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

Synopsis

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.

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Guest Post

Castles of Ireland

By Ellen Butler

Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle takes place in 1950s Ireland, and was inspired by a vacation I took in 2023. The tour company called it Castles In the Mist. My husband and I spent two weeks touring and lodging at magnificent castles and manor houses dotting the lush, emerald countryside of Ireland. From majestic medieval strongholds, like my husband’s ancestral seat, Kilkenny Castle, to the ruins of crumbling tower houses perched on windswept hillsides. They are a striking reminder of Ireland’s turbulent feudal past, but for locals, they are also part of the cultural fabric of the land. One question we asked: why are so many crumbling castles still standing, and why were they never torn down?

The answer lies partly in history and partly in sentiment. Unlike other parts of Europe, where old fortifications were dismantled to make way for new building projects, in Ireland many castles were left as they were when they fell out of use. Wars, political shifts, and changing ownership often left castles abandoned rather than repurposed. Over time, the cost of demolishing the thick stone walls far outweighed the benefits. In rural communities, these ruins have become silent landmarks—reminders of a stormy monarchial past. Today, they are protected as heritage sites, that continue to attract scholars, artists, and tourists like us.

By day four we realized not every crumbling stone fortification was considered a castle. Our tour guides explained the distinguishing characteristics between two common types of Irish fortifications: castles and tower houses. The word “castle” conjures images of sprawling medieval complexes with curtain walls, drawbridges, and great halls. In Ireland, these larger castles were typically built by Anglo-Norman lords after the 12th century, designed to establish power and withstand sieges. They were centers of government, home to the peerage, the seat of the local military, and symbols of authority over the surrounding lands.

Tower houses, by contrast, were smaller, more practical strongholds built primarily by Gaelic and Anglo-Irish landowners from the 15th to 17th centuries. Squared structures rising several stories high, with thick stone walls and narrow staircases, these fortified residences were easier to construct and maintain than sprawling castles. While not as grand as the Norman castles, tower houses provided protection against raids from rival clans while acting as status symbols for the families who built them. Many of the “castles” tourists see today in rural Ireland are, in fact, tower houses—Bunratty and Ross Castle among the most famous examples.

Together, Ireland’s castles and tower houses represent more than ruins of stone; they embody layers of history, identity, and pride. Left standing rather than demolished, they offer visitors a tangible connection to Ireland’s enduring history.

About the Author

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.

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