Probable Caws

A Meg Lanslow Mystery Book 39

Author:    Donna Andrews

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781250407320

Minotaur Books

304 Pages

$28.00; $14.99 Amazon

August 4, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Meg has finally found time to get some blacksmithing done when a call from her dad interrupts her -- can she come out to Ragnar's right away to help with the horses?  Their friend Ragnar Ragnarsen, who is gradually turning the enormous house on his nearby estate into an authentic moated castle, has agreed to shelter nearly fifty horses for Hoof and Hearth, an equine rescue organization that has lost access to the farm where the horses have been living.  The owner of the farm recently died without leaving a will, and while his older son Abel would be happy to let the horses stay, younger brother George wants to sell to a developer...and is suspected of sending thug to harm the horses as part of his efforts to evict Hoof and Hearth.

That night, while Meg and her family are camping at one of Ragnar's barns, to keep an eye on the horses, they discover that the thug has been murdered.  Unfortunately George is alibied...but his horse-loving brother Abel is not.  Neither are the hot-tempered founder of Hoof and Hearth or the passionately protective ex-jockey who serves as its stablemaster.  Meg juggles helping keep the horses safe and doing what she can to help the chief solve the thug's murder...all the while hoping that the killer won't turn out to be one of the dedicated horse rescuers she has come to like and respect.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Meg Lanslow lives in a small town with her husband Michael and twin sons.  She's a blacksmith by trade, and has been making items for a friend, Ragnar Ragnarsen, who wants to turn his mansion into a moated castle.  Just when she thinks she has some time on her hands for new creations, she receives a call from her father asking if she can come to Ragnar's farm and help with the horses.  The horses are rescues from Hoof and Hearth, and they have been displaced by due to a dispute.  While Abel has no problem keeping them, his brother George wants them off the land so he can sell his half.

George shows up at the farm with a nasty bodyguard who doesn't say anything but is threatening just the same.  Told to leave the farm, he isn't happy, but does so, threatening people as he leaves.  No one is sad to see him go.

What Meg finds when she arrives as Ragnar's is the testy owner of Hoof and Hearth, along with half the town to help.  Many of the horses are in bad shape, and one of them is heavily pregnant and won't allow men near her.  Which leaves her grandfather, a zoo veterinarian, to find a female vet.  In the meantime, Meg has decided to keep watch over her.

Her boys want to spend the night camping out near the barns, and Meg and Michael go along with their own tent.  But during the night Meg fears that the heavy rain may scare some of the horses, and goes to check.  What she finds in one of the barns is a man.  A very dead man...

Now she's in the middle of a murder investigation, and there's just too many suspects.  She doesn't know any of the people that work for Hoof and Hearth besides Abel, and she doesn't think he is a killer.  Could it have been George?  But he has an air-tight alibi.  Is it Helena, the testy owner of the horses?  Or someone else?  Enlisting the help of her attorney cousin Festus, her computer-savvy nephew Kevin, and anyone else she thinks might be helpful, she sets out to find a killer.  Now if she can just stay out of the orbit herself, she might even survive this...

Donna Andrews has created a winner with this book.  I will give a bit of a spoiler, that is, this book is heavily saturated with horses, so if you love the creatures, you will love this book.  You will also learn quite a bit along the way.  Saying that, I love almost all animals, so I found it interesting as well.  Especially the crows.  I love crows (which is actually a good thing, it turns out!)

Meg tries to be discreet in her questioning, and even if she thinks someone might be guilty, her quick wit gets her out of trouble before she can even get into it.  There is a strong reliance on family here, and it's refreshing to read about a protagonist who is not only married, but happily so.  I love the (minimal) interactions between Meg and Michael, and even their sons.  Everyone seems to be busy and happy.  

Finding a killer isn't going to be easy, because of the murder weapon, which is indeed unusual.  And when a key piece of evidence goes missing, they need to find it to see if it connects with the murder in any way.  There's a lot going on here, and the clues are there (sometimes) but keep reading, because this is at the least an intriguing tale.

