Death Plays a Part. Vivian Conroy

      

       With high tide comes murder …

      When her beloved London theatre closes for renovations, costume maker Guinevere is excited to start a job at Cornisea castle – a centuries-old keep on a small tidal island off the coast of Cornwall. Imagine a whole summer full of stories of hidden treasures, fab food, and long walks with her perky dachshund Dolly.

      But when a re-enactment of a medieval trial in the castle dungeons ends in real-life murder, and accusations threaten the castle’s future, Guinevere and Dolly dig deep into the island community’s best-kept secrets to unmask the killer and save their Cornish summer.

Praise for VIVIAN CONROY

      ‘This book is a cross between Downton Abbey and Miss Marple … Perfect for the long winter nights ahead where comfort becomes a key word in everyone’s vocabulary.’

      Katherine (Goodreads), A Proposal to Die For

      ‘A Proposal to Die For is wonderfully smooth and glamorous, in the style of Agatha Christie combined with the beauty of Gatsby.’

      The Storycollector Blog

      ‘When it’s as charming as A Proposal to Die For mystery and history make the most wonderful combination.’

      Little Bookness Lane

      ‘Dead to Begin With is a charming, entertaining and absorbing cozy mystery and a great start to a new series.’

      Mystereity Reviews

      ‘Dead to Begin With by Vivian Conroy is a wonderful story, perfect for fans of Murder, She Wrote, and I cannot wait for the next in the series!!’

      Books of All Kinds

      ‘What a cosy story featuring a cozy murder, and some cute dogs!’

      Rachel’s Random Reads, Dead to Begin With

Available from Vivian Conroy

      A Country Gift Shop Mystery series

      Dead to Begin with

      Grand Prize: Murder!

      Written into the Grave

      A Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery series

      A Proposal to Die For

      Diamonds of Death

      Deadly Treasures

       Coming Soon:

      Fatal Masquerade

      Cornish Castle Mystery series

      Death Plays a Part

       Coming Soon:

      Rubies in the Roses

       Death Plays a Part

      Vivian Conroy

      ONE PLACE. MANY STORIES

      Contents

       Cover

       Blurb

Praise

Book List

       Title Page

       Author Bio

       Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Excerpt

       Endpages

       Copyright

       VIVIAN CONROY

      discovered Agatha Christie at thirteen and quickly devoured all the Poirot and Miss Marple stories. Over time Lord Peter Wimsey and Brother Cadfael joined her favourite sleuths. Even more fun than reading was thinking up her own missing heirs and priceless artefacts. Discover the glamour and secrets of the roaring Twenties in Vivian’s Lady Alkmene Callender Mysteries and open up shop, with murder in the mix, in the contemporary Country Gift Shop Mysteries. Also contemporary, but set at a location full of history and folklore, are the Cornish Castle Mysteries, in which a London costume designer and her perky dachshund take a summer job at a castle on a tidal island off the coast of Cornwall. For news on the latest releases, with a dash of dogs and chocolate, follow Vivian on Twitter via @VivWrites

      Thanks to all editors, agents, and authors who share insights into the writing and publishing process.

      Thanks to my fantastic editor Victoria Oundjian and her team for embracing Cornisea