“In the early eighties, actress Rosalind King originated the onscreen role of lady detective Dahlia Lively, the creation of Golden Age author Lettice Davenport. Fifteen years later, Caro Hooper introduced the character to a whole new generation, gracing TV screens for twelve years. Less than a decade has passed, and Dahlia is headed to the big screen once again, this time portrayed by former child actress Posy Starling who’s trying to reverse a bad reputation and revive her career. A three-day summer convention is being held in the late Lettice Davenport’s honor at Aldermere, her family home, and in attendance are relatives who still reside in the house, three generations of Dahlias, the movie crew, and VIP fans. As the weekend commences, real mysteries start popping up, threatening to derail the summer festivities. Caro, Posy, and Rosalind couldn’t be more different, but they’re well acquainted with the detective mind of Dahlia and team up to figure out what’s going on. When the situation escalates to murder, the three actresses appear out of their depth but continue to push for answers. Will the tenacious spirit of Dahlia Lively prevail, or should her three successors give up their amateur sleuthing before one of them gets hurt?”

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Constable, imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

I can’t even imagine what goes through an author’s head when their work is compared to Agatha Christie, the one and only “Queen of Crime.” Those are big shoes to fill, and I wouldn’t wish that pressure on anyone. That’s exactly what’s happening with Katy Watson’s debut, and as an Agatha fan, I agree on many counts. The book opens with an invitation and Aldermere House map which makes you, the reader, feel like one of the guests. The story takes place during a modern time, probably not far off from 2022, but it feels so much like a classic mansion murder mystery that you forget what year it is until someone mentions their cellphone. The convention is dedicated to Golden Age author Lettice Davenport, let’s call her Agatha’s fictional peer, and though she has passed away, her presence is felt everywhere. Aside from story after story about Miss Davenport’s life and career, each chapter begins with a quote from one of her Dahlia Lively detective novels, a deceptively small detail. The quotes don’t take up much of the book, but Katy Watson went to the trouble of creating excerpts from a book series that doesn’t exist which makes the fictional world where it does exist seem that much more real. That is maximum effort, and I applaud it.

Sometimes, on a rainy evening, you reach for a thriller to elevate your heartrate and maximize the chills in the room. Other times, you brew your favorite hot beverage and reach for a sleeper that’s going to lull you into the depths of coziness while intriguing you enough to devour page after page. “The Three Dahlias” is the latter, a mystery that’s less about action and more about brainstorming. Yet another way Katy Watson has captured the essence of Agatha’s work, almost exclusively focusing on the detectives methodically working through the clues until an answer presents itself in the eleventh hour. Speaking of detectives, I dare say the best part of this book is the dynamic between the actresses-turned-sleuths trio. They’ve all assumed the role of Dahlia Lively for films and television and gleaned enough knowledge to fake their way through detective work until something sticks. Rosalind King is the oldest and most prim and proper, and though she now finds herself passed over for leading roles due to age, she’s earned enough respect as the original Dahlia to be able to walk among the convention crowd and get answers to her questions. Caro Hooper likes to take charge and be the center of attention, much to the displeasure of Rosalind; she often loses herself in the character of Dahlia, shying away from being herself when it’s easier to hide her personal struggles behind a facade. Posy Starling rounds out the trio as the youngest member and the newest Dahlia; she is a disgraced child star recently returned to England and trying to distance herself from a substance abuse past with a new chapter in her career. Three women, different ages, contrasting personalities, and the combination works, like three liquids that shouldn’t mix, but if you trust the process, they eventually blend into something of substance.

I’m going to stick with my normal procedure and give this debut four stars, leaving room for improvement. I enjoyed it but struggled to focus at times due to the pace. There was a little something missing, but this is a solid foundation for the in-progress sequel. I’m not sure what Katy Watson’s plans are, but she has the makings of a great modern murder mystery series on her hands. I highly recommend you check out this debut mystery that has, thus far, flown under the radar. It may not have enough action for thrill-seeking readers, but mystery enthusiasts will find more than enough meat to sink their teeth into.

*NOTE: The expected U.S. publication date is July 26th, 2022.

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Content Breakdown:

*Disclaimer: I read an uncorrected ARC so certain things might be different in the final copy.

