The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
allisonwonderlandreads's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
It wasn't the castle that sold me on this cozy mystery but the fact that protagonist Nora names Melissa McCarthy's Spy as one of her favorite movies (it's immoral how underrated that film is). Nora's the kind of human who names her three kittens after the Brontë sisters and then reads gothic mysteries aloud to them. Also, she's a Michigan State alum, so essentially, I'm in the process of preparing my trademarked Best Friend Welcome Kit to bring her on board. In all seriousness, however, the immersive murder mystery experience put on by the actors at Castle Dark sounds like a very good time, indeed. Less so the real murder that takes place during one of the mystery dinners.
This was such a well-written cozy. Nora's new to her acting gig at Castle Dark. She's not a nosy amateur investigator or the prime suspect, roles commonly assigned to cozy mystery protagonists, but she keeps happening to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, acquiring new pieces of the puzzle. Because of that, I was never frustrated with risky behavior or shabby detective work. Also, while the mystery wasn't spine-tingling scary, I was still plenty suspicious of all the suspects and stayed engaged throughout. The plot wasn't so feather-light as to drift away with no consequence. I think the gothic castle and the shifty behavior of several in the acting troupe contributed to the right level of drama. Yet, it's still a cozy, so I found the characters very likable with all their quirks and personableness. I landed in the same uncomfortable position as Nora: endeared to her new potential friends but still quite suspicious given the secrets and the murdering going on. While the big reveal of the perpetrator was not completely mind-melting, it also wasn't glaringly obvious. That's a balance I am willing to accept.
I would definitely come back to Castle Dark for more. I want more time with these characters, more theatrics, and (let's be honest) more murders. Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. Death in Castle Dark is available 8/3.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Stalking
Minor: Infidelity, Gun violence, and Violence
More...