Bodies and Battlements

A Ravensea Castle Mystery #1

by Elizabeth Penney

The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle’s first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora’s business is not only at risk—she’s a prime suspect.

Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn’t succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea’s guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap.

Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate for themselves. They look into the entangled dealings of their newly arrived guests, while also getting hints from Sir Percival, one of the castle ghosts. As they learn, Sir Percival’s tragic death centuries ago sheds light on present-day crimes. Surely they can get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping their new business afloat . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, British Literature, Amateur Sleuth, Fiction, Adult

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Elizabeth Penney lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. After spending early years in England and France, she grew up in Maine, settings that are reflected in her books.

Elizabeth is the author of the Apron Shop Series and Cambridge Bookshop Series from St. Martin's as well as over twenty novels, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to a new cozy mystery series! Elizabeth Penney’s Bodies and Battlements is the first book in the Ravansea Castle series. Herbalist Nora Asquith has worked hard to convert part of the family home into a bed and breakfast. Only three suites are available for now, but the first guests are arriving today. The castle overlooks the village of Monkwell in Yorkshire, England. The day after the guests’ arrival, Nora finds Hilda Dibble dead in the castle’s knot garden. Hilda had opposed the bed and breakfast plan vehemently. It turns out that one of the guests is the new detective inspector, Finlay Cole. Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate themselves.

The characterization is well done. Nora is hardworking, good at small talk, protective of her family, and skilled at digging in her heels when opposed. She also operates Castle Apothecary and sells products to local businesses. Tamsyn can be dramatic and difficult, but she has good instincts. She also resists overt displays of affection. Their father is somewhat eccentric and is researching the family history. They have an English mastiff and a cat. Finlay is orderly, observant, and has a passion for his profession. He also has a rescue dog. The secondary and tertiary characters have an appropriate amount of depth for a first book in a series.

Filled with suspense, occasional action, and memorable characters, this was a fun read. While readers mainly follow the amateur sleuths Nora and Tamsyn, they also see aspects of the police investigation. The plot is somewhat straight-forward, but with a few twists and red-herrings, and one big surprising twist near the end. Themes include murder, friendship, family, greed, relationships, betrayal, romance, and much more.

The world-building and atmosphere were terrific. I was easily transported to the castle by the sea overlooking the picturesque village. There are also a few extras thrown in such as the resident ghosts, especially Sir Percival Asquith, a knight and ancestor of the family, as well as a couple of potential romances. However, the main storyline is the solving of the murder with a few other crimes along the way. The ending is satisfactory and sets up a possible thread for the next book in the series.

Overall, this book was a fun and enjoyable read. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with great atmosphere and memorable characters, then look no further than this novel. I’m looking forward to reading book two.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Elizabeth Penney provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 27, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.43 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, cozy mystery novel. It has a likable and intelligent female protagonist, vividly described, beautiful settings, wonderful secondary characters, supportive family, wit, humor, a touch of romance, adorable pets, a ghost, murder, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. I am looking forward to reading future novels in this delightful new series. Many thanks to Ms. Penney, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this fantastic novel. This is my honest opinion.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bodies and Battlements is a good introduction to a new series set along the coast of Yorkshire and the new bed and breakfast inn owned by the Asquith family. The castle has been in the family for hundreds of years and it is the brainchild of Nora to add to the family coffers. She grows flowers and herbs and produces her own line of bath, body, and teas on the side while she, her father, a husband and wife team of help live at the castle. Her sister Tamsyn, an actress, and brother Will, a brewer, drop in the soft opening. A murder by an outlier to the inn is found murdered on the grounds making Nora and her father suspects. But they aren't the only ones. Every one of the guests, other than the new DI Finlay, seem to be connected. This is an interesting murder to unravel and is not as cut and dry as one might think but multilayered and complex. Likable characters, lovely setting, and a little bit of romance makes this a nice read. This is a great start to the series and I am looking forward to more.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: May 27, 2025

“Bodies and Battlements” is the first in a new mystery series by author Elizabeth Penney. Emotional and sharp, this cozy who-dunnit that takes place in a beautiful English castle on the seaside, complete with resident ghosts and alcohol smugglers.

