Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney Book Review

About the Book:

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 . . .

My Review:

A good start to a new series. I appreciate that the ghost aspect was subtle, appearing only a couple of times and as helpful. Nora is a good main character. She cares a great deal for the castle and its continuing existence. The support characters are good too, especially Finlay, a guest at the castle who turns out to be a police detective just transferred to the area. He brings the possibility of a potential romance.

The setting near the ocean was good as that played in part of the later plot. I liked Nora's interest in gardening and creating beneficial combinations of plants, even considering the possibility of including kelp.

Since this is a cozy mystery, there is not a great deal of suspenseful action. But there is the methodical work of figuring out who committed contemporary murders. I think there will be more adventures for Nora and those helping her, including a delightful dog.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Elizabeth Penney is the author of the Apron Shop Series and the Cambridge Bookshop Series, both from St. Martin's Press. She is also the author of women's fiction and mysteries for Annie's Fiction and Guideposts.

Now living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage everything, past/present mysteries, historic houses, and the arts. Oh, and usually a very cool cat.

Visit her website at www.elizabethpenneyauthor.com to learn more.

Minotaur Books, 288 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)