Death in Castle Dark

A Dinner and a Murder Mystery, Book 1

By: Veronica Bond

Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers

Actor Nora Blake finds her dream job when she is cast in a murder-mystery troupe that performs in an imposing but captivating old castle. When she stumbles upon a real murder, things take a nightmarish turn in this first book in an exciting new series.

Maybe it was too good to be true, but when Nora Blake accepted the job from Derek Corby, proprietor of Castle Dark, she could not see any downsides. She would sink her acting chops into the troupe’s intricately staged murder-mystery shows, earn free room and board in the fairy tale-like castle, and make friends with her new roommates, which include some seriously adorable kittens.

But something sinister lurks behind the walls of Castle Dark. During Nora’s second performance, one of her castmates plays the part of the victim a little too well. So well, in fact, that no one can revive him. He has been murdered. Not ready to give up her dream gig - or to be the next victim - Nora sets out to see which one of her fellow actors has taken the role of a murderous real-life villain.

©2021 Veronica Bond (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A promising new series with a charming heroine, plenty of romance, and a generous portion of red herrings." (Kirkus Reviews)

In need of a good editor

I stuck with it until the whodunnit was revealed, but I shouldn’t have. Loonnnngggg periods of description about mundane interactions that had nothing to do with the main plot. And the resolution was just dropped. No build up, no real suspense. This should have been a much tidier story. I give it to the narrator, though, she gave it her all.

MY NO. 1 BOOK OF 2021

WHERE TO BEGIN. I READ A LOT - MAYBE 5 OR 6 BOOKS PER WEEK. THIS BOOK IS THE MOST ENJOYABLE AND BEST WRITTEN BOOK I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME. GEN MAY HAVE SAID IT BEST. "IT IS LIKE WALKING INTO A FAIRYTALE." THE CHARACTERS ARE AMAZING AND WONDERFULLY DISTINCT. NORA'S BROTHERS ARE MISCHIEVOUSLY DELIGHTFUL. MS. BOND'S DESCRIPTIVE SKILL IS BEYOND MEASURE WITHOUT GETTING BOGGED DOWN IN THE MINUTIAE. THE PREMISE IS UNIQUE. THE STORY AND MYSTERY INTRIGUING. I AM ENTHRALLED WITH EVERY ASPECT, INCLUDING A SUPERB NARRATOR.

pretty good

Death in a Dark Castle is an entertaining mystery with an interesting plot . But the story has a slow pace. I'll get the next one.

Ever eaten something that was too sweet?

I know in every book I read there is some level of "embracing the fantasy". I'm not just talking about vampires, and aliens, but "luck", "talent" and everything working out for the protagonist, and the protagonist always having EXACTLY what the storyline needs. This book exceeded that tolerance. The hardship the protagonist endured was being paid less than they'd like to be, but free room and board (often provided to offset low salary) was over the top luxurious, and WAY too perfect to be realistic. I found myself regularly rolling my eyes at another amazing talent that was a little too perfect. I couldn't actually finish the book as it was sickly sweet.

This is mostly romance, with a murder

Audible described this as a cozy, amateur women sleuths. It should have included romance as one of the adjectives. Another description says charming heroine. Charming perhaps to teenagers, and women who love romance. I do not mind romantic relationships in a good mystery if they are part of the background and not the driving force of the story. This book focused on one relationship after another. Had I not returned a book recently, I would have exchanged this book. No sex, no swearing, I can not fault the author on that.