When we get closer to the climax of the book, things change.  They move around.  Surprises pop up that nobody saw coming.  Especially Meg.  And even I, who reads tons of mysteries, was pleased by all of this, surprised myself (although I did figure out part of it, but not all).  I am not going to say anything else as I don't want to ruin this for others.  I will say that even if you have not read any of her other books, this will definitely make you want to.  Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Probable-Caws-Langslow-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/125040732X/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8789761490

More on Donna Andrews' Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/donna-andrews/

A Sudden Flicker of Light

A Revisionist History of Movies

Author: David Thomson

Genre:   Entertainment

Hardcover; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)

ISBN #:    9781668205730; 9781668205723

Simon & Schuster

368 Pages

$25.99; $14.99 Amazon

July 7, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Thomson has been called "the greatest living writer on the movies."  Here is a career capstone of sorts -- a one-volume history of film and screens as illuminating and provocative as his classic Biographical Dictionary of Film.  In tracing the progress from the Lumiere Brothers to the Coens, Thomson glories in the great movies, but admits to increasing unease over what the medium has done to us -- promoting fantasy, misleading models of sexual identity, the cult of authority, power, and happy endings.

This revisionist history is as alert to technology and business as it is to art and fun in tracing our pursuit of the lifelike instead of life.  By turns trenchant, lyrical, and comic, Thomson uncovers our addition to voyeurism and villainy, and a habit of passivity that has betrayed our poitical and cultural identity.  In a survey that reaches from Metropolis to Rear Window to Anora, this will redirect ideas about film everywhere.  As The New York Times has put it, "Thomson proves anew that he is irreplaceable."

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

First off, I will say that I have read several of Mr. Thomson's books and own quite a few of them (I just haven't gotten to them all!)  I find that he is an erudite writer who knows his subject well.  When I decided to read this book, I was curious about the content, loving film as I do.  I will say that I love classic movies, own thousands of them, and watch anything from the silents up until they started to get boring (I won't divulge when, as that is my own business and my own opinion).  I will, however, say that I detest modern movies and don't watch them; I prefer to spend my time with Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire (I have a love affair with Fred Astaire), and Barbara Stanwyck.  If you don't know who these actors are, you are missing out on something great.

Mr. Thomson does mention earlier (and some now) actors in this book, but it is mainly centered on directors.  He begins with the 1800's and start of movie-making, which wasn't all that easy to do.  Even then, people were enchanted by the five- or ten-minute films they were allowed to watch.  Since then, we have come miles from what film started out as. 

I have seen most of the films that are mentioned in this book, so I am familiar with the subject matter.  I will add that this book would be essential for any college film major.  You will be surprised at the depth of information inside.  It took me a while to read, as I wanted to ponder what was being said by the author.  Also, I have a habit (good or bad, I haven't figured out) of watching several of the films mentioned in any book having to do with the entertainment industry.  It helps me understand more, see more, and enjoy more.

There are oodles (an odd word!) of directors found within this book, and he gives an honest opinion on their style and facets of directing.  He also gives us background information, which is well-received by the reader.  Personally, I do enjoy Howard Hawks, Mervyn LeRoy, and even Spielberg's films.  All very good.  We also agree that Fred Astaire was almost inhuman in the way he danced  -- it was very sexy and more than musical; his air of grace and effortless moves were almost ethereal.

He speaks of directors from the earliest days, and doesn't pull punches when he does so.  You learn of their failures, foibles, and successes.  While Birth of a Nation is a long film (silent), it's interesting to view.  Others, such as The Godfather, are classics that will stay forever.  

The book is broken down into sections film history; from subject to director to film.  There are analyses of some; reviews of others; and critiques of directorial styles.  It is interesting to see the differences between Orson Welles and later directors, who have somewhat leaned upon his style (but you need to find the ones I am speaking of).

The only thing that bothered me -- and it may not bother others -- were the influx of political opinion,  I was disappointed in Mr. Thomson, because, and I will say this freely, a book about film has no place for politics.  I am fatigued by those who give us wonderful books and then feel the need to infuse their own politics.  While I will not say how, but it is as if you are watching a comedy film and the ending is science fiction.  You would leave scratching your head and wondering where the sci-fi came from, why it was added, and what happened to the original plot.  Badly done, in my view.

