I haven’t read any of the books in Elizabeth Penney’s other cozy series, including the Cambridge Bookshop or Mysteries of Blackberry Valley. But, the first Ravensea Castle mystery, Bodies and Battlements, is one of the best cozy mysteries I’ve read in a while.

Ravensea Castle on the Yorkshire coast has been in the Asquith family since 1138. But, the family now needs money for upkeep of the property. Nora Asquith had to fight protesting neighbors and regulations, but she finally has permission to open the castle as a bed and breakfast. Even her actress sister, Tamsyn, opposed the plans for a while. But, when the day comes for a soft opening, Nora’s siblings, Will and Tamsyn, are at her side. Even the local opposition,, led by Hilda Dibble, shows up. But, Hilda and her best friends, Sandra, quickly disappear from the welcome party.

Unfortunately, Hilda doesn’t completely disappear. Instead, Nora finds her body in the castle apothecary garden. That’s when she learns one of her guests, Finlay Cole, is actually Detective Inspector Finlay Cole who is waiting to move into his new apartment in town. But, Nora fears she tops Cole’s suspect list, and determines she’ll find out who killed Hilda. Nora doesn’t want her plans for the castle hijacked by a death or two. That’s nothing when it comes to tragedies since 1138.

Bodies and Battlements features stories of local history, local deaths, and ghosts who haunt the castle. There’s a solid cast of supporting characters, including two dogs, a cat and kitten, and Sir Percival, the castle ghost. It’s an entertaining mystery featuring Nora and her family and staff who have been at the castle for years.

Fans of cozy mysteries with a likable cast, a trace of romance, and a ghost, might want to pick up Bodies and Battlements.

The first bed and breakfast guests at herbalist Nora Asquith’s family castle wake up to a delicious breakfast and the news that a murder has been committed on the grounds. The B&B is the family’s attempt to hold on to Ravensea Castle, which has been in their family for a thousand years, Nora and her father hope the business will give them much needed cash. Nora’s other family members have jumped in to help, now they need to uncover the killer when she and her father become suspects, the twist is that one these family members is a ghost.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery with a twist. The dialogue and interaction between the characters is well written. The love, deep connection and a bit of competition between the Nora and her sister hit just the right note for me, their father and his love of the castle and it’s history seem very real, and the descriptions of the castle itself, the grounds and the village paint a vivid picture of their world that I enjoyed being a part of. There were enough twists and a hint of romance to come to keep the book interesting, the end tied things up nicely.
A must read for mystery lovers who enjoy cozies, a bit of paranormal, and beautiful English castles, and I can’t forget the dogs! I’m looking forward to the next in the series, and have already downloaded the first book in one of the author’s other series to read as well. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and Elizabeth Penney for a chance to relax with a lovely book.

Elizabeth Penney is the author of one of my favourite cozy mystery series (The Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries) so when I heard she had a new series coming out, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Who wouldn’t want to stay in a B&B that’s in a castle?!

I enjoyed meeting Nora – her job as a herbalist is interesting and I’m looking forward to learning more about herbs, scents, and other flora trivia. With her personal history with the victim and the need to keep their business’ name clean, it makes sense that Nora, and her family, would want the murders solved as quickly as possible.

The castle setting was detailed and just as luxurious as you could want – I could picture everything perfectly, including the furnishings and the gardens. I also loved our introduction to the resident ghosts – from small glimmers to actual sightings, it was a fun way to introduce them into the story.

The mystery plot is well set up and laid out in a way that kept me guessing until the final reveal. The story was engaging and held my interest throughout. There were a lot of characters to keep track of but it never felt confusing or like there were too many people involved.

The first book in any series has the difficult task of keeping the reader engaged but also setting up the series for the future, including the setting and the characters, both main and recurring. Bodies and Battlements did a great job of making me interested in several of the characters right from the start and I loved meeting the family, the guests, and the people from the village. It will be fun to see who returns in future books.

