This was the first book I’ve read by the author. I loved the author’s writing style. Although there is room for improvement, I wish the author the best of luck, and I think everyone who enjoys this genre should give this book a try.

If you enjoy reading mystery thriller and historical fiction; then this one is definitely for you!

This is an ARC review. I appreciate receiving this copy from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

On New Years Eve of 1928, Charles Ravenswick, heir to Lord Ravenswick, is murdered inside his home's lift. At the time the only people accompanying him were his family members and loyal servants of the house. One of them killed him.
A year later, Charlotte Blood, a gossip columnist and widow to a British General is sent to unveil the mystery. She must travel to the great house of the Ravenswick, where all the suspects still reside. However she will be undercover as an ornithologist investigating the Ravens of the aviary to avoid suspicion.
This story fits in the mold created by previous stories like the ones from Sherlock Holmes and Hercules Poirot (which are directly mentioned throughout the book).
The premise - a closed space, many suspects but only one murderer and the setting, a great and isolated house surrounded by bogs and mist might be the best elements of the book.
Its weaknesses are mainly related to the main character, Charlotte. We spend many pages learning about her feelings after being widowed and her grief as well as her relationship with her family. Although some descriptions of loss and her desire to be free from the expectations her family puts on her are beautiful and impactful, it is often repeated (almost every chapter) and it has next to nothing to do with the main murder story. I personally prefer the detective figure in this kind of story to remain mysterious and be revealed slowly so it did not work for me.
The big reveal of the identity of the murderer was gripping, at least at the beginning, however it is stretched so far out , with twists that are so unbelievable that it lost most of its impact by the end of the book.
I think this book would appeal mainly to people looking for a “who dunnit” set in an isolated house in the British countryside that have already read more widely known options.

This novel, one in a series featuring journalist/amateur detective Charlotte Blood, has the essence of an Agatha Christie novel. Charlotte, under the guise of an ornithologist writing about a story about the Ravens that call Ravenswick Abbey home, is there to discover who murdered Charles Ravenswick, the heir to the family fortune. It soon becomes apparent that not only is she being watched, but her very life might also be in danger.

While a very interesting read, this book did drag a bit in parts between clues and revelations, but definitely a worthwhile read for fans of all things Agatha Christie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Death in the Aviary.

This one pulled me in from the very first page with its rich, atmospheric setting—so vivid and immersive. The descriptive writing is absolutely one of the book’s strengths, creating a moody and suspenseful tone that kept me hooked throughout.

I found the main character both likeable and grounded, the perfect lens through which to untangle a mystery full of secrets. The suspects, on the other hand, were deliciously unlikeable, each with their own motives and hidden agendas. The tension between characters added another compelling layer to the mystery.

There’s a great balance of twists and turns, with enough surprises to keep you guessing but not so many that it feels overdone.

A strong, engaging read—I'll be keeping an eye out for more from this author!

2.75
the premise was great, the setting, perfect, the mood, excellent. however, the execution—worse than the actual murder.

the prose itself was very lyrical and set the tone well, but there was SO. MUCH. TELLING. 😭 and to add to that, certain parts were repeated over and over again, to the point where i just couldn’t care less. so that led to skimming the second half of the book 🥲

i did read the reveal chapter at a normal pace and i didn’t like it…not my fav, just to repeat myself.

cws: talk of murder, talk of magic and raising spirits, actually trying to do that?!? that was in the part i skimmed so idk what really happened but yeah, and one of the characters is super into that which i didn’t like either, characters have an affair…idk what else

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review*

“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 darker and more suspenseful. It was refreshing take on a historical mystery and interesting that Charlotte had a harder time getting the family to open up to her with clues.

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

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.

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