Category: Scottish/Highlander

What Happens in the Highlands by Anna Bradley

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

What Happens in the Highlands (Cairncross Castle, #1)What Happens in the Highlands by Anna Bradley

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Cairncross Castle, #1

Release Date: June 24, 2025

After the death of their father, Catriona “Cat”, Freya and Sorcha MacLeod are left to deal with the onslaught of treasure hunters trying to find the stash they believe Rory hid in Castle Cairncross. The way they dealt with the first invaders cost them severely, with the villagers turning on them, whispering of witchcraft and making their lives miserable. But it isn’t until a stranger follows Cat home from the village and is accidently poisoned that they agree they can no longer protect themselves from the rumors and may have to abandon their home. But when the stranger wakes and tells Catriona his story, she agrees to consider the possibility that the treasure is real.

Hamish Muir, the Marquess of Ballantyne, traveled to Castle Cairncross to reclaim the treasure his father told him of before his death. Originally, he sent his cousins to get the treasure, but they were thwarted by the sisters. So he has come himself and does a bit of reconnaissance before and learns from the villagers that the sisters are rumored to be witches and are recluses, barely ever leaving the castle since Rory’s death. Hamish sees Cat in the village and follows her home – admittedly a bad idea, but he is out of options. When they tussle and he is touched by a poisonous plant, he is lucky that Cat is knowledgeable about herbs and healing. When he recovers, he realizes that he might be wrong about the sisters. Cat agrees to help him find the treasure and they go through Rory’s papers, leading them to believe that Rory, Archie Muir (Hamish’s father), Malcolm Ross & Angus Dunn most likely found Bonnie Prince Charlie’s lost fortune and made a pact and that Rory as the last living member of the pact was most likely retrieving the treasure when he was shot. Hamish sends for his best friends Callum Ross & Keir Dunn – Malcolm and Angus’ sons to protect Freya and Sorcha, so he and Cat can find the treasure. But he never expected to fall for her and knows that if she ever learns that he started the treasure frenzy, there will be no chance for a HEA.

I was so excited for this book – I love a good treasure hunt / road trip romance, and this story seemed to check all the boxes, but unfortunately, it didn’t really work for me. It wasn’t bad, Cat and Hamish are both likable and relatable, but it was slow moving and lacked that true treasure hunt thrill. It does pick up a little at the end and the story ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, but it didn’t leave me excited for the next book. Overall, it was an OK read with great characters, and I am not sorry I read it, but it is not a book I would read again.

*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. *

A Tarnished Canvas by Anna Lee Huber

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

A Tarnished Canvas (Lady Darby Mystery, #13)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Darby Mysteries #13
Publication Date: 6/24/25
Period: Regency Edinburgh – 1833
Number of Pages: 400

Some research, an author’s brainstorming session, and a simple question – “What if?”– brings us this very lucky (for us) thirteenth addition to the Lady Darby series. The story quickly spins from a tame invitation to attend an estate auction to a chaotic scene of mayhem and murder.

Sebastian has become very restless as they’ve spent a quiet winter in Edinburgh. While Kiera has had her painting to occupy her time, Gage has mostly played ‘gentleman’ rather than having an interesting investigation to occupy him. He is quickly going to get more excitement than he wants! Kiera decides to attend the second day of the auction to view the items to be auctioned, and there are several she’d like to have. On the third day, they return to bid on the items – when the floor collapses beneath them. Everyone in the bidding room quickly finds themselves in the room below – covered in dust, – with many severe injuries.

As the floor collapse was an accident, Kiera and Gage go about their business happily preparing for their daughter Emma’s first birthday party. That peace doesn’t last long because Sergeant Maclean soon pays a visit to ask for their assistance in solving the mystery of the collapse and the death that occurred because of it. No, it wasn’t an accident as the papers reported, it was sabotage that could have taken many lives.

It is all-hands-on-deck to solve this one because there are more suspects and motives than anyone can count – and no real clues to point at any of them for sure. When I say all hands, I truly mean it. I think we had everyone except Lord Gage helping with the investigation. Gage’s step-brother, Lord Henry, and Kiera’s brother Trevor were on hand along with our usual Anderly and Bree, and it wouldn’t be Edinburgh if Bonnie Brock didn’t play a role. With a plethora of red herrings, suspects, and motives, you’ll be hard pressed to identify the villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this new entry to the series, and now, I can hardly wait for the nicely teased next addition coming in a year! I highly recommend this book, this series, and this author. While you can enjoy this as a standalone, I sincerely suggest reading the series from the beginning to better understand the character growth – especially Kiera’s. If you don’t want to go back and read the first twelve, I suggest trying the first two at least. However, if you try those, you’ll be hooked and will read all of them. 😊Happy Reading!

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

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