Mystery in Provence by Vivian Conroy is the first book in the Miss Ashford Investigates cozy mystery series.
Title: Mystery in Provence
Author: Vivian Conroy
Series: Miss Ashford Investigates
First Published: October 7, 2022
Publisher: One More Chapter
Genres: Mystery
Acquired: from the publisher via Netgalley
*** Thank you to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me with an e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
Fresh from teaching at a prestigious Swiss boarding school, Miss Atalanta Ashford suddenly finds herself the most eligible young lady in society when she inherits her grandfather’s substantial fortune. But with this fortune – and an elegant new Parisian home – comes a legacy passed down from grandfather to granddaughter… sleuthing discreetly for Europe’s elite.
This amateur detective isn’t one to back down from a challenge and Miss Ashford must depend on her sharp wit and charm to solve her first case, which takes her to the lush lavender fields of Provence and a wedding at the mansion of the Comte de Surmonne.
Now, as murder strikes twice, Atalanta will have to race to solve the case to stop the blushing bride from facing a fatal ‘I do’.
An interesting new cozy mystery sleuth (and series)!
As with many cozy mystery series starters, Mystery in Provence starts off with the protagonist going through a huge shift in her life. What makes this one slightly different is that the shift causes her to become an amateur sleuth. But not as a career choice (Atalanta doesn’t need the money) but as “a calling”. Left a sleuthing legacy by a grandfather she never really knew, I found it really fun to follow Atalanta as she tries to navigate her new reality. Unlike many of our amateur detectives, Atalanta is NOT entirely comfortable with her new vocation, but tries to do the best that she can. I really liked that she has a lot of adjusting to do and we can see her struggle with her new role. I found it made her so much more interesting and sympathetic as a character.
She is aided in her new life by a very competent butler, and letters that her grandfather left her that offer advice and wisdom on being a “detective to the rich and famous”, as they say. There’s also the introduction of a potential love interest, Raoul, who also helps Atalanta out in her detecting. While I know that the butler will most likely be around in future books, Raoul is still very much a mystery at the end of this story.
A fun mystery with a classic feel
The story itself had a very “classic murder mystery” vibe to it but with enough twists to keep it from getting too predictable. The pacing was fantastic and I felt like I really needed to know what happened next!
The characters all seemed to have something to hide and it was lots of fun watching Atalanta try to unravel all the little lies, half-truths, and misdirections thrown at her. I honestly had a really great time reading this story and look forward to the next book in the series because I can’t wait for more adventures with Atalanta (and hopefully Raoul too!)
Quote from Mystery in Provence