Ravensea Castle has been in Nora Asquith’s family for over one thousand years. Along with her father and sister, Nora has decided to transform the castle into a stunning bed-and-breakfast, hoping to share the beautiful, gothic castle on the picturesque countryside with travelers from around the world. On the first night of the soft opening, Nora stumbles, literally, across the dead body of Hilda Dibble, the nosy neighbour who has been nothing but oppositional when it came to the castle becoming a B and B. It’s a good thing that Detective Inspector Finlay Cole happens to be a paying guest during this opening weekend, but Nora doesn’t want to leave the investigation entirely up to the limited police force. With the help of her sister, Tamsyn, the guests, and the ghosts of Ravensea, Nora hopes to help solve the mystery before the reputation of Ravensea, and her future, are destroyed.

Penney is an author whose niche seems to be in quaint, cozy mysteries in idyllic locations, according to her large collection of novels and stories, and “Bodies” fits that bill. I was a little put off by the cover, to be honest, and I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did.

Nora is the protagonist, an herbalist who loves to create luxurious items from the fauna grown in the gardens of Ravensea. Her sister, Tamsyn, is a well-known actress and, although their relationship has struggled in recent years, she helps Nora with the investigation and they rebuild their bond. It would not be a cozy mystery series if there was not a love interest or two, and both Tamsyn and Nora get involved in romantic entanglements that add a level of suspense and passion to the plot.

I loved the idea of a bed and breakfast in an actual castle on the English seaside, and Penney painted a picture of decadence and luxury that pulled me in (even with the murders). With the relatively unknown guests staying at the castle, there are suspects aplenty when the first body drops, and the guessing game begins. Penney provides a significant number of potential murderers, which makes her reveal all the more satisfying.

A stunning setting that provides the ultimate escape, a likable and charming protagonist, and the occasional paranormal appearance, and Penney’s “Bodies and Battlements” provides an engaging start to what is, no doubt, going to be an entertaining series.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every aspect of this book. It was a delight to see the two sisters interact, relax and grow closer. There was clean romance. Two sweet dogs and a cat. The setting in a Castle turned Bed and Breakfast was unique. There was even an ancestral ghost, Sir Perceval, who had quite the personality. The suspense was edgy. Looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommend for a light hearted, fun read.

I was blessed with an ARC, and this is my own, unbiased review.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bodies and Battlements” the first instalment in The Ravensea Castle Mystery series by Elizabeth Penney set in the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. What a great start to a new series! Nora investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

I absolutely loved this story, and it has made me want to visit Yorkshire on my next trip to England. I really like Nora, and her sister Tamsyn and I cant forget the furbabys Ruffian – a battered tabby, Rolf – a 200lb English mastiff and new kitten, Primrose.. Makes you wish you were part of their little community.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book two!

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from St. Martins Press and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penney is a new-to-me author. I have the first of another series by her on my TBR, but I've not read her before. Bodies and Battlements is the start to another series by her, taking place in a haunted castle by the sea in Yorkshire. Honestly, it took me a bit to get into this one and I'm not sure I was ever fully invested. It felt like it lacked a lot of the humor usually found in cozies and it didn't feel like the main character was written with much of a personality. I would read the next one if I happen across it, but I won't go out of my way.

Release Date: 5/27/2025

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to hear that Elizabeth Penney was starting a new series. Bodies and Battlements is the first book in the Ravensea Castle Mysteries series. Nora Asquiths has been trying to save the family castle located on the Yorkshire coast and in the family since 1138. Nora has added four guest suites to the castle to function as Bed and Breakfast space. The castle already offers stunning gardens as Nora makes her living by running Castle Apothecary, making and selling all kinds of natural products. Add to that stunning sea views and the castle ghosts and and Ravensea has a lot to offer. Ready to welcome her first guests for a soft opening, after battling a local woman trying to stop the project, Nora hopes nothing gets in the way of her new operation. Unfortunately, when her nemesis shows up dead in her garden the next morning, this promises not to be the smooth opening Nora wished for. I found this book a little slow to get into, and Nora a little standoffish in the beginning, however as the mystery presents itself, we meet family and friends, learn the castle's history and it is easy to get caught up with the smart mystery, lovely setting and developing characters. I now eagerly await Nora's next adventure. Special thanks to #Netgally, #Minotaur, and the author for the opportunity to try this new series. #BodiesandBattlements #ARavenseaCastleMystery #ElizabethPenney #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney was an excellent start to a new series. The book follows Nora as she opens her family's castle for guests as a sort of BnB. On her second day as a hostess she finds the dead body of the woman who has tried everything to stop the BnB from opening. She is immediately a suspect and so are her family members so she must figure out who did it to prevent herself from being arrested by the hot detective who also happens to be one of the BnB guests.

