The Secret of Dunhaven Castle

Cate Kensie Mysteries, Book 1

By: Nellie H. Steele

Narrated by: Naomi Rose-Mock

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

How in the world could she now own a castle?

Shy, introverted Dr. Cate Kensie never imagined that she would inherit a beautiful, and oddly quirky, castle nestled in the picturesque Scottish Highlands. Truthfully, she was sure that she didn’t have any family left after her parents died in a car accident several years before, but then, she had gotten the phone call, and her entire world had turned upside down.

That was when she discovered that she had family in Scotland and that her distant family member, Gertrude MacKenzie, had passed away, leaving her Dunhaven Castle and a golden timepiece with the mysterious note: Always keep an eye on your time.

Soon after she leaves the only life she’s ever known in the US with her four-legged best friend, the adorable Riley, she quickly finds that owning this castle is not the fairy tale she expected. Mysterious events occur that leave Cate wondering if her new home is haunted or if she’s losing her mind.

Will Cate be able to unravel the mysteries of Dunhaven Castle before it’s too late? Or, will the secrets be too much for Cate to handle?

Find out if Cate can uncover the secrets her new home holds in The Secret of Dunhaven Castle!

©2019 Melissa M. Sovak (P)2021 A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC

A Nice Read for a Rainy Afternoon

I enjoyed this book. It is a lovely story with charming characters. It was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Cute Story

I enjoyed the story. Honestly, I had a hard time finishing . There was absolutely no excitement, just page after page of details of Cates every move ie setting down her back pack, scooping up Riley for a hug. Every minute move excruciatingly detailed. I found myself always expecting something that didn't happen. perfect young teens story

Uncomfortable

The narrator was horrible. The story dragged and the constant calling of her dog was a bit much. Will not be moving on to book II.

any reader figures out what is going in long before the heroine. very slow moving

very slow moving. lots of description if each day that goes nowhere in the plot of the book. not sure I want to listen to the rest in the series

Welcome to your home!

This book was written well. The characters are fully developed and they take you with them into their lives! It is a fun, attention keeping story! Now, I need to read the next chapter of their lives!

An Enjoyable Time

Not really much of a mystery but I enjoyed the book just the same. I liked the characters and will listen to the next audiobook when it is released.

Really enjoying

Really enjoying this series. The narrator is fantastic with all th different accents. Can’t wait to start book 2

I wantednto like this, but....

I really wanted to like this story. I am on Chapter 20, and I am not sure if I can keep going.
First.. What a great storyline this could have been. I encourage you to read the other reviews, because they have the same concerns I do. No imagination.. no descriptions of the characters, the castle, London, Scotland, or really.. anything. Tons of step by step movements, the weather, and how she slept. Tons of repetitive days and a lot of sitting on a chaise, eating, walking, hugging, looking for her dog. She is supposed to be an intelligent lady, but is pretty dumb about everything. She has no life, no friends, no family... things that could have been exciting were not. When I say she does the same boring things over and over ....and over and over... I mean......seriously. She explores constantly, then finds stuff and takes a break and makes a mental note to come backntonit later, constantly. Good grief. She cannot figure out that there is a mystery in anything. I mean nothing........
(spoiler alert/ she is filthy rich now, she sends no money to the poor lady who lived down the hall? She just shuns her before she leaves? Why ever bring her up then? What about Jeff? I mean... we couldn't rub the new fortunate opportunity in his face at all after he was so ugly? Missed opportunity. She worked at this place for how long and made ONE semi friend? Everyone else hates her enough not to wish her good luck after the email was sent? Weird. She has never been out of the country, but just says.. yep.. I'm moving. Gets to London and stays in her hotel and orders room service. What???? All she talks about is how much chillier it is in London and Scotland compared to her home in the U.S. She could have made a good friend who could have helped solve mysteries with her with the lawyer lady, but no... And why the sudd en possible recognition in the photo of the MC and her parents, but nothing comes of that?? She finds 9009 closets with things in them to look at later. Um.. I've never seen a castle with closets, but ok. Where is the dank dungeons down below? Or maybe secret passages in the walls? Is there electricity in this castle? and...WIFI? Really? She is perplexed about the state of dress of the servant she saw... but what is the difference between what she was wearing and what Mrs. Frasier wears. we don't know what Mrs. Frasier wears. Cate considers everyone's words. Almost as if she has a really hard time understanding normal everyday conversation. And how many times are we gonna choose where to eat, plan to read a boom but then put it down, plan to do research but do it later..etc. And don't get me stared on this watch.)

The NARRATOR... holy smokes.. this lady cannot pronounce her R's. Definitely has a speech impediment. She sighs and sounds tired while reading... she trips over words, and does not have proper undulation in her voice. She reads the story in a very monotone voice. You can hear her swallowing, breathing, sighing, and she sounds exhausted while reading. And those missing R's.... I can't stand that. Oh, but when the MC is missing her dog, she screams his name over and over. Very startling. had to adjust volume. I don't like that either. Don't scream!

I wanted this to be good. I am very disappointed.

Good page turner

Love anything to do with history, castles and a mystery! Looking forward to next book.

I really liked the characters in this book

I also liked the plot and the settings and especially the dog. The author is very descriptive and narration is very clear and easy to understand. Her transition between characters is very good. I’m looking forward to the next book. I listen to a lot of different types of Books, especially mysteries and this is just enough different to be very engaging in a new way.