Christa Reads and Writes: Blog Tour: THE CASE OF THE MISSING MORRIS DANCER by Cathy Ace

The Case of the Missing Morris Dancer:

A cozy mystery set in Wales

(A WISE Enquiries Agency Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

2nd in Series

Severn House (November 1, 2016)

Paperback: 224 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1847516633

E-Book ASIN: B01AADQSF2

Synopsis

The Women of the WISE Enquiries Agency are back in a witty and intriguing new mystery.

The Anwen Morris Dancers are to play a pivotal role in the imminent nuptials of Henry, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth. But it looks as though the wedding plans might go awry unless Mavis, Annie, Carol and Christine can help Althea, the Dowager Duchess, by finding a missing Morris man and a set of ancient and valuable artefacts in time for her son’s wedding.

Anwen-by-Wye might look like an idyllic Welsh village where family values reign and traditions still mean something in a modern world, but what will the WISE women find when they peer behind the respectable net curtains?

Review

The musician and "Morris" of the Anwen Morris dancers is missing and police don't seem concerned as there are no indications of foul play. Dowager Duchess Althea asks her friend Mavis and the WISE Enquiries Agency to look into it as the dancers have a key role in her son, Henry's upcoming wedding. Each of the women - Mavis, Annie, Carol, and Christine have different talents and seek information on the missing dancer. Carol is the recorder, about to give birth, and the technology person. In the process of searching for information she finds out some information that probably could cause other sorts of problems. The WISE women also uncover a family feud and other issues along the way.

I believe this is the second in the series, following from the CASE OF THE DOTTY DOWAGER. It can be read as a standalone - the mystery unravels and is resolved in the book. The characters are interesting as are the traditions and superstitions surrounding the wedding and the missing dancer. I do wish there was a picture of these dancers with their sticks and bells and costumes. If you're a fan of British mystery or Welsh mystery or mystery in a different setting, you will enjoy this tale. There are lots of twists and connections and -yes, romance - to keep interest.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About Cathy Ace

Cathy Ace loves crime! It’s true – she discovered Nancy Drew in her local library, then found Agatha Christie on her Mum’s bookshelves, and she never looked back. Cathy happily admits that the characters she met between the book-covers as a child have influenced her writing. “Nancy Drew was plucky, strong and independent, and Agatha Christie’s puzzles engaged me every time. I love the sort of book that mixes intricate plotting with a dash of danger, and that’s what I’ve tried to create with my Cait Morgan Mystery Series. Beginning my new series, featuring the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency, I have been able to indulge my love of stately homes, village life and the interplay between characters that can take place in that sort of setting.”

Cathy Ace was born and raised in Swansea, South Wales, and worked in marketing communications for decades across Europe. Having migrated to Canada in 2000, she now lives in beautiful British Columbia, where her ever-supportive husband (and two chocolate Labradors) ensure she’s able to write full-time. Bestselling author Ace writes two series of mystery books: theCait Morgan Mysteries