Cornisea Island sounds a lovely idyllic place to live. Coastline, castle, docks, a close knit community… that is until murder occurs!!

The premise of the story is the hunt for a medical goblet studded with diamonds and rubies rumoured to be buried in the grounds of Cornisea Castle. The hunt is on with a number of interested parties looking for the mythical goblet and trying to lay claim ownership of it. How far will these interested parties go to get their hands on the prize??! Murder??!

I really liked getting to know Guinevere. She was a very likeable character and the young men in the book did seem to be attracted to her. Her rapport with the other characters was very amicable – she’s someone I’d like to know in real life! And her little dachshund is adorable!

I personally didn’t feel that the author covered off enough of what had happened in the previous book with some of the references. It didn’t deter from my enjoyment but the little hints just weren’t enough for me – I may have to get myself a copy of Death Plays A Part.

Rubies In The Roses was a rather enjoyable cosy crime novel with a reasonable amount of pace to it. There were quite a few twists and turns to keep me glued to my kindle to find out who the killer was and whether there was this mythical wedding goblet to be found!

I really enjoyed the first book in the Cornish Castle Mystery duo so I had high expectations of Rubies in the roses. I’ve followed the author on Twitter for some time now so I am sorry to say that I just didn’t particularly enjoy this book.

Unlike the first, there was very little character development, very little scene setting and by 20% in i was confused as to who was who. I also felt that for a short book it was very slow to get going and I’ve got to be honest and say that I found it dragged and by the end I just wanted to finish it and move on.

*I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes but all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

I was so pleased when Vivian announced not one but two Cornish Castle Mystery books and immediately went to pre-order the first one. Guinevere and Dolly are at it again in their second mystery around Cornisea Castle. When Gregory Wadencourt arrives unannounced at the Castle, proclaiming his rights to finding the 'Roses and Stars' wedding goblet, which is known to be hidden on castle grounds; Bolingbrooke, Oliver and Guinevere are all caught off guard by the disturbance and try to rid Wadencourt before the search becomes out of hand and the whole of Cornisea Island is shredding in to the castle.

Not only do they have the whole island looking for such a prize possession; Guinevere and Dolly come across a crime scene which involves the death of a close friend. Does the death and the goblet have some sort of connection? Guinevere, Dolly and Oliver are back and more ready than ever to solve the mystery and get justice for their friend.

To add to all of the drama surrounding the Island, Waderncourt has brought along a rather mysterious photographer, Max DeBurgh. Oliver grows suspicious of Max due to past knowledge, yet Guinevere couldn't disagree more and finds herself growing fond of the photographer.

I absolutely loved going back to Cornisea Castle and being reunited with some familiar characters, alongside some rather intriguing new characters. I'm such a huge fan of Vivian's mystery books and she really does make you sit for hours thinking "who the hell did it!?". The people behind each murder seem really obvious once revealed, but Vivian does such a great job at convincing you it isn't them that when it does end up being who you thought it was, you're completely thrown off guard! We get to learn a little more about Guinevere in this second book, making me feel a little bit more closer to the character than from the first book. There's also a development in Oliver and his father Bolingbrooke which I absolutely adore, there's nothing better than getting to know so much about these characters, they're all such a wonderful group. Vivian is so incredible with detail, you genuinely feel like you are on Cornisea Island joining in with the mystery, which makes this series so unique and a great read!

Excellent and compelling book two. I am hoping so much for a book three and for the time being, I will be diving head first in to Vivian's other stories! Love, love, love!

Rubies in the Roses is a well written book. I loved the characters and the mystery.

Guinevere Evans has a dream summer job: cataloguing books at a castle on a island off the coast of Cornwall. With her dachshund Dolly by her side she explores the island’s colorful history, tries fabulous local food and sees the gorgeous sunsets. The Castle library is a dream and she loves her summer job.

But when an old friend of her employer drops in, claiming a rare bejeweled wedding goblet is hidden in the castle gardens, strange events start to take place: several people turn up claiming they have a right to the elusive goblet, and a dead body is found.
Guinevere and Dolly discover plenty of motives to kill. Can they prove what really happened to the victim and what became of the rubies? She is determined to find out and solve the mystery.
Guinevere & Dolly once again bring humor and suspense to the reader. Such well developed characters are delightful to read and Readers will fall in love with scenes that bring the castle and island. This is a delightful cozy series and a fun read that every mystery fan will enjoy. I look forward to the next in series. Thank you for the ARC which did not influence my review.

This is a cosy mystery with a quintessential English flair to it with eccentric characters and a cheeky four-legged companion.

Guinevere, and her sidekick Dolly the dachshund, are busy cataloging the contents of a library in a Cornish castle when the story of a hidden treasure surfaces. Hidden somewhere in or around the castle. It’s the type of mystery that tends to attract a lot of treasure hunters.

In particular a very persistent treasure hunter, who is determined to prove how clever he is and cementing his reputation by finding a wedding goblet encased with jewels. His working theory is that the artefact is somewhere in the castle, and he is willing to do anything to find it.

The Cornish Castle Mysteries are pleasant and fun reads. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon snuggled up in a corner for a spot of relaxation.

Conroy hits the spot for readers who like their crime served with less violence and with more emphasis on the comfortable read, as opposed to the shocking and often quite brutal crime reads.

I'm typically drawn to a good cozy mystery because it is a fun, easy read. With Rubies in the Roses, there's lost treasure, a castle setting, a library, a missing book, and an adorable dachshund named Dolly. Oh, and don't forget a dead body! With character names like Lord Bolingbrooke, Wadencourt, Oliver, Lady Serena and Guinevere, you know you are in for a good regal mystery. Overall, the storyline was a bit slow but it had its moments of suspense. I would have liked more development of the characters but that will probably come as the series progresses. I was definitely stumped right through to the end as far as whodunit but also left with a lot of unanswered questions. I guess I'll just have to wait for Book 3.

I enjoyed the setting on the island and the characters. Guinevere, Dolly, Lord Bolingbrooke, Oliver (what is going on with him?). The rubies are on a losr goblet that many are wanting, so we have the mystery of that, as well as the murder, Guinevere and Dolly the Dachshund work together to solve the mystery. Oliver and Max also work with Guinevere.

Rubies in the Roses is the second Cornisea island cosy by Vivian Conroy.  It is a charming mystery set on a fictional island on the Cornish coast.  The mysteries are not very complex, and the cast of characters is relatively small, but they are enjoyable light novels perfect for whiling away an afternoon.  Guinevere is a charming, demure lead and her dachshund, Dolly’s antics are sure to bring a smile.

Treasure fever has once again come to Cornisea Island. Rumors have emerged of a chalice covered in rubies and diamonds hidden on the grounds of Cornisea Castle. One of Oliver’s father's friends has returned with tales of a long lost treasure worth a fortune.  It may be what is necessary to revitalize the island or it may mean the island will be overrun with treasure seekers.  But along with the rumors comes the death of one of the island’s residents, an accident or murder?

Rubies in the Roses is a mystery with more charm than complexity.  Still, it's a pleasant read that is nicely written.

4 / 5

I received a copy of Rubies in the Roses from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

Rubies in the Roses is part two in the Cornish Castle Mystery series, and I really think it can be read as a stand alone but I really urge you to read the first book as its a truly fantastic. Part two is very exciting and gripping, and I really enjoyed the whole book.

What I really like the most about Rubies in the Roses is all the guessing and the working out whats going on the suspense throughout was brilliant and the whole mystery plot was wonderfully written and I couldn't put the book down.

I have to say I absolutely loved the character Dolly, she is sure to put a smile on your face and she made the book really fun. Guinevere is also a really great character and very easy to connect with.

This isn't normally the genre of books that I would read but I found this really cosy and easy to read and it has definitely opened my eyes to this genre and made me really want to read more books like this, and I will be reading lots more by Vivian Conroy.

RUBIES IN THE ROSES by Vivian Conroy is the second book in the Cornish Castle Mystery Series and I could not wait to dive back into this wonderful series. Guinevere is back with her fabulous sidekick, Dolly the dachshund, and it isn't long before there is mystery in the air once again.

Still working at her dream summer job up at the castle, it is only when an old friend of her employer appears, claiming that there is a rare antique hidden in the castle grounds, that Guinevere and the community of Cornisea Island will find themselves in the middle of a mystery, as people start to crawl out of the woodwork staking their claim, and a dead body floats up on the beach. Will Guinevere and Dolly be able to uncover the truth before it is too late?

I love this cozy mystery series with its stunning setting and intriguing (and loveable) characters that draw you into the story and make you feel a part of the action. I really enjoyed the first book in the series (Death Plays A Part) and I had high hopes for the sequel and hats off to Vivian Conroy, as this one was even better! The mystery element is superb with plenty of twists and turns to throw you off the scent, but it is the castle and the community of quirky characters that really steal the show in this novel.

RUBIES IN THE ROSES by Vivian Conroy is the perfect read to curl up on the couch with and I highly recommend it and the series!

My Review

Well Rubies In The Roses by Vivian Conroy is a different read for me, I’m a blood, guts and gore type of girl, so when given the opportunity to read and review Rubies In The Roses I thought okay no serial killers how different can it be. Oh its different, but a wrap yourself up in a warm blanket type of different, a nice cosy gentle murder mystery.

Rubies In The Roses is the second book in the series of the Cornish Castle Mystery starring Guinevere and Dolly the Dachshund, the first being Death Plays A Part, the second book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.

Guinevere is on a working holiday on the island of Cornisea, with her faithful hound Dolly, where she is cataloguing a library for Lord Bolingbrooke a reclusive man who generally doesn’t entertain guests, until the day Gregory Wadencourt appears at his door. Wadencourt is a historian with an interest in ancient artefacts, in particular a wedding goblet called The Roses and Stars which is adorned with jewels thought to be hidden on Lord Bolingbroke’s castle grounds. Wadencourt plans to be the first to claim the goblet but he is not alone in the pursuit to find the hidden artefact.

The plotline portrays like a treasure hunt where everyone is trying to win the ultimate prize, following the clues to gain knowledge of where the goblet is hidden. Meanwhile a body is found in the water under the pier rocking the islanders sense of security wondering who could have committed such a crime, Guinevere and Dolly partner up on their quest to solve the murder mystery.

Dolly is a pup like any other but I love how she anticipates when Guinevere is in peril and manages to steer her away from certain harm. Its funny while reading the book I literally wanted to scoop Dolly out of the book and have her sitting beside me while we followed the mystery.

Rubies In The Roses is true easy going whodunit mystery which mellows out the mind, there is no tension like there would be in a crime thriller but a nice gentle jaunt through the book producing a nice warm and snuggly feel that makes you smile,

I would certainly recommend Rubies In The Roses for a relaxing read, not too taxing that you have to stop for breath, but a definite pull up a chair, grab a blanket an ‘coorie doon’, chill out with Guinevere and Dolly while they take you on a journey to solve a cosy mystery.

Thanks to HQ Digital and Vivian Conroy for the opportunity to read and review Rubies In The Roses in exchange for an honest review.

Rubies In The Roses is a book which I think could be described as a cosy mystery. It's a very well written story, but not one which is full of action. It does have plenty of suspense and intrigue though. I did eventually find myself immersed in the mystery and I was as keen as Guinevere to discover the truth behind the rare wedding goblet and those who might be willing to kill for it.
I can't say I connected with any of the characters as such, but I did warm to Guinevere and her dog, Dolly. Cornisea Island sounds like somewhere I would love to visit and I could see myself coping quite well with a job like Guinevere's, cataloguing books! I also thought that Guinevere's attraction to Max was very realistic. I'm sure many people have been attracted to someone they know might not actually be any good for them. I know I have!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a more gentle (if that's the right word!) murder mystery.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my kindle copy via Netgalley.

A delightful cozy mystery that I found absolutely impossible to put down, Rubies in the Roses is the second captivating installment of Vivian Conroy’s enchanting Cornish Castle Mystery series.

Costume designer Guinevere Evans had thought that she had scored the ideal summer job: cataloging books in Lord Bolingbrooke’s majestic castle in Cornisea Island, off the coast of Cornwall. With her trusted dachshund Dolly by her side, Guinevere is looking forward to a quiet summer spent walking her dog, taking in the invigorating sea air and immersing herself in her job – or so she thinks! All thoughts of cream teas and long walks by the beach fly out the window when historian Gregory Wadencourt arrives at the castle claiming that a rare bejewelled goblet is hidden in the castle gardens and that he is determined to find it and claim it for himself.

Gregory’s arrival sparks off a series of catastrophic events that leave a trail of destruction, chaos and turmoil in their wake: Lady Serena bustles on the island and claims that the goblet belongs to her family after it had been shamelessly plundered from them, Lord Bolingbrooke seems to be acting shiftier and shiftier and Max De Burgh, Wadencourt’s photographer, isn’t all that he seems. But when a dead body is found on the beach, Guinevere realises that it is up to her to get to the bottom of this mystery and find out whether this was an accidental death…or murder! And whether there is any kind of connection between the dead man and the struggle for the ownership of the goblet.

With the help of Dolly and Lord Bolingbrooke’s son Oliver, Guinevere wonders whether she will ever find out the truth about what happened to the victim and what became of the precious rubies that are at the heart of this baffling mystery.

If you love cozy mysteries, then you must add Vivian Conroy’s name to your list of favourite authors. Gripping, compelling and bursting with charm, red herrings and nail-biting suspense, Rubies in the Roses is an engrossing mystery featuring a delightful heroine, a gorgeous dog, a wonderfully rendered setting, buried treasure and old secrets that I devoured in a single sitting!

Vivian Conroy’s books are must-reads for fans of M.C. Beaton, Rebecca Tope and Lesley Cookman and I cannot wait to read more enchanting, entertaining and enthralling mysteries from her very talented pen!

