Castle Conundrum..
The tenth outing in the Eve Mallow series of mysteries finds our sometime amateur sleuth at the delightful Fairfield Castle, at a launch party for the writers retreat that novelist and now castle owner Julian Fisher is hosting. Tension abounds which soon turns to murder most foul and, as ever, Eve must absolutely get involved. As Eve investigates matters, become more and more complicated. With a well drawn cast of characters, an enjoyable narrative, red herrings and twists aplenty and a likeable protagonist this is another entertaining addition to the series

A novelist buys a local castle to turn into a writer's retreat and not everyone is happy about it. The townspeople wanted to buy the castle for everyone to use, but that didn't work out for them. Even with the new owner trying to appease the locals, it just doesn't seem that he can win them over. At the end of an open house party the owner hosted for the locals, his wife is found dead after arguing with several guests. But who killed the woman and why? Eve certainly aims to find out and puts on her sleuthing cap.

With so many possibilities, and the local investigator on the wrong trail, Eve follows her own clues and finds that solving this one may just be her final chapter.

Another great entry in this British Cozy mystery series. I love Eve and the cast of characters, they always leave you wanting more...and I come back each time to get the next installment! This one has everything you'd expect from a British cozy and more!

Another hit with Eve and her sidekick Gus. This one is at a nearby Castle, when a death is discovered Eve is trying to find out who did it. Lots or red herrings, and lots of soap opera type drama. Enjoyed this one, but not my favorite of the series. Would still recommend, and suggest reading the others first (this is book 10).

Book ten in the series….Outstanding. I'll be sorry to not have it to read tonight, but couldn't put the book down! I was fully immersed in this from the start… fascinating!

Another wonderful book in this series, set in the seemingly bucolic English countryside. When Eve’s stay at a local castle that is being turned into a writers retreat is interrupted by a murder, she finds herself investigating again as she falls back on her career as an obituary writer. Eve’s character is so empathetic it makes it easy for her to see people’s actions from different perspectives I enjoy the friendships Eve has in the village that allow her insight into past events, the interactions are written in such a way as to never feel forced or artificial. Her descriptions of the castle and village are the same, you can imagine yourself there on vacation enjoying a delicious cake and a cup of tea at Viv’s cafe, or popping into Moira’s shop and getting grilled for your personal details.
A lovely cozy series with an intelligent cast of main characters, and a dachshund who is a wonderful listener, I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes the personal twist in Eve’s life in the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Eve Mallow writes obituaries for a living. She’s good at them, is caring, and sympathetic, and alongside her inquisitive nature, they have led her into a life of crime solving. Her latest job, however, is completely different and just a little contentious. The residents of her village, Saxford St Peter, tried unsuccessfully to purchase nearby Farfield Castle but instead it's being turned into a luxury writers retreat and, along with another journalist, has been hired to write about the grand opening.

When a body is found in the lavish grounds, Eve finds her two jobs merging and, unfortunately, her nemesis, Detective Palmer, is on the case. With the owners asking her to stay and finish her assignment, Eve knows she has to investigate as well before the someone is charged with a murder they didn't commit.

Book ten in this brilliant series takes Eve in a new direction and I was glad Farfield Castle was close enough to home that all the main protagonists could still be involved and I have to admit I had no idea whodunnit or why until I was supposed to which is always a bonus.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and recommend it highly.

The latest entry in the Eve Mallow series is well written with a compelling mystery and updates on series regulars. It would work as a stand-alone but after 9 other volumes, you would get more out of it after reading at least some previous books. Eve is drawn into another mystery while staying at a local castle being turned into a writers retreat. My only criticism is that Eve’s interest in solving the crime feels unrealistic at points; the series relies on her work writing obituaries to explain her involvement, but in some cases it feels too thin to explain just how deeply involved Eve gets. Again, though, overall it’s an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Eve Mallow is on the case again. This novel of mystery and intrigue, written by a talented and gifted author, was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley. Thanks to the publisher and the author. The story moves quickly and the characters come alive on the pages. This would make a great television series. Curl up in a comfy chair with a warm throw. Be transported to this castle and to the world of chaos. Enjoy.

Eve Mallow has a different assignment, a review of a new luxury writer’s retreat at historic Farfield Castle. It’s far from the obituaries she usually writes, although it won’t be long before Eve is writing both. We know from the prologue that Kitty Fisher, one of the celebrities who arranged the event, is dead, pushed into a well on the night of the opening party for the residents of Saxford St. Peter. There are many suspects, including Kitty’s two partners. One is her brother Nate who grew up in the castle and stayed there with his grandparents after his mother’s death when Kitty and her father left. The other is her husband Julian who imagines he is a more famous writer than his books show him to be. He may or not be having an affair with his assistant. Could one of them be the killer? Or could it be the former owner of the castle? The woman who wanted to buy it to use as a community center? Another suspicious death makes Eve realize she must find the murderer or become a victim herself.

Mystery at Farfield Castle is a sophisticated cozy mystery by the talented Clare Chase. Eve Mallow is a strong, independent woman with excellent sleuthing skills. The residents of Saxford St. Peter, especially Viv and Moira, are familiar friends. As usual the quaint village is a character in itself. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Clare Chase for this ARC.