Other than that, I can say that this is a very good book, and I am glad that I was given the opportunity to read it.  I do enjoy Mr. Thomson's books; he is a terrific writer and critic, and this would be a good addition to anyone's entertainment library.  Recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Sudden-Flicker-Light-Revisionist-History-ebook/dp/B0FX5NJGRW/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8730028679

More on David Thomson's Books:    https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Thomson/author/B001K8AFRO?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=46ee9624-3d57-43f0-9eff-e14c2bc8c539

Roddy McDowell

An Actor's Life -- From "How Green Was My Valley" to "Lassie" to "Planet of the Apes"

Author:    Samuel Garza Bernstein

Genre:     Biography/Entertainers

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9780806544267

Citadel

352 Pages

$29.00; $24.65 Amazon

May 26, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sincerity, erudition, charisma...Roddy McDowall.

Here is the ncomprehensive, first-ever biography of the award-winning child star, Planet of the Apes movie icon, beloved film legend, and Hollywood renaissance man whose career spanned 60 years.

As one of the very few naturally gifted child actors who graduated into adult roles with relative ease, Roddy McDowall exuded charm throughout a glorious Hollywood run that included film, television, and Broadway.  John Ford's 1941 classis How Green Was My Valley put Roddy on the map at 12-years-old.  It won Best Picture over Citizen Kane and is Clint Eastwood's favorite film of all time.  But Roddy's biggest claim to fame was yet to come.

The phenomenally popular Planet of the Apes film series, which ran from 1968-1973, introduced him to a whole new generation of fans.  In a career spanning 60 years, Roddy was also a professional photographer, producer and director, starstruck movie lover himself, and film preservationist.  Among his treasured friends: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Angela Lansbury, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Lauren Bacall, Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brand, Natalie Wood, and Rock Hudson.  Openly gay among his peers, if not the public, Roddy was a trusted keeper of secrets as well.  Loyal and authentic to the end, everyone in Hollywood loved Roddy McDowall.

Exhaustively researched and featuring exclusive interviews with those who knew him best, this first-ever biography from author Samuel Garza Bernstein charts the extraordinary trajectory of the London-born, award-winning actor -- from a childhood in front of the cameras, to a break from the studio and his controlling stage mother, an awkward adolescence and growing awareness of his sexuality, to eventually shaping the life and career that Roddy wanted for himself.  Professionally and personally, he was a success.  This intimate and fascinating journey of resilience, transformation, and reinvention is a long-awaited and illuminating tribute to a true Hollywood legend.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ 

First off, I want to say that I am a huge classic film buff, and own thousands of them.  I don't care for the movies made today; and I feel that I should say that before reviewing this book.  that being said, I have always been a fan of Roddy McDowall.  

From his sad face in How Green Was My Valley to his obvious enjoyment of Planet of the Apes, there was always a charisma surrounding him.  His acting was wonderful, his timing impeccable.  Just a minor role in Midnight Lace tells you all you need to know.  When he looks malevolently at Doris Day, you do believe that he would have no problem doing her harm.  (Spoiler: he doesn't).

He always drew me in while watching his films.  The magnificent oration in Cleopatra (which I learned, sadly) had part of it cut), was indeed something worth watching.  He gave the best performance of the film, and that is saying something, since he was surrounded by actors such as Rex Harrison, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton.

The author has done justice to Roddy with this book.  He begins when Roddy is just a child in England; his mother, Wineifrede, wants to be an actress but has neither the looks nor form for it, so she begins to groom her two children, Roddy and his older sister Virginia, for starring roles.

When they are sent to America by their father during World War II, Roddy is just twelve years old.  His mother, still starstruck, goes to Hollywood and eventually a director sees Roddy's potential.  Eventually, How Green Was My Valley not only becomes a starring vehicle for the young Brit, but it wins Best Picture that year at the Oscars.  Roddy's star is born.

Unfortunately, as often happens, child stars don't always morph immediately into teenage roles, and Roddy was no exception. Although his childhood films were wonderful (some made me cry), his later films weren't as successful; but when he became a man his career once again took off.