Let's start with the fact that I had a great time reading this book. At first, I felt like it was just another cozy mystery but this one was so clever. I liked the way the amateur sleuths went about solving the case. She was brash at the start but her sister helps her get better at interrogating people without making them go on the defensive. I also really liked the ending because it wrapped everything very nicely in the end even if at first I thought we would have some loose threads. The only reason it isn't a five star is because I figured out the whodunit fairly quickly but it isn't less because the story around it is very interesting.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy mysteries or is into cozy stories in general. I do recommend this book to anyone who need a palate cleanser after a heavy book. I do not recommend this book to people who are looking for a lot of action and thrill. Otherwise, it is a fantastic read.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Elizabeth Penney for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new cozy mystery series. Nora Asquith has jumped through all sorts of hoops to open the castle her family has occupied since the 1100s to bed-and-breakfast guests. Village newcomer Hilda Dibble had led a campaign to get the village council to forbid Nora's plans. but Nora persevered and the first guests are arriving.

Nora is also an herbalist who grows plants for her tinctures, soaps and other products. The morning after her first guests arrive when she goes out to weed, she finds Hilda dead in her herb garden. Luckily but perhaps not completely coincidentally, one of her guests is Detective Inspector Finlay Cole who is newly transferred to the area. He is right on hand to assist with the investigation. Also, newly arriving is Nora's sister Tamsyn who is an actress in historical drama TV series.

Nora learns that she is not the only one at the castle who had a previous relationship with Hilda. Her birdwatching guest turns out to be the son Hilda's sister put up for adoption as an infant. And she has some connection to the couple Nora's brother comped to a night's stay in hopes of placing his mead with their chain of liquor stores. Also, there is the entrepreneur on the yacht who wants to add the castle to his chain of hotels made from stately homes who had a connection to Hilda too.

But Hilda is only the first body that Nora stumbles on. She also finds a local stonemason on the beach when she goes to gather seaweed from some concoction she's trying out for her herb business.

Nora and her sister begin investigating because Nora fears that having the castle associated with murder is going to ruin her fledgling business before it can even get off the ground.

I enjoyed this mystery. I look forward to more books in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t dream of living in a castle? Nora Asquith, her actress sister Tamsyn and their brother Will grew up in one called Ravensea Castle which included ghost Sir Percival. Help was needed to pay the bills so Nora turned it into an inn with just a few rooms.

Nora also runs Castle Apothecary and used her products in the guest rooms.

A murder occurs on the premises and another found on the beach. The first murder reminds every one of a 30 year old death ruled an accident that may not have been. There are rumours of smuggling. A little romance is in the air. There are several pets to be adored. A whole cast of characters to keep it interesting. This is the first in a series so several town folks needed to be introduced to set up for future books.

To save her inn, Nora with her sister’s help, try to piece everything together to solve the mystery and ensure neither Nora nor her father are implicated. It is cozy mystery and quite enjoyable.

I received a free digital advanced copy and leave this review voluntarily. Sorry if I rambled too much.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Body’s And Battlements by Elizabeth Penny, this is the first book in the new series about Nora who makes all natural face creams and soaps and other herbal tinctures and sells them in the village but now she restored her childhood home which is a 1000 year old castle and turned it into a bed-and-breakfast. With the help of Janet the cook Guy the landscaper her dad and movie star sister Tamsin she’s getting ready for opening weekend. When the guest arrive everyone is outside to greet them and Nora is surprised to see Hilda Dibble also showed up for the opening. She is surprised because Hilda threw every step of the process tried to stop them from opening their bnb. Nora also found that odd because Hilda has only been living in the village for a little over a year But she doesn’t stay long right when she goes to walk in to meet the guest and see the Vicar it seems she sees someone that shocks her and soon her and her best friend Sandra are leaving quite abruptly. Her guest include Brian the bird watcher, Lola and her husband multimillionaires who own restaurants in Finley who Nora finds herself quite attracted to. after a very successful first night Nora wakes up early to attend to her garden when she finds the dead body of Hilda Dibble. thankfully Finley was walking his dog lady and she asked for his assistance never knowing that he was the new detective investigator at the village Police Department. He takes over and soon it hits Nora how this could affect her bed-and-breakfast and she decides to solve the case herself with the help of her sister Tamsin. This will cause her to get kidnapped with her sister, almost get killed by roof tiles and this is all before the next murder. There’s a lot of quirky characters and a lot of connections that linked back to another murder years before. All this near death in amateur slueth investigating doesn’t stop Nora from catching onto the fact Finley may just be attracted to her as well. So she decides if she lives through this she may just start dating the local DI but first she has a murderer to catch. This isn’t the best review but just know as far as cozy mysteries go bodies and battlements have some very likable characters as well as quirky ones and it all makes for a great cozy mystery that I am definitely going to continue reading if there is a second book and I haven’t even mentioned the dead ancestors who still visit from time to time.. #NetGalley,#TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #ElizabethPenny, #BodiesAndBattlements,