*Disclaimer 2: This section of my review is thorough and might contain SPOILERS.

Abuse: It is briefly implied that Posy’s last relationship was abusive.

Alcohol, Drugs, & Smoking: Mentions of Alcoholism, Amaretto, Brandy, Cigarettes, Cocktails, Drug addiction, Gin, Intoxication, a Pub, Rehab for substance abuse, Sobriety meetings, Whisky, & Wine

Main character Posy Starling is a recovering addict, and there are numerous mentions of her experience with rehab and sobriety meetings. She no longer drinks alcohol.

One of the side characters who never makes an appearance is mentioned as an addict who ran away from home as a teen, got pregnant, and moved back home, only to relapse several times and struggle to keep a job.

Blackmail: PLOT SPOILER - Three characters are blackmailed with photos. The first group of photos shows the victim under the influence despite being on a sobriety journey. The second group of photos is sexual, & the blackmail note mentions there’s a tape. The third & final group of photos shows the victim in an affair with someone else’s husband.

Blood & Violence: There are dolls left lying around as a threat, each representing a method of murder such as poison & stabbing.

During a tour of Aldermere House, the contents of shelves in Lettice Davenport’s office are described: books on anatomy and poison, the knot from a noose, a bottle with a poison sticker on it, and a line of bullets.

Chapter 8 begins with a Dahlia Lively quote which is said while she holds the hand of a corpse.

In chapter 11, there’s a brief mention of World War II & a bomb landing on Lettice Davenport’s building of flats.

PLOT SPOILER - There is a murder via poison, & the victim is described as looking relatively unharmed aside from the vomit coming out of his mouth.

A character is attacked from behind, hit with a heavy object which leaves a bloody head wound.

PLOT SPOILER - A dead body is discovered in a river, described as bloated, grey, & naked; it’s later revealed that the victim suffered blunt force trauma to the head. The person who discovered the body screamed long enough for her voice to go hoarse & later mentions not being able to sleep because all she sees are the bulging, staring eyes of the victim.

During the big reveal, the murderer throws the contents of a poison bottle into Rosalind’s face. Posy throws herself in front of Rosalind, but thankfully it’s only a bottle of glitter labeled as poison.

Cheating: PLOT SPOILER - There are two characters having an affair. The history of the situation is complicated, but the black & white facts are her having a relationship with her friend’s husband & him staying with his wife despite insisting she isn’t the woman he truly loves.

Fake Pregnancy: PLOT SPOILER - There’s a discussion about a character who announced a pregnancy, but once her boyfriend married her, the baby was never born. It’s not known whether she faked the pregnancy or lost the baby, but it is known that her boyfriend wasn’t planning to take their relationship any further before the announcement.

Language: B*st*rd, Bloody, D*mn, Heck, & H*ll

Pregnancy & Adoption: PLOT SPOILER - Details are given about a character’s father who was given up for adoption at birth. His mother fell in love with her cousin, but he wouldn’t commit when she got pregnant because he had an understanding with a family friend, a more suitable wife. The son tried, and later on his daughter, to reconnect with the biological family & was met with rejection.

Therapy: Posy mentions having a therapist & dealing with the aftermath of a past relationship, possibly abusive.

Sensual/Sexual: There is one kiss which happens as part of the murder mystery game at the convention.

In chapter 16, Juliette admits to sneaking out of Aldermere to meet her boyfriend. There’s no definite mention of what they were doing, but Juliette says they were too busy to notice any suspicious activity outside the house.

Three rival actresses team up to solve a murder at the stately home of Lettice Davenport, the author whose sleuthing creation of the 1930s, Dahlia Lively, had made each of them famous to a new generation. A contemporary mystery with a Golden Age feel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Jessica Fellowes - and Janice Hallett and Richard Osman, of course!

This mystery book was so much fun to read. In using three generations of actresses who played the same character in film and cinema, The Three Dahlias succeeds in combining classic golden age of cinema vibes within a modern setting. The book also gives all three of our sleuths their own narrative by breaking it into three POV segments. This doesn't always work for me, but this time it was a huge success. I give this book 4.5/5 stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Book Group for providing an ARC to review.

