An enjoyable collection of 'who-dunnit's which will keep you rivited from the first page.
This is exactly what it says on the box, it's a collection of two books; Death Plays and Part and Ruby in the Roses, each story is a complete stand-alone so you can dip in to eaither when you want. Each one is a very well written cosy mystery which will keep you hooked and guessing about who did what and why.
To be perfectly honest if you have read any of Conroy's writing you will more or less know what this book will be like, it's very similer in wring and pacing to her other works , I really like Conroy's writing, she has a wonderful way with words which easily transports the reader to another time and place.
Overall, a very enjoyable collection!

Lovely feel good read. It was well written and flowed well. I enjoyed it very much. The plot was good and interesting. Hard to put down

I started this one ages ago, nearer to its actual publication date last year. I did not get along with the narration and moved on to something else. The time I took to get back to it turned out to be a good thing because the second time around I managed to read it without distraction and like it.

We are introduced to a tiny Cornish town, with its own castle kept away from mainland during low tide. Guinevere is at the castle for the summer to help catalogue the books owned by the Lord of the castle. The summer does not go according to the way she imagines it would. There are two books in this collection, I liked the first better than the second but overall were good reads.

The first book focuses on our lead protagonist's arrival to the town and her taking in the general dynamics of everyone around. In the middle of a historical re-enactment, a murder is committed and everyone is a suspect. A non-local inspector comes into the scene and Guinevere ends up working with Oliver (the second son of the castle owner) to try and crack the clues. There is a steady working towards the end, each step is painstakingly presented to us and we are there for every event. The solution to the case was well done and was simultaneously expected and unexpected.

The second case follows closely at the heels of the first book with treasure hunters descending on the town, each with a different stake in the finding of a goblet. Once again a body is found as well as theft. The duo of the previous story start to piece things together again and everything follows the same pattern of discovery. 

I liked the stories but found the narration to be different from my norm, I find it hard to really enjoy books with dialogues as the major part of the book (I cannot explain better than that). It seems a little over the top at times considering the background situation in which the dialogues are delivered. For the most part, the characters seemed believable and we are introduced to them properly and given time to digest their eccentricities. I would recommend this to those who like reading cozy mysteries set in rural backdrops.

The bundle edition of the Cornish Castle mysteries from Vivian Conroy which includes :-' Death Plays A Part' and 'Rubies In The Roses' - both enjoyable, light, cosy mysteries featuring protagonist Guinevere Evans, costume maker and sometime amateur sleuth. Quick reads that can be enjoyed in an afternoon - both of which transport the reader to a rather beautiful setting within charming tales.

Note: This collection contains two full-length stories in the same series, which take place in chronological order.

I really liked this collection, it’s an adorably charming cozy series which reminded me of Agatha Christie’s stories: they’re full of good, old-fashioned detective work and reasoning, and the solutions are all worked out through thinking things through.

The basic premise is that Guinevere is a theatre worker who has taken a summer job at a Cornish castle while the London theatre undergoes renovations. She quickly finds herself not only in the middle of a bunch of tangled relationships, but in the middle of murder investigations. Plus, the island and its castle are in the middle of some changes and Guinevere finds herself trying to work out the mysteries while also trying to save the castle itself, while accompanied by her miniature sidekick, the daschund Dolly.

These were some quick reads which really entertained me as I tried to figure out the puzzles of the stories before all was revealed. The setting is absolutely perfect: a castle with tons of secrets and mysteries in its past, on an idyllic island filled with locals who have their own secrets and histories. It really sets the stage for some good reading.

The main characters are definitely worth roooting for as well: Guinevere and Oliver were well done and I liked them together.

Plus, Dolly and her friends are adorable. Simply too cute.

I’m hoping there’s more to this series because I enjoyed it and....want some things to be more fully resolved before I leave these characters. Here’s hoping we return to Cornisea sooner rather than later!

This was two books in one and I really enjoyed them both, I am a big fan of cozy mysteries especially ones with dogs and this is one of the best so far. I highly recommend to any mystery of animal lover. Can't wait till the next one

This book comprises of two mysteries written in cosy style. I found them quite good, easy to read and kept me interested to the end, even if the solutions where a little predictable. A nice little touch with "Dolly" the little dachshund tagging along.
For readers of cosy mysteries these to stories hit the mark really well, set in the Cornish coast and incorporating a castle, it makes and interesting read.