Rubies in the Roses is the second Cornish Castle mystery, and although you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy it - I liked the feeling of familiarity when meeting the main characters again, and I enjoyed having a sense of knowing the surroundings already. The main characters were developed further with great success and you can start to understand more about their backgrounds and the impact of that on their current situations, as well as explaining more about why they respond and react the way they do.
Choosing such an interesting island setting with a castle and all the historical stories that are possible is a stroke of genius - the Rose and Stars goblet is entirely plausible and the hunt for artefacts in the grounds is exactly what would happen (and I'm sure often does) when an intriguing find looks likely. It is also a brilliant observation of the motivation and behaviour of people when money, history, family and affection all start to rub together.
Dolly the dog still steals the show, but the real mastery is in the careful writing and clever plot. There are more red-herrings and cul-de-sacs with a triumphant ending so well crafted that I can't wait to read the third book! . Conroy has been compared to Agatha Christie, but there is much more humour in these series and so I think I may even prefer them...

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Not my usual read and I haven't read the first in the series, but I enjoyed the character of Guinevere and her trusty sidekick Dolly. Interesting backstory to the goblet mystery, I did want to smack some sense into a few characters, but that's a good sign of being drawn into a good story.

I have to say that I definitely have a soft spot for cosy/cozy crime and after reading the first book in the series Death Plays a Part and getting to know the characters I couldn't wait to re-visit Cornisea. After reading the description for the book I was intrigued and wondered how everything would play out.

Guinevere is a great character she is determined and yet again I enjoyed her interactions with Oliver. Their friendship is a little shaky at times in this story which adds an extra depth but they still work brilliantly together. I always enjoy the moments where they talk through everything that they have learnt so far and try to put all the clues together. I like that you get to see more of Guinevere's feelings in this story so it felt more personal in that respect. There was definitely a deeper character development with her character and there is a vulnerability that pulled at my heart strings a little.

The focus isn't just on the people who live on the island in this story but we also get a few "outsiders" who all come to the island to try and discover the goblet. There is a good mix of characters with differing personalities who all pretty much have hidden agendas but is there a killer amongst them? A special mention yet again has to go to Dolly I loved how she has her own little personality making me smile on quite a few occasions.

Even though it is the second book in the series I still think you could get by without reading Death Plays a Part. However it really is worth a read as you do get a great introduction to Guinevere and Dolly and not forgetting missing out on a brilliant closed door mystery.

Trying to figure everything out was half the fun of reading Rubies in the Roses and with a good range of suspects the story kept me on my toes. The pacing is good with the right amount of clues revealed at certain points in the story to intrigue the reader. I love the setting of Cornisea I really wish it was a real place as I would love to visit especially to meet all of the locals and to have a look around the castle.

Rubies in the Roses is entertaining and will have you trying to piece everything together throughout. There is a special charm about the characters and the setting that will have you turning the pages to discover if you figured it all out correctly.

Charming with wonderful characters!

With thanks to Vivian Conroy, HQ Digital & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

RUBIES IN THE ROSES, the second book in the Cornish Castle Mysteries, it the first book I’ve read by author Vivian Conroy, but it won’t be my last. This modern day cozy mystery had a Christie like feel to it that made it a fresh delight to read.

My introduction to characters, Guinevere Evans and her dachshund Dolly, as well as Lord Bolingbrooke and his son Oliver, had me instantly locked into this story. I must admit, I’m totally enamoured with Lord Bolingbrooke. He is just the sort of off the wall, living-in-his-own-world type of man that intrigues me. When I read scenes with him, in my head his voice sounds like actor Tom Baker of Doctor Who. As for Dolly the Doxie, I was ready to pull her out of the pages and make her my own.

A wonderful tale, RUBIES IN THE ROSES is a mystery filled with intrigue and action. Each new page leading to more excitement, more questions, and more second guessing. Truly a great read all the way through with a satisfying conclusion. Certainly a book I will think about for some time to come.

I do enjoy a 'cosy crime' story where untangling the mystery and seeing beyond the red herrings is the main point of the read. Set in a fictitious tidal island in Cornwall, inspired by the real-life St Michael's Mount , among others, you have a sense of the Cornish history, nature and folklore.


Guinevere is such a likeable character, with her gorgeous dachshund, Dolly, though I found all the cast of characters to be interesting in their own right. The most intriguing to me, turned out to be the redoubtable Inspector Lefevre and of course, Oliver. I soon discovered that though I had my own ideas about each person, my presumptions were soon tested. It is quite hard to talk about the story without giving any of the plot away, but there are lots of clues to intrigue and tease the reader.


There are definitely echoes of Agatha Christie's great crime novels in the book. Set apart from the mainland, in a Castle, with mysterious happenings and a cast of people who all seem to have something to hide, we pick our way through the story, assessing each person's veracity as we go. There are two mysteries to untangle: the whereabouts of the priceless goblet and also an unexplained death. Both play out at just the right pace and all in all, it is a thoroughly satisfying read.


In short: great characters and an intriguing plot add up to an engrossing 'cosy crime' read.

Thanks to Vivian Conroy for a copy of the book