There are already relationships forming, which will be fun to see develop, and not just romantic ones. The bond between Nora and her sister Tamsyn is definitely one that will continue to heal, I think, and I really enjoy that the sisters find ways to get along, but still be cometitive siblings.

For me, one of the reasons I love cozy mystery series is getting to know the characters and becoming familiar with them – and I think the ones we have met in Bodies and Battlements will be a group that I will enjoy meeting again!

*** Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy for review purposes.

Bodies and Battlements is a wonderfully atmospheric cozy mystery that captures the charm of an English countryside setting with ease. The authors writing is warm, engaging, and full of character, making it easy to settle into the world she creates. The read is compelling, with a blend of humor, intrigue, and heart. This is the kind of book that feels like a comforting escape and it is perfect for curling up with on a quiet afternoon. If you enjoy classic cozy novels, you will love this book!

Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney is a really fun cozy mystery that I really enjoyed.

Great fun characters.

The mystery was well written.

Bodies and Battlements is a good introduction to a new series set along the coast of Yorkshire and the new bed and breakfast inn owned by the Asquith family. The castle has been in the family for hundreds of years and it is the brainchild of Nora to add to the family coffers. She grows flowers and herbs and produces her own line of bath, body, and teas on the side while she, her father, a husband and wife team of help live at the castle. Her sister Tamsyn, an actress, and brother Will, a brewer, drop in the soft opening. A murder by an outlier to the inn is found murdered on the grounds making Nora and her father suspects. But they aren't the only ones. Every one of the guests, other than the new DI Finlay, seem to be connected. This is an interesting murder to unravel and is not as cut and dry as one might think but multilayered and complex. Likable characters, lovely setting, and a little bit of romance makes this a nice read. This is a great start to the series and I am looking forward to more.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

Bodies and Battlements is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney. Nora Asquith is preparing for the opening of the bed and breakfast located in her family home, Ravensea Castle. When a vocal opponent of the business is found murdered at the castle Nora's business and future is at risk when she becomes a suspect. Nora decides to start to investigate to clear her name much to the dismay of castle guest and detective inspector, Finlay Cole.

I had a great time with this book. I really enjoyed Nora. She is smart and very hard working. Her relationship with Finlay is developing nicely. Nora won him over quickly and he began trusting her with some of the case developments. They started a good working relationship and friendship and is definitely pointing towards more in the future. The mystery was interesting and had some good twists. I also loved the light paranormal aspect with the castle ghosts. I will absolutely be continuing with this series as more books are published.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with the lovely cover and thoroughly enjoyed this well plotted and solid cozy mystery, the first in a series full of potential.
Entertaining, perfect to relax, a story full of surprises and twists
Well done, recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I’ve never met any characters by this author that I haven’t really liked in the very first pages of the book, and this book was no exception. I enjoyed all the key players from the get-go and Nora’s dad cracked me up with his stories and just blatant innocent honesty when it came to different things.

There was quite a bit more to the murder than anyone first thought then when another one happened, things started to be revealed. I loved that Nora and DI Cole were getting closer. His dog sounded so darn cute and Rolf became good buddies with her. Tamsyn seemed to’ve found herself a guy as well. The showdown was tense but quick and a satisfying ending was enjoyed by all.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This is the first in a series of cozy mysteries. I've not read this author before. I found the writing style easy to read. I struggled to get into the story at the beginning, but then became more interested in the characters. There were quite a few introduced early and it took me a while to keep them straight. The main character Nora was likable and I enjoyed her interactions with her sister Tamsyn and with the detective. The pace was good and the mystery was wrapped up well. I can see the setting being a good place for more mysteries and the characters were likable enough to want to read about them in more stories. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Nora Asquith is busy converting her family home, Ravensea Castle, into a bed and breakfast. It’s located in the small town of Monkwell, Yorkshire. With the help of her sister Tamsyn, she hopes the venture will be a huge success.

However, things don’t always go as planned. One of the town’s locals, Hilda Dibble, opposes the renovation plans and is quite vocal about it. Her objections are not successful, and the b&b opens. To everyone’s shock, Hilda is found dead in the castle's garden and Nora is the number one suspect.

