Book five in the series and a second for me and like book four this was a multi layered mystery that was entaining and engaging.

Lola is a no nonsense, assertive strong female character.

The author has a way of developing the characters within the story so that they come to life and the detail in which this is done makes them all the more intriguing, add that together with the atmospheric scene and you've got a winner.

Yet another great addition to an already great series. Detective Lola Harris is a wonderful character and I love her style. I love the cover and the setting, love the ease of reading and that these books always have me reading just another page as I can't put it down. The Scottish Highlands, Ardaig Castle, a mystery with lots of twists and turns kept me reading and interested in the story.

A great read and another great series. Always look forward to seeing what comes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another book in the Lola Harris series. Lola is on a break in the highlands with her sister who knows the manager. Catherine, the manager, and others in the castle have been getting malicious letters , but the local police have not really investigated. Frankie, Lola's sister, hopes that Lola will take a look. Quite early on in the book, a storm brews up which leaves everyone in the castle isolated . A locked room mystery which starts when one of the staff is found dead, possibly after falling over a bannister, but Lola has her doubts. There are a lot of characters, staff, guests, the owner and his wife and a reporter so you have to concentrate a little to keep track of them all. As the book progresses, it appears that most of the people in the castle also have a secret . Lola starts to investigate the goings on, with some help from a colleague who she has called.
The plot is quite complicated with a couple of twists and is interesting, the setting in the highlands is not really relevant because the weather has ensured that everyone is confined to the castle. Descriptions of relationships, for example with Frankie, are a little patchy. Frankie is not around for some parts of the book. Methods are sometimes a bit unbelievable but on the whole an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Daniel Sellers delivers a gripping locked-room-style mystery set in a storm-battered Scottish castle. Murder at Ardaig Castle is the fifth book in the Detective Lola Harris Mysteries series, but it works well as a standalone for those new to the series—like me.

The novel follows Detective Lola Harris as she takes a much-needed break at an exclusive wellness retreat in the Scottish Highlands. But relaxation quickly turns to tension when she learns of the sinister poison pen letters that have been sent to staff over recent weeks. When a body is discovered within the castle, Lola is forced into action, navigating a web of secrets, grudges, and hidden pasts. With the storm cutting off access to the castle, the pressure mounts as she races to unmask the murderer before they strike again.

From the outset, the novel hooked me. A cut-off castle, a murderer on the loose, and a varied cast of characters—perfect ingredients for a classic whodunnit. Sellers does a fantastic job of crafting an atmospheric setting, using the castle’s hidden passageways, dark hallways, and eerie basement to heighten the tension. His descriptive writing pulls the reader straight into the howling wind and relentless rain outside, making the setting feel as much a character as the people within its walls.

Speaking of characters, the guests at the exclusive retreat are suitably wealthy, entitled, and largely unlikable, which only adds to the intrigue. There’s no shortage of suspects, and I was surprised by the final reveal. The mystery is well-paced, with plenty of twists and red herrings to keep you guessing.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, there were moments when the pacing felt drawn out. Perhaps my unfamiliarity with the series played a role, as I lacked prior connection with Lola Harris. However, this book stands on its own merit, and I appreciated the depth Sellers brought to his protagonist.

I was initially drawn to this book without seeing the cover, but once I did, I was thrilled—it perfectly captures the dark and brooding landscape I love in a mystery thriller. If you enjoy a well-crafted whodunnit with an eerie, atmospheric setting and a locked-room mystery twist, Murder at Ardaig Castle is an ideal read for a cold, stormy night.

This is a well-written, immersive mystery that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Though a bit drawn out in places, the novel delivers a compelling plot, strong atmosphere, and an enjoyable puzzle to unravel. I’d definitely consider reading more from the series to get better acquainted with Detective Lola Harris..

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.

This police procedural is part of a series featuring Detective Lola Harris. Lola is taking a wellness break with her sister Frankie, at a castle in the Scottish Highlands. A sinister note arrives, which reads, “Why have you employed a killer among your staff?” Soon afterwards, one of the castle staff is found dead.

I haven't read any of the other books featuring this detective, but I liked her. I think that for some reason, I associate the name Lola with a bold, confident personality, so I felt it was well-suited to this character. The atmosphere of the castle was something that came to life on the pages; a castle is a great choice of setting for a suspenseful story.

Although I hadn't read any of the previous books, I found this quite easy to read as a standalone, and didn't feel I'd missed anything. Once I got into the story, it flowed easily and kept me guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Zooloo's Book Tours, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Murder at Ardaig Castle is a deliciously atmospheric whodunit that had me hooked from the very first page. Set in a remote Scottish castle, this mystery brings together the perfect blend of isolation, suspense, and intriguing characters. Detective Lola Harris, who’s been persuaded to take a break at a wellness retreat, quickly finds herself in the midst of a storm — both literal and figurative — when the quiet respite she expected turns into a tangled mess of secrets, lies, and ultimately, murder.

The tension builds as paranoia grips the castle's guests and staff, particularly after the discovery of a chilling poison pen letter suggesting there’s a killer among them. The slow unraveling of hidden grudges and personal histories is done masterfully, and I loved how the isolation of the storm created a claustrophobic atmosphere, adding to the intensity of the investigation. The pacing is spot-on, and the twists keep coming, making it hard to put the book down.

Detective Lola is a strong protagonist. Her no-nonsense attitude and keen observational skills make her an excellent fit for the high-stakes environment of Ardaig Castle. Her interactions with the eccentric and wealthy guests are sharp and engaging, though at times, I felt she could have been a bit more emotionally developed. Still, she was a solid lead, and her determination to solve the case, despite the mounting pressure, kept me rooting for her.

What held this story back from being a perfect 5-star read for me was that, at times, the suspense felt a little repetitive. There are a few scenes where the tension seems to be drawn out just a bit longer than necessary, and I found myself wishing for a quicker payoff. But overall, the plot kept me intrigued, and the final reveal was satisfying and well-executed.

Murder at Ardaig Castle is a compelling mystery for anyone who loves atmospheric thrillers with a strong sense of place. The stormy setting, the web of secrets, and the complex characters make for a gripping read that I highly recommend to fans of traditional whodunits with a modern twist.

DCI Lola Harris is involved in a huge fraud enquiry which she hates and is sorely tempted to take up a job offered by her partner Sandy, a former detective turned PI. Her sister Frankie persuades her to take a weekend break away to unwind. Unfortunately, she now realises Frankie has got her to Ardaig Castle under false pretences. The staff of the well-being retreat owned by businessman Stefan Kade, about whom there are disturbing rumours of an interest in genetics, have been receiving nasty anonymous letters and manager Catherine has asked Frankie if Lola can help unofficially. Lola is annoyed but after seeing how upset Catherine is, agrees to take a look at the letters and advise her what to do, especially since after local police were contacted and a staff meeting was held, the poison letters only escalated. At least there are only 4 guests at present - a celebrity with an eating problem, a postmistress jailed in the IT scandal, a government minister who thinks there are Russian spies in his brain and more worrying for Lola, a broken retired senior detective whom she might know. Lola finds a tense atmosphere and hostilities between some of the employees. But as Kane and his glamorous new wife, along with Shuna Frain, a Glasgow journalist with whom Lola has clashed in the past, arrive for a visit, events quickly turn sour. Catherine’s office is ransacked, the letters go missing and someone plummets to their death from a balcony. With the rain lashing down and the roads closed by fallen trees, there are only a limited number of suspects, and it’s up to Lola, happy to be back doing what she does best, with help from Frankie and an unlikely ally in Shuna, to solve this locked room murder mystery.
Lola is compassionate and empathetic, and has a great way with witnesses as she is forced to do her duty as a serving officer and take on a surprise case without official help or any of the normal investigative techniques. Here she has to rely solely on her vast experience and her sharp incitive detective’s mind to solve the crimes committed amongst this quirky collection of people marooned by the storm. Another thrilling and completely engrossing story in a great series.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This is the 5th instalment in the Lola Harris series of books and whilst it can be read as a standalone I'd recommend reading the others! I actually read this the day after I finished the 4th instalment and read it in a day. It's another great read but now I feel bereft that I don't have another to read!