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora Asquith is busy converting her family home, Ravensea Castle, into a bed and breakfast. It’s located in the small town of Monkwell, Yorkshire. With the help of her sister Tamsyn, she hopes the venture will be a huge success.

However, things don’t always go as planned. One of the town’s locals, Hilda Dibble, opposes the renovation plans and is quite vocal about it. Her objections are not successful, and the b&b opens. To everyone’s shock, Hilda is found dead in the castle's garden and Nora is the number one suspect.

Nora and Tamsyn are determined to find the real killer. They aren’t going to get many guests staying with them if murders happen there. With the help of a resident ghost, Sir Percival, the sisters are on a mission to get to the bottom of this mystery.

This is a great start to a new series. I wanted to read this book since I read another book by this author and enjoyed it. I was not disappointed.

It’s a fast-paced mystery with an intriguing premise and a well-developed cast of characters. I was hooked from start to finish and I was surprised at “whodunit”. I’ll definitely be looking for the next book in this captivating series.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic start to a new series! It's a fun well-crafted cozy mystery with interesting characters and an intriguing plot. The mystery itself was very well done and although I was able to guess the culprit the journey getting there was worthwhile. The setting was like a character all its own featuring the crumbling castle with its resident ghosts and the mysterious smugglers' cove just waiting to be explored.

Overall this was a very enjoyable read! I highly recommend it to anyone who likes reading about small English villages where murders are all too common.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Miontaur Books for my honest review.*

Nora is finally at opening week for the bed and breakfast in her family's castle, Ravensea. After all of the guests have arrived and enjoyed an uneventful first evening, Nora finds the body of the Hilda Dibble (what a name!!) in her garden. Hilda was a thorn in Nora's side from the beginning of the process of starting the B&B so of course she is a suspect. And of course, Nora has to investigate to clear her and her family's name.

What a great series this should be! I enjoyed the inclusion of a family ghost and the lovely descriptions of the castle and the grounds and garden and the shore. I enjoyed the family characters and the extended family and there is great potential for this series.

The plot points and clues and how the story unfolded were very well done. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney addresses the problem of what one does with a small castle when one has run out of money with which to maintain it. The solution Nora has arrived upon is to make it into a Bed and Breakfast. So, after a year of arguing with the locals and with the administrators of various government offices, they are finally ready to welcome their first guests, only two of the four paying, however, as Nora’s brother will had invited a potential client of his and his wife to stay for free. Oh, well, it was their “soft” opening. So they welcomed two single men, Brian Taylor and Finlay Cole as well as a married couple, Lorna and Gavin Cargill to Ravensea Castle. There would be drinks before dinner and Father Patrick had joined them. Two local women, Hilda Dibble and her sidekick, Sandra, tried to muscle their way in but abruptly changed their mind when they saw other others already gathered. The next morning, Nora discovered Hilda’s body in her garden. At that point Finlay Cole introduced himself as a Detective Inspector moving into the town and the investigation began. And what an investigation it was; so many moving parts.

Nora is a terrific character, as is Tamsyn, her television actress sister, who is at the castle to “help.” Their father, Arthur is a bit addled and buried in his genealogy research much of the time. The best character of all is the resident ghost, Lord Percival, who is a distant ancestor who appears on an irregular schedule, not this week. Except, he did and caused minor issues, although he turns out to be more help than hindrance. The murder was an interesting one and encompassed for more than what appeared on the surface. There were many secrets on all parts. Finlay appeared to appreciate Nora’s help as well as Nora, herself. This looks to be the beginning of a highly successful series, so start early.

