Miss Ashford Investigates – book four
November 1930
After accepting an invitation to attend the ballet in snowy Salzburg, Miss Atalanta Ashford is shocked when a convicted jewel thief is found dead in the concert hall where the theft occurred a decade ago.
Did he return to the scene of the crime because he wanted to prove his innocence?
Is the real culprit among the high-society guests?
In her quest for the truth, Atalanta uncovers dangerous secrets about the European elite that put her own life in mortal danger …
Publication Details
Author: Vivian Conroy
Book Title: Last Dance in Salzburg
Series: Miss Ashford Investigates #4
Publisher: One More Chapter
Publication Date: 8 November 2024
Format: Digital Edition
ISBN: 978-0008549282
Pages: 288
About the Author
Having spent many afternoons as a teen on the Nile with Poirot or confronting sinister spinsters in sleepy English towns with Miss Marple, it was only natural Vivian Conroy would start writing mysteries of her own.
Atmospheric descriptions, well developed characters and clever plotting made several of her cozy mysteries #1 Amazon US and Canada bestsellers in multiple categories.
Her Victorian mystery series features a female zoologist, allowing Vivian to share her fascination with natural history, a field where in the Victorian age costly deceit, questionable experiments and extraordinary theories offer great inspiration for a mystery writer’s fertile imagination.
Besides writing, Vivian enjoys hiking, collecting stationery and trying new desserts, especially if chocolate is involved.
My Review
Last Dance in Salzburg is the fourth book in Vivian Conroy’s Miss Ashford Investigates series, and is a delightful addition to the cozy historical mystery genre. Despite being new to the author and this series, I found the writing style welcoming and easy to follow, making it simple to dive straight into the story.
The slower pace initially gave me pause, as I usually gravitate towards faster-moving plots, but it turned out to be a perfect match for the cozy, atmospheric tone of the book. I’m eager to explore the earlier titles in the series to learn more about Atalanta Ashford and her background, as I do love a classic murder mystery with a strong, engaging protagonist.
The setting was one of my favorite aspects. Salzburg, a beautiful city in Austria, is a place I’ve visited multiple times, and it’s what drew me to the book in the first place. Vivian Conroy captures its charm beautifully, painting vivid and magnificent descriptions that transported me right back to its historic streets and grand stately homes.
The mystery begins intriguingly, with Atalanta receiving a mysterious invitation addressed to her late grandfather. This leads her to Salzburg, accompanied by her friend Raoul, to attend a birthday party featuring an exclusive ballet performance. What starts as a curious investigation quickly unravels into a web of lies, power, and danger. The historical details felt authentic, adding depth and a sense of time and place to the twisty, engaging investigation.
However, while I appreciated the dynamic between Atalanta and Raoul, I felt their romantic tension was a little overemphasized. The “will they, won’t they” dynamic detracted from the mystery’s momentum and felt drawn out.
Overall, Last Dance in Salzburg is an atmospheric and engaging read for fans of cozy historical mysteries. It blends a compelling plot with evocative settings, and I look forward to reading more in the series to see where Atalanta’s adventures take her next. The next book has been announced and it’s set on a river cruise on the Rhine, Germany which is another of my favourite places.
DISCLOSURE: I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.
#VivianConroy #MissAshfordInvestigates #LastDanceInSalzburg
#OneMoreChapter #NetGalley
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