The setting is perfect for this thriller and the author manages to create a world within it which perfectly suits the plot. The cast of characters is a mixed bag and this makes the book more credible and engaging. Combine this with tightly crafted dialogue and you have a winner.

Murder at Ardaig Castle by Daniel Sellers is the fifth installment in the Detective Lola Harris Mysteries series. This book can be read as a standalone novel but if you want to get all of the characters background information then I suggest that you start at the beginning of the series.

When Detective Lola Harris is persuaded by her sister Frankie to take a vacation to a wellness retreat in a Scottish castle, she doesn't quite get the rest and relaxation that she was hoping for. Ardaig Castle is an exclusive retreat for the wealthiest clientele, and the castle holds some very dark secrets. When the manager receives a letter asking " Why have you employed a killer among your staff?" paranoia explodes. The guests are all terrified and then a body is discovered. What else will Lola find as she embarks on uncovering the mysteries of Ardaig Castle?

Even though this is the fifth book of the series, I have not read anything else by this author. I found this book to be just fine to be read as a standalone, only a couple of times I felt like if I had read the previous books I would understand more. The first bit of the book is slow but is absolutely necessary for character development. Plenty of red herrings and twists in the second half really ramped up the suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley, Daniel Sellers and Joffe Books for this ARC. Expected publication date is March 20th 2025.

📱E-Book Review📱

Murder At Ardaig Castle
Daniel Sellers

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Well, I know that this is actually book 5 in the Detective Lola Harris Mysteries series and although I haven't read all thr other books yet, I did read book 4, Murder On Skye, back in November and really enjoyed the writing style and storyline.

Once again, I have to just mention the front cover. I am always drawn to books by their covers and I love a dark and brooding landscape which screams mystery and dark thriller.

We're back on the mainland for this book and Lola has been persuaded to take a much needed break. But she's not travelled far and is staying at a wellness retreat in the Scottish Highlands.
I absolutely love this setting in thrillers because I just get the sense of vast wilderness and especially when there's a storm brewing, this just adds to the tension of the storyline perfectly.
Add in that the retr at is an old and creepy castle and we're on edge already!

Whilst at the retreat, Lola finds herself dragged into a mystery as threatening letters arrive and then a body is found.
Trapped by the storm, she races to discover which of the staff or residents are at risk and why!?

There was a great cast of characters. Given the nature of the expensive retreat, most of the guests were pretty annoying and unlikable, but this really added to the intrigued because it meant that we had a plethora of suspects.

I loved the locked door mystery vibe and was constantly trying to work out theories for each suspect in my head - yet I was still surprised at the reveal and how he storyline played out.

Another great read and I'm still planning to catch up before book 6 arrives 🫣

Detective Lola Harris Mysteries Book 5

Detective Lola Harris is persuaded to take a much-needed break in the remote Scottish Highlands. But Ardaig Castle, an exclusive wellness retreat for the rich and famous, has its own dark secrets. Someone is sending malicious letters to the hotel's employees. The latest, sent to the manager, Why have you employed a killer among your staff? A storm rages outside, paranoia spreads within. The castle's wealthy guests are rattled and old wounds are reopened. Then a body is discovered sprawled on the stone-flagged floor of the castle's hallway, limbs twisted at an impossible angle.

It took me a few chapters to get into this locked-room mystery. The pace is slow in the first half of the book, then it picks up in the second half. There were twists and red herrings. The characters are mostly unlikable. The story has been cleverly crafted.

Published 20th March 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #DanielSellers for my ARC of #MurderAtArdaigCastle in exchange for an honest review.

When I came across this book on NetGalley, I had no idea it was part of a series; I just enjoyed Tartan Noir, and the book cover piqued my curiosity. It was a rather tedious start: a locked-room mystery with several characters the reader must know by heart - scenes that had me bookmarking pages like what an amateur detective does. It wasn't until the middle part that the plot finally shifted into high gear.