I was invited to read Bodies and Battlements St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #ElizabethPenney #BodiesAndBattlements

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Asquith family are the owners of Ravensea Castle. It takes a lot of money to keep up with a castle though so Nora and her family are turning it into a bed and breakfast. Nora also has a small herbalist business on the side.

As the first guests arrive the festivities are marred by Hilda Dibble , a local woman who has been a troublemaker for Nora. Not long after Hilda is found dead in the garden. Now Nora is a suspect and the new business is at risk. Luckily, or not, Nora's actress sister Tamsyn is there to help. So is the resident ghost.

The castle setting is fun and I liked the idea of the guests being stuck there during the investigation. Tamsyn and their Dad are fun characters. I found it harder to like Nora. This might be because of the way the story started. I felt as if I needed more of an introduction to the dynamic of the characters and their background. It made it harder to get into the storyline.

There are some fun things happening and I love the idea of a ghost in a castle. It's kind of a lot happening at once though. I think a lot of readers will like this. It just didn't quite work for me.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for the chance to read!

[Toni Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ravensea Castle book #1

After a thousand years of ownership, Ravensea Castle became a bed and breakfast with herbalist Nora Asquith there to welcome guests. But things turn unexpected, when Hilda Dibble, a local, is found dead in the garden the next morning. Nora’s business is not only at risk but she is also the prime suspect…..Enjoy.

This is one of those cozy mystery that mosey along from start to finish. Not complicated at all to follow, my brain wasn’t taxed trying to figure what was happening. The author is clear on her intent and expresses well where she is going and where she wants us to be. By giving little bites one at a time and unwrapping slowly each layer with just the right amount of suspense and voilà I was easily grabbed till I reached the end. Of course, along the way we have all sorts of red herrings and complications. I love the setting, an old castle with beautiful gardens and a ghost roaming the rooms doesn`t do any harm either, although far from being original…castle do have ghost, I am told 😊. Nicely depicted. We have a panoply of eccentric characters: parents, family and friends, a hunky policeman and a heroine/business owner to entertain us.

Good story that investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-tuned bed and breakfast.

I received this ARC from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young herbalist, with. Thriving herb product business finds it isn’t enough to maintain her families Castle of Ravensea. She gets the idea to turn it into a Band B and is met with resistance by a single town member. A woman who only moved to the village less than a year ago. Permits and licenses take forever to get because of her interference but eventually she succeeds and the Band B has its first guests. The town is invited to an open house the same day and the trouble making villager shows up. As she goes to enter the drawing room, she turns white and turns and leaves immediately. The next morning the herbalist finds her dead in her herb garden. A very entertaining read.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first installment in a promising new series. The castle setting, along with its resident ghost, may not be totally unique, but it certainly is a fun setting. The characters are likable and pretty well developed. We do know what the main characters do for a living, but I did find myself wondering what Nora’s father did in order to maintain the family castle before Nora turned it into a B&B. The mystery itself was entertaining and well paced, leading to a satisfying conclusion. This was a good introduction to the series.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a new series! I enjoyed getting to know Nora, her family, and the rest of the community surrounding their castle. The setting was idyllic and I loved the tidbits her dad shared about their history. The mystery itself was well-paced and I liked following along with Nora as she investigated. The one thing I thought I would love, the ghost, didn’t really work for me. I am hoping this is more developed as the series goes on. Otherwise, this was fun and I look forward to the next one.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved all the different parts of the castles and the grounds that we get to see, the beaches, caves, chapel, gardens, and then the rooms themselves. Plus we got to see the surrounding countryside as well. The cozy part was very well done!
The mystery and investigation parts were pretty well done also. There were so many secrets to uncover! Some of them were obvious and some were pretty surprising. So they all kept me turning pages. The people that helped out the murderer was an interesting choice and not sure what I think about that. But in the grand scheme of things that’s a small issue.
If you are looking for a hospitality cozy with lots of secrets, you will love this one.

[Kelli Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun new mystery series! I loved the English castle setting, and all the little towns around, the interesting characters, and a mystery that came directly from that setup. I'm really looking forward to more in the series!

[Karen Parisot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about a newbie B & B proprietor whose family happens to own a haunted castle. Ravensea Castle in Yorkshire has been in the hands of the Asquith family for generations. The current generation is struggling to keep their heads above water and have just welcomed their first bed and breakfast guests. Nora is a herbalist and now in charge of making a go of their new enterprise. Things get off to a bad start when she keeps stumbling upon dead bodies.
This is a charming cozy romance mystery with an idyllic setting and appealing characters. You’ve got to love Nora, her sister Tamsyn and brother Will. They’re trying so hard to make things work. If you enjoy murder mysteries with ghosts, dogs and a bit of romance, you’re sure to love this book. 4 stars

[Kelly Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy it is to get in on the ground floor of a brand new series, the first book of which has excellent characters, a unique and fun setting, and an intriguing mystery! Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney is the first book in such a series.
Penney's main character for this delightful new series, Nora Asquith, is trying to save her family's property, haunted Ravensea Castle, by slowly turning it into a bed and breakfast. When the steep opposition she had to face ends in a murder on the grounds, Nora is afraid the new venture will fail before it truly gets off the ground. The setting is rich in history and beautifully described, the mystery is rife with suspects, the group of supporting characters are likeable and fun, and the book is a page-turner from start to finish.
I look forward to reading more in this series, and am grateful for the ARC of #BodiesandBattlements provided to me through #NetGalley.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bodies and Battlements (The Ravensea Castle Series #1)" by Elizabeth Penney is the first book in a new series. Nora Asquith is an entrepreneur with her own apothecary style bath and body products but now she's also branching out into making the family's historical Yorkshire castle home into a bed and breakfast. She has the full support of her family, including her tv star sister, since it's all to try to keep the castle in the family. Kind of feels obligated to with some of their ancestors still hanging around in spiritual form.

Just a hint of the paranormal. Mostly just doors and windows slamming. Cold winds and the occasional headless floating see-through body. Nothing too spooky.

The mystery kicks in when the village lady opposed to them turning the castle into a B&B is found in the garden with an apparent head wound from a bit of castle that had come loose. Luckily, one of Nora's first guests is the new village detective. He was staying while between his old apartment and new one. Between the two of them more than one criminal is caught and a relationship may be budding.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never met any characters by this author that I haven’t really liked in the very first pages of the book, and this book was no exception. I enjoyed all the key players from the get-go and Nora’s dad cracked me up with his stories and just blatant innocent honesty when it came to different things.

There was quite a bit more to the murder than anyone first thought then when another one happened, things started to be revealed. I loved that Nora and DI Cole were getting closer. His dog sounded so darn cute and Rolf became good buddies with her. Tamsyn seemed to’ve found herself a guy as well. The showdown was tense but quick and a satisfying ending was enjoyed by all.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

[Susan Barno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is top of my cozy book list. I'm rounding up from 4.5 because it's that good. This is first in a new series for Elizabeth Penney. While not previously familiar with this author I loved her writing style, her characters and their personalities and the plot. Throw in a ghost and a castle set in England and you can count me in!

What I loved most was how balanced the characters and plot were. As the proprietors of the newly opened Ravens Castle B&B the Asquith family has plenty to do running their small, 11th century castle for their guests. The suites are aptly named, the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber and the Knight's Chamber. Additionally, Nora Asquith has an herbal soap and bath product business which uses ingredients grown and harvested by Nora on the estate. Sister, Tamsyn, is a famous actress on a break from her chosen profession and is staying, as well as helping out at the castle inn.

First guests arrive, everyone is settled in and Sir Percival, the resident ghost, has decided to make an appearance. He is usually quiet, except during the full moon, but perhaps with the arrival of the first guests he is curious. The next morning the dead body of Hilda Dibble is found in Nora's garden. Hilda Dibble caused much trouble opposing the permits and opening of Ravens Castle B&B for no apparent reason.

The guest all appear to have no connection to each other. The Cargill's own a high end wine shop chain. They were invited by Will Asquith who makes Mead and Will is hoping his Mead will find a way into the Cargill's inventory, boosting his sales. Finlay Cole and his Lady, are booked accidentally into the Bridal Suite. His Lady turns out to be his dog. Brian Taylor is a quiet bird enthusiast hoping to spot some birds to add to his list.

Like all really well written books the plot lines are seamlessly woven into an intricate, absorbing story and that is where this book excels. There is a balance of what happens and what can be believable. The characters have a lot of depth even the ones who only make cameo appearances. The descriptions draw you in without overtaking the story lines. Even the ghost's actions and appearances are consistent with ghosts can and can not do. (Having once lived in a house with ghosts, I found this aspect of the plot quite reasonable.)

