A Very Bookish Murder
(Ally McKinley Mystery #3)
by Dee MacDonald
Welcome back to the tiny Highland village of Locharran, where Ally McKinley – guesthouse owner and accidental detective – is about to stumble upon another dead body… and her next case.
When Ally McKinley hears that well-known novelist Jodi Jones is going to host a writers’ retreat at the hotel just down the road, she’s delighted to offer rooms at her little guesthouse for some of the attendees. Ally is thrilled to join the group for one of their first sessions – but the retreat has barely begun before she finds the famous writer strangled in the ladies’ bathroom!
The cake tin and teapot come out at the little guesthouse in the Highlands as Ally begins to question her bookish guests. Accusations of plagiarism and infidelity start flying and it’s clear that more than one of the retreat attendees had a grudge against Jodi. But could any of them have resorted to murder?
When Ally discovers a diary in Jodi’s bedroom at the guesthouse with several pages ripped out of it, she thinks she’s close to cracking the case. But the plot thickens when another of the aspiring writers is found dead, only hours after she said she knew the identity of Jodi’s killer.
Not only is the murderer still in Locharran, but they’re desperate to stop Ally getting to the truth. With her faithful puppy Flora by her side, can Ally unravel the clues and solve the mystery before she’s written out of the story for good?
A totally gripping and bookish cozy mystery set in the Scottish Highlands from bestselling author Dee MacDonald. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Clare Chase.
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
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‘Your brother was hit by a bus?’ Ally asked again. ‘Ah told ye! The bus from Clachar! The driver, Ecky, wiz awful upset.’ ‘Well, he would be,’ Ally said, ‘but what about your brother?’ ‘Och, he was flattened. Flat as a flounder. Ye can see his grave if ye look in the churchyard, right near the gate.’ ‘So it killed him?’ Ally asked, horrified. ‘Of course it killed him– it wiz a big bus,’ said Queenie, taking the money for the salt and depositing it in the till. ‘But Charlie wid’ve been three sheets to the wind, so he probably widnae have felt much.’ She sniffed. ‘He liked a wee drink,’ she added by way of explanation.
Hamish was now fussing over his wife, wiping her brow and murmuring words of comfort which were completely inaudible due to Magda’s yelling and swearing. Ally was impressed with her considerable vocabulary of profanities.
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My Review:
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This series has been a fun and highly amusing diversion, and I have vastly enjoyed each installment. Dee MacDonald is a smooth and crafty storyteller and kept me guessing with a brain-teasing murder mystery, while she gleefully entertained me with her quirky and authentic characters. I am eagerly awaiting her next effort.
About the Author
Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years.
She has worked in Market Research, Sales, and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.
Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70!
Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.
