Plaid and Plagiarism

October 3, 2016
Four women open a bookstore in Inversgail, Scotland, in this charming series debut from MacRae (Knot the Usual Suspects and four other Haunted Yarn mysteries). Janet Marsh, a former Illinois librarian, is seeking a new life after a painful divorce; Janet’s 38-year-old daughter, Tallie, is a burned-out law professor; and Tallie’s former college roommate, Summer Jacobs, is an ex-reporter. The fourth friend, Christine Robertson, was born in the Highland town but has spent most of her married life in Illinois. They have bought not only Yon Bonnie Books but the adjoining space (future tearoom) and the bedrooms upstairs (future B and B). Their ambitious plans hit one snag after another, including renters who trash Janet’s house and a body in the shed at the bottom of the garden. In an effort to move the police investigation along, the four poke around, learning that many locals (a) didn’t like the victim and (b) don’t like
a lot of “foreigners” in Inversgail. It will be fun to see what these independent, resourceful, and likable women do next.

October 1, 2016
Four ladies whove purchased a bookshop in the Scottish Highlands find murder messing up their plans. Illinois native Janet Marsh is no stranger to Inversgail, a charming west Highland coastal village where shes owned a vacation home for many years. After her husband, Curtis, had an affair with one of his graduate students, Janet got the house free and clear in the divorce proceedings. Now she and her Scottish friend Christine Robertson, who's lived in Illinois for decades and whose parents live in Inversgail, have settled in the town, along with Janets 38-year-old daughter, Tallie, and her friend Summer, planning to run the bookstore along with a tea room and a B&B. For some reason Janet hasn't been able to get into her house, though she gave the real estate agent who's been renting it out plenty of notice, and when she strolls over to take a look, she sees the kitchen piled high with reeking garbage. But thats not the worst of it. The body of Una Graham, the local agony aunt and troublemaker, is soon found in the garden shed with a sickle in her neck. Neither the local constable nor the specialists sent in have much to say. So the four ladies decide to do some sleuthing on their own. Janets realtor thought Una was persecuting her and was the one who dumped the garbage. Janets next-door neighbor, a famous and self-centered author of mysteries, had his own problems with Una. And when they find a cache of threatening letters probably written by Una hidden in the unfinished tea room, they realize she must have had lots of enemies. Their investigation turns up many sad stories that could provide motives for murder. Now they just have to find the right one before the killer strikes again. This series kickoff from MacRae (Wilder Rumors, 2007, etc.) is chock-full of intriguing characters and Highland charm. Maybe a little too full: it could have done with some judicious pruning.

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December 1, 2016

Janet Marsh has been visiting the Scottish town of Inversgail for years, having owned a vacation home there. When her husband decamped with a female graduate student, Janet got the house. Now, with daughter Tallie, best friend Christine Robertson, and Tallie's friend Summer, Janet has bought the local bookstore with plans to open a cafe next door and bed-and-breakfast upstairs. But murder rears its ugly head when Una Graham, a disagreeable newspaper columnist, is found dead in Janet's back shed. The investigation by the intrepid foursome uncovers a vast array of suspects, including the reclusive author who lives next door to Janet and the local real-estate broker. VERDICT Full of fascinating local characters and Highland color, this series debut will charm everyone who loves Scotland. MacRae also writes the "Haunted Yarn Shop" series and brings the same cozy sensibilities here. Recommend for enthusiasts of Ann Ripley or Dicey Deere.

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