So did Roddy...right for New York, and a new world of theater opened up.  He loved Broadway, and Broadway loved him.  Roddy loved being around people, and his many friends (too many to list, but most were A-listers themselves) surrounded him, protected him, and enjoyed his many dinner parties.  He never lacked for companions, nor companionship.  I have no doubt most people know that Roddy was gay, although it didn't define his life.  I don't think, 'this is a gay actor,' I think, 'this is a great actor who also happens to be gay'.  I never cared, and I still don't.  This was a handsome, enigmatic man whose face could carry any emotion and convey it to the audience.  His words only added to the charm.

He was involved in many charities, and did what he could for the preservation of film.  So many films are lost forever by those who never thought that future generations might enjoy them.  Roddy did care.

Yes, I am fond of Roddy, but it did not color my reading of the book.  There was extensive research done, and interviews with friends who survived him.  Their thoughts were kind.  In fact, I could not find any negative thoughts at all.  This was a man who took care of his family, forgave them their faults, held his friends close and kept their secrets. 

The last part is actually difficult for me to write.  It's about Roddy's last days and his death.  I cried through those pages, and I am crying now while I relive it.  It is the pain that his friends felt upon losing him; and even in his last days he showed his love.  I only wished I could have met him.  At least I have his films.

In the end, this is a wonderful biography that gives Roddy McDowall the justice he deserves.  It makes me want to be a better person myself.  Do yourself a favor:  Watch a few of his movies and then read this book.  You won't regret it.  Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Roddy-McDowall-Actors-Valley-Lassie/dp/0806544260/ref=

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8564535382

More on Samuel Garza Bernstein's Books:    https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ASamuel%2BGarza%2BBernstein&s=relevancerank&text=Samuel+Garza+Bernstein&ref=

Murder At The Campfire Cookout

 A Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries Book 7

Author:    Darci Hannah

Genre:     Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)

ISBN #:     9781496747426

Kensington Cozies

352 Pages

$8.99; $7.99 Amazon

June 30, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When Lindsey Bakewell leaves behind her lighthouse bakeshop, her boyfriend, Rory, and her Newfoundland dog, Wellington, for a glamping trip with her mother in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the bears leave them alone -- but a killer doesn't.

Converting the old Beacon Point lighthouse into a bakery is as adventurous as Lindsey cares to get.  Her mother, Ellie, a former 80s fashion model, likes her creature comforts even more -- until she sees a business opportunity for her Beacon Harbor fashion boutique when she's invited by the Mitten Kittens Glamping Club on a woodsy getaway.

Far from roughing it, the ladies will be warm and cozy in chic vintage campers.  Ellie insists Lindsey come along to win the campfire cookout contest.  Campfire cooking has come a long way from bacon and beans.  Soon Lindsey is making pizza, berry cobbler and gooey Carmelita camping bars.

But the festive spirit is soon dampened when a body is found in Ellie's Camper.  It seems like an accidental death until everyone's tires are slashed and it's clear the glampsite has become a crime scene.  With no cell service to call for help, it's up to Lindsey to smoke out the killer around the campfire...

Because no one is out of the woods yet.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lindsey Bakewell, owner of the lighthouse bakery in Michigan, is convinced by her mother Ellie to go on a glamping trip, along with her friends Kennedy and Colleen.  Getting back to nature isn't in her nature even though they'll be in 'glampers' which are converted campers that have all the comforts of home.  Her mother has even entered her in a cookout contest -- which she doesn't know how to do, so i and given lessons by her boyfriend Rory, a true outdoorsman.

The first night starts off fine, with Lindsey thinking she might have a chance at winning.  But when one of the campers uses Ellie's bathroom, she never returns.  Ellie and her friend Betty find the woman in front of the stove, dead.  It turns out she was going to use the stove and cheat, but was electrocuted instead.

Then another camper offers to take the body into town to the coroner, since there is no cell service in the UP where they are.  But she doesn't return.  And when Lindsey, Kennedy, and Colleen head out to town to find help, they find another tragedy.  It's not long before the women realize that they are truly stranded...and someone is after Lindsey's mother.  

All their tires are slashed, and another accident occurs.  Determined at all costs to keep her mother safe, the three young women are on a quest to find help and save the group, but will they be able to find help before someone else is injured, or worse, killed?...

