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.
Flippin' Pages Book Reviews 