Death in the Aviary is the first in a new series by Victoria Dowd. I loved this book!!! I would like to give it more than five stars! I was drawn in immediately and could barely put the book down until I finished it. I read a lot and I enjoy most of what I read, but there aren’t that many that I would call real pageturners. This is a real pageturner! The heroine Charlotte Blood is a complicated, but very likeable character that has many layers to her personality and is a joy to get to know. The characters in the murder mystery she is trying to solve are all very interesting and any one of them had a reason to commit the crime, so it is fascinating to watch Charlotte solve the crime and get to know these awful people. The crime turns out to be very complicated and I had no idea who had committed the crime, so it was really a pleasure to watch Charlotte put all the pieces together. This book is exactly the kind of Gothic mystery I enjoy and I am looking forward to reading more about Charlotte, her landlady and the mysteries they solve.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ★

Thank you to Datura Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Death in the Aviary !

Set in the early 1920s, Death in the Aviary draws readers into a world where social class and family names dictate your worth, and where women struggle to carve out meaningful careers. I was particularly drawn to the atmosphere Victoria Dowd created; moody, restrained, and steeped in the tensions of a post-war England still clinging to its hierarchy.

The synopsis intrigued me, and I was excited for a classic whodunit, but I found the pacing occasionally sluggish. Some sections felt unnecessarily prolonged and didn’t contribute much in terms of clues or tension-building, making it harder to stay fully immersed.

That said, two standout characters helped lift the narrative during these slower moments. Celeste, an observant young girl often dismissed by her family, brought a quiet defiance and unexpected insight. And Mrs. C, the self-assured landlady, added strength and reassurance, not just to the protagonist, Charlotte, but to the story as a whole. Her grounded presence and refreshing habit of speaking plainly were a welcome contrast to the book’s more reserved characters.

While the structure occasionally felt padded, the final reveal was worth the wait. I didn’t guess the culprit, and I always appreciate a mystery that keeps me on my toes.

A solid read with memorable characters and a rewarding conclusion! Perfect for fans of historical mysteries with a slow-burn feel.

“Death in the Aviary” entices the reader with a dark mystery and suspicious cast of characters. This murder took place in a locked lift, with almost every member of the family present. Charlotte, originally from the upper elite, is now a working class reporter tasked with uncovering this mystery. She must visit the family estate undercover as an ornithologist studying ravens. This was not the typical cozy mystery I usually read. This was slightly darker and more suspenseful. It was refreshing that Charlotte had a harder time getting the family to warm up to her before unveiling clues.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Victoria Dowd delivers a captivating blend of Golden Age charm and sharp modern storytelling in Death in the Aviary. Set within the remote grandeur of Ravenswick Abbey on New Year’s Eve, 1928, a gathering turns tragic when the lift halts in darkness and a single gunshot echoes. The heir, Charles Ravenswick, lies dead—and none can account for their actions.

A year later, the irrepressible Charlotte Blood arrives under the guise of investigating the family’s ravens, but soon finds herself untangling a far deeper nest of secrets. Dowd’s writing is richly evocative, capturing both the elegance of the period and the dark undercurrents of family dysfunction. The setting drips with gothic allure, and Charlotte emerges as a fresh, compelling sleuth—sharp, bold, and delightfully unconventional.

This is a mystery to savour: clever, atmospheric, and laced with emotional depth. Fans of Agatha Christie and Sarah Waters will find themselves at home here, as will anyone who loves a locked-room puzzle wrapped in velvet prose.

Thank you to Victoria Dowd, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

"A 'locked lift' mystery for Golden Age crime fans, from award-winning author Victoria Dowd.

New Year's Eve 1928 - In the grand residence of Ravenswick Abbey, isolated in the wilds of Dartmoor, nine members of the household step into an ornate lift. The power fails. The lift stops. In the darkness, a single shot is fired.

When the light returns, Charles Ravenswick - the heir to the Ravenswick fortune - is dead on the floor. No one could have got in or out. All have motives, and none have alibis.

A year later under the pretence of reporting on the family's infamous ravens, sparky Charlotte Blood investigates. She finds a house haunted by suspicion and secrets. She must unravel the mystery and with it the terrible truth behind the entire Ravenswick family. Her search will not only lead her down a dangerous path, it will reveal dark secrets that lurk in her own life..."

I mean, murder in such a confined space is an art in and of itself. There was a great episode of Remington Steele about an elevator murder.

In this suspenseful and engaging mystery you will be guessing until the very end. There is so many clues that are unraveled from a character who is most often forgotten. I found that our main character Charlotte Blood was a very interesting detective with the ability to have you cheering her on in solving this murder mystery. We learn that she has recently lost someone of her own which spurs her to a career that find answers for others. I found the intertwined story of her love life/home life to be one that is integral to the plot and her reasons for such a task. The Ravenswick family is an interesting and messy one for sure. There is so many secrets and tests between these family members that you might have a suspect at one moment then be second guessing at the next. I am really interested to read more from this author, because her writing keeps the readers eyes open to the clues and setting. This book is great for anyone who loves a murder mystery involving family secrets and legacy.

It's a very good book I just couldn't get into it abd i'm not sure why. Overall the author did a very good job

Ahhhh!! Thank you so much for allowing my to review this book!!!! It was absolutely AMAZING!! This needs to be read by anyone and everyone who loves a good British mystery