This is the seventh book in the series and I have enjoyed them all.  I love the characters, and I love watching them as they find clues and solve murders.  This has been one of my favorite series by far, and I enjoy reading it.  The author has done a wonderful job of characterization and description of not only the area where they reside, but food!

There are plenty of pitfalls this time around, as Lindsey is not in her element in the woods.  She's not comfortable, and if you think that's a problem, it's even more so for Kennedy, who is a city girl through-and-through.  Alas, those two and Irish Colleen, are soon wishing they'd stayed home.  But if they did, they never would have discovered the plot against Ellie.

Who is sabotaging everything around them, causing accidents to campers?  Who is after Ellie and why?  When they get closer to the truth, it just becomes stranger and stranger, and eventually they find out that none of would have even been on their radar.

I have to say that one of the best episodes was toward the end of the book (do not peek!) when the three find themselves in strange territory with unexpected results.  Then again, it would even be unexpected for me, and I lived in the Upper Peninsula for a time (too cold in the winter!).

All in all, this is an interesting tale in the series, and I enjoyed it very much, immersing myself in the book that was unputdownable for me.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Campfire-Cookout-Bakeshop-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FV59763T/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8492293861

More on Darci Hannah's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/darci-hannah/

Killer Donuts

 A Deputy Donut Mystery Book 11

Author:    Ginger Bolton

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496758255

Kensington Cozies

256 Pages

$17.97; $9.99 Amazon

August 25, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's fall in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, and Emily Fyne, owner of the popular local Deputy Donut cafe is on a trail -- a Donut Trail, that is -- to tour pre-Halloween treats and activities, not to mention check out the competition.  It's all fun and games, until a murder that's no trick...

Emily and her friends Izzy and Monique are traveling the Donut Trail in style in Deputy Donut's vintage, donut-topped car.  With them are Emily's cat, Dep, and Monique's tiny dog, Gigi.  Amid the spectacular foliage they stop at an orchard that includes a bistro and a vast corn maze,  But while sampling some apple cider, they find that not everyone shares their friendly, festive mood...

A cranky tourist not only scolds them for bringing their pets, but she also says she hates dogs -- with cats a close second.  No matter.  Emily and company, their pets leashed, go off to enter the maze,  But soon, boisterous teens barge in, wreaking havoc, tossing pumpkins, uprooting cornstalks -- and attempting a dog-snatching...

As everyone scrambles to regroup, it turns out the dog-hating woman is missing.  And when her dead body is finally discovered -- with Gigi's hair ribbon in her pocket -- Emily and her friends are the top suspects.  To clear their names, they'll have to throw a killer off their trail while diving even deeper into a dangerous labyrinth of clues...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

It's nearing Halloween in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, and donut shop owner Emily Fyne and her friends Izzy and Monique are taking a tour of the Donut Trail, which stops at various shops in Wisconsin that sell donuts.  Everything is going fine until they reach a certain point and an unfriendly woman starts remarking about people who bring their pets along.  Monique, with her tiny dog, Gigi, and Emily, with her cat Dep, are trying the donuts and cider and since they are out side, no one else is complaining.  But the woman mentions how she hates dogs (and cats) and won't let up.

Still, the three women aren't about to let her spoil their mood, and so they decide to go into the corn maze which is also on the property.  But while they are trying to find their way out, a hand shoots through the corn and grabs Gigi.  Suddenly, things go sideways as the women attempt to find the tiny creature and everyone is shouting her name -- even disruptive teenagers who think this is all a game.

Eventually, Gigi is found, and all is calm.  For a while, at least.  Until it's discovered that the woman is missing from her tour.  And when her body is found in the maze the next day, with Gigi's hair ribbon in her pocket, they become suspects in the murder.  Now Emily and her friends are trying to clear their names and find a killer.  Because if they don't, one of them may be the next victim...

This is the eleventh book in the series, and I have enjoyed most of them.  I will admit, in the beginning their was an 'evil nemesis' which I hate above all things, but since that problem has been removed, all the remaining books have been more than delightful.

I love Emily and her family and friends, each with their own backstory to tell, and new friends that they meet along the way.  Her life with her detective husband Brent is good, Dep is spoiled (even more than my cats), but I enjoy reading about her as well.  She owns Deputy Donuts along with her late husband's father Tom, and the business is thriving.

