DEATH IN CASTLE DARK is the first book in Veronica Bond’s “Dinner and a Murder” cozy mystery series. The setting for this series immediately drew me in. Having a castle hosting a troupe of performers hosting murder-mystery parties sounds delicious. Actress Nora Blake is the amateur sleuth in DEATH IN CASTLE DARK, as well as the newbie to the castle. Because everything is so new to Nora, when a murder happens on the premises, fellow actors and miscellaneous strangers all take on a slightly sinister second side making them all plausible suspects. Yay!

When Nora discusses the job with castle owner Derek Corby, it seems like a pretty good deal – the pay might be spectacular, but she gets meals and a room at the castle free. However, when one of their own is murdered on site, things start to look a little different. I love gothic romances, and this story uses some of my favorite elements from those kinds of stories and combines them with cozy mystery classics. As Nora slowly gets to know the strangers that surround her, they seem welcoming and warn one minute and then somewhat menacing in the blink of an eye. Is it her imagination, or is somebody hiding behind a false persona? I love it. Nora sort of stumbles into the role of amateur sleuth. Rather than having any background as an investigator, it’s her keen observations and ability to read people that give her an edge in discovering the identity of the guilty party. She also attracts a potential love interest. The characters and their interactions with each other make this mystery something special. The castle itself is like another supporting character. The soothing pastoral scenes and vignettes of kitten cuteness serve as a nice contrast to the occasional eerie shenanigans that go on in the castle after darkness falls.

DEATH IN CASTLE DARK has a fun setting, a spellbinding mystery, and hidden wickedness. It was fun meeting Nora’s family near the end of the book. I like how the book gives a decent epilogue and has some follow-up with the characters left standing after the villain is unmasked. I hate abrupt endings, and this book gives readers a satisfying conclusion along with teases for future stories. I can’t wait to read the next installment!