A truly entertaining crime novel in the Three Dahlias series, very much in the Agatha Christie tradition, and I hope this series will continue' Shots Magazine This is such a good story, as with the previous book, this is a little more intricate than the usual cosy crime. A Very Lively Murder is the second novel in the series and though it would work perfectly well as a standalone, where are many references to the events of the previous novel and I think it takes from the enjoyment somewhat if you are not aware of the whole history. Though the author, Kath Watson, is careful to provide sufficient details without giving away the entire plot.

I got into this one straight away, transported to a country house for an engaging homage to vintage golden age murder; full of 30’s flair and with a twisty modern vibe. We have oodles of suspects, film stars, fabulous characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. An affectionate homage to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and a wry nod to our continuing fascination with it. Great fun. Warm, ingenious and. . . lively!' L C Tyler The three Dahlias are such great characters, I love them all. Having met them in the first book of the same name, I feel like I know them better now, they each bring something to the story, wit, verve, glamour and gumption plus the determination to get to the bottom of murder.

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If you haven't read The Three Dahlias I recommend that you do and then immediately follow it with A Very Lively Murder. Three rival actresses team up to solve a murder at the stately home of Lettice Davenport, the author whose sleuthing creation of the 1930s, Dahlia Lively, had made each of them famous to a new generation. Take a Look at Our Summary of November Highlights, Whether You're Looking for the Latest Releases or Gift Inspiration A Very Lively Murder follows the filming of ‘The Lady Detective’ on location in a Welsh village. Rosalind is cast in the film alongside Posy, leaving Caro the only Dahlia without a part but it’s not long until suspicious events on set lead to concerns over Rosalind’s safety and Caro is called upon by her fellow Dahlias to help investigate. Before the three friends can solve the mystery, a death occurs leading the Dahlias to also start their own murder investigation.

A wonderful celebration of Golden Age crime. . . a read you can sink into, just like the perfect country house weekend. You will definitely love Dahlia in all her guises by the end' S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot Things turn even darker when a crew member disappears suddenly and an actress working on the film is killed in a hit and run accident, and suspicion falls on Kit, Posy’s friend and costar, who was previously involved with her. He is arrested for her murder and there is an additional fight to prove his innocence, which is not easy when Kit’s car is seen on cctv at the time of the incident. A truly entertaining crime novel in the Three Dahlias series, very much in the Agatha Christie tradition, and I hope this series will continue’ Shots Magazine Rosalind stared out of the front windows of Tŷ Gwyn, frowning, and Posy knew she wasn't seeing the wet, Welsh weather raging. She was seeing paths and plots and possible acts. Caro, too, had her arms folded tightly across her chest, her eyebrows furrowed, as she tried to make sense of it. And as for Posy...she only had more questions." In attendance at Aldermere: the VIP fans, staying at house; the fan club president turned convention organiser; the team behind the newest movie adaptation of Davenport’s books; the Davenport family themselves; and the three actresses famous for portraying Dahlia Lively through the decades.

I thought this was a really enjoyable mystery and a solid 4 star read. I am looking forward to seeing what the three Dahlias get up to next! In between filming scenes, signing autographs for locals, photoshoots, talk show appearances in London and jetting off to France for an impromptu party, the three Dahlias do what they do best - surrupticiously sleuth. And very soon the evidence starts to point towards one particular co-star... Posy and Rosalind are working on a new Dahlia Lively film. Rosalind starts receiving threatening notes and then a prop knife is secretly exchanged for a real knife, it appears these threats are very real, Posy and Rosalind call on Caro, the second Dahlia to join them on set and try and find out who is behind these notes. The characters were easily my favourite part of the book. I loved the little touches that showed the bond between the three Dahlias and that they genuinely care for each other. They are superbly written and made the book such a brilliant read.

There is national treasure Rosalind King, from the original movies, who’s feeling sensitive that she’s past her prime, TV Dahlia for thirteen seasons, Caro Hooper, who believes she really IS Dahlia Lively, and ex-child star Posy Starling, fresh out of the fame wilderness (and rehab) to take on the Dahlia mantle for the new movie – but feeling outclassed by her predecessors.Three rival actresses team up to solve a murder at the stately home of Lettice Davenport, the author whose sleuthing creation of the 1930s, Dahlia Lively, had made each of them famous to a new generation. A contemporary mystery with a Golden Age feel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Jessica Fellowes – and Janice Hallett and Richard Osman, of course! A wonderful celebration of Golden Age crime. . . a read you can sink into, just like the perfect country house weekend. You will definitely love Dahlia in all her guises by the end’ S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot Each actress has her own interpretation of the character and her own secrets to hide – but this English summer weekend they will have to put aside their differences as the crimes at Aldermere turn anything but cosy. I loved the echoes of Golden Age mysteries in this book. Dahlia Lively is a character in a set of books supposedly written from 1930 onwards and each of the chapters in this book begins with a quotation from one of the novels that has reference to something that will occur in the chapter.