Dungeons and Danger - A Review

 Review

DUNGEONS AND DANGER by Elizabeth Penney
The Second Ravensea Castle Mystery 

The chill October winds bring a lot of activity to Ravensea Castle. A team of ghost hunters is staying at the castle to find proof of the Ravensea ghosts and get their television series aired. Also staying at the castle is Professor Tweedy who believes a treasure is located somewhere on the property. Nora Asquith, herbalist and innkeeper, well, castlekeeper, has to keep on her toes. The ghost hunters and the professor have a history, and it's not pleasant. Plus, everyone seems to know about the possible treasure. Keeping an eye on her guests becomes a priority to prevent either ghost or treasure hunter from injuring themselves or each other on the property. In addition, Ravensea is hosting a Viking Festival. Led by her brother Will, over five hundred people will descend on the property in Viking costumes to enjoy food, festivities, and Will's mead. With her father providing  the historical details for both groups, her sister helping out with the guests, and the ghosts playing their part surely everything will work out. Won't it? 

There's a lot to love about the second Ravensea Castle Mystery. The Asquith family are now a united front. While Will still runs his meadery, he's more involved with the castle, creating a Viking Festival to hold on the grounds. Similarly, Tamsyn is a working actor, but is now more than willing to help with the B&B aspect of the castle...as well as helping her sister with some sleuthing. Their father also is paying more attention to the goings on of the castle. Along with Janet and Guy, as well as the resident ghosts, they are a big happy family. Nora and Detective Inspector Finlay Cole have become an established couple and each of these characters contributes to a warm cozy feeling that permeated the book, despite the autumnal temperatures, suspicious guest behavior, and ultimately murder.

I enjoyed the ghost hunter and treasure hunting aspects of the book as well as seeing Nora's herbal work. I know I'd love to try some of her sloe cough syrup (and yes, I immediately think of a sloe gin fizz whenever these berries are mentioned). I also really want to attend a Viking festival! The mystery was intriguing with lots of suspicious behavior going on before the murder. There were a few twists to the mystery and an ending with more than one surprise.

A Viking festival, helpful ghosts, and a castle full of  treacherous guests make DUNGEONS AND DANGER a delightful mystery.