Author: Dee MacDonald
Published: September 2, 2024 by Bookouture
Format: Kindle, 248 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Ally McKinley #1
Blurb: For recently retired Ally McKinley, the tiny village of Locharran is the perfect place to open the guesthouse of her dreams in a lovingly restored old Scottish malthouse. Before long she is making friends with the locals, including Hamish Sinclair, the earl who owns the nearby castle. But things take an unexpected turn when her first paying guest, American tourist Wilbur Carrington, is found sprawled across her cobblestoned courtyard with a dagger in his back…
With the police baffled, Ally’s instincts get the better of her, and she can’t resist launching her own investigation. In no time at all she and her Labrador puppy Flora are on the case, making enquiries over tea and excellent shortbread. She finds that Wilbur, a keen amateur genealogist, was convinced that he was the rightful Earl of Locharran… Even worse, he had plans that would put many people out of their jobs and even their homes.
But which of the locals resorted to murder? The hotel owner furiously trying to save his business? Locharran Castle’s fiercely loyal housekeeper who’d do anything for the earl? Or the earl himself, whose entire way of life was threatened by what Wilbur knew?
Looking for clues, Ally finds a faded photograph in a hidden drawer in Wilbur’s room. Could this be the key to solving the mystery? But when one of her suspects dies in a suspicious accident, Ally realises that things are getting a wee bit too close for comfort… Can she uncover the truth or will a killer get off scot-free?
My Opinion: When Dee MacDonald announced the end of her beloved Kate Palmer series, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Kate, with her middle-aged charm, had become a favorite. But then came Ally McKinley, and I was all in again. Ally is just as captivating, bringing a unique flair to the world of amateur sleuthing.
In Murder in the Scottish Highlands, Ally is ready to shake things up. Freshly retired, she opens a bed and breakfast in an old malthouse Locharran, Scottland, despite her kids' protests. The quirky setting brings many colorful characters and, naturally, a budding romance. But things take a dark turn when Ally finds a guest dead in her garden. In a tight-knit village, she can't help but worry about the gossip.
The murder mystery is a curious puzzle with twists and turns that aren't immediately obvious. This gives readers the chance to dive deep into the lives of the villagers and uncover their secrets, making the journey to solving the crime even more fun. Dee MacDonald's talent for engaging stories shines through, keeping me engaged until the last pages.
Dee's return with Ally McKinley worked for me. Ally is as endearing as Kate Palmer, offering a new character in the amateur detective genre. This book is a fantastic showcase of Dee MacDonald's storytelling skills, leaving me looking forward to more adventures with Ally.
With the police baffled, Ally’s instincts get the better of her, and she can’t resist launching her own investigation. In no time at all she and her Labrador puppy Flora are on the case, making enquiries over tea and excellent shortbread. She finds that Wilbur, a keen amateur genealogist, was convinced that he was the rightful Earl of Locharran… Even worse, he had plans that would put many people out of their jobs and even their homes.
But which of the locals resorted to murder? The hotel owner furiously trying to save his business? Locharran Castle’s fiercely loyal housekeeper who’d do anything for the earl? Or the earl himself, whose entire way of life was threatened by what Wilbur knew?
Looking for clues, Ally finds a faded photograph in a hidden drawer in Wilbur’s room. Could this be the key to solving the mystery? But when one of her suspects dies in a suspicious accident, Ally realises that things are getting a wee bit too close for comfort… Can she uncover the truth or will a killer get off scot-free?
My Opinion: When Dee MacDonald announced the end of her beloved Kate Palmer series, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Kate, with her middle-aged charm, had become a favorite. But then came Ally McKinley, and I was all in again. Ally is just as captivating, bringing a unique flair to the world of amateur sleuthing.
In Murder in the Scottish Highlands, Ally is ready to shake things up. Freshly retired, she opens a bed and breakfast in an old malthouse Locharran, Scottland, despite her kids' protests. The quirky setting brings many colorful characters and, naturally, a budding romance. But things take a dark turn when Ally finds a guest dead in her garden. In a tight-knit village, she can't help but worry about the gossip.
The murder mystery is a curious puzzle with twists and turns that aren't immediately obvious. This gives readers the chance to dive deep into the lives of the villagers and uncover their secrets, making the journey to solving the crime even more fun. Dee MacDonald's talent for engaging stories shines through, keeping me engaged until the last pages.
Dee's return with Ally McKinley worked for me. Ally is as endearing as Kate Palmer, offering a new character in the amateur detective genre. This book is a fantastic showcase of Dee MacDonald's storytelling skills, leaving me looking forward to more adventures with Ally.
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