The thing to remember about us kids born in the 80’s is that we had no internet, no Kindle's and no money to waste on ‘hobbies’. So, the majority of us who managed to become book lovers could do so because we had access to public libraries or we were born into really privileged households who had established readers already in residence, hence helping in the acquisition of books. I always remember that  when buying a book, usually on my birthday, my primary consideration would always be its number of pages. In the quest of getting my hands  on books that would not finish too soon, I read huge tomes that most other people would not touch. Also, I collected a lot of three-in-one and two-in-one books. These were fat, unwieldy paperbacks and they felt like you were getting your money’s worth.

The Cornish Castle Mystery collection was a complete surprise when I realised it was a two-in-one offer. The cosy mystery feeling thus began even before I had read my first line zipping me straight to past childhood book shopping trips with my father. This book consists of two mysteries that occur in a Cornish Castle over an idyllic summer. Our heroine, Guinevere is a costume maker for a theatre company in London and when the theatre closes down for renovations, she is offered a job to catalogue books for the lord of the castle on Cornisea Island. Sound enough fairytale-like yet? The relationship between Guinevere and her dog is also a big part of the storyline and as such will definitely pull at the heart strings of pet owners/lovers.

Both mysteries take place during her time there and are  solved thanks to her deductive genius in the nick of time.

Death plays a part – is a clever title indeed when you move through the story and get its meaning. Theatre – Part, you know. Anyhow, Guinevere has just landed on this beautiful island with a magical castle on top of it for beginning her summer job and in less than 24 hours finds herself confronted by a corpse. The way the author describes the island one gets that impression that the island has little room on it for anything but for a castle on the very top and some shops at the bottom near the beach. It sounds like such a wonderful summer getaway from a touristy point of view and the author’s scenic descriptions are truly inspiring.

There is a reenactment of an ancient incident planned in the castle when the murder occurs and the suspects are obviously only the members of the cast who were present inside the castle at the time. As Guinevere leaps into the breech in order to catch the real murderer, she encounters a handsome young man who seems to be in love with someone else, and several other players towards most of whom she feels sympathetic and thus protective. The story makes its slow and sure way towards its conclusion and it took me some time to figure out who the killer might be. It is a nice summery read and I read it in two days straight. The characters are likable enough if not too deep or refined. The book is exactly what it purports to be – a cosy murder mystery, non-gory, with a dash of romance.

The second book in the series seemed a little bit of a repeat of the first. I mean how likely is it that an island suddenly becomes a hotbed of crime all occurring so close to each other.

So, I gave it a break  before going through the second story. Since the characters are essentially the same, as is the writing style, not much else can be added to this review. The mystery follows much the same tangent as the one before, with this uncertain romantic angle thrown in for good measure. Always good for adding spice to a story.

Cornish Castle Mystery Collection by Vivian Conroy is the first two books of the Cornish Castle Mystery series, and a delightful read. In the first book, Death Plays a Part, costume maker, Guinevere Evans, begins working in a castle. Guinevere is very excited for a new adventure, and she is able to take her cute dachshund dog, Dolly. When a murder occurs during a medieval reenactment, Dolly is determined to find the killer. Book two, Rubies in the Roses, Guinevere is happy about her dream job cataloging books at a castle until people start showing up claiming a wedding goblet belongs to them. When a dead body is found, Guinevere must get to the bottom of what is going on. Both books are a fun read, and recommend for all mystery fans.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. Ms. Conroy provides two sequential stories, set in the same locale along the Cornish coast and with the same characters. While appreciating Ms. Conroy's attention to detail and description, I read about 2/3rds of the first story and then skimmed through the second. I thought the series started well, with the female lead coming for the summer to catalog books at the local lord's castle (yep, a real castle, with a causeway that cuts off the island from the land during high tides). She has a great sidekick in her dog. Characters are well written and clear, which is always important when there are lots of them. The mysteries are well thought out...so, why did I struggle? The heroine just didn't engage me, nor did the possible love interests. I also found there was too much description for me, and I recognize that challenge for an author; how much is too much versus not enough? I think it is just a case of the stories not fitting for me.

What a lovely and charming cozy series! The characters are so likable and the dogs, so adorable!! Dolly was so human-like! If Dolly was real and not a fictional character, then I would have definitely loved to cuddle the cute little dog! Dolly bossing over Vivaldi, Rufus and Nero was cuter than cute!

I really liked Gwen. Her dedication to solving the mystery behind Jago's death and proving her employer's innocence is well portrayed in the story. The characters in the first story include - Oliver Bolingbrooke (Lord Bolingbrooke's son) Kensa and Tegen (mother-daughter duo who run the B&B), Jago (the boatman), Arthur Haydock ( a well-known lawyer, plays the role of Branok - victim), Leah Haydock (Arthur's daughter), Meraud (Mr.Betts' sister and owner of bookshop - Cowled Sleuth), Inspector LeFevre and Ela.

