Murder at the Castle: A Dorothy Martin Mystery

Despite its contemporary setting, Dams’s enjoyable 13th Dorothy Martin mystery (after 2012’s The Corpse of St. James’s) features many hallmarks of the traditional British cozy. Retired American teacher Dorothy is vacationing in Wales with her husband, Alan Nesbitt, who is a retired chief constable, along with some young friends—one of whom will perform at a music festival being held at Flint Castle. Classical choral music and a renowned conductor are anticipated, but the fluke accident that takes a choir member’s life is not. After a similar fatal incident, Dorothy and Alan work with local police to investigate the deaths. Dams unfolds her plot with a sure hand, but music takes center stage. The story sometimes threatens to turn into melodrama, but the characters always have time for a pint or a cup of tea before the line into absurdity is crossed. Anglophiles, music lovers, and cozy readers will sing “alleluia.” Agent: Kimberley Cameron, Kimberley Cameron Agency. (July)