure’!

I must admit I did find this story a little slow to start with but once I got into it I was as eager as the trio to find the culprit. The storyline felt quite nostalgic, the crime didn’t feel at all grizzly and I loved the amateur sleuths investigations taking them around this idyllic isle. By the end of Death Plays a Part I had grown to love the characters portrayed in the storyline and I’m looking forward to the next book in the Cornisea Castle Mystery book series. 4/5*