Review - Bodies And Battlements

 Author Elizabeth Penney also writes the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries, which I have only read one of that series. 

Fatal Folio: Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries #3 (click here)

This is a brand new series she has started.  If you've been here long enough, you know I enjoy books set in Scotland. This book is set in England and Ireland too.  I love beginning with the debut novel, so let's see what this new addition to the mystery genre has to offer.

Author: Elizabeth Penney

Copyright: May 2025 (Minotaur) 288 pgs

Series: 1st in Ravensea Castle Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery, amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Nora Asquith, Herbalist turned castle B&B proprietor

Setting: Modern day, Monkwell, Yorkshire in England

Obtained Through: Publisher/Netgalley for honest review

Book Blurb: "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 Thoughts:

Nora Asquith is the responsible daughter who is attempting to financially save the family's castle. Besides her own herbal line of products, she has opened the family's historic home to a small amount of paying guests in hopes of keeping the property in the family.  

Her sister, Tamsyn, is a popular actress home to lick her wounds after her show, Highland Lass, is canceled. Their relationship starts rough but turns to solidarity. Will, the brother who brews his own mead in town, is around sporadically.  Arthur Asquith is their father who spends his time writing the family history.

Among the first guests is Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new in town and hasn't found a place yet. He heads up the investigation into the murder. He is definitely romantic interest material.  Janet Fagan, housekeeper and cook extraordinaire and husband, Guy are the regular staff and part of the family.  English Mastiff, Rolf, and the gray tabby cat, Ruffian are ever present along with Sir Percival, the ghost of a knight make this a fun cast.

The setting is rich with old smuggling caves along shore from the shady past, Sir Percival's ghost, and the small town at the base of the hill below the castle provide a great setting with atmosphere to spare.

The plot moves along well as more suspects are uncovered. The pacing kept my interest throughout.  The killer reveal was only a little tense, but still good. Overall a solid mystery and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Rating: Excellent - Enjoyed it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

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