Sarah sits down with Victoria Dowd to talk about her historical mystery novel, Death in the Aviary.

The story begins on New Year’s Eve, 1928, inside the grand yet isolated Ravenswick Abbey on the wilds of Dartmoor. Nine people enter an ornate lift. The power fails. Darkness falls. A single gunshot rings out. When the lights return, Charles Ravenswick, heir to the family fortune, lies dead. No one could have entered or left — leaving a chilling locked-room mystery where everyone has a motive, and no one has an alibi.

A year later, journalist Charlotte Blood arrives at Ravenswick Abbey, ostensibly to report on the family’s famous ravens. But beneath the feathers and folklore, she discovers a household still haunted by suspicion and riddled with dangerous secrets. As Charlotte uncovers truths about the Ravenswick family, she finds herself facing revelations that could shake her own life to the core.
In their conversation, Sarah and Victoria explore the inspiration behind Death in the Aviary, its homage to Golden Age detective fiction, and the way Dowd crafts both atmosphere and character to keep readers guessing until the very end. They also discuss themes of inheritance, reputation, and the enduring appeal of historical mysteries.

If you love Agatha Christie-style locked-room puzzles, richly atmospheric settings, and strong, memorable heroines, this episode is for you.

Tune in to the GSMC Book Review Podcast to hear more author interviews, book discussions, and literary insights that bring stories to life.


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