A Very Lively Murder (Three Dahlias Mysteries Book 2)

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Now is the time for Posy Starling to shine as her version of Dahlia Lively takes to the small screen. Filming in a remote house in the countryside, accessible only through one road and a small village setting, the cast are very much on top of each other. The characters are fun and larger than life as you might expect from film stars. I enjoyed the development of each of the leading ladies. Rosalind is coming to terms with now being reduced to cameo roles and Caro is thinking about a future outside of acting. Posy is having to cope with the legacy of both the previous actresses and trying to make the role her own and I liked the way that this was a struggle for her. In between filming scenes, signing autographs for locals, photoshoots in London, talk show appearances and jetting off to France for an impromptu party, the three Dahlias do what they do best - surrupticiously sleuth. And very soon the evidence starts to point towards one particular co-star...

This is the second in the Dahlia Lively series and it follows on from the first, so I would recommend that you read that one prior to this to fully understand the characters. Become part of a thriving community of successful crime writers with invaluable support, expertise and marketing opportunities for all our members.The characters were easily my favourite part of the book. I loved the little touches that showed the bond between the three Dahlias and that they genuinely care for each other. They are superbly written and made the book such a brilliant read. Ex child star Posy Starling is finally filming her dream role - Dahlia Lively in The Lady Detective movie. But things take a nightmare turn when a prop weapon is replaced with the real thing - with almost fatal consequences for her fellow Dahlia, Rosalind King. There's something very wrong on the set of The Lady Detective - which means it's time to call in Caro Hooper, so the three Dahlias can investigate. An affectionate homage to the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and a wry nod to our continuing fascination with it. Great fun. Warm, ingenious and. . . lively!' L C Tyler

In between filming scenes, signing autographs for locals, photoshoots on set and jetting off to France for an impromptu party, the three Dahlias do what they do best - surreptitiously sleuth. And very soon the evidence starts to point towards one particular co-star... A wonderful celebration of Golden Age crime. . . a read you can sink into, just like the perfect country house weekend. You will definitely love Dahlia in all her guises by the end’ S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot Whilst this follows on from the first book where we are introduced to the Three Dahlia’s this can be easily read as a standalone murder mystery novel. The Three Dahlias refers to Dahlia Lively a fictional lady detective and the three different actresses who have played her over the years. The supporting characters are a mixed bag of film actors and locals at the local pub where the film stars are staying. As the murders happen, motives are unclear and the author lays plenty of false trails for the three dahlias as well as the reader to follow. The murkier side of films and celebrity is one of the themes of the book with a tragedy from years ago lying at the heart of the mystery. Take a Look at Our Summary of November Highlights, Whether You're Looking for the Latest Releases or Gift Inspiration

The Three Dahlias

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. A Very Lively Murder is the second novel in the series and though it would work perfectly well as a standalone, where are many references to the events of the previous novel and I think it takes from the enjoyment somewhat if you are not aware of the whole history. Though the author, Kath Watson, is careful to provide sufficient details without giving away the entire plot. Rosalind stared out of the front windows of Tŷ Gwyn, frowning, and Posy knew she wasn't seeing the wet, Welsh weather raging. She was seeing paths and plots and possible acts. Caro, too, had her arms folded tightly across her chest, her eyebrows furrowed, as she tried to make sense of it. And as for Posy...she only had more questions." Bob Mortimer wins 2023 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction with The Satsuma Complex

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. In attendance at Aldermere: the VIP fans, staying at house; the fan club president turned convention organiser; 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.

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This one is set in a big house in Wales where the filming of the new detective movie featuring 1930s detective Dahlia Lively is taking place. The book follows on from the first book in this series, The Three Dahlias and there are several references to the events in the previous book. However, I think that the author provides enough explanation that this one can be read as a stand alone. I would recommend that you read the earlier book though as it, like this one, is an excellent read. 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? Sub-genres I really enjoyed being reunited with the characters from the first book again and meeting some new ones too although I did get some of the supporting film cast mixed up at times. I really liked the atmosphere the book created with the North Wales setting and brooding weather conditions. I also preferred the more frequent switching between the point of views of Posy, Rosalind and Caro rather than each character being a narrator for around a third each as in the first book. This helped me stay connected to each of the three lead characters and aided the pacing of the story. Katy Watson was able to keep me on my toes and I did not guess the culprit with plenty of twists along the way.