Murder in the Scottish Highlands

An Ally McKinley Mystery, Book 1

Majestic mountain views, whisky by the fire and… a murder to solve? Join Ally McKinley at her cosy little guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands as she tackles her first puzzling case!

For recently retired Ally McKinley, the tiny village of Locharran is the perfect place to open the guesthouse of her dreams in a lovingly restored old Scottish malthouse. Before long she is making friends with the locals, including Hamish Sinclair, the earl who owns the nearby castle. But things take an unexpected turn when her first paying guest, American tourist Wilbur Carrington, is found sprawled across her cobblestoned courtyard with a dagger in his back…

With the police baffled, Ally’s instincts get the better of her, and she can’t resist launching her own investigation. In no time at all she and her Labrador puppy Flora are on the case, making enquiries over tea and excellent shortbread. She finds that Wilbur, a keen amateur genealogist, was convinced that he was the rightful Earl of Locharran… Even worse, he had plans that would put many people out of their jobs and even their homes.

But which of the locals resorted to murder? The hotel owner furiously trying to save his business? Locharran Castle’s fiercely loyal housekeeper who’d do anything for the earl? Or the earl himself, whose entire way of life was threatened by what Wilbur knew?

Looking for clues, Ally finds a faded photograph in a hidden drawer in Wilbur’s room. Could this be the key to solving the mystery? But when one of her suspects dies in a suspicious accident, Ally realises that things are getting a wee bit too close for comfort… Can she uncover the truth or will a killer get off scot-free?

A new Scottish cosy mystery series from bestselling author Dee MacDonald. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase.

©2024 Dee MacDonald (P)2024 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Slow, slow, slow!

Sigh. This was much too basic for me. I’d guessed the killer EARLY ON, and had to wade through a lot of details before FINALLY getting to the end. I liked Allie well enough, but she was too slow in the uptake—which made this book a bit of a slog. I won’t be reading the next one.

Characters

I enjoyed the characters yet found myself concerned about the age of the protagonist. How many years will she feel like working that hard and with a small income how will she pay the mortgage.? Still would be happy to read additional books.

Entertaining!

The new series is very entertaining and the characters are really likable. Excited for the next installment.

Needs Help with Post Production

Great story and wonderful effort by the narrator. Editing needed some work as there were numