Last Dance in Salzburg
-
-
3.8 • 12 Ratings
-
-
- £0.99
Publisher Description
In the snowy Salzburg landscape, Miss Atalanta has another mystery to solve…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'One of my favourite detectives…it reminded me of some of the old Sherlock Holmes cases'
November 1930
After accepting an invitation to attend the ballet in snowy Salzburg, Miss Atalanta Ashford is shocked when a convicted jewel thief is found dead in the concert hall where the theft occurred a decade ago.
Did he return to the scene of the crime because he wanted to prove his innocence? Is the real culprit among the high-society guests? In her quest for the truth, Atalanta uncovers dangerous secrets about the European elite that put her own life in mortal danger…
The smell of Glühwein and spiced Lebkuchen from the Austrian winter markets fill the air, but for Atalanta there’s an intriguing puzzle to be solved in this cosy historical mystery for 2025.
Agatha Christie meets Richard Osman in this cosy crime caper.
Readers love this series!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This is a series which allows me to enjoy the delights of travel from my armchair…For me, an easy five stars'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A unique story and I enjoyed how good the characters were'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Atalanta was a really interesting and smart character…The time period and place were perfect'
⭐⭐⭐⭐'A delightful mix of intrigue, romantic angst, looking back, wishing things had been different, finding oneself…And, I didn't even mention that murder is involved'
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A terrific series, filled with human emotion and interesting crimes to solve'
⭐⭐⭐⭐'Plenty of twists and turns with so many suspects that I wasn't sure who the guilty person was right until the end'
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A delightful blend of historical intrigue, picturesque European settings, and a fiercely independent protagonist'
⭐⭐⭐⭐'I couldn’t wait to find out the villain…There were twists & turns & I was kept guessing until all was revealed'
⭐⭐⭐⭐'Family secrets, lies and a good old fashioned murder mystery'
⭐⭐⭐⭐'What I love about this series are the glamorous settings and interesting people…This story really has you wondering who the murderer is and there are plenty of red herrings to confuse you'
***
Look out for more Miss Ashford mysteries and get your passports ready as you travel with her to some of the most sought-after destinations on the continent…
Book 1: Mystery in ProvenceBook 2: Last Seen in SantoriniBook 3: A Fatal Encounter in TuscanyBook 4: Last Dance in SalzburgBook 5: Death on the RhineBook 6: Trouble in the AlpsBook 7: Peril in Positano
Reviews
Reader reviews for Vivian Conroy:
‘A good old-fashioned whodunit’
‘Vivian most definitely did not disappoint’
‘Engaging, well written, and entertaining’
‘Fantastic stories’
‘If you like a really good mystery on a par with Christie then this is for you’
About the author
Vivian Conroy is a multi-published mystery author with 25+ contracted titles. Away from writing, she enjoys hiking, crafting and spending too much time on Twitter where readers can connect with her under @VivWrites.
Customer Reviews
A cozy historical mystery set in stunning Austria
Last Dance in Salzburg is the fourth book in Vivian Conroy's Miss Ashford Investigates series, and is a delightful addition to the cozy historical mystery genre. Despite being new to the author and this series, I found the writing style welcoming and easy to follow, making it simple to dive straight into the story.
The slower pace initially gave me pause, as I usually gravitate towards faster-moving plots, but it turned out to be a perfect match for the cozy, atmospheric tone of the book. I’m eager to explore the earlier titles in the series to learn more about Atalanta Ashford and her background, as I do love a classic murder mystery with a strong, engaging protagonist.
The setting was one of my favorite aspects. Salzburg, a beautiful city in Austria, is a place I’ve visited multiple times, and it’s what drew me to the book in the first place. Vivian Conroy captures its charm beautifully, painting vivid and magnificent descriptions that transported me right back to its historic streets and grand stately homes.
The mystery begins intriguingly, with Atalanta receiving a mysterious invitation addressed to her late grandfather. This leads her to Salzburg, accompanied by her friend Raoul, to attend a birthday party featuring an exclusive ballet performance. What starts as a curious investigation quickly unravels into a web of lies, power, and danger. The historical details felt authentic, adding depth and a sense of time and place to the twisty, engaging investigation.
However, while I appreciated the dynamic between Atalanta and Raoul, I felt their romantic tension was a little overemphasized. The “will they, won’t they” dynamic detracted from the mystery’s momentum and felt drawn out.
Overall, Last Dance in Salzburg is an atmospheric and engaging read for fans of cozy historical mysteries. It blends a compelling plot with evocative settings, and I look forward to reading more in the series to see where Atalanta’s adventures take her next. The next book has been announced and it's set on a river cruise on the Rhine, Germany which is another of my favourite places.