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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A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Duke Never TellsA Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Lady Margaret “Meg” Pinwell was planning her debut when she learns that her father has betrothed her to the Marquis of Duffy (heir to the Duke of Earnhurst) a man she has never met and that she will be married in six months. But the next day her father gets notice that the duke has died, and they have to enter a year of mourning. During that time Meg hears nothing from her betrothed but learns a lot about him via the gossip sheets and has second thoughts about marrying him. With the help of her aunt Clara, who is only eight years her senior, they form a plan. They will visit the duke’s estate incognito and see what the staff has to say about the new duke and decide if she will in fact marry him or if the rumors of his wildness and rakishness are true, she will cry off. The tell her parents that they are going to London early to shop, but the set off to the duke’s estate, planning on spending a few hours there before continuing on to London. What they find is an understaffed estate that seems to be crumbling to the ground and to their complete shock, they are introduced to the duke – who is supposed to be in London. A duke who is nothing like Meg expected. In order to save her reputation, she and her aunt continue with their ruse, hoping to escape as soon as possible and praying the duke won’t recognize her when they meet again. But that plan is crushed when Meg is injured, and they are forced to stay at the estate for at least two weeks!

For the last six years, the Duke of Earnhurst’s estate has been falling into disrepair as the late duke had told his man of business that his son and heir, James Clay, the Marquis of Duffy was in charge of the estate and that nothing could be done without his approval. An order that his man of business, Elliott Riniken, took very seriously. Elliott has been trying for years to get James to be responsible, but his letters are ignored, and his pleas fall on deaf ears. But now that the new duke is going to marry in six weeks, he has finally come to the estate but still refuses to pick up the reins. That is until they have unexpected guests and James claims to be the butler and says that Elliott is the duke. But when Meg/Mabel gets hurt and everyone has to continue their ruse – things get a little (a lot) crazy!

This was a fun historical rom com with very likable characters and a mistaken identity trope. There is plenty of shenanigans and people falling in love, there is also some emotional healing, but sadly – no steam. Overall, it was a fun, albeit sometimes silly story with multiple happy endings and thankful no third-act breakups. This is a standalone title that I am happy to recommend.

*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. *