Lola Harris reminded me of Nancy Drew, and I love that the writing's tone isn't the dark and gritty style most crime detective books embrace. As I've said, the book is reminiscent of Nancy Drew's: wholesome with only mild suspense. There were a few references that I couldn't get into since I've not read the previous books.

With a couple of brooding, standoffish, yet necessary characters as red herrings, this book is still a delight to read, even more so when you are a fan of Scottish whodunits. I was surprised the book wasn't as predictable as I expected, given that this genre often follows familiar patterns.

Overall, a clear 4 out of 5 stars that's perfect for a cozy mystery binge.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I have read from this series although it is actually book 5 this didn't affect my enjoyment and can be read as a standalone. Detective Lola Harris is a likeable character as she seems both feisty and kind and her relationship with her sister was fun. The mystery was full of twists and turns with a limited pool of characters it could be and a twist at the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Detective Lola Harris is sort of looking forward to a break in a remote, luxurious Scottish Castle thanks to her sister. She's a hands-on detective but promotion has taken her into the world of desks, politics and irregular goings-on. She's bored and she should have known better. Sister's friend, manager of the castle, and her clients (rich people with neuroses, burn out etc) have been receiving poison pen letters. A body turns up, naturally there is a huge storm that takes out the only access to the castle and everyone has some guilty past. Lola gets involved since the local constabulary is unable to reach the castle, interviews irascible occupants, chases ghosts and the poison pen letters just get nastier and nastier. Well written, interesting characters. 3.5* because the story line is rather pre4dictable, but rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

What a treat to catch up with DCI Lola Harris in book 5 of the series. Lola is invited on a restful weekend away by her sister, Frankie! Although, what Lola doesn't know it's under false pretences. Frankie's friend Catherine Ballantyne is the general manager of a well-belling retreat called Ardaig Castle, set in the Trossachs area in Scotland. Lola discovers the reason why she is there and she has been asked to find the culprits behind some poison pen letters and who is doing this dirty deed! Outside, there is a huge storm brewing and inside, Lola finds a dead body and knowing she can't leave, she gets involved in solving the crime. Lola Harris is a force of nature and uses her detective skills to unmask the letter writer and the murderer! Are they one and the same? She discover a wealth of truth and lies along the way but how do they connect with present day crimes? All the subplots tie together with an explosive climax! It was well written and the characters were very descriptive. It was an unputdownable read of a book!!

Detective Lola Harris believes that her sister has invited her for a restful weekend at an historic Scottish castle. In reality, her sister wants her to advise the manager on what steps to take regarding the 'poison pen' letters that various staff have received. While a storm rages, preventing the sisters from returning home, a body turns up in a grand hallway.. With the storm having cut off all access to the castle, Lola must secure the scene and learn what she can, despite being out of her jurisdiction and having no resources available.

A Scottish castle should have an assortment of quirky characters, and this one does. It also has an assortment of high-profile and powerful people who are involved in the castle's mission as a treatment facility...not to mention the 'guests' (or patients). This is an enjoyable mystery with many suspects, a sprawling crime scene, an isolated location, and people with secrets. All the ingredients necessary for an intriguing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Although this is the fifth in the Detective Lola Harris mystery series, it is the first that I have read. I didn’t feel that I was disadvantaged by not having prior knowledge of the core characters and enjoyed this one so much that I will now seek out her earlier investigations.

The plot was well executed with intrigue about the source of the poison pen letters and secrets being exposed from past lives. The castle setting and the storm that battered it added to the sense of intrigue and suspense.

Murder mystery and poison pen letters set in a Scottish Castle. Detective Lola Harris has her work cut out,plenty of twists

Tightly Plotted..
The fifth outing in the Detective Lola Harris series of mysteries finds an exhausted Lola being whisked away for a rejuvenating break to a remote wellness retreat. Once there, she finds way more than she bargained for and with a storm on the horizon things are about to get much worse. Another tightly plotted and compelling entry to this series with a credible cast of characters, a well imagined backdrop and a solid mystery at its core,