Thus with a Kiss I Die

Daughter of Montague

By: Christina Dodd

Narrated by: Suzy Jackson

The delightfully irreverent eldest daughter of the not-so-ill-fated Romeo and Juliet returns to sleuth another day in fair Verona, in this hugely entertaining historical mystery series with a refreshingly bold premise.

“Woe, for I am the bug that meets the windshield's might,

No longer the speeding glass, smooth, clean and bright…”

You’re right. I, Rosie Montague of Verona, am lousy at iambic pentameter and Shakespeare speak, but you get the point: Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. I, who for my whole life, have cruised along, unruffled by life’s trials, am suddenly smashed flat and speeding recklessly up the WhattheHellHappened Highway.

Why? you ask…

I’m 20 years old and by my own design, never been wed, free as no married woman ever is. I’m beautiful, but without conceit, for Juliet, my legendary Mamma is the most gorgeous creature to ever walk the earth. Just ask Romeo, my legendary Papà. (Rumors of their deaths were premature.) I was heartwhole until I fell (literally) in love with Lysander of the House of Beautiful. But our love was not to be, for I was thwarted by Escalus, the Prince of Verona…who had designs on me.

I’m trapped.

Then! I’m presented with a solution. Escalus’s father, Prince Escalus the Elder, appears to me. He tasks that I find his killer. Did I mention Elder is a ghost?

Given that I only recently dispatched Verona’s first serial killer, I’m less than pleased. Yet Elder promises to unite me with my One True Love, so I gather clues. Meanwhile, revolution threatens, for beneath Verona society’s glittering surface lurk dark shadows—and an enemy eager to make me a tragic heroine in my own right…

©2025 Christina Dodd (P)2025 Recorded Books

Can’t wait for the next one

I loved how Rosie is starting to realize that the prince needs her and maybe she needs him to. Awesome story

Love the banter between the main characters

This is a great cast of characters. I was very happy with Rosie’s decision. It was great read, food mystery that kept you guessing and great romance.

Better than the first

The story picks up right where it left off and introduces some heavenly new characters. Plenty of Shakespearean Easter eggs and witty dialogue plus an interest mystery with a long list of suspects kept me laughing and calculating throughout the book.

Much ado about something!

The saga of Lady Rosaline from the House of Montegue continues! I loved so much about this audiobook: our heroine Rosie, the villains, the intrigue, a ghost story, and romance. Well-written with relatable characters, this narrator brought this book to life. Plus, it's really, really funny. A few sword/knife fights throughout, well, hey ... a little something for everyone! Once again, Christina Dodd delivers yet another delightful read

Don’t read this book

The narrator does such an amazing job that reading the book would be a disservice. While I wanted a little more spice in the book the compelling storyline and humor compensates. I wanted more in this series Christina Dodd!