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renpuspita's review
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Death in Castle Dark is a cozy mystery that emphasize the coziness, while still retain its mystery elements. It's also slightly gothic with a mention of Victoria Holt's book (never read hers, to be honest), since the setting was in ACTUAL castle with its secret passages and also a grandiose piano (complete with a map of the castle's room in the start of the book that help me to understand the structure of the castle). This is also the first time I read Veronica Bond (that apparently a pseudonym used by Julia Buckley, another new author to me) and I find that I like her voice already.
Told entirely from Nora Blake's first PoV, I find the premise of the book is unique. A recreated murder mystery located in actual castle that invited its visitor to playing detective (called Inspector) to solve the murder case that recreated by the castle's employee consists of actors and actresses alike. Things got ugly so fast when the murder become real and Nora found the corpse. What I really like from this book beside its coziness is the atmosphere and character's interaction. I had said before that this book have a slightly gothic vibe and Bond stay true to its vibe by writing a chilly scenes when Nora got chased by unknown assailant. Also, since all the suspects are actors, it was tricky to guess the alibi and motives since everyone can lie as easily as breathing. The mystery is solid till the end and I read this book with dread because from Nora's PoV, it will be devastating if the culprit is someone from Castle Dark that she know dearly.
The character's interaction is one of the spotlight and I like the "found family" trope that Bond try to execute here. That's why I really hope the culprit is not one of the castle employee and employer since Nora also bonding (harhar no pun intended) and making friends with them. I also like the addition of the pets, especially the kittens that named after Bronte's siblings and a dog named Hamlet. I'm surprised to see some of romantic elements, not only by Nora and the detective that investigate the case, but also between the actor and actress . Speaking about detective, I like that John Dashiell (or Dash for sort) didn't try to shoo Nora away and constantly ask her if she found anything that will help the case. Nora's family also a supportive family. Sigh, this book is really, really COZY, lol, i can't find anything to complaint except maybe some things that make me go "huh" like when Jade, a teenager that deliver the kitten to Nora said that her father is feminist, I'll be like "umm..okay". Just a matter of preference, though.
I have an enjoyable read with Death in Castle Dark and definitely will read the next. I think if you really love your mystery to be as cozy as possible but with some of gothic vibe, this book is perfect for you.
Told entirely from Nora Blake's first PoV, I find the premise of the book is unique. A recreated murder mystery located in actual castle that invited its visitor to playing detective (called Inspector) to solve the murder case that recreated by the castle's employee consists of actors and actresses alike. Things got ugly so fast when the murder become real and Nora found the corpse. What I really like from this book beside its coziness is the atmosphere and character's interaction. I had said before that this book have a slightly gothic vibe and Bond stay true to its vibe by writing a chilly scenes when Nora got chased by unknown assailant. Also, since all the suspects are actors, it was tricky to guess the alibi and motives since everyone can lie as easily as breathing. The mystery is solid till the end and I read this book with dread because from Nora's PoV, it will be devastating if the culprit is someone from Castle Dark that she know dearly.
The character's interaction is one of the spotlight and I like the "found family" trope that Bond try to execute here. That's why I really hope the culprit is not one of the castle employee and employer since Nora also bonding (harhar no pun intended) and making friends with them. I also like the addition of the pets, especially the kittens that named after Bronte's siblings and a dog named Hamlet. I'm surprised to see some of romantic elements, not only by Nora and the detective that investigate the case, but also between the actor and actress . Speaking about detective, I like that John Dashiell (or Dash for sort) didn't try to shoo Nora away and constantly ask her if she found anything that will help the case. Nora's family also a supportive family. Sigh, this book is really, really COZY, lol, i can't find anything to complaint except maybe some things that make me go "huh" like when Jade, a teenager that deliver the kitten to Nora said that her father is feminist, I'll be like "umm..okay". Just a matter of preference, though.
I have an enjoyable read with Death in Castle Dark and definitely will read the next. I think if you really love your mystery to be as cozy as possible but with some of gothic vibe, this book is perfect for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Stalking
Minor: Medical content
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Murder
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Violence
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