Audiobook provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins UK.
This was a cozy historical mystery set in the 1930s. It’s the fourth book in the series, but each can be read as a standalone, as they each center around a different location and crime.

Miss Ashford investigates a string of mysteries set across Europe. This time, we travel from Paris to Austria during winter to solve a murder and a decade-old jewelry theft. There’s a wealthy family full of secrets, cozy winter markets, and a love interest who wants to run wild.

That being said, the love interest was the one element I didn’t quite connect with—I wasn’t sure why we, the readers, should care about him. Miss Ashford herself has so much to offer!

There were several possible culprits, and the author did a good job of keeping me guessing. I figured out the solution just before it was revealed, but I appreciated the wide cast of characters—it certainly wasn’t an easy guess.

The audiobook narrator, Jessica Whittaker, is very talented. All the characters had appropriately Austrian accents, and she really managed to bring each person to life—different genders, ages, and personalities were all distinct.


I’m definitely listening to the next book in the series, Death on the Rhine, which takes place on a luxury cruise!

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of Last Dance in Salzburg by Vivian Conroy.

This is the 4th book in the Miss Ashford mysteries but my first one. Miss Atalanta Ashford was a teacher at a prestigious Swiss boarding school when she found out that her grandfather who she had never met had died. She inherits his Parisian home, a substantial fortune as well as a job. She must carry on his legacy of discreetly sleuthing for Europe’s elite.

The first three books are set out in Provence, Santorini and Tuscany. This book is set in a wintery Salzburg, Austria. Because of the 1930’s setting the story is slightly old fashioned but it makes you think of Atalanta as a more glamorous Agatha Christie.

Atalanta receives an invitation to a birthday and ballet addressed to her grandfather. On the back of the invitation is the inscription: “You know you made a mistake ten years ago. Set an old injustice right. Library, midnight. V.” Who is the mysterious V and what mistake was made? Whoever sent the invitation obviously doesn’t know that her grandfather has passed away. She decides to attend the ballet with her friend, the rakish race car driver, Raoul Lamont.

Soon there is a dead body in the library and a ballerina has gone missing. This is a cozy mystery filled with vintage vibes, Glühwein and Lebkuchen.

'Last Dance in Salzburg' is the fourth book in the 'Miss Ashford Investigates' series.

The story is quite intriguing, with the mystery being introduced into two cases, a past one that Atalanta's grandfather solved, and the current one that is somehow connected to the old one.

And truly, the mystery was interesting and the author did a great job handling it, even if it felt impossible to figure out what had happened ten years ago.

Furthermore, the main character is quite interesting, and again, the author makes sure that even if you haven't read the previous books, it's easy to understand what happened in them and also keep up with her story. Unfortunately, there were a lot of things that were repeated more than twice, about her feelings about the past and her family, and her wish to have a chance to get to know her grandfather. Though, it was nice that her own feelings and grief was included in the story, as it gave the main character more depth.

Also, Raul was a jerk, and, hence, I loved Atalanta's decision in the end. Her butler is a gem though! The imagery of Salzburg was, in addition, beautiful and this book is actually perfect for winter.

Finally, the audiobook was well narrated and produced.

This review is also posted on Goodreads and Storygraph