The Three Dahlias
What could be more quintessentially British than the grounds of a stately home in the summertime? There’s just somethings so very English summer about it. The answer would be, of course, a murder mystery at a stately home, which is one of many reasons why The Three Dahlias really is a perfect summer read.
Whip-smart and compelling, this is just the book to lose yourself on a summer afternoon. Watson brilliantly pays homage to the Golden Age of Detective fiction, while giving the genre a contemporary feel. But it’s her three brilliant protagonists which are the stars (literally) of the show – three very different actresses, who have each played the same detective character at one point in their lives and are brought together to solve a crime. I won’t give too much away though – just trust Watson to have you turning the pages.
Chris
‘An absolute treat of a read with all the ingredients of a vintage murder mystery: a country house, mysterious dead bodies and three actresses all keen to catch the killer. Perfect weekend reading!’ Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal
‘Celebrates and gently satirises Golden Age crime novels in a hugely entertaining country house mystery’ The Times
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Three rival actresses team up to solve a murder at the stately home of the author who made them famous – only to discover the solution lies in the stories themselves. A contemporary mystery with a Golden Age feel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Jessica Fellowes.
In attendance: the VIP fans, staying at Aldermere; 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 Lettice’s 1930s detective, Dahlia Lively.
National treasure Rosalind King, from the original movies. TV Dahlia for thirteen seasons, Caro Hooper. And ex-child star Posy Starling, fresh out of the fame wilderness (and rehab) to take on the Dahlia mantle for the new movie.
Each actress has her own interpretation of the character – but this English summer weekend they will have to put aside their differences, as the crimes at Aldermere turns 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, the family – or even in Lettice’s books themselves?
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PRAISE FOR THE THREE DAHLIAS
‘Dame Agatha would approve’ Daily Mail
‘The perfect holiday read’ Woman and Home
‘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
‘A sprightly offering. . . a pleasant summer read’ The Critic
‘A fun, 1930s style murder-mystery, which makes for perfect holiday reading’ Woman’s Weekly
‘A cosy whodunnit told with modern flair’ Yours
