I thought this worked well as a mystery novel, it had that historical feel that I was looking for. The concept worked well overall and was invested in what was going on with the characters. Vivian Conroy is able to create a unique story and I enjoyed how good the characters were written.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Last Dance in Salzburg is the latest book to follow the exploits of Atalanta who inherited her grandfather's investigation agency and all of his money, despite the fact that he was estranged from her father. This lack of knowing her grandfather is weighing heavily on Atalanta throughout this book and influences her actions. She agrees to visit Raoul in Munich to visit the Christmas markets while he waits for word of a race on an icy lake. Atalanta has an ulterior motive in that she received an invitation to a party hosted by her grandfather's old school friend; the invitation includes a hand-written note indicating that her grandfather sent an innocent man to prison for stealing jewels 10 years prior. When she arrives, she finds no shortage of possible suspects including her host and his family. During the actual party, the wrongfully accused, recently released from prison, turns up dead and Atalanta herself is a suspect. She finds herself trying to prove not only her own innocence, but that of an 18-year-old girl. I liked the mystery in this one as well as Atalanta's continuing quest to figure out exactly who she is as well as come to terms with the fact that she'll never be able to know her grandfather in the way she would like to. I look forward to future titles in the series.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter..

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review

An invitation to Salzburg brings Miss Ashford to clss with a jewel thief. Whp knew a ballet invite could turn into murder in this picturesque setting. You will enter a world of the 1920’s where things are not all what it seems. Indulge in thid fun cozy read.

Another charming addition to this series. Miss Ashford is torn between visiting the man she might live and looking into a case her grandfather might have bungled. In the end she decides to do both, and while it seems that nothing is working out as she wished, in the end everything comes together as it should.

This was a delightful mix of intrigue, romantic angst, looking back, wishing things had been different, finding oneself, deciding what is most important in your life, and history. Quite a mixture, huh? And, I didn't even mention that murder is involved. Actually, let me back up. It begins with a mysterious invite to attend a ballet in Salzburg. It's to honor both an 18th birthday celebration and anniversary of a jewel heist of a sapphire necklace at the same location. The invitation is sent to Atalanta's late grandfather, Clarence Ashford, but she is intrigued enough by the wording to be determined to attend in his place.

Just as she might be wavering, handsome, flirtatious Raoul appears and agrees to go with her. I'm not going to detail the plot other than to say that initially much of it seems focused on Atalanta's romantic yearnings for Raoul, a famous race car driver. We get a peek into his childhood this go-round, one that helps explain his determination not to become seriously involved with Atalanta. In any case, who murdered the man just released from prison for the theft of the sapphire necklace. It's all wrapped up in the past, of course, meaning Atalanta has two cases to solve to her satisfaction. There are also a host of potential suspects for the murder Alalanta stumbles across while chasing after....oh, I think I'll leave that for you to find out. It's all part of the overall mixed bag of themes mentioned. Alalanta, whose name means "huntress", is caught between yearning for a dance with Raoul and finding a murderer, not to mention protecting her late grandfather's reputation. An impulsive young ballerina eloping with her somewhat older beau complicates things.

Bottom line, I liked Atalanta and despite her frustration with Raoul, came away with more respect for him than in the past. Respect and a sense of sadness at his personal baggage. His comment about how a passion become an obsession was telling of his own parent's relationship. Even the stuffy upper crust characters largely came across sympathetically. Renard, who was her grandfather's butler, while admitting even he doesn't know the full truth of the stolen sapphire case her grandfather investigated, plays a vital role this go-round. I've barely touched the surface here but if you like stories set in fabulous setting that are quite character driven, you'll like this once you settle into the slower pace. Thanks #HarperCollinsUK - #OneMoreChapter for allowing me to take a virtual time travel trip back to November 1930 to catch up early with the complicated, intriguing Atalanta.