Nora and Tamsyn are determined to find the real killer. They aren’t going to get many guests staying with them if murders happen there. With the help of a resident ghost, Sir Percival, the sisters are on a mission to get to the bottom of this mystery.

This is a great start to a new series. I wanted to read this book since I read another book by this author and enjoyed it. I was not disappointed.

It’s a fast-paced mystery with an intriguing premise and a well-developed cast of characters. I was hooked from start to finish and I was surprised at “whodunit”. I’ll definitely be looking for the next book in this captivating series.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Mystery, British Lit, Cozy Mystery
Language: Light profanity
Spice Level: Nothing on the page

BODIES AND BATTLEMENTS is a fun mystery.

I love cozies—the way people justify hunting for a murderer is always fascinating. This is a fun group with a closed room feel to it.

It also feels like there is a romance brewing since this is the first of a series. I would definitely read more in this series. (I would change the cover if I was asked—I'm tired of this type.)

Mystery readers will enjoy this, especially if you love Britain.

Happy reading!

Nora is an herbalist whose family has converted Ravensea Castle from a family home to a B&B. Although it’s not ready for a full complement of guests, some have arrived to occupy the three rooms that are ready. When one of the locals who has opposed the conversion every step of the way turns up dead in one of the castle’s gardens, not only is the business at risk but Nora is the prime suspect. Nora and her sister Tamsyn begin their own investigation, with help from one of their guests who just happens to be the area’s new Detective Inspector.

I have a few of this author’s earlier books on my to-read list, but haven’t read them yet. It was obvious that this is not an author’s debut work, as it was well-written, with well-drawn characters, even down to the castle ghosts :) I liked Nora right from the start, but it took me a while to warm up to Tamsyn and their father Arthur. Because of his devotion to Lady, his dog, I liked DI Cole too, and hope to see more of him as the series continues.

The victim was not a popular person by any means, so there were a lot of potential suspects to consider, and I kept changing my mind about who I thought the killer might be. I was led astray by more than one red herring, so I wasn’t surprised that the culprit was someone I had barely considered.

This is tagged as the first in a series, so I will keep an eye out for the next book, so I can return to the castle for another visit.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) for allowing me an advanced reader’s copy of this novel to review.

This is the first entry in Elizabeth Penney’s latest cozy mystery series, and the main characters are so endearing it will be good to see them again. The bodies in the title speak for themselves, but the battlements belong to Ravensea, a sprawling ancient castle in Yorkshire. It has the usual ancient castle accessories—inexplicable drafts, a ‘witch’s’ garden for growing unusual herbs for healing (or poisoning) even a ghost who has haunted the place for thousands of years. Despite his frightful appearance, Lord Percival is an amiable sort who appears fortnightly unless he senses trouble to the residents. In that case he appears randomly to warn them.

This is a closed room mystery, in which everyone at Ravensea, residents and guests, are on the suspect list when several bodies turn up. Olivia has refurbished the castle just enough to open it to a few paying guests: a couple who deal in wine and real estate, and two young men investigating smuggling, a historic pursuit on the Yorkshire coast. Also implicated are a contractor working on the estate, and two women who participate in its opening day socials, mostly to cause trouble. Three among these will end up dead.

Penney writes with wit and humor, so that even her nasty characters are often quite funny.
Her sister, the beautiful actress Tamsyn, is staying at the family home while recovering from a breakup with another actor; their brother is also on the scene a fair bit, promoting his new mead-making company and looking for a good woman to commit to. His plucky sisters can help there. And one of the best characters is their retired professor father, who knows the family lore like no one else and is part of the mansion’s entertainment. He is virtually unshakeable, and fond of holding forth in suitably medieval language, usually very loudly.

The female lead character, Olivia, is both highly independent and on the lookout for someone to share her life. Luckily for the sleuthing and searching sisters, those someones are located quickly, and right under their noses. So are the bad guys, some of whom are actually good guys. This novel is just a fun cozy mystery with a resolution that is more complicated than it at first appears.

Bodies and Battlements is the debut book in Elizabeth Penney's Ravensea Castle Mystery series. British Castles, ghosts, sisters, and murder. Nora Asquith is opening her family's castle, Ravensea Castle, as a B&B. Nora's sister Tamsyn is an actress who comes home for a break in between jobs. Tamsyn wasn't supportive about the B&B but once she is home, she realizes it is necessary. A local, Hilda Dibble, has been causing problems with the B&B's permitting process and then ends up dead at the castle. DI Finlay Cole is staying at the castle until his apartment is available and he is overseeing the murder investigation. Nora and Finlay have chemistry which adds to the story. There was also two deaths from years ago that tie into the current death. Nora has a side business as an herbalist and is trying to make some money so the castle can stay in the family. There is a wealthy hotelier who wants to buy Ravensea Castle. Sir Percival is one of the castle ghosts who makes an appearance. There are only 3 guests besides DI Cole and they along with a few locals are the suspects in the murder. Nora is a likable character and has common sense when investigating. There is minimal peril and anxious moments. This was an enjoyable cozy mystery and I look forward to more books. #BodiesAndBattlements #RavenseaCastleMystery #MinotaurBooks #ElizabethPenney

A bed and breakfast set in a real castle is unique and great for business. A dead body in one of the gardens, not so much. Nora and her sister Tamsyn set out to solve the crime, in part to remove Nora from the suspect list, but also to save their business.

A fun read with betrayal, twists, turns, murder, family dynamics, greed, smuggling, and new relationships. Oh, and a ghost.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book in a cozy mystery series set in Yorkshire, England. Two sisters, Nora and Tamsyn, own a castle that has been in their family for hundreds of years. Nora decides to turn the castle into a B&B in order to help pay for its upkeep. The morning after the first guests arrive at the castle, the body of a local woman, who opposed turning the castle into a B&B, is found dead in the castle’s knot garden.

Nora is well drawn and likable. The other characters, including Tamsyn, are not as fully developed as Nora, but this is just the first book in the series and some of them will undoubtedly be returning in the next books in this series.

There are times when Nora sees something and jumps to conclusions that defy logic. And, like so many other amateur sleuths, they make bad decisions that put them into danger. There is some angst, but Penney keeps it from running amok.

If you love cozy mysteries, pick this book up because it is well-written with interesting characters, a well developed mystery, and a couple of unexpected twists. Plus, there’s Percival, a ghost who appears at odd moments throughout the book.

My thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for an eARC.

Nora Asquith is an herbalist growing herbs in her castle’s garden and making toiletries and teas. She also has almost finished-you’re never done, a renovation on her family castle. The castle is set on the cliffs in Yorkshire. She’s ready to welcome her first guests; however, instead of one car arriving many come all at the same time. Arrivals include 2 of her guests, her brother, her sister, and a town rabble rouser. Her sister and brother are a surprise. The rabble rouser, Hilda, has fought Nora tooth and nail with the change of the castle into a bed and breakfast. But Hilda makes a fast departure when the rest of the guests arrive. As the arrivals settle in and enjoy dinner, Nora starts to relax until later that evening Sir Percival makes his arrival. Sir Percival is one of the castle ghosts. Nora awakes early the next morning and sets out to tend garden only to find Hilda dead in the garden. Obviously, this needs to be solved quickly.

As Nora teams with her sister Tamsyn and a guest who just happens to be DI Finley Cole, a new transfer to the local force, to solve this murder more unusual activities are occurring. This is an exciting mystery. I loved the characters and the setting. I highly recommend this first in a series. #Netgalley

This is a great start to a new series. I was instantly fascinated by the Asquith sisters. While their father and brother played secondary roles in the story, the overall theme of family was evident. The plot was imaginative, featuring a haunting by Sir Percival. It was easy to visualize Ravensea Castle and its surrounding area. I also appreciated the author’s detailed description of Nora’s apothecary business and the information provided in that regard.

This review is entirely voluntary and my personal opinions.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the setting. I also enjoyed the forming relationships as there isn't a romance triangle. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.