Fateful Words
A Scottish Bookshop Mystery
-
-
4.4 • 34 Ratings
-
-
- $9.99
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
In Fateful Words, the eighth Scottish Bookshop Mystery from beloved author Paige Shelton, bookseller Delaney Nichols stakes her reputation—and her life—when a literary tour turns deadly...
When Edwin, Delaney’s boss at the Cracked Spine bookstore, leaves town on secret business, Delaney is called upon to guide his yearly literary tour around Edinburgh. But on the first night of the tour, at the inn where the tour group is staying, the inn manager falls—or is pushed—off the roof of the inn, and killed. Then, one of the tour members disappears, leaving a trail of puzzles in her wake.
In a race against the clock, Delaney sets out on the expedition of her life, following clues around Edinburgh to get to the bottom of this mystery. Exploring sights from Greyfriars Bobby to the Royal Mile to the Sir Walter Scott Monument, she'll have to put the pieces together quickly, or the bookstore's survival could be on the line...as well as her own.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In bestseller Shelton's entertaining eighth Scottish Bookshop mystery (after 2022's The Burning Pages), wealthy businessman Edwin MacAlister, who owns the Cracked Spine bookstore, selects four "winners" every year from people he's corresponded with on literary matters. The prize is a coveted all-expenses-paid weekend-long literary tour of Edinburgh led by Edwin. When Edwin and his assistant, Hamlet, are unexpectedly—and mysteriously—unavailable to lead the tour, Edwin's American expat employee, Delaney Nichols, is tapped to lead the group. The four winners, disappointed by the change, and their newly appointed guide, Delaney, begin the tour. Within 24 hours, the owner of the inn where they're staying is dead from a fall, and one of the four has vanished. Delaney gamely carries on as she leads the group to places with literary ties, including the Writers Museum and Deacon Brodie's Tavern, and the danger mounts. With the help of her husband, Tom, Delaney discovers a trail of false identities, fraud, and a killer intent on destroying Edwin. This is armchair tourism at its best, with a dash of murder for spice. Bibliophiles and cozy fans alike will be enchanted.
Customer Reviews
Great new edition to the series
This is the 8th book in the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries, and like the others builds on the characters from the original book, but can be read as a stand alone if one wishes. The author does a great job of giving you enough details that you will not be lost, but at the same time not revealing important parts of the other books in case you wish to read those as well. Which, I do recommend as they are really good.
The most appealing thing about these books is the descriptions of the places in Scotland. As our main character is giving the tour about town to the folks who have come to get a literary tour, you feel as if you, too, are a part of that tour. However, it is a tour that ends up having a murder as part of it, which our main character Delaney helps to solve.
The minor characters in her books are always fascinating, and I enjoyed the inclusion of several of the ones I have come to love from the other books, but I also liked the new character Luka who is part of the tour group. He would be a great one to find again in a future story.
The mystery itself happens in the middle of the various places Delaney is taking her tour group on, and clues pop up along the way. Though I felt the murder mystery was not as well done as some of the others this author has done, it was still a good book and well written. I recommend to cozy mystery readers, and those who love stories that take place in Scotland. It is a delightful romp, and one worth reading.
Where Can I Sign Up For a Tour
This is the eighth installment of the Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series, and it’s fantastic. I’ve been hooked since the Cracked Spine (1) due to the lovely characters and wonderful mysteries. I love all of the different Scottish historical themes that are presented in each book. I will always long to visit and see everything for myself, but for now…I live through Paige Shelton & Delaney.
There are so many great characters in this book. Loved the aspect of having to conduct a tour while a murder had just taken place. Super interesting puzzles to be solved that make it hard to put the book down. Whodunit? The ultimate question is anything but easy to solve. You’ll just have to read it to find out!
Anxiously waiting for the next,
x Sarah - Anneoftucson Reviews