As you know, cozy mysteries are investigated by the non professional protagonist and friends. Too often the protagonist in his/her sleuthing unrealistically drops everything to investigate yet their business or 'real' job is never negatively impacted. Not so in Bodies and Battlements. The author has the sleuths B&B as the protagonist's first priority which was more believable.

One final note on the characters. I found most of them in one of two categories ---endearing or ambitious-smarmy-greedy. Each persona fit the character and the role they were to play which helped me melt into the story.

I definitely will search for other Elizabeth Penny books. This one made me sad reach the last page even though I was satisfied with how the story played out and ended.

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed the author's previous books, I was primed to enjoy this one from page one. For the most part, despite an unexpected slow start, my anticipation was justified. The only real issue I had was that I wasn't at all fond of main character Nora Asquith initially. Probably understandable as she is just about to open the doors to Ravensea Castle's first paying guests. Yes, in reality, romantic as a castle might appear to live in, they are expensive to keep up. As a result, Nora decided to transform a portion of the historic, supposedly haunted castle to paying guests. It's been a long, tedious process to not just ready the castle but jump through all the bureaucratic hoops placed in front of her, not to mention that her own sister, actress Tamsyn Asquith wasn't really in favor of the move. So, why is Tamsyn there? And, who is this couple showing up and expecting to stay that didn't reserve a room? Then Hilda Dibble, a local who not only opposed the conversion of the castle but tossed repeated roadblocks in front of Nora shows up. What is she doing there and why was she in such a hurry to suddenly leave? That's just the beginning. Things begin to happen, not to mention Sir Percival, one of the resident ghosts, makes his presence known and then, yikes, the next morning Nora finds Hilda's dead body near the fountain in the garden. I'd say her endeavor to save the family home isn't off to a good start although, hmm, the dog-owning guest Nora found attractive, Finley Cole, turns out to be a detective. Well, at least he on the spot of the crime immediately.

Things get complicated fast. I won't detail the plot any further other than to say it's an intriguing mix of old world charm with the castle setting, cute pets, ghostly interventions, an endangered family legacy, shady deals, secrets and more secrets, and, ahh, budding romances. I ultimately liked the characters once we got into the book, even ghostly Sir Percival, who you'll warm to as you learn his backstory. They all have secrets. I'm hoping to learn more about Nora's plan to create and sale items like soaps and herbs made at the castle, too. Nora's family seems solid, albeit her father seems to fall into the stereotypical scholar/researcher/professor role while being able to spin a great story of the castle's past. Will Nora be able to sort out whodunit? Will she drive Finley nuts in the process?

Bottom line, although it took me longer to fall into the story than expected, I found it an intriguing read and am looking forward to seeing where Nora's adventures take us next. I mean, we get to hang around in a genuine castle, with lovely gardens and a view, so not exactly a hardship. Also have to admit, I'm going to be curious where the romances lead. My thanks to #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for this early introduction to Ravensea Castle and all its inhabitants. Something tells me this series may quickly become a "must read" for me. Great characters, intriguing mysteries, fun pets, and a few ghosts drifting about. Give it a read!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney is fantastically brilliant.

Will Nora find the culprit before her family home has to be sold?

Nora Asquith
Our sleuth, Nora, is also an innkeeper and apothecary who clearly loves animals and nature. I enjoyed getting to know Nora and her family as they work towards turning their family castle into a bed and breakfast. The finding of dead bodies was not good for business, but with Nora and her sister's assistance, the authorities found the culprits eventually.

I like that Nora is practical, and yet she believes in the supernatural. She even embraces the ghostly ancestors that reside within the castle. Nora is a hard worker, but she still looks up to her sister and brother for approval. It was heartening to see the whole family stepping up to help save the castle.

The Mystery
The morning after their first guests arrive, Nora finds the local woman who has been against the bed and breakfast from the start dead in the garden. No one knows why she is there. Then, later, she finds one of the local stone masons' bodies down on the shoreline. These discoveries have really shaken her. Not to mention that one of her guests is the new D.I. for the area. All of this is happening, and then they find out that one of their other guests was related to the deceased woman, and his mother was killed years earlier. The mystery is wonderfully written, with just enough twists to keep me guessing and intrigued.

Five Stars
My rating for Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney is five stars. I love the characters, the setting is whimsical, and the mystery is superb. I highly recommend it. Ms. Penney's writing style is excellent, and I look forward to the next installment.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney.

Until the next time,

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove