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I can’t resist this series, loving both the characters and the plotlines. This author knows how to keep me invested in her stories and I have to admit I’m hooked. Of course, Daisy steals the limelight as usual, closely followed by Perry, but this story also sees a thawing in the relationship between Lady Beatrice and DCI Fitzwilliam�� despite the weather and the fact that neither of them appear to want to run into the other. Methinks the Lady and the DCI doth protest too much 😉

A Dead Herring puts the “cosy�� into cosy mystery with its wintry setting that almost insists upon lots of tasty food and hot chocolatey drinks as Lord Fred’s (Bea’s brother) shooting party gets underway. Lady Bea is refurbishing rooms Drew Castle with her business partner, Perry Juke while Simon Lattimore, Perry’s partner and a former high-ranking police officer turned author is working on his latest novel. She is obliged, as part of her royal duties, to mingle with her brother’s guests, but the shooting event is not for her�� that is until the mystery of a dead guest turns things on its head. It seems murder and mystery are never too far away for Lady Bea, and despite several warnings from DCI Fitzwilliam to not get involved, she can’t resist a challenge, especially if it involves getting one over the frosty DCI.

Imagine her surprise when the Detective Chief Inspector turns up unexpectedly at the castle to take over the case, and even more unusual is his willingness to seek out her help in solving this crime before the snow melts and the guess-cum-suspects are able to leave. Time is of the essence. Can they work together or will the frisson between them turn to the inevitable friction of their previous encounters?

There’s a huge amount of humour in these stories, courtesy of Daisy and Perry in the main, but also more revelations about Lady Beatrice’s husband’s death some fifteen years ago: a mystery that keeps on giving. The bond between the main characters �� Bea, Perry & Simon �� is an endearing as ever, and looks to become even more enchanting. More insight into Lord Fred’s life adds nuance and intrigue to the plot, and Daisy steals the show�� and hearts of everyone. Well, maybe not of the killer, but everyone else.

Great fun, well-paced and structured, with a “just one more chapter�� quality that held my attention throughout, and has left me eagerly waiting the next book.