Wow, what a great read! I’m such a huge fan of ‘traditional mystery’ like the Agatha Christie series, which is why I had to read this based on its summary. The story did not disappoint because I absolutely loved the setting being set at a 1930’s themed convention and enjoyed how very well the characters were written. The author conceals twists cleverly until the right moments and pays attention to detail masterfully. It was delightful to see the contrast of the modern world embrace and collide with Detective Davenport’s beloved legacy. This book will work really well with avid readers who are looking for something new and refreshing but don’t want to commit to thrillers. I will be recommending this book for sure. Thanks Net Galley!

Dahlia lively is a character portrayed in books, a tv series and movies. She’s a female detective full of women power, wit, and a enviable fashion sense. Three actresses who have played her character across the span of time come together for a convention to play at murder. Then an actual murder takes place…

This book was relatively enjoyable and I think a lot of people will like it. I, unfortunately, was terribly bored and had to force myself to finish it. It was interesting at time and definitely not the worse I’ve ever read but just not for me. It was slow paced an a bit predictable but i tend to go for intense thrillers and horror.

What a fun mystery! The Three Dahlias definitely fell into the “can’t put it down” category for me. A weekend celebrating the work of Britain’s literary “Princess of Poison,” Lettice Davenport (a fictional creation in the vein of Agatha Christie), at Lettice’s family home, Aldermere, goes awry when one of the attendees is murdered. The three actresses who have played or will play Lettice’s most famous literary creation, Dahlia Lively, are on hand, and they decide to team up to solve the mystery. The story is told in from each of their perspectives: Rosalind King, who played Dahlia in the original three films; Caro Hooper, the most recent Dahlia in a long-running tv series; and Posy Starling, a washed-up child star who’s been selected to star in the Dahlia reboot. There are plenty of suspects on hand: the members of the Dahlia Lively fan club; Lettice’s descendants, who currently live at Aldermere; the various film people, on hand for panels during the weekend; and, of course, the organizers of the event. There’s a creepy dollhouse (which reminded me of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death), stolen jewels, a poisonous garden, and no one is quite what they appear to be.

Likes: this book beautifully incorporates the best of Golden Age detective fiction with modern elements. Since the Lettice Davenport weekend is an “immersive experience” in the late 20s/early 30s, all the participants (mostly) give up their technology; since none of the investigators are actual detectives (the police remain firmly on the periphery), we don’t need to bother with modern forensics. The three narrators are fun, distinct, and provide good pacing to the story.

Dislikes: nothing, really. This is just the kind of cozy mystery I like! Lots of twists and turns, some dark elements, but no gore or graphic violence.

FYI: some references to drug use, sex. Murder.

A delight of a country house mystery which is, yes, it is reminiscent of Agatha Christie. Rosalind and Caro both played Dahlia Lively, an ace detective on the screen and television, and now Posey is about to the do the same. But not, as it happens until after a fan convention at Aldmere, the country house of Lettice Davenport, the gone but not forgotten author of the series. These three very different women bring their personal experiences to bear when first Posey is blackmailed over how she allegedly got the role, and then....murder! No spoilers on who is killed or who the killer is but know that there are, of course, multiple suspects. The Dahlias are a hoot together but they've all had their troubles. I liked this for the twistiness to be sure but also for the fresh take on the amateur detective story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read.

Sometimes you just need a breezy whodunnit to escape into and the three dahlias provides that. The novel is a homage to the golden age of detective fiction and makes many nods and winks to the genre while playing with the tropes. The setting is reminiscent of the country house mystery with all the major players assembled under one roof. The three leads are engaging and you will find yourselves rooting for the unlikely trio to solve the murder. I think where this set itself apart from others in the similar sub-genre was the nods to gender biases in detective fiction, with many of the male characters (particularly the investigators) throwing jabs at the three and underestimating them because of their gender. Overall, an entertaining and easy whodunnit that the reader can easily escape into and guess at the outcome (not an easy solution either)! I hope this does well as it does carve out a unique space in a crowded genre and look forward to the next case.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel! I thoroughly enjoyed this modern take on the Golden Age of crime. Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to dive into this.

