Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney

 Bodies and Battlements

Book Summary

The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle’s first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora’s business is not only at risk—she’s a prime suspect.

Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn’t succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea’s guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap.

Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate for themselves. They look into the entangled dealings of their newly arrived guests, while also getting hints from Sir Percival, one of the castle ghosts. As they learn, Sir Percival’s tragic death centuries ago sheds light on present-day crimes. Surely they can get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping their new business afloat . . .

Knot Garden

My Thoughts

Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney is the debut of The Ravensea Castle series.  I enjoyed meeting Nora as well as her family and Janet.  I like how Janet refers to Nora as “milady” even though she does not have a title (Nora has given up correcting her).  The author took the time to establish the main characters and the setting.  I like Nora who is friendly, a diligent worker, and loyal to her family. The animals are a delightful addition especially Rolf, the English mastiff. 

English Mastiff

I thought the author captured the setting of Yorkshire, England.  I could envision a castle by the sea and the nearby quaint village.  I like that the mystery stayed at the forefront of the story.  There is action, suspense, several suspects, a red herring, and, maybe, another crime or two. However, the main mystery is a cinch to solve.  I identified the guilty party before the murder took place.  I was happy with the ending, and the glimpse of what may occur in the next book.  I liked the addition of Sir Percival Asquith, an ancestor of the family who is the castle’s resident ghost.  I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story. Bodies and Battlements is an entertaining cozy mystery, and I am looking forward to the next book in The Ravensea Castle series.  Bodies and Battlements is a cute castle cozy with the grand opening of the inn, mouthwatering meals, spirited ghosts, an astute mastiff, a peculiar pater, curious crimes, a diligent detective, and a dramatic sister.

Castle Battlements

Bodies and Battlements is available from Amazon.  You can find Elizabeth Penney's other novels here.  Thank you for dropping by today.  Thanks to recent rains, I have seedlings sprouting in my raised garden beds.  I sprinkle seeds in the beds every few weeks.  This ensures that I will have new flowers throughout the year because some plants die (like my poppies which cannot handle the summer Florida heat) and others do not bloom the first year.  My sunflowers are doing well this year.  I had one sunflower with twelve blooms.  I am going to try some different varieties next year.  I will return on Tuesday, June 10 with Grave Words by Gerri Lewis.  It is the second A Deadly Deadlines Mystery.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  I have a grill to put together (I have been putting off this chore).  I have a steak that I wish to grill, and I cannot do it until I get the grill assembled.  See you Tuesday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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