Atalanta is feeling low as winter comes in at her home in Paris. An invitation from Raoul in Munich and an invitation to a birthday party in Salzburg arrive on the same day. There is some mystery to the birthday invitation.
Atalanta goes to Munich to meet Raoul and then on to Salzburg. Her confidence in herself and her grandfather, who knew the family is shaken by past and present events.
I did not see the solution to past theft and current murder coming.
I enjoyed reading more of Atalanta and recommend this mystery set in the 1930s.
Thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of Vivian Conroy's novel 'Last Dance in Salzburg" in exchange for my honest review.

The central plot of 'Last Dance in Salzburg' sees Atalanta Ashford seeking to uncover the truth behind a jewellery robbery that her grandfather had investigated 10 years prior. Accepting an intriguing invitation to attend another birthday party on the 10th anniversary of the theft, Atalanta investigation turns up many hidden secrets.

As an avid reader of historically set murder mysteries, I can't say that I would recommend this novel. I felt the narrative was especially repetitious and the dialogue between Atalanta and Raoul to be unnecessarily long winded. I found myself skimming large sections of the dialogue in order to get back to the main plot. I also didn't think the murder reveal was especially exciting as it was fairly obvious early on who the murderer was (even if the motive wasn't clear).

I was thrilled to be invited to read this fourth book following Atalanta Ashford and her newfound career as a private detective. This book didn’t disappoint at all. Full of twists and turns, further exploration of Atalanta’s blossoming relationship with Raoul, and revelations about her grandfather’s past, this book quickly gets going and had me turning the pages eagerly. Another terrific mystery solved by our heroine! I can’t wait for her next adventure.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for a copy in exchange for a review.

If you enjoy cosy historical mysteries written in a classic murder mystery style with glamorous European locations, the Atalanta Ashforc cosy crime stories are perfect. When Atalanta receives a mysterious note addressed to her dead grandfather, she has to pursue it. Already attending the Gena Christmas markets, she persuades her friend, racing driver Raoul, to take her to Salzburg. Soon, as a house guest, Atalanta witnesses history repeating itself. Embroiled in a deadly web of lies and power, Atalanta has to find the courage to face the past and the dangerous present and solve the mystery. I like Atalanta; she is courageous, impulsive, intelligent, and someone you invest in. Her romantic woes show her naivety and contrast with her investigative abilities. I like the sinister ethos created and the mystery that echoes the past and brings danger to Atalanta. I enjoyed the historical and locational details that add authenticity. Most of all, I enjoyed the twisty investigation.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Vivian Conroy for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Last Dance in Salzburg coming out November 8, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I forgot to upload my review! This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love cozy historical mysteries, so I was excited to check it out. I definitely need to read the other books in the series. Atalanta was a really interesting and smart character. She felt like a real person who wanted romance and intrigue. I loved that the mystery was surrounding a grand ball with high society. The time period and place were perfect. I would definitely read more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries!

Another puzzling mystery from Vivan Conroy!

Atalanta Ashford is invited to a ballet performance in a private home in Salzburg. When she discovers that there was a theft at a similar event 10 years ago and her late grandfather was involved in the investigation, she decides she has to be there but it turns out that not only is there a repeat performance of the ballet but this time round it's not a theft which occurs, but a murder. Atalanta is unable to walk away, her sleuthing nose just won't let her - but is she putting herself in danger?

I love a good period mystery, and this is a series which allows me to enjoy the delights of travel from my armchair. This is a well thought out mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. So much going on - who to trust? A terrific series and I look forward to more. For me, an easy five stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

The Last Dance in Salzburg by Vivian Conroy is a mystery to be solved by Miss Atalanta Ashford. Atalanta had been left her grandfather’s fortune and home and has been encouraged to carry on his business of investigations. She has several under her belt and is contemplating joining her friend, Raoul, in Milan for the Christmas markets as well as the food. Then, she opens another piece of mail containing an invitation to a birthday part in Salzburg, along with a cryptic message about righting a wrong made by her grandfather ten years earlier. She asks Renard, her grandfather’s butler, what he knows of the case but he has no answers. Her grandfather never kept files so that was useless. She decided to see Raoul and maybe take a side trip to this birthday party.

