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Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle book tour includes an author interview and a giveaway. Enter below, share, follow, comment.
Book Details
Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle: Ariadne Winter Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Ireland, near the Cliffs of Moher
Publisher : Power to the Pen
Publication date : October 1, 2025
Print length : 312 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1734365092
ASIN : B0FCSJ82CR
From Paris runways to country manors, danger is always in fashion.
When intrepid journalist Ariadne Winter leaves behind the glittering cafés and haute couture of
1958 Paris for the misty hills of rural Ireland, she expects champagne toasts and countryside
charm at her cousin’s engagement celebration. But amidst party prep excitement the festive mood
at Ballyford Manor is shattered when a body is discovered among the ruins of the ancient castle
grounds.
The local inspector suspects an accident—but Ariadne knows better.
Armed with her sharp wit and a reporter’s determination, Ariadne peels back the polished façade
of the O’Connell family, uncovering simmering tensions and long-held grudges that refuse to
stay buried. As she navigates a world of crumbling aristocracy, whispered scandals, and dark
family legacies, Ariadne realizes someone will do anything to keep the past hidden — even if it
means making her the next victim.
Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Jacqueline Winspear, this stylish, atmospheric mystery
captures the glamour and shadows of 1950s Ireland, blending intrigue, secrets, and a sleuth you
won’t forget.
About Ellen Butler
Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series. Her
experiences working on Capitol Hill and at a medical association in Washington, D.C. inspired
the mystery-action series. Publishers Weekly called the Karina Cardinal mysteries, “intelligent
escapism.” Butler also writes the Ariadne Winter historical mysteries as well as historical spy
fiction. The Brass Compass has won multiple awards for historical fiction including: a Speak Up
Talk Radio Firebird Book Award, Indie Reader Discovery Award, and a Readers’ Favorite Silver
Medal. The second book in the duology, Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel, is inspired
by true events, and won a Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal for historical fiction.
Author Links
Website ~ https://www.EllenButler.net
Facebook ~https://www.facebook.com/EllenButlerBooks
Instagram~ https://www.instagram.com/ebutlerbooks/
Bookbub~ https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-butler
Goodreads ~ https://www.goodreads.com/EllenButlerBooks
Purchase Links:
Interview questions:
What made you want to become a writer?
Growing up, I was an avid reader. Somewhere along the way, I realized entire
plotlines were unfolding in my dreams, or when I was chauffeuring my children
around town, or as I exercised at the gym. The characters and stories wouldn’t
shut up in my head. I figured if I wrote it down, they’d get out of my head. Well,
a dozen years later, I’ve still got stories floating around in my noggin, and I keep
putting them down on paper to quiet my mind.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
My favorite part of Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle is the
setting—1958, Ireland. My husband and I spent two weeks traveling
the Irish countryside and simply adored it. The people were
hospitable and friendly. The landscape and scenery glorious, and the
castles we visited were magnificent. Ballyford was inspired by an
overnight stay at Ballinalacken Castle Hotel. A tour to the top of the
archer’s platform inspired the location of the murder at my fictional
Ballyford Castle.
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it
be? And what would you do during that day?
I would want to spend a day with Ariadne, my main character. Ariadne
works for Ladies’ Lifestyle Magazine, a fashion magazine. In her first
novel, Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn, Ariadne interviews Donna
Morgan, a famous actress on the cusp of royal matrimony. I would
enjoy going with Ariadne to interview someone of 1950s fame—Bing
Crosby, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, or Audrey Hepburn.
What books/authors have most inspired you?
Elizabeth Peters (aka Barbara Merz) inspired the gothic feel that
surrounds the Ariadne Winter mysteries.
Janet Evanovich inspired the comic relief of my Karina Cardinal
mysteries.
And writers such as Kristin Hannah and Jacqueline Winspear inspire
me to research deeply incorporating real events for my historical
fiction novels.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely
from your imagination?
Certain characters are based on real people. For instance, in Ink and
Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn, Donna Morgan is based on Grace Kelly and
the last movie she shot, before she married Prince Ranier. In
Operation Blackbird, the Soviet defector Oleg Ivanov was based on
real Soviet defector, Grigori Tokaev. The main character in The Brass
Compass is an amalgamation of three different WWII spies.
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 20 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 20 – Christa Reads and Writes -REVIEW
October 21 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
October 21 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
October 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 24 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
October 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
October 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
October 27 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 28 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 29 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 30 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 31 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
November 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
November 1 – Teatime and Books – SPOTLIGHT
November 2 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
