I enjoyed the audio version of Last Dance in Salzburg although it was a very, very slow burner. The narrator did a very good job with the voices and accents to the degree that I almost forgot it was the same person reading all the parts. However, her voice did become incredibly sing-song like in the longer descriptive passages which I found rather annoying.
This is the first time I've come across this series but it worked well as a standalone and to be honest I'm glad I've not come across the arrogant sleaze all Raoul before and cannot imagine why Atalanta is in love with him.
I obviously missed out somewhere because I still don't know who sent the invitations to Markhov and Atalanta's grandfather. I am also old enough to remember when letters addressed to men had Esquire after the name or Mr before it but never were both used in the same line.
Overall it was a good mystery but the highlight for me was the imagery of Salzburg in the 1930s.

My first introduction to this series, but it works well as a stand alone book.
I listened to the audiobook and was very happy with the narration. At first I thought that it might be a little slow and stiff, but once the story really started, the style fitted the period and characters very well.
The setting sounded wonderful, with interesting descriptions of Salzburg in the 1930s. The story itself became more complex when our heroine managed to solve not only a modern murder but also a mystery that had defeated her grandfather. This helped to address Atalanta's worries about whether she should be following in his footsteps or not, which paves the way for the next instalment.
A cosy mystery that feels just a step above the average, I will certainly be seeking out more from this series.

One of the best cosy murder mysteries I've read, and I've read a lot of them!

Atalanta is invited to Salzburg, to a ballet dance on the anniversary of a jewel robbery, one that made her Grandfather's name. Only she's told that he made a mistake and the wrong person went to jail. Can she discover the truth? History is repeating itself, only this time, there is more than just thievery in the air.

A brilliant premise, that is just different enough from other books to really draw the attention.
Atalanta is a fun MFC, she has a lot of spirt and comes across as very likeable. I'm not sold on her love interest however, I don't especially like him and cannot work out where he fits into all of this long term.

We were nearly halfway through the book before the murder even happened because this is about more than the murder. It explores being lonely, destiny, what you want from life, how far you are prepared to go and what you'd give up to achieve what you think is right. Or your duty. There are a lot of themes running through this book, along with the history of the area, of all the damage caused by shifting nations and allegiances. Of course Atalanta solves the case, is able to right the wrong her grandfather tried to do but couldn't. That is fairly predictable, but the journey is the important part, and it was utterly engaging and entertaining.

This audio sounds exactly how I'd always imagined a cosy murder mystery. The narrator is brilliant at capturing the innocent yet determined MFC, in conveying all the pain, confusion as she tries to navigate this life she's found herself in. She really does a great job at conveying the story and making me feel relaxed. As well as capturing the cold weather, which in this current heat, I so badly need.

This is my first book by this author, but it won't be the last.

This is my first outing in this cozy mystery series. Although it works better as a series this worked well as a standalone mystery for me. The narration was excellent with clear distinction between the characters. I really enjoyed the description of all the places that were visited and how the interactions were written with both the 30's (time it set) and an moyre conflicted now world where the value of women and romance etc are not as straightforward as they once seemed. This was a lovely cozy mystery which was a short listen, there were elements of romance and life problems that fed through the entire story. With out prior knowledge of the characters this felt fresh and i enjoyed learning the snipes throughout the story. I did however see overtures with the butler which might be wrong. The mystery itself was all about something that happened 10 years ago her grandfather solved but wasn't happy with the result. It has mystery, revenge, betrayal, love and longing. The who done it certainly more than the usual a to b and i love the way it was revealed. i may check out past or future. the relationship with the racing driver which was a will they or wont they seemed to be the ultimate hook regardless of the mystery. Highly recommended for anyone who like a good cozy mystery set in good surroundings. Thank you netgalllery, publisher author and narrator.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in audiobook format via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

As always I will start this review with the narration . At frist I wasn't sure what to think it started off a bit dull but as the story really started and we got to know the characters it changed and improved greatly. Each character had their own voice and accents which helped make them more real and easier to identify.

In this story we meet Miss Atalanta Ashford who is finding life and Paris a bit lonely especially as winter and the festive season starts. She has no family and yer she feels as if there are expectations of being The mistress of a well to do house.

She is saved from these thoughts when an invite arrives from her friend to meet him in Munich and see the sites and explore the German festive markets. It may be just what she needs.

And then the invite to Salzburg arrives with a mysterious post script and she is left uncertain. She decides to go and see what she will discover.

Its a lovely a brilliant cozy mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie will enjoy these stories.

This has been a really fun and easy series! I am happy that they finally address the Raoul situation after three books. The mystery itself I found to be a little less mysterious than the previous ones, but as always the description of the landscape and setting was amazing. The one thing I will say about this series is that I’m getting sick of every policeman/investigator/etc. being not just incompetent but also malicious.. I would love for the next one to have a policeman who is willing to work with her, maybe shows her a little interest outside the job, just all around different. I think we see in this book how the relative loneliness of the job has impacted her, and I’d love for that to be addressed in the next book.

Thank you Harper Collins UK & NetGalley for this ARC of the audio.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a very cosy murder mystery in the Miss Ashford Investigates series of books. This is the fourth book in the series, and you don't need to have listened to the previous three to be able to enjoy this story. It probably helps as there are mentions of the earlier cases, but it doesn't stop the enjoyment of the book. 

The main character, Atalanta Ashford is a very interesting woman. She has inherited a lot of money from her Grandfather, and has entered into his world of private investigations, but she doesn't really know what she wants. She clearly loves her friend Raoul, but his feelings towards her are very mixed. 

The narrator is very good at bringing you into the story. She has a very warm voice, which is perfect for the character of Atalanta. 

Although this is a very enjoyable book, it is a bit too slow for me. It takes a long time to get to the actual murder mystery part of the book, and I was tempted once or twice to dnf it. 

I loved everything about this audio book. Such an enjoyable experience. The characters were charming and memorable. This was my first book by this author and I will read the entire series. The author is so descriptive, all of my senses became involved. A great cozy mystery. Outstanding narrator.

I was blessed with an audio ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Highly recommend.

Another well-crafted cozy mystery in this series! This time the relatively new detective and her grandfather's manservant (partner and mentor in solving crimes) are faced with a problem in which her grandfather is suspected of finding the wrong man guilty of jewel theft and murder. Set in Austria in 1930 with some wonderful descriptions of the winter scenes at Christmastime, she comes upon the body of that man. Lots of things that occasionally seem contradictory ensue, but the outcome is on target. Loved it. ***** Review
Voice actor Jessica Whittaker demonstrates her interpretations skills impressively in this book.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter via NetGalley.
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This is my first "MIss Ashford Investigates" mystery, and I did not feel at all that I was missing out having not read the earlier ones in this series. It is a fast-moving historical cosy murder mystery set in Salzburg over a few weeks around Christmas in the 1930s, with the eponymous Miss Ashford investigating a crime which is linked to a similar crime that had happened years earlier. There are lots of twists in the plot, with political and social aspects which reflect the situation in 1930s Austria.

The audiobook is clearly and expressively narrated by Jessica Whittaker, making for very easy listening.

I am already looking forward to Miss Ashford's next mystery.

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