Atalanta is settling nicely into her new life. She wishes desperately to explore a relationship with Raoul, but he stands firm in refusing her. He has no wish for either of them to be hurt. Typical words from a male. Atalanta meets many new people at the birthday party, including a dead body. Everyone knows something about what happened all those years ago and how her grandfather made a mistake and sent the wrong man to prison, but none seem to have the pertinent information. The last bit she needs. Raoul weighs heavy on her mine, but so does her grandfather. There had always been a letter to guide her, but this time there was none. This is a terrific series, filled with human emotion and interesting crimes to solve. The most surprising people commit crimes, as Atalanta is constantly reminded. Well done, Ms. Conroy!

I was invited to read The Last Dance in Salzburg by Harper Collins UK One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #VivianConroy #TheLastDanceInSalzburg

In this latest book in the series Atalanta is invited to attend a ballet celebrating an 18th birthday in Salzburg, where her grandfather successfully tracked down a jewellery thief 10 years before. Naturally, because Atalanta is involved, there is a murder.
There were plenty of twists and turns with so many suspects that I wasn't sure who the guilty person was right until the end. She is still unsure of her relationship with Raoul, a racing driver who has assisted her in previous cases, and is worried that she had upset Renard, her valet who had worked for her grandfather. Add in some self-doubts that she is going through and she struggles finding out what really happened all those years ago and at this year's party. A good, solid murder mystery that I definitely enjoyed.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This latest addition to the series is a delightful blend of historical intrigue, picturesque European settings, and a fiercely independent protagonist. Atalanta's journey isn’t only about solving mysteries; she’s also at a crossroads with her own heart.

While I enjoyed the story and Atalanta’s deductive prowess, I felt the pacing could have been tighter. Her conversations with Raoul, particularly around their relationship, occasionally felt repetitive, as did some flashbacks to the original jewel theft incident at the Selzers’ mansion. Despite these minor issues, Miss Ashford Investigates remains an engaging mystery that will appeal to fans of historical whodunits.

Hi and welcome to my review of Last Dance in Salzburg!

Last Dance in Salzburg is the fourth instalment of the Miss Ashford Investigates series. Four books had been announced in this series, Miss Atalanta Ashford has taken her faithful readers to Provence, Santorini and Tuscany, and now to Salzburg, Austria, but I was so happy to find out a fifth book is in the works, I’d hate having to say goodbye to Atalanta forever! For those who are new to the series, you can just jump in here, I’m confident that you’ll be able to follow just fine.

Atalanta, who came from rather modest means, has become an heiress, not only inheriting her grandfather’s fortunes but also his sleuthing business. And now, Atalanta receives an invitation, not only to an exclusive birthday party, including a ballet performance, but also to meet a certain V. in the library at midnight. If it sounds ominous, it’s because it is!

Before long, Atalanta stumbles (quite literally) over a dead body, and soon, she’s questioning everything and everyone, including her grandfather, and herself.

I had a ball with Last Dance in Salzburg! I always enjoy Vivian Conroy’s historical cosy murder mysteries and Last Dance in Salzburg was exactly what I expected it to be, even if I did think there was a bit too much emphasis on Atalanta’s will-they-won’t-they (or should-they-shouldn’t-they) relationship with Raoul. I would happily recommend it to fans of cosy murder mysteries, and meanwhile, I’ll be waiting for Atalanta to take me on a river cruise down the Rhine in book no. 5!

Last Dance in Salzburg is out now in digital formats and paperback.

Massive thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

This is the 4th book in this series and it keeps on getting better. It’s 1930 and Miss Ashford has received an invitation to a party in Salzburg. She wants to go, but knows her grandfather was part of an investigation there. She goes and when a body turns up, the mystery starts.
A great read, a mystery set in a period where woman didn’t have certain jobs. Miss Ashford is a great character that is good at her job, the setting was very good and was a perfect setting for this murder.

A cozy mystery 4 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

In snowy Salzburg, 1930, Atalanta investigates the murder of an accused jewel thief, uncovering dangerous secrets among the European elite that threaten her life.

This book is slow-paced but beautifully written. It spends as much time on Atalanta’s relationships as it does on the mystery plot.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

November 1930 & after accepting an invitation, on her late grandfather’s behalf to attend the ballet in snowy Salzburg, Miss Atalanta Ashford is shocked when a convicted jewel thief is found dead in the concert hall where the theft occurred a decade ago. Raoul agrees to accompany her
The fourth book in the series but it could easily be read on its own. A well written cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. I really like Atalanta & even like Raoul, although he does make me want to shake him at times. I found the pace was slow to begin with but gradual increased until I couldn’t wait to find out the villain. There were twists & turns & I was kept guessing until all was revealed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I hadn’t read the earlier books in this series about a young woman who inherited her grandfather’s fortune in Paris in the 1930s. She takes up his practice as a detective and travels to lovely locations in Europe and solves mysteries with the sometimes help of a sexy race-car driver. In this novel, they’re in Salzburg before Christmas.

