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Bodies and Battlements - (Ravensea Castle) by Elizabeth Penney (Paperback)

Bodies and Battlements - (Ravensea Castle) by  Elizabeth Penney (Paperback) - 1 of 1
$9.99 when purchased online
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About this item

Highlights

  • The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle's first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire.
  • About the Author: ELIZABETH PENNEY is the author of more than two dozen cozy mysteries, including the Apron Shop, Cambridge Bookshop, and Ravensea Castle series.
  • 288 Pages
  • Fiction + Literature Genres, Mystery & Detective
  • Series Name: Ravensea Castle

Description



About the Book



"Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle's first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora's business is not only at risk--she's a prime suspect. Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn't succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea's guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap"--



Book Synopsis



The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle's first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora's business is not only at risk--she's a prime suspect.

Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn't succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea's guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap.

Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate for themselves. They look into the entangled dealings of their newly arrived guests, while also getting hints from Sir Percival, one of the castle ghosts. As they learn, Sir Percival's tragic death centuries ago sheds light on present-day crimes. Surely they can get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping their new business afloat . . .



Review Quotes




"Intricately woven . . . Nobody is entirely what they seem in this series kickoff, leaving plenty of scope to suss out the killer."--Kirkus Reviews

"With its gorgeous setting of a Yorkshire castle and compelling heroine who concocts dreamy salves and balms when she's not solving crimes that could doom her family's B&B, Bodies and Battlements adds another wonderful mystery to Elizabeth Penney's award-winning collection of cozies."--Ellen Byron, USA Today bestselling author of the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series

"A haunted mansion and complicated sibling relationships add wonderful humor and heart to Elizabeth Penney's new Ravensea Castle Mystery series. I loved the world building in Bodies and Battlements and can't wait to visit again."--Olivia Matthews, author of the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries

"A dream castle (complete with ghosts) looming over Robin Hood's Bay stars in the first installment of Elizabeth Penney's delightful Ravensea Castle mystery series. Penney expertly blends the coziest mystery with romantic complications for her innkeeper-herbalist sleuth, Nora Asquith, and her cast of colorful characters have deliciously devious motives for murder. You'll want to book your stay at Ravensea Castle today!"--Shari Randall, award-winning author of the Lobster Shack Mystery series

"A fast-paced cozy mystery set at a charming Yorkshire castle, Bodies and Battlements is a great addition to Elizabeth Penney's series. I enjoyed her amateur sleuth, Nora, as she searches to find a killer to save her new castle bed and breakfast. A fun read!"--Tina Kashian, author of the Kebab Kitchen cozy mystery series.




About the Author



ELIZABETH PENNEY is the author of more than two dozen cozy mysteries, including the Apron Shop, Cambridge Bookshop, and Ravensea Castle series. The first in the Cambridge Bookshop series, Chapter and Curse, was a 2022 Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee. Elizabeth spent her early years in England and France and now lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she pens novels and tries to grow things.
Dimensions (Overall): 6.4 Inches (H) x 4.2 Inches (W) x .9 Inches (D)
Weight: .35 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Mystery & Detective
Series Title: Ravensea Castle
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Format: Paperback
Author: Elizabeth Penney
Language: English
Street Date: May 27, 2025
TCIN: 93212734
UPC: 9781250370051
Item Number (DPCI): 247-47-1114
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported

Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.9 inches length x 4.2 inches width x 6.4 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.35 pounds
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3.0 out of 5 stars with 1 reviews
100% would recommend
1 recommendations

A cute castle cozy mystery!

3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 2 months ago
Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney is the debut of The Ravensea Castle series. I enjoyed meeting Nora as well as her family and Janet. I like how Janet refers to Nora as “milady” even though she does not have a title (Nora has given up correcting her). The author took the time to establish the main characters and the setting. I like Nora who is friendly, a diligent worker, and loyal to her family. The animals are a delightful addition especially Rolf, the English mastiff. I thought the author captured the setting of Yorkshire, England. I could envision a castle by the sea and the nearby quaint village. I like that the mystery stayed at the forefront of the story. There is action, suspense, several suspects, a red herring, and, maybe, another crime or two. However, the main mystery is a cinch to solve. I identified the guilty party before the murder took place. I was happy with the ending, and the glimpse of what may occur in the next book. I liked the addition of Sir Percival Asquith, an ancestor of the family who is the castle’s resident ghost. I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story. Bodies and Battlements is an entertaining cozy mystery, and I am looking forward to the next book in The Ravensea Castle series. Bodies and Battlements is a cute castle cozy with the grand opening of the inn, mouthwatering meals, spirited ghosts, an astute mastiff, a peculiar pater, curious crimes, a diligent detective, and a dramatic sister.
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