Book Description
Sophie and Hector are heading to the Highlands.
For Sophie it’s a trip home and for Hector it’s time to meet Sophie’s parents... Though their trip has
village tongues wagging about a stop at Scotland’s notorious elopement spot, Gretna Green.
No matter what, it’ll make a nice break from the murder and mayhem that has been plaguing their
beautiful Cotswolds village. But Sophie and Hector are barely on the road before they’re being
hassled by reckless drivers and at their first rest stop a body is discovered.
Then comes a series of ‘accidents’ that leave poor Hector a little worse for wear. Is someone after
Hector? Who could even know he was in the Highlands?
Accidents or not, can they find some way to keep Hector safe?
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY DEBBIE.
Review for Murder In The Highlands' by Debbie Young.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Debbie Young, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.
Publication date 15th March 2023.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the eighth book in the 'Sophie Sayers Cosy Mystery' series.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching beautiful cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood Books. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood Books that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 40 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in the Scottish Highlands, Scotland 🏴, UK🇬🇧 . The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually holidayed in Scotland previously so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise any areas Debbie has based her book on.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Sophie Sayers. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that leave you feeling the fresh Scottish air in your hair and listening to the water running down the water slides. The cover and synopsis suit the book perfectly.
Such an easy, fun cosy mystery that had me hook, line and sinker!!! Well done Debbie on an absolutely addictive cosy mystery!! This may be the first book I have read by you but it most definitely won't be the last!!
I absolutely loved reading this book which took place in such a stunning environment I felt like I had disappeared on holiday for the day. It was a shame it was only a day but that's how long it took me to zoom through the pages after not being able to put it down. I genuinely felt like I was in the storyline and I was devastated to come to the end and have to "unpack my suitcase". The storyline is multilayered with mystery upon mystery to keep the reader completely absorbed throughout without a moment to get bored. It was filled with murder, hills, romance, adventure, mayhem, mystery, tension, twists, friendship, books and absolutely everything you could ever ask for in a cosy mystery. I absolutely loved the fact that the main protagonists work in a tea/book shop and that the mystery is surrounded by books!! Here's being an absolutely huge book lover this is always a huge bonus for me. This was the perfect start(for me) to what is promising to be an addictive series and I cannot wait to get stuck in to previous and future books in this series!!! I was not expecting the fantastic surprise and reveal so a huge congratulations there!!! I have read so many books it seems to be getting harder and harder to shock me but you definitely managed it! This is one of those fantastic finds that you can read absolutely anywhere from the beach to in front of a fireplace. It doesn't matter where you read it because of Debbie's evocative writing skills you are guaranteed to be swept away to the highlands in no time!!! I loved that although this book is predominantly a murder mystery it also made me laugh so many times. Its perfect when you find a book like that that even when the storyline has death in it it still makes you laugh and lightens the mood!!!
Do not pick this up until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
Although this is the eighth book in the series I had would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
It is always worrying when starting a new series as you have no idea who the characters are. It is very important for me to bond with not only the lead protagonists but I find it important that I like the characters surrounding them too.
I am pleased to report I had absolutely nothing to worry about and absolutely LOVED meeting Sophie, Hector and everyone else who made this cosy mystery perfect the way it was. I became completely invested in each of the characters and Debbie portrayed village life, the Highlands and characters perfectly. The fact that she did her research absolutely shined through her words so congratulations Debbie!! There is little worse than an author doing little or no research in the topic or area they write about and littering their book with unnecessary mistakes which can spoil the storyline. I really clicked with both Sophie and Hector immediately who were both a perfect choice for this cosy mystery. I cannot wait to see where their relationship goes and see if they ever end up back at Gretna Green!! They made a perfect team and I loved watching their relationship developing. I am looking forward to meeting them both again in the next book in this fantastic series and seeing how their friendship and relationships with each and the other characters develop especially with Sophie's parents, Kate, Ted and Carol who all left an impression on me!! I'm looking forward to seeing what all these fantastic and memorable characters get up to in the not so distant future!!!
Congratulations Debbie on an absolutely addictive book in what promises to be an addictive series!!! Here's to a fantastic and many more successes 🥂 Welcome to my favourite cosy mystery author list!!
Overall an addictive cosy mystery set in a stunning area that you won't be able to put down!!
Genres covered in this book include British Detective Stories, Women Sleuths, Literary Fiction, Small Town & and Rural Fiction, Amateur Sleuth Mysteries, Fiction Mashups, Holiday Fiction, Cozy Animal Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Mystery and Mystery amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin, Claire Chase, Verity Bright, Betty Rowlands and anyone who loves an addictive cosy mystery!!!
240 pages.
This book is just £2.84 to purchase on kindle and £9.99 in paperback (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio –
Debbie Young is the much-loved author of the Sophie Sayers and St Brides cosy crime mysteries. She
lives in a Cotswold village where she runs the local literary festival, and has worked at Westonbirt
School, both of which provide inspiration for her writing. She is bringing both her series to Boldwood
in a 13-book contract. They will be publishing several new titles in each series and republishing the
backlist, starting in September 2022.
Social Media Links –
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDebbieYoung
Twitter https://twitter.com/DebbieYoungBN
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/debbieyoungauthor/
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DebbieYoungNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debbie-young
Purchase Link
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CmKCa4
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