A Roaring Murder

Lady Marigold's 1920s Murder Mysteries, Book 1

By: Ava Ness

Narrated by: Karen Cass

Glitz, glamour, and murder. Can the unflappable Lady Marigold outwit and outsmart a killer before more lives are derailed?

Istanbul, 1922. Lady Marigold Grey—former British spy and daring adventuress—sets out for England on a luxury train. But where Marigold goes, trouble follows.

When the director of the train is murdered—and false evidence linking her to his death emerges—Marigold suddenly finds herself on the fast-track to becoming a prime suspect.

With the help of her fashion-loving German assistant, overly protective English butler, and troublemaking fluffy white terrier, Marigold resolves to clear her name and stop the killer in their tracks.

The only problem is, that's easier said than done—especially when everyone from an ice-sculpting French chef to an acid-tongued prima ballerina has a motive for murder.

To make matters worse, the annoyingly handsome police detective on board not only seems impervious to her charms—he's also determined to prove she engineered the crime.

As she unravels the clues, Marigold is sure she's on the right track—but when things go off the rails, she realizes the killer will stop at nothing to destroy her and the people she loves.

Can Lady Marigold solve the case before the killer gives her a ticket to ride?

A light-hearted and charming 1920s cozy mystery featuring a smart, sassy sleuth, adorable dog, found family, high society, fashion, and a hint of romance. You'll be hooked listening to the first book in the Lady Marigold's 1920s Murder Mystery series.

©2022 Vanessa Monaghan (P)2023 Vanessa Monaghan

Jurisdiction?

The author failed to explain how an international train starting in Istanbul destination Paris falls within the jurisdiction of Scotland Yard detective. Given that the setting is straightforward lifting of the Orient Express, the author breezed through this important aspect of the investigation. Next, the pecular fact that everyone in first class spoke fluent English. Then all the fuzziness in the heroine's background. What had she done since the war? How did the war affect her? How did it affect those around her? Even in 1922, lots of unrecognized PTSD traumatized the combatants and their families. Heavens, we don't even know in which theater of war she served. The author clearly did the most period research about the fashions. I finished the book in hope of a big reveal that would reveal more of the backstory of the characters but the author seemed to wrap up the book fast after the reveal. Cosy mysteries may lack realism and gore but the best ones do capture the mood of their setting.


Karen Cass, as ever, did a great job differentiating characters, speaking well and with good pacing.