Her sometimes boyfriend, Raoul, is along for the ride, but he has such trauma from his childhood that he refuses to succumb to the love he clearly feels for her. So she just has to devote herself to solving the murder mystery. That part was interesting.

But the one thing that I kept having trouble with is that this is supposed to be 1930 France, Germany, and Austria that these rich people are living in. The depression had really hurt those countries hard and there is no mention of any of that real world. There is no mention of WWI which these people are old enough to have lived through. I just would have liked a bit more versimilitude.

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.

Miss Ashford Investigates #4

Atlanta receives a mysterious invitation that was addressed to her late granddad. It's to a ballet in Salzburg. Atlanta accepts the invitation and attends in her granddad's place.Raoul agrees to go with her.

The story is set in Salzburg and it has been descriptively written. Atlanta is a well-developed character who is quite likeable. Atlanta has feelings for Raoul, a famous race car driver. A man who has just been released from prison for stealing a sapphire necklace, has been murdered. Atlanta now has two cases to solve. We get family secrets, lies and a good old fashioned murder mystery. I'm really liking this series.

Published 8th November 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #VivianConroy for my ARC of #TheLastDanceInSalzburg in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of this series will not be disappointed with this latest book. The descriptions of the glamorous 1930s and their wealthy lifestyles are delightful to read. The Saltzburg setting and beautiful houses are wonderful. This book is a great holiday light read.

What I love about this series are the glamorous settings and interesting people in Art Deco - ish places and a life style which WW2 quashed. The places are so well described that you are there with Atalanta and her friends, and yet there is a loneliness about her which makes you aware that life isn't always about money. This story really has you wondering who the murderer is and there are plenty of red herrings to confuse you. This is such a good series.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Mystery Thriller
Violence Level: Low-Medium (Yes, there's a body but I didn't think it was too graphic.)
Spice Level: Nothing on the page
Readability: You don't have to read these in order, but the relationships will feel deeper and more complex if you do.

Atalanta is one of my favorite detectives. Her adventures are set in an interesting time period, and I love seeing Europe through her eyes at this time. LAST DANCE IN SALZBURG lived up to my expectations. And I happen to like Raoul as a character—we have car racing in my family, so that might factor into this. Racing in the 30s was a different beast than what it's like today, but still incredibly dangerous.

Relationships are strained, there are family secrets, lies, distrust, and dancing (as per the title). I'm in love with dancing in books—this one is a treat because we get waltzing and ballet! My one complaint were the number of characters whose name started with the letter R! Why? Just why do this and make it hard for me to keep track. I also loved how this mystery centered around missing jewels; it reminded me of some of the old Sherlock Holmes cases.

Is the mystery tricky enough for reading sleuths? I thought it was. There is one clue that is the tipping point for Atalanta.

I highly recommend this book and series.

Happy reading!

Last Dance in Salzburg was a delightful read! While I didn’t know going into the book that this was the fourth in its series, I found it quite easy to jump in and understand many of the character’s backstories. I know I’d have gotten more out of them by reading the first three, but not much is lost in starting here.

The story follows Atalanta as she receives a mysterious invitation to a birthday party in Salzburg to learn about a mystery solved by her grandfather ten years prior. While investigating the wrongful imprisonment of a household servant, the mystery evolves to solving a murder!

The storyline felt a little slow for the first third, but quickly picks up once you meet the family in Salzburg. I truly did not see the ending coming, and flew through the last 25% of the book. I will for sure be going back to read the first books in this series to truly appreciate the character development shown in book 4! I loved Salzburg as the setting and this book was beautifully driven by excellent character development across the board. Thanks again to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC!


Loved getting to travel literature-ally to one of my favorite cities!

I really enjoyed this latest instalment from Vivian. I like the main character and I enjoyed seeing her solve the case. Another wonderful location, the descriptions are excellent and contribute to the atmosphere. I have read the previous books, but it’s okay if you haven’t as it’s a stand alone case. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries. Thank you #netgalley