Told from the three perspectives of The Three Dahlias, this debut novel is a fresh twist on a country house murder. The actresses who played the famous female detective Dahlia Lively must band together to figure out a murder. This story is a classic "who-dun-it" with lots of twists and turns and red herrings.

This was such a fun mystery. I loved the three different points of views of each of the actresses.

The plot was the perfect balance of mystery and fun with twists and twists that I didn't see coming! I love a good book themed mystery and the author went above and beyond by crafting a whole fictional book series, author, and convention for this book. Adding in the actresses who portray the same role added a new element than the usual bookstore, library, book collector main characters.

I can't wait for the next book!

What a fun murder mystery! In The Three Dahlias, the three Dashlias - past films, past tv show, and upcoming fil - rally together to solve a a real life murder mystery while at a Dahlia fanatic conference.

I enjoyed this unique story and each of the Dahlia characters - Rosalind, Posy, and Caro. While the story was more present day, it had a fun feel being that the conference was set in the 1930s. A fun juxtaposition that set the mood well for the story.

I loved the twists and turns and especially loved the cliffhanger at the end. I look forward to more from this author and highly recommend The Three Dahlias!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a very loving modern update to the classic country house murder mystery, one that thinks very consciously about just what attracts us to those stories today. I will say, the story doesn’t “play” with the genre in that it does anything particularly innovative with the story (this is not experimental crime fiction), which worked well for me because that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted a *good* country house murder mystery, which I got, in a more thoughtful and sophisticated form than I had imagined without losing any of the macabre fun.

One thing I feel I should point out regarding our three Dahlias (Posy, Caro, and Rosalind): the book opens with an introduction in Rosalind’s point of view and then quickly switches to Posy’s, giving me the impression that the story would jump about between all three Dahlias. It did not. The story is broken up into thirds, the first third narrated by Posy, the second by Caro, and the third by Rosalind. The introduction from Rosalind’s perspective threw me, and so I got a bit resentful several chapters into Posy’s POV when I started to think the whole book would be narrated by her, because while I appreciate and empathize with her character she’s also the one most removed (initially) from Golden Age crime fiction and I really wanted to hear more from Caro and Rosalind. By the end of the novel, however, I loved all three Dahlias equally, and particularly loved the ways they play off each other as a trio. So I want to pre-warn/reassure that we do get all three Dahlias! Furthermore, all three of our Dahlias have very distinct personalities while all being quite satisfying detectives to follow. Any one of them would make a good detective fiction heroine; all three working together is an utter joy.

Like (in my opinion) the best detective fiction, all of our characters have something to hide, and watching their identities be peeled back and examined is great fun. My only complaint here would be that, once a suspect is honed in on and their secrets laid bare, they rather retreat from the narrative; I would rather that everyone remain active in the background, potentially hiding more secrets, until the bitter end. But in fairness it is a large, varied, and wonderful cast to keep up with, and the author does that job beautifully.

I really liked the meditation on what draws so many ardent fans to Golden Age crime fiction. One line in particular stood out to me: “Murders in Lettice’s books were safe, almost. A puzzle, more than a loss.” I think this absolutely speaks to what attracts me to, say, Agatha Christie mysteries. There is loss there, that Poirot and Marple meditate over, but the meat of the book is in the puzzle, in the knowledge that any atrocity can be unraveled and put right. It was nice reading a book that scratched that readership itch while also addressing it.

Overall, a highly satisfying mystery that I would definitely recommend to any fans of the genre.

This book was pretty delightful! I liked how the Dahlias didn't spend too much time being standoffish with each other, and how they came together. The Rosalind storyline had a lot of pathos. I would love to see a sequel.

The guests arrive at Aldermere estate excepting a weekend of murder, mystery, and fun. They get two of those things. But you, lucky reader, will get all three.

I absolutely adored this contemporary cozy set in an English manor with nods to such classics as Agatha Christie and Clue. Fans of Only Murders in the Building and Knives Out should run not walk to their nearest bookstore to discover their new favorite detective trio: Rosalind, Caro, and Posy. Three actresses from different generations, who all portrayed beloved literary sleuth, Dahlia Lively, find themselves tasked with solving a most unexpected crime. With humor, heart, and a well-balanced blend of whimsy and mayhem, The Three Dahlias is the perfect summer escape.

Recommended for readers who enjoy smart women, milk in their tea, long rambles in the English countryside, and eleven-course dinners with a side of murder.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette/Constable for providing an Advanced Readers Copy to review.

I loved this mystery and am happy to see that it will continue as a series. I think that if you like Agatha Christie you would enjoy this story. There is a convention at Aldermere house celebrating the mystery/detective stories by Lettice Davenport. People are being blackmailed, someone dies and the three actresses who have/are going to play Dahlia team up to solve the case. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between the Three Dahlias and am excited to see it grow. I thought the mystery was wrapped up well in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this novel. I am rating this book based the stars due to lack of time to leave a full review. #NetGalley #TheThreeDahlias

A fantastic summer read! There are three actresses who play the past, present and future Dahlia Lively -a well known 1930's detective featured in television, cinema and print. All three are gathered at the sprawling mansion of the original author for a weekend press event for VIP's and true blue fans. A new film is in the works and there is hope that this beloved 1930's icon will rise to fame again starting with this event.

During the weekend however, there is a murder -and the actresses need to band together and ask "What would Dahlia do?" as they try to save the weekend and their livelihood. Can they solve the murder before someone else is next?

This book is so fun - it mimics the golden age of cinema and detective stories without being too campy.
Not only did I enjoy it, I hope there is a sequel! If you love golden age detective novels, female heroines and a true who-done-it, then The Three Dahlias is for you! #Hachette #NetGalley #Netgalleyreads #TheThreeDahlias

"It wouldn't be a country house weekend without a little murder...

Three rival actresses team up to solve a murder at the stately home of Lettice Davenport, the author whose sleuthing creation of the 1930s, Dahlia Lively, had made each of them famous to a new generation. A contemporary mystery with a Golden Age feel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Jessica Fellowes - and Janice Hallett and Richard Osman, of course!

In attendance at Aldermere: the VIP fans, staying at house; the fan club president turned convention organizer; the team behind the newest movie adaptation of Davenport's books; the Davenport family themselves; and the three actresses famous for portraying Dahlia Lively through the decades.

There is national treasure Rosalind King, from the original movies, who's feeling sensitive that she's past her prime, TV Dahlia for thirteen seasons, Caro Hooper, who believes she really IS Dahlia Lively, and ex-child star Posy Starling, fresh out of the fame wilderness (and rehab) to take on the Dahlia mantle for the new movie - but feeling outclassed by her predecessors.

Each actress has her own interpretation of the character and her own secrets to hide - but this English summer weekend they will have to put aside their differences as the crimes at Aldermere turn anything but cosy.

When fictional death turns into real bodies, can the three Dahlias find the answers to the murders among the fans, the film crew and the family - or even in Lettice's books themselves?"

It's like meta Agatha Christie if David Suchet and Kenneth Branagh stopped by!

Decent mystery book! I loved the atmosphere and most of the characters (even though I did get confused at some points). It was a tad too long for my taste as I felt it just dragged on. It was a fun read and I definitely would recommend checking it out if you are into mystery novels!

The Three Dahlias is a traditional mystery that is reminiscent of titles published during mystery’s “Golden Age.” It will be enjoyed by those who like to sink into a long (373 page) crime novel that is not overly violent.

The Dahlias of the title are actresses who starred in, or about to star in, TV or movies that feature Dahlia Lively, a sleuth. Each starred at a certain point in time; Rosalind was first, followed by Caro and, now, Posy who is the latest Dahlia. Each of these actresses has a backstory that impacts the plot. They are a bit competitive with one another but join forces to solve the case that is at the center of the novel.

The Dahlias are attending a super fan convention as the story opens. There are many people on the grounds of the famous author’s home, so loads of suspects. These include family members, those involved with the new film, and the super fans.

No spoiler to say that there is a murder. With their three brains and styles coming to the fore, the Dahlias are on the case. Relax and follow along as they solve it.

I enjoyed this title’s setting and characters. It was a bit slow moving at times though. Still, that was kind of soothing, just following along at a leisurely pace.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

What more can a reader ask for than a mystery set in a English country house? A fun, cozy read for lovers of a good mystery! I can’t wait to see what happens next!