In this book, Emily once again is drawn into a murder as she tries to prove herself innocent.  Although she's not really a serious suspect, one of her friends is, and she knows that she needs to help clear her name.  To that end, the three women start listing their own suspects, and it builds quite a list.  When they start to question people, they get the natural resistance, but someone is watching their every move and is planning their own.

When we get closer to the end of the book, everything becomes tense as Emily starts to figure out who the real killer is.  So do her friends, and they try to capture that person without them knowing.  But it's more dangerous than they think, and if help doesn't arrive soon, they may not escape...

I will not say any more as to not ruin the book for others, but this is one of the best in the series, and it was a delight to read.  Ms. Bolton has a turn with words, and she does it well.  Very well written and highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Donuts-Deputy-Donut-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0GC9JN6XT/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8467289290

More on Ginger Bolton's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ginger-bolton/

Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble,

Tea by the Sea Mysteries Book 7

Author:    Vicki Delany

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496757630

Kensington Cozies

304 Pages

$27.00; TBA

July 28, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When Lily stumbles across five middle-aged women gathered in a dark corner of the tearoom for a 'book club,' she firmly reminds them that the inn's no-smoking policy also applies to their oddly ritualistic candles  As they head outside, Lily overhears them chalking their bad luck up to the absence of their leader, Katya.  Whatever they're doing, it certainly isn't reading -- and their cover is staring to sound like weak tea.

While they enjoy Lily's homemade banana bread the next morning, they make their intentions clear--grilling Lily about any past paranormal activity in the cliffside mansion.  Their attempts to contact spirits have been falling flat, it seems, and the mysterious Katya is catching the heat.  Levelheaded Lily thinks the real reason is that there's no such thing as ghosts.

But Lily's pal Bernie has found another explanation: the half-baked spirit-seekers have the wrong house.  The haunted reputation belongs to the place next door -- where Lily's gardener boyfriend is currently staying.  But before they can inform the luckless ladies, the missing medium shows up--dead on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff.  Now Lily has two jobs: serving afternoon tea and solving a murder before someone else gets sent to the great beyond...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lily owns Tea by the Sea, a teahouse that serves real English teas.  It's adjacent to her grandmother Rose's B&B, where Lily makes the breakfasts for the guests.  But on this night, Rose has asked Lily to check out the B&B, because she thinks current guests are going against the rules -- and she's right.  Five women are in the house with lit candles trying to do what Lily doesn't know and doesn't care -- and tells them the no smoking rule applies to candles.

While most of the women are very nice about it, one seems irritated, and she blames someone named Katya who never showed up to lead their 'book group'.  But it's not long after that Katya's body is discovered on the rocks below, and the police determine that it wasn't an accident, and she was drowned.

Now everyone staying at the B&B is a suspect.  Two of the women's husbands show up, and they aren't happy about the situation, but stay anyway to support their wives.  Lily wonders if either of them are the guilty party, but doesn't want to get involved.

Lily does discover that the women think the B&B is haunted by ghosts, but both she and her grandmother know this is hogwash.  Her best friend Bernie, however, does some digging and finds out that it's the house next door -- home to Bernie's boyfriend Matt, a successful true crime writer, who has the 'ghosts' lingering about.  With Bernie and Rose wanting to know more, they're surprised when a woman shows up and complicates the situation...

Now Lily is trying to figure out not only what is going on, but which person had the best motive to want to kill...

This is the seventh book in the series and I have read them all.  This one is one of the best of those.  Lily is once again involved in a murder situation where she doesn't want to be, and she's not getting as much information as she usually does.  But are there ghosts?  Lily doesn't believe in them, but Bernie does.  Finding the truth isn't going to be easy, but the two women are determined to do so.  Even if one of them might just be in danger...

I really loved the plot of this one.  (As a side note, I do believe in ghosts, but I won't elaborate why).  I love that Lily is so level-headed and doesn't get flustered or do anything illegal, and she shares what information that she does find with Detective Redmond as soon as possible.  The two women are learning respect for each other.  I also enjoy the fact that Lily is finding her way with her British boyfriend, who is their gardener, and sometime-helper of Lily in preparing food for the next days' teas.

