Last Seen in Santorini is the second book in Vivian Conroy's well-written historical mystery series Miss Ashford Investigates.
This series takes readers on adventures to new, beautiful locales with each book, and this one takes us to the gorgeous Greek island of Santorini. I love the concept of these books. With the first set in Provence and future installments planned for Tuscany and Salzburg, they provide armchair travel to go along with each whodunnit.
It's 1930, and Atalanta Ashford is visiting Venice when approached by a woman asking her to go undercover as a paid companion in a wealthy family to investigate the mysterious death of the woman's daughter. Unfortunately, Atalanta finds more than she bargained for between the family, their secrets, and an unsettling feeling of imminent danger.
This setting is spectacular and reads rather like a PBS Masterpiece show. The descriptions of the island and the grand house put you in the time and place. A large pool of suspects with tense interpersonal dynamics and plenty of motives creates enough misdirection to keep you guessing. Atalanta's backstory is intriguing. A poor school teacher, she was left a fortune by a grandfather she never met as he and her father were estranged. But it comes with strings as he asks her to make discreet inquiries for the well-to-do. As Atalanta travels, sees more of the world, and works as a detective, her confidence grows, and her naivete is slowly fading. However, this works as a stand-alone, and there are no spoilers from the first book. Enjoyable and escapist, this immerses the reader in a picturesque world, and the clever globe-trotting premise promises more adventures to come.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, for the opportunity to review this ARC.
My steep was Lemon Lavender Organic Black tea from Specialtea Co., a black tea base with lemongrass, lemon myrtle and lavender.
www.specialteacompany.com
SYNOPSIS: A gorgeous Greek island
A stranger in a veil
And a fatal fall from the cliffs…
Miss Atalanta Ashford is sightseeing near Venice when a mysterious veiled lady approaches her with the urgent request to look into her daughter's mysterious death on the idyllic Greek island of Santorini. Whilst working as a companion for the eminent Bucardi family, the unfortunate girl took a plunge from the dramatic cliffs during a walk alone. But is all as it seems?
Sailing to Santorini and going undercover as the new companion, Miss Ashford soon discovers that her client hasn't told her the full truth. Someone is watching her. Now she must unravel the mystery and prevent the breathtaking azure sea views from becoming the last she too will ever see…
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