Category: Mystery

Written in Stone: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Mystery, Part of a Series2 Comments

Written in Stone: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery #10
Publication Date: 4/1/25
Period: Contemporary Edinburgh
Number of Pages: 296

American Delaney Nichols has fallen in love with all things Scottish – especially her adopted home of Edinburgh and her new, handsome, kilt-wearing husband, Tom. She’s enthralled with the new sights, smells, and tastes that have opened to her. Her decision to accept Edwin MacAlister’s offer of a job at his specialty bookstore – The Cracked Spine – is her best ever.

Delaney was thrilled when she won a special invitation to visit the artist Ryory Bennigan’s studio as part of the Hidden Door Festival. Ryory is a very nice but exceedingly reclusive man who is obsessed by the Picts. His art medium is recreating his own versions of Pict symbols in stone – and his body is a canvas of those symbols.

As Delaney and Tom arrive at Ryory’s home, they are introduced to a man, Dr. Pace, who is leaving – a man from Kansas where Delaney is from – a man who works for the university Delaney attended. That was a lovely surprise. But then, things head south when they discover Ryory’s assistant, Ani, on the floor in pain, and later, the body of Dr. Pace is discovered in his rented home.

It quickly became obvious that Dr. Pace was up to something – but what? Though the police are investigating, Delaney just can’t leave it alone. But then, people who know things keep turning up in her path, and since she is always ravenously curious about everything, she asks questions. Suspicions abound, but will they ever solve the case without hard proof?

As always, this author has presented us with a delightful mystery as well as a bit of Scotland’s history. I love that I always learn something new and interesting in these books as well as working through the resolution of an interesting mystery. I recommend this book and this series to anyone who enjoys an interesting, light mystery filled with entertaining characters and just enough red herrings to keep you guessing.

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

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The Gravesend Murder by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Historical Mystery, Mystery, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)2 Comments

The Gravesend Murder (The Field & Greystone Series, #3)The Gravesend Murder by Lana Williams

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Field & Greystone, #3

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Field is shocked to learn that Benjamin Norris, a man he had interviewed days ago about a cold case has been found murdered in his Gravesend home. He was shot and the only clue Henry found was an Egyptian gold scarab beetle hidden in the sofa. Benjamin Norris was an import-export merchant with a shop on Threadneedle Street, just like his cold case murder victim Matthew Greystone, making Henry wonder if the cases are connected. A thought that gains ground when Matthew’s widow Amelia contacts him with some troubling news. Henry wants nothing more than to solve Matthew’s murder, not just for himself but for Amelia, a woman he has begun to care for, but feels unable to pursue while Matthew’s murder is yet unsolved. But as he steps up his investigation of Benjamin’s murder, the bodies begin to pile up, secrets unravel, and a new villain emerges – one who has set his sights on Amelia.

Widow Amelia Greystone has not had an easy time the last few years, first her young daughter died from scarlet fever, then her husband was murdered. But she has done her best to carry on and her friendship with Inspector Field has helped her more than he could possibly know. When Amelia gets a letter from a criminal that she helped Henry capture, stating that she knows who killed Matthew, Amelia immediately contacts Henry. She goes to see Elizabeth Drake in prison, but the woman refuses to tell her who killed her husband, but she makes it clear – Matthew was not an innocent victim. Amelia is more determined than ever to find out who killed Matthew and knows that Henry is the only person she can truly trust. When their investigation leads to a dangerous crime lord, she realizes her husband was not the man she thought he was, making her question everything, including her feelings for Henry. Despite the risks, Amelia continues to aid in the investigation and ends up in the crosshairs of the man responsible for Matthew’s death.

This was another wonderful installment of the Field & Greystone series. This story sucked me in from the very first page and held me in thrall until the last word! The story has story has strong ties to the previous books and nicely sets up the next book. The ongoing relationship between Henry and Amelia continues to deepen but still remains firmly on the back burner. This book definitely gives some closure and the mystery is superb. I loved it and would happily recommend this book to my fellow Historical Mystery lovers! This is the third book in the series and while it could be read as a standalone title, I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *