Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle (The Ariadne Winter Mystery Series Book 2)
When aspiring investigative reporter Ariadne Winter arrives in rural 1950s Ireland, she is eager to relax and attend a glamorous party celebrating the engagement of her cousin and the eldest son of the Baron of Ballyford. The party preparations are, however, disrupted when a body is discovered in the abandoned castle. Ariadne’s amateur sleuth instincts kick in, leading her to believe that the death was not an accident. She is soon drawn into a quest for the truth, even though her life might be at risk.
Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle is a playful whodunnit, which blends a classic mystery with the fading glamour of post-World War II aristocratic life. Butler skillfully weaves in the realities faced by the declining upper classes striving to hold on to their vast estates as the world changes without them. The setting captures the last breath of a bygone era with lingering customs like dressing for dinner, which give this novel a certain charm. Though the novel has some jarring similes, like calling out specific football players, the cast of characters is diverse and lively.