There's a lot going on here, and finding clues isn't easy, although they are there.  I had suspicions of the murderer before Lily did, but then again, I read a lot of mysteries; still, it's always fun to watch her come to her conclusion in finding the truth, and the climax was worth reading the entire book for.

I don't want to say anything else in order not to ruin the book for others, but in the end, this is a welcome addition to the series, and I would highly recommend that others read this.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Bubble-Tea-Trouble-Sea-Mysteries/dp/1496757637/ref=

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8423838207

More on Vicki Delany's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/vicki-delany/

Murder at a Scottish Halloween

A Scottish Shire Mystery Book 8

Author:    Traci Hall

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496757821

Kensington Cozies

304 Pages

$18.95; $9.99 Amazon

June 30, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As Halloween descends upon the Scottish seaside town of Nairn, reluctant sleuth and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw finds herself investigating how an ancient ghost inspired a modern murder...

While Paislee will be celebrating All Hallow's Eve by handing out candy to the trick or treaters at her Cashmere Crush sweater shop, her teenage son Brody seems to have given up the ghost.  Uninterested in donning a superhero or monster costume, he's just going to attend a party with his friends at the ice rink.

But Brody got swept up in the spirit of the season after all.  Dared by the older kids, he went to the supposedly haunted Rait Ruins to capture video of a vengeful ghost.  The local legend of the Rait Wraith has been passed down for generations -- and still gives Paislee the creeps.  While no specter actually roams the grounds, the lifeless body of university student Ailis Barclay is discovered there.

Ailis was at the ruins dressed as the ghost to prank Brody, only something went wrong.  With her son traumatized and deemed a suspect, it's up to Paislee to string together whether Ailis was a victim of the real Wraith of Rait Ruins -- or of someone dangerous among the living...

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Paislee Shaw lives in the small Scottish town of Nairn along with her thirteen-year-old son Brody and her grandfather Angus.  They've built a good life, and are happy.  She's also navigating her first time in love with DI Mack Zeffer, which only somewhat confuses things.

Halloween is approaching, and while Paislee and Angus would rather stay home and hand out candy, Brody wants to join his friends at the ice rink for the evening.  But when Paislee arrives to pick him up, he's obviously traumatized, and she has a hard time getting him to talk.

When he tells her that the Wraith of Rait Ruins came for him -- calling him by name -- she thinks it was a prank.  But when they return to the ruins to find Brody's dropped phone, Paislee finds the body of a young university student, Ailis Barclay.  Paislee knows things aren't going to be the same, and with Brody as a possible suspect, she knows she's going to investigate, even though Mack tells her not to.

With Guy Fawkes Day fast approaching, there is another problem.  The Ladies of Nairn are asking for Paislee's help in finding out who is menacing them -- and one of them wants her to provide bespoke knitted items for her son's upcoming wedding.

With so much to attend to, and her best friend Lydia returning from Germany to be with her on Paislee's birthday, she wonders if she'll have enough time in the day to do what is tasked.

But when things begin to heat up, and the fireworks start, there's more than meets the eye, and Paislee may have just put a target on her own head...

This is the eighth book in the series, and I have read them all.  Ms. Hall is an extremely talented writer, and each book, as it progresses, brings us right to the village of Nairn and its people.  I love 'emotional traveling' (when you can't physically travel, and author takes you there mentally and emotionally), and Ms, Hall is excellent at this.

There is a lot going on here, from the night of Halloween, right up until Paislee's birthday.  And so much in between, with the problems in town and hidden secrets; lies and half-truths/  Fortunately, Paislee has learned enough to see through it all; and with the help of Angus she's able to help Mack.  Yes, DI Zeffer actually asks for her help, which is a twist that no one saw coming.

But when the ending finally comes, and we discover the identity of the killer, no one will feel sorry, and neither should they.  Evil exists, even if you don't always see it.  I am loath to add anything else because I do not want to ruin the story for anyone, but I urge you to read this one.  But there is a lovely silver lining that makes me want to read the next in the series right now.  Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Scottish-Halloween-Shire-Mystery-ebook/dp/

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8395997134

More on Traci Hall's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/traci-hall/