Modern cosy crime with a Golden Age heart
I write contemporary Golden Age–style cosy crime: clever, satisfying mysteries that blend classic puzzle plotting with modern warmth, wit and a touch of glamour.
My stories celebrate female friendship, found family and the joy of watching sharp, capable women put the pieces together — usually in atmospheric, escapist settings where everyone has something to hide.
If you love Agatha Christie–style mysteries, updated with modern characters, humour and heart — you’re in exactly the right place.
Who are the three Dahlias?
Three actresses, all famous for playing the fictional detective, Dahlia Lively, on screen across the generations.
Rosalind King
National treasure, elegance personified, has a fondness for sherbet lemons and solving murders. Played Dahlia in the original movies, back in the eighties, and grew rather close to the author’s family…
Caro Hooper
Played Dahlia for all thirteen seasons of the TV adaptation. In fact, it’s the only part she’s ever really been known for. That and setting fire to her ex-husband’s tie, before she married her wife, Annie, and settled down. A bit.
Posy Starling
Ex-child star, fresh from the fame wilderness (and rehab) ready to bring the Dahlia Lively mysteries to life for a new generation in the latest movie reboot.
What brought them together?
A fan convention at the home of the author of the Dahlia Lively Mysteries, Lettice Davenport. Their first meeting wasn’t exactly auspicious, but when events at Aldermere House turned anything but cosy crime, it soon became clear they were going to have to work together to solve the murder – and get out alive.
After that? Well, you’ll have to read the books to find out…
Praise for the Three Dahlias Mysteries
An absolute treat of a read with all the ingredients of a vintage murder mystery.
Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal
Smartly executed with wit and a cunning plot.
Peterborough Telegraph
A wonderful celebration of Golden Age crime. You will love Dahlia in all her guises by the end.
S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot
Celebrates and gently satirises Golden Age crime novels in a hugely entertaining country house mystery.
The Times
Dame Agatha would approve.
The Daily Mail
A fun, 1930s style murder-mystery, which makes for perfect holiday reading.
Woman’s Weekly
A cosy whodunnit told with modern flair.
Yours
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Always wanted to read a real Dahlia Lively story? Or just want to be the first to hear all the latest news about Rosalind, Caro and Posy?
Subscribe to The Dahlia Diaries and you'll get TWO exclusive stories straight to your inbox:
Dahlia Decks the Halls
The three Dahlias receive a mysterious package of Christmas Eve - a recently discovered unfinished Dahlia Lively story for them to solve!
Sapphires for Supper
It's one of Dahlia Lively's most famous adventures - but now it seems that Lettice Davenport wrote an alternative ending...
THEN...
After that, you'll receive an email on the first Friday of the month with all the latest Dahlia news, and behind the scenes stories.
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