Inspector LeFevre reminded me of a Lestrade-Poirot clone. The inspector is pretty smart and intelligent. When Gwen helps him with the clues, he's pretty cool about it.

The first story - Death Plays a Part was not only interesting but engaging and intense. I couldn't put down the book till the end. A locked room murder mystery - How did the perp kill Haydock? The identity of the murderer and the reason for the murder was unexpected and shocking!

Coming to the second story in the book - Rubies in the Roses. This was another master-blaster story by Conroy. The mystery behind the mysterious wedding goblet caught my attention. Wadencourt finds the goblet in the castle all right. But something's wrong with the goblet. And with Jago found dead on the beach, things get really murky.

Characters in the second story include - Lord Bolingbrooke and Oliver, Meraud, Lady Serena, Max DeBrough, Meraud, Inspector LeFevre and Gregory Wadencourt.

There is a mention of Saint Ganoc in the first story and in the second story, the statue of Saint Ganoc is somehow connected to the goblet. This is what I like about Conroy's stories. Each and every detail gets equal importance and attention in the story.

In the second story, one gets to see the emotional side of Gwen. Her dilemma to choose between someone who is kind to her (and probably has fallen for her) and finding the real 'agenda' behind the perp's arrival at the castle. The relationship between Oliver and Gwen has improved too. After having solved the mystery behind Haydock's murder, Oliver and Gwen now share a bond of friendship.

Dolly was at her all-time best in both the stories. I really liked the way Conroy has portrayed the relationship between a pet-owner and her pet. However, I wish there was some romance between Oliver and Gwen. Or maybe there is, in the next book in this series. Ollie and Gwen were so likable and they had so much in common so a bit of romance is something that I can expect, right?

Vivian Conroy is a master storyteller and these two stories are just the proof of it. Her stories are super duper charming and cozy. If you love cozy mysteries then I recommend you to read Cornish Castle Mysteries. The stories are engaging, interesting, charming and cozy to the moon and back.

Thank you HQ digital for the ARC.

This is a lovely set of two Cornish Castle Mysteries in one book. I love the flow of the stories, the location so beautifully described and the charcters. This is the perfect cozy mystery afternoon read. The sleuth was just right without anything offensive and a interesting story to the end. Both stories I highly recommend.
Thank you for the ARC. My opinion is my own.

The perfect cozy made better by having two stories instead of one. Loved the setting, the characters and the mystery. This is not for someone looking for a complicated murder mystery but more for someone looking to curl up with a well plotted little cozy set in a lovely location. Looking forward to reading more of this author.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy for review!

This was a quick new cozy mystery read. I appreciate the two in one digital shorts to introduce readers to Cornisea castle and our amateur sleuth Guinevere Evans and her sweet doggy Dolly.

The first story was stronger, the motives clearer while second story fell flat because of how quickly Gwen appears to get clingy and invested in other people's lives.

Overall, I am glad Vivian Conroy has new work published.

Cornish Castle Mystery Collection by Vivian Conroy is actually two books in one, two lovely cozies.

When her London theater closes for the renovation, Guinevere together with her beloved dog Dolly, heads off to Cornisea island to help a local lord of the manor to catalogue old books and scripts.
Even before she settles an unthinkable happens and local resident is found murdered in the old dungeon.

In book two as soon as an old friend of her employer makes a claim on old wedding goblet, it sets in motion a string of very strange accidents and a dead body as well.

Both stories are well written and interesting. Murder plot is especially complex in the first book.
Beautiful setting greatly adds to the charm as well as a darling dachshund. Mysteries surrounding a medieval castle, what could be more mysterious and alluring.
Solid cast of quirky and charming characters.
All in all a very nice collection.

Cornish Castle Mystery Collection contains two well written mysteries. I enjoyed them both and I think mystery fans will not want to miss this book. Thanks to Netgalley for my advance copy. This is my unbiased review.

I just could not get in to the stories in this book! They started too slow for my taste in a mystery.

What a good set of cozy mysteries!
I recently discovered this author and I appreciated all of her mysteries.
They are engaging, well written, and entertaining.
I liked the plot, the cast of characters and the lovely setting.
I look forward to reading other books by Vivian Conroy.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this ARC

I enjoyed this book, really 2 books. I found the first one to be better, the solution to the mystery of how the victim dies is complex and interesting. The 2nd book seems like a re-telling of the 1st, same hunt for treasure, same motives, anger at father... It's was still enjoyable though. #CornishCastleMysteryCollection #NetGalley

what an amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end
I loved the authors style of writing and will be looking for other books by this author.
I would recommend this book to friends and family