Mystery in the Highlands by Lydia Travers Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: July 26, 2023
Publisher: Bookouture
Series: The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency #3
Format: Paperback, ebook and audio
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cosy

Synopsis

When members of a choir start dropping dead in the Highlands, Maud McIntyre and her lady’s maid Daisy go undercover to discover the inharmonious culprit. But will they uncover the killer before another murder takes place?

Edinburgh, 1911: When Maud and Daisy receive a letter from Daisy’s cousin, Clara, sharing her fears that two sudden deaths in her local choir weren’t accidental, at first Daisy thinks her cousin is overreacting. But Maud’s detective senses tell her something is afoot, and so they make haste to the Highlands to investigate.

As soon as they arrive, Maud and Daisy go undercover in the choir to find potential suspects. But with one murder deemed a heart attack, and the other declared an unfortunate drowning, Maud and Daisy have their work cut out when it comes to persuading the local police that perhaps the choir isn’t as perfectly in tune as everyone thinks...

But finally they receive a clue in the form of an anonymous letter. Enclosed is a rhyme which they’re certain holds the key to the next murder…

With the clock ticking down to another death, they know they can’t miss a beat - but will Maud and Daisy solve the mysterious rhyming verse before another singer is silenced, or will this case lead to their own untimely swan song?

A gripping and unputdownable historical whodunnit, perfect for fans of the mysteries of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey and Catherine Coles.

My Thoughts

Maud McIntyre and Daisy Cameron's new case takes them to the Highlands when Daisy's cousin, Clara, asks them to investigate two suspicious deaths, both of which are members of the local choir.

So, our sleuthing duo pack their Gladstone bags once more and head off to Fort William, a town on the shores of Loch Linnhe with views to Ben Nevis, and which also happens to be in Clan Cameron country.

Deciding it would be better to keep their identities as private investigators a secret so that they can infiltrate the choir, Maud and Daisy are dismayed that their cover is blown early when a message arrives for them in the form of a challenge: a cryptic rhyme they must solve to prevent another death.

With a long list of suspects, which includes an eccentric laird and Daisy's relatives, and the body count rising, the ladies of the McIntyre Detective Agency race against time to apprehend a murderer. As new members of the choir, they may also be in danger.

And much to Maud's annoyance or pleasure (she still can't decide which), Lord Hamish Urquhart is a guest of the laird and to her surprise is able to carry a tune.

Mystery in the Highlands is another great episode in this addictive series. Maud and Daisy are two very lovable characters, with Maud being the perfect foil to the mischievous Daisy.

In the course of their investigation, Maud and Daisy dip into their bag of disguises and even learn a new skill – bicycle riding – with hilarious results until mastered.

Besides the mystery aspect that always holds my interest, what I like about this series are the historical details that are slipped in unobtrusively. Many, form part of every day conversation. I never knew that one of the songs on the choir's programme, The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, had links to the Jacobite era and I also learnt the difference between the explosives TNT and dynamite.

This series is both entertaining and informative, and plenty of excitement is guaranteed. I'm looking forward to Maud and Daisy's next case.

Meet the Author

Lydia Travers was born in London. She moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. She has raised children, bred dogs and kept chickens; and for as long as she can remember has written for pleasure. A former legal academic and practitioner with a PhD in criminology, she now runs self-catering holiday accommodation, sings in a local choir and is walked daily by the family dog.

Lydia also writes as Linda Tyler and her first novel under that name, Revenge of the Spanish Princess, won a 2018 Romance Writers of America competition for the beginning of an historical romance. Her second novel The Laird's Secret was Commended in the 2021 Scottish Association of Writers' Pitlochry Quaich competition for the beginning of a romantic novel. Mischief in Midlothian won the 2022 Scottish Association of Writers' Constable Silver Stag trophy. She has had a number of short stories published in magazines, journals and anthologies in the UK, the USA and Australia.

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Where to Purchase

Amazon

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