Death in the Bavarian Mountains!

It’s 1906. Colin and Emily Hargreaves have been invited to the opening of Baroness Ursula von Düchtel’s striking new villa in the mountains of Bavaria near Schloss Neuschwanstein, “mad” King Ludwig’s castle and retreat. They’d been invited through Emily’s friend Cécile du Lac.
Baroness Ursula is an extensive collector of art which she’ll house in this fascinating building. The collection is large enough to have had her hire a curator to catalogue all the treasures. Emily as a connoisseur and modest collector is entranced by the Baroness’s works.
Running alongside this story, beginning in 1868, is that of King Ludwig and his companions, including Niels von Schön.
Niels’ father, a baron, forces Niels into marriage with a woman Niels continues to refer to as the Valkyrie. The first time he sees her is in front of the Bishop.
The lives of these three, Ludwig, Niels and the Valkyrie, will meld into that of drama and loss, in a searingly distressing way. A story that will hold significance for the now.
However in Colin and Emily’s times it appears someone is trying to kill Kaspar Allerspach, the Baroness’s boor of a son-in-law.
The awful mystery of who the murderer is, is finally revealed, but not without heartbreak and despair.
A somewhat dark and sobering addition to this absorbing series.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is a fun, light cozy mystery. It's a dual-timeline story where you don't quite see how the two stories make sense together until very close to the end. I understand that this is a series, but it's the first one I'm reading.

It's a locked-room murder mystery with lots of suspects and red herrings. The characters are interesting, the setup is strong, and the story's well-written and engaging. Historical fiction lovers will appreciate the details. I had a hunch about the murderer but could not have figured it out.

However, I found the beginning to be confusing. With two timelines and many characters, I had a hard time remembering who was who and what they had to do with each other. It picked up in the back half.

Worse, in a trend I'm seeing lately in these kinds of novels, you can't figure out the murderer because you aren't given the right clues. Lots of information comes out at the end that's purposely hidden. That makes the ending less satisfying.

Altogether, I think that readers who enjoy a historical cozy mystery will enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Tasha Alexander for an advanced copy for review.

This is an enjoyable addition to the series, and I especially enjoyed the setting of this book as I've been to this area of Bavaria and recognized a number of the locales.
In the winter of 1906, Lady Emily and her husband Colin are visiting Baroness Ursula von Duchtel at her home in the Bavarian alps, near Schloss Hohenschwangau and Schloss Neuschwanstein. Among the other guests are the Baroness's daughter and son-in-law, an art dealer, a musician and family friend, and the son-in-law's friend and his young girlfriend. When the son-in-law experiences a number of near-misses on his life, Emily and Colin put their experience investigating mysteries and murders to use. A parallel story set in Bavaria in the 1860's follows the friendship between King Ludwig and a young aristocrat; the relationship of this story to the later timepoint takes some time to develop but not knowing how for much of the book builds the suspense. As always, the characters are the best part, from the relationship between Emily and Colin to discovering unexpected depths among the supporting cast.

Tasha Alexander's Death by Misadventure is book 18 in the Lady Emily series. Initially I thought I must have read one of the previous novels in this series, but it did not take long to realize I had not read any of this series before. I always enjoy meeting a new author and discovering a series of books. Unfortunately, Death by Misadventure may have been the wrong novel to introduce myself to this series.

Death by Misadventure uses a dual timeline to connect the events of 1906 with events some 4 decades previously. Although Alexander does manage to connect the earlier timeline with the events of 1906, there was no real need to do so. I do enjoy dual timeline novels, but I expect there to be a good reason for doing so, and in the case of Death by Misadventure, this would be a stronger novel, with fewer interruptions into the past. I enjoy historical mysteries, and the role of women and the lives women lived during the Victorian period are important themes for me. I am sure that fans of Alexander will appreciate Death by Misadventure, in spite of the digressions into the past. As a new reader to this series, I would have appreciated either a stronger reason for those digressions or the elimination of them. Dual timelines need a compelling reason for them to exist.

Thank you To Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am offering a qualified recommendation for Death by Misadventure, especially given that Alexander's fans will love this book and forgive the digressions easier than those of us who are new readers to the Lady Emily Series.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for the free copy for review.

Tasha Alexander's "Death by Misadventure" is a delightful addition to the Lady Emily Mystery series, offering readers a tantalizing blend of historical intrigue and classic whodunit elements. As a devoted fan of mysteries that confine a cast of characters to a single location, I found this novel particularly engaging.

Returning to Lady Emily's world feels like reuniting with an old friend. The chemistry between Emily and her husband Colin continues to sparkle, their witty banter and mutual respect forming the backbone of the narrative. Alexander has a knack for developing these characters in ways that feel both authentic and surprising, allowing readers to discover new facets of their personalities with each installment.

Lady Emily continues to evolve as a protagonist; her keen intellect and unconventional approach to sleuthing make her a joy to follow. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each with their own secrets and motivations that add to the overall mystery.

The dual timeline structure adds depth to the story, seamlessly weaving together past and present. While Castle Neuschwanstein may be familiar to many, Alexander's exploration of the monarch behind its construction sheds new light on this iconic landmark. The author deftly handles sensitive topics such as mental illness and queer relationships in a historical context, adding layers of complexity to the characters and their motivations.

I eagerly await Lady Emily's next adventure.

Death by Misadventure is another Lady Emily story by Tasha Alexander. I have been reading this series forever and it never fails to satisfy. The last several books have been duel timeline books and that adds some depth, as well as history, to the story. Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, find themselves at a house party at a chalet in Bavaria. It is a mixed group, to be sure, but should be entertaining. They are there to celebrate the completion of Baroness Ursula von Duchtel’s strikingly modern villa. As always, there is one guest that wouldn’t be missed if they weren’t in attendance, but overall it was a congenial group. As the story progresses we see the Baroness’ connection to Mad King Ludwig, which is the second storyline. It makes it all so personal. There appeared to be some half-hearted attempts on the life of the Baroness’ son-in-law, Kaspar Allerspach, but nothing serious until Kaspar returns from a sleigh ride with wife proclaiming she is dead; she has been shot. By this point the group is snowed in so it is plain the murderer is one of then.

Emily and Colin whip into investigative mode, although with the snow it is not easy. Meanwhile the party goes on. It is uncomfortable, knowing one of the company is a murderer, but everyone is confident that something will happen to uncover the culprit. There is art and there is music and wonderful food. The Baroness knows how to entertain. No one particularly cared for Kaspar and assumed Sigrid’s death was an accident, the murderer having been after Kaspar. The worst had happened so they soldiered on. Emily, as usual, managed to put together the clues to determine the murderer and everyone was astounded. Emily had this gift and she used it. She is a wonderful character as is Colin. This book is an example of what historical mystery should be. It is a good story, whether one chooses to read it or listen to it. A better story cannot be found.

The narrator is Bianca Amato and she is excellent. She has just the voice to portray Lady Emily and does well differentiating the other characters. She makes this an extraordinary listen, having such good source material.

I was invited to listen to Death by Misadventure by MacMillan Audio and to read by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacMillanAudio #StMartinsPress #TashaAlexander #BiancaAmoto #DeathByMisadventure

This is a terrific series. I liked the historical setting. I loved finding out about the castle. I even did a quick search about it. I find the characters interesting and I am vested in their lives.

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

It's 1906 and Lady Emily and her husband Colin are in Bavaria but, of course, things don't go so smoothly. First, there's snow, second there's murder. Well, first there are a series of accidents that befall their hostess's obnoxious son-in-law Felix. This is a dual time line novel so know that it flips backward 40 years to tell the story of King Ludwig and Niels, who meet by chance. No spoilers as to how the two plot lines come together but know that they will and that you.like me might find yourself doing a bit of research into Ludwig and, of all people, Wagner. I've been a fan of this series because of the wonderful settings and the relationship between Emily and Colin, This is not my favorite because it felt too trope-y (it's that snowed in castle thing) but it was still good to spend time with them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read that should also be fine as a standalone.

Tasha Alexander’s Death by Misadventure is another thrilling installment in her popular Lady Emily series, a historical mystery series set in the Victorian and Edwardian periods. As with her previous novels, Alexander combines her love of history with a flair for intrigue and suspense, resulting in a satisfying read for fans of historical fiction, especially those who relish strong female protagonists and artfully constructed mysteries.

In Death by Misadventure, Lady Emily Hargreaves once again finds herself embroiled in a mystery that threatens both her personal life and the society she navigates so gracefully. The story begins with the sudden and suspicious death of a local aristocrat, which is quickly dismissed by some as a tragic accident. However, Lady Emily’s keen instincts tell her there is more beneath the surface. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a journey that takes her from the quiet English countryside to the sophisticated salons of Europe, revealing dark secrets and hidden motives along the way.

Alexander excels at creating immersive historical settings, and this novel is no exception. From the opulence of upper-class Victorian society to the shadowy underworld lurking beneath it, the novel paints a vivid picture of the era’s tensions, both social and political. Her attention to detail brings authenticity to the narrative, whether through the customs and manners of the time or the descriptions of period-specific architecture, fashion, and art.

One of the most compelling aspects of this series is Lady Emily herself. In Death by Misadventure, she continues to evolve as a character. Intelligent, independent, and determined, she refuses to conform to the rigid expectations placed on women of her social standing. This rebellion against societal norms gives her the freedom to pursue her passion for solving crimes—much to the consternation of those around her.

Lady Emily’s wit, resourcefulness, and fierce loyalty to those she cares about make her a heroine to root for. At the same time, Alexander doesn’t shy away from portraying her vulnerabilities, which add depth to her character. Her marriage to Colin Hargreaves, a diplomat and fellow investigator, adds an intriguing dimension to the story, as their relationship is based on mutual respect and intellectual partnership—unusual for the time period, but refreshing for readers.

The mystery at the heart of Death by Misadventure is well-plotted and engaging. Alexander keeps the tension high throughout, with enough red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing until the very end. As Lady Emily delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a web of deceit and intrigue that goes far beyond what she initially anticipated.

Beyond the mystery, Death by Misadventure also offers insightful commentary on the limitations placed on women in Victorian society.
Alexander also touches on the darker aspects of the Victorian era, including the disparities between the aristocracy and the working class, and the moral ambiguities that often come with power and privilege. These themes add a layer of complexity to the novel, making it not just a mystery but a reflection on the society in which the characters live.

Tasha Alexander’s Death by Misadventure is an enjoyable and cleverly constructed addition to the Lady Emily series. With its strong sense of time and place, well-developed characters, and a plot that keeps readers on their toes, it is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries. Alexander’s blend of suspense, historical accuracy, and social commentary makes the novel stand out in a crowded genre.

This was another fine entry in Tasha Alexander’s turn-of-the-century mystery series featuring Lady Emily and her husband, Colin. They travel to the Bavarian Alps to a party featuring a strange group. The baroness hosting the party has a beloved daughter and a brutish son-in-law who irritates everyone. It seems that someone is out to kill him, but the surprise is when someone else is the murder victim.

This murder mystery is interspersed with the story of Mad King Ludwig and a young man who catches his attention. Alexander likes to alternate her Lady Emily mysteries with parallel stories that took place at that location in a different time period. If you’ve ever seen the famed Neuschwanstein Castle that was the model for Disney’s Cinderella castle, this is the mad Bavarian king whose earlier life is told in this book. It’s a fun look at a very strange historical figure. The book doesn’t go as far as exploring the king’s mysterious death. That would have been an interesting addition.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This was such a fun historical fiction mystery to read. It is an Agatha Christie-like mystery set in the mountains of Bavaria, with King Ludwig’s Neuschweinstien castle practically next door. The twist at the end had me shocked.

Nothing like jumping into a series on book 18. This was good and I got a good handle on the characters that are the stars of the series, so this can totally be read as a stand alone. The mystery was good, kept me guessing. I loved that there was a second story line from the past that tied into the present.

I got nearly as frustrated as Lady Emily and Colin trying to figure out this mystery! Very twisty, plenty of red herrings. Also an intriguing parallel story set in the past, based on King Ludwig the Second. I'm sure our couple were happy to depart Bavaria by the end of this adventure.

Death by Misadventure
Death by Misadventure is the first book I've read in the "A Lady Emily Mystery" series.

Synopsis - In the winter of 1906, Lady Emily and husband Colin are invited to Baroness Ursula Von Duchtel in the Belgian alps. Outside you are able to see the beautiful castle of mad King Ludwig. Inside the villa host a magnificent but eclectic art collection as well as as the other guests. There is a musician, an art dealer and Kaspar the Baroness son-in-law, who it appeared that someone was trying to kill. You will also return forty years earlier to the life of Niels a German lord, who loves to sing and who is friends with King Ludwig.

My thoughts - I found the book to be wonderfully written mystery that has several twist and turns that kept me engaged throughout the book. The descriptions of the mountains with the snow and icicles brought back beautiful image's of when I was there. I loved seeing the development of the character's and how the mystery unfolded. I have always been fascinated by the story of King Ludwig and seeing this part of the story gave me insight to what his life could've been like.

I highly recommend "Death by Misadventure"

Disclaimer - I received this complementary copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.

Death by Misadventure is the 18th installment in Tasha Alexander’s series featuring feisty, whip smart Lady Emily. Set primarily in the wintry Bavarian alps this time ‘round, the novel focuses on the efforts of Lady Emily and her hunky, liberated hubby to solve a murder mystery while at a house party, with the villa serving as something of a “locked room.” A second storyline occurs a few decades earlier and features “Mad” King Ludwig and the genesis of his fairy tale castle. As is typical, Alexander’s prose is crisp and intelligent, and she has once again created a strong sense of place and time and expertly woven in many a history lesson. I will say I was disappointed that Lady Emily’s sons and ward had no role in this particular tale, and found that several of the secondary characters were not all that likable or interesting. But kudos to Alexander for the sensitive LGBTQ representation in this story.

Three and a half stars, rounded up.

Recommended to all Lady Emily “regulars” and other fans of intelligent, well researched historical mysteries featuring strong women protagonists. I’ve read every book in this series and look forward to Lady Emily’s latest adventures each year.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I’ll freely admit that I love this series. Of course some of them are even yummier than others, and this latest one might be one of the most delicious. The books follow Lady Emily and her dishy husband, Colin, as they investigate crimes all over the globe, and although Colin has a mysterious secret arrangement with her majesty’s government, it’s often Lady Emily’s intuition and intelligence that solves the case. Another standard element in the books is a dual timeline, with events from the past connecting or relating to events in the present in some form or fashion, with part of the mystery consisting of figuring out how.

In this installment, present day (1906) Lady Emily and Colin are in a lovely home in Bavaria, visiting Ursula, a collector of all kinds of art. Lady Emily is fascinated by the way her hostess can put an impressionist painting next to a Greek vase and somehow make it work. Also present is their mutual friend Cecile; Ursula’s daughter and boorish son in law; a dashing man about town; a young, vapid beauty and Liesel, an art dealer there to present a few paintings to Ursula for possible purchase.

In the past timeline (1866), a certain young Niels, who loves opera and natural beauty, is wandering the wilds of his family home when he encounters the infamous “mad” King Ludwig. The two become fast friends, with Niels eventually going to live with Ludwig. Ludwig is known for building a number of lavish castles, including Neuschwanstein, thought to be the model for Disney’s Cinderella castle (they do look quite similar). He hated official duties and court and spent most of his time worshipping the music of Wagner, who he patronised, and creating his architectural wonders. As presented here, he seems moody and eccentric, certainly, but not actually crazy.

In 1906, Ursula’s house party devolves into something of a disaster. The son in law suffers continual potentially fatal or disabling “mishaps,” ultimately leading to a tragic death. The house is cut off by snowfall and the guests try skiing as an entertainment with varying degrees of success (Lady Emily is not a fan). Because the police cannot get to the castle when the fatality occurs, it’s Emily and Colin who must investigate.
As the book weaves past and present, one of the strengths of this type of narrative becomes apparent. Each storyline is so compelling that it’s a bit wrenching to leave one to return to the other, captivated by each in succession. a skilful narrative feat on the part of Alexander who keeps both strands equally vivid and compelling.

By this time, Emily and Colin may be familiar to readers, but the books remain fresh by varying the settings and the characters who inhabit them. The cast in this one are especially memorable, and I loved the Bavarian setting as well as learning a bit about King Ludwig. I was unfamiliar with him before cracking open the book and I am always a fan of not only armchair travel, but of the kind of armchair history that makes me want to investigate further.. I can only hope this installment is only the midpoint and this series will continue for at least eighteen more!

Another entertaining Lady Emily book. This one features King Ludwig, an actual historical king from Bavaria, set in the late 1800s, and the mystery in 1906 which Lady Emily and Colin are trying to solve.

There are plenty of red herrings surrounding the two storylines and how they intersect, and another great cast of strong female characters. I again enjoyed the relationship between Lady Emily and Colin, and the fact that she is very much his equal, and in many cases his superior in both knowledge and dectecting powers. These are my favourite kinds of books. The ones where women don't take back stage, nor is the man just a prop. I'm also very much enjoying the two historical timelines, and the solid murder mystery.

It’s the winter of 1906 and Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, are at a house party in Bavaria near Neuschwanstein Castle. Although they are unfamiliar with the majority of their fellow guests, they quickly discover that not everyone in the party is beloved. What appear to be murder attempts start occurring soon after everyone convenes.

When one of the guests is murdered and everyone is isolated at the villa due to a snowstorm, Emily and Colin begin questioning everyone to determine who committed the crime.

The primary action is set during the house party, but there is a dual timeline aspect to this one. The secondary timeline covers the story of a young German, named Niels, who grows close to King Ludwig, who is famous for his construction of Neuschwanstein Castle (among other things), nearly 40 years before the house party Emily and Colin attend.

I will openly admit that when I requested this one, I did realize that it is part of a series but did not realize that it is book 18 in that series. I feel I probably would have enjoyed this more had I already been a fan of the series.

I appreciated the setting and varied cast of characters as well as how Emily and Colin treat each other as equals.

Although there are various clues and red herrings planted in regards to the murderer’s identity in the narrative, when it comes time for the reveal, there is more telling than showing.

The lead-up to the murder and the investigation themselves drag in this one.

And while I learned more about King Ludwig than I had previously known, I do not feel like the entirety of that plot line is necessary background to the events set in 1906.

All that being said, I could see this book (or this series) being adapted and made popular by PBS.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Minotaur Books . All review opinions are my own.

Death by Misadventure by Tasha Alexander is a fascinating murder mystery. A murder takes place at a house party at the private home of a wealthy art collector in Bavaria in the early 1900’s. Lady Emily and her husband Colin do their usual sleuthing to figure out whodunit. The chapters go back and forth between two time periods as Alexander skillfully weaves the two stories together. The settings are richly detailed and awe inspiring. In the detailed descriptions of the wondrous countryside of the Bavarian Alps, lay a castle built by Ludwig, the Mad King. Its description sounded familiar and a quick Google search led me to learn that the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland came from the castle in this tale. The characters are complex and deep. Alexander is a masterful story teller who weaves together a fascinating tale of family dynamics, history, forbidden love, art and loss. It is exceptionally well written. Be prepared to be sucked into it. I look forward to the next title in the series!

Well, it's another dual-timeline plot, like several previous books in this series. At least this time the secondary storyline is somewhat related to the main one. But this dual timeline structure is getting really tiresome, and it doesn't really add to the Emily/Colin plot. It's more like the author needed to pad out a pretty thin mystery and said, "hey, I'll throw in some research I did on King Ludwig!". The resolution to the main mystery plot felt forced and unimaginative. Overall, it was a rather disappointing novel.