Category: Contemporary

Death at a Scottish Christmas by Lucy Connelly

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Christmas, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Death at a Scottish Christmas (A Scottish Isle Mystery, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Scottish Isle Mystery #3
Publication Date: 10/15/24
Period: Contemporary – Sea Isle, Scotland
Number of Pages: 256

Dr. Emilia (Em) McRoy is looking forward to her first Christmas at Sea Isle. Em, in need of a change of pace from her job as head of ER at a major US hospital, relocated to become the village doctor and coroner for Sea Isle, Scotland. Em absolutely loves Sea Isle’s slower pace and friendly people and has made many friends since arriving in August. Now, Christmas is almost here and the village is awash in festivities gathered from cultures everywhere. The biggest event for this Christmas will be a concert in the local pub – by a renowned rock group, Bram and the Stokers. They’ve been touring in Europe and are set to tour the USA next. Normally, such a famous group wouldn’t look twice at tiny Sea Isle, but a couple of the members grew up on the Isle and they want a quiet break before heading to the US. Sadly, the break will not be the respite they had hoped for.

After a wildly successful concert, the lead singer, Bram Stoker, was found dead on the beach the following morning – and it wasn’t natural causes. Who would want to murder the charismatic, handsome singer and lyricist? Could it be a member of the band? A groupie? A stalker? A rejected lover? Or, is it someone with a long-ago past with the singer – such as Constable Ewan Campbell? With so many suspects, how can Em help to narrow them down?

All of the supporting characters we’ve come to know and love over the previous two books have roles in this tale as well. Their assistance in gathering evidence, and helping Em and Ewan work through the clues is invaluable. With so many suspects and clues, it is hard to weed out the red herrings from the actual culprit, but Em and the crew manage to do it – but not before there is a second death. You won’t know the murderer until the end, but you’ll be convinced you know with each red herring.

This was an entertaining murder mystery with a well-thought-out plot, an interesting victim, and even more interesting suspects. The author wove the investigation into all of the Christmas celebrations in a way that made you want to spend your Christmas with the residents of Sea Isle even if there was a murder being investigated. It was an enjoyable read, and I am glad to have had another visit with all of the Sea Isle residents.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Flashpoint by Catherine Coulter – Review

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a Series1 Comment

Flashpoint (FBI Thriller #27)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: FBI Thriller #27
Publication Date: 7/2/24
Period: Contemporary
Number of Pages: 400

This fast-paced, excellently written book has thrills, excitement, and twists and turns on every page. The characters are well-developed – even the new ones – and the recurring characters keep growing and developing with each new book. I am so glad this series keeps growing and growing because I can’t wait to devour each new addition.

As always, we get a dual storyline, but this one also has a bit of a side storyline – and all are engrossing and excellently done. An extra plus for this book is the lovely surprise at the end.

Storyline A: A year ago, Lady Elizabeth Palmer was almost killed in a bombing of St. Peter’s Cathedral in London. That was scary enough, but now someone is trying to murder her – AGAIN! MI5 in London is investigating, but Lady Elizabeth doesn’t feel safe and flees to the US for three months of intensive self-defense classes with a famed FBI instructor. As soon as those instructions are completed, she heads to Washington, DC to find Agent Sherlock and beg for her help. While Sherlock can’t work her case, she is assigned to Agent Rome Foxe, who is reluctant but finally agrees after some threats on Savich’s part. Then, we are off on a multi-continent, multi-agency chase with more red herrings than you can shake a stick at. The final pages will leave you with your jaw dropped and a shocked ‘I didn’t see that coming’ look on your face.

Storyline B: Archer Navarro is a grieving widower who has finally found love a second time and is off to Europe for a honeymoon with his new wife. Days after they leave, the news breaks that Archer is suspected of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from his investment firm. Archer goes to ground but makes sure his brother, Rebel, and his son Tash, know he isn’t guilty. Of course, neither of them ever believed he was. The evidence is mounting and comes to implicate Rebel also. With fully traceable electronic evidence and hand-written signatures, how will they ever prove their innocence? Who is guilty? Why are they targeting the Navarro’s? With the Philadelphia FBI agents fully convinced of their guilt, it will be all but impossible to prove their innocence without the help of Savich and Sherlock.

Side story: While the side story is interwoven with the Navarro storyline, I thought it was a lovely addition and wanted to address it separately. Tash Navarro is a thin, pale, waiflike seven-year-old who has always been bullied at school. He’s lonely and still grieving his mother who passed away two years earlier. His father has just remarried and his step-mother doesn’t want him around. He isn’t sure if his father will send him away to school as his stepmother wants, but he is grateful that he will get to spend the summer with his uncle Rebel while his father honeymoons. You will love Tash, who has psychic abilities, just as his new friend Autumn does. If you have read earlier books in the series, you will remember Autumn and her parents – if not, there is enough background so you don’t feel lost. I love how Autumn helps Tash accept his abilities and they work to help find his father. I also love how Autumn and her parents help Rebel accept his nephew’s talents. It is a lovely tale of differences, acceptance, and love – and I am so glad Tash was included in the book.

This was another excellent addition to the series and I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book – I hate waiting a whole year! If you are looking for an exciting, non-stop action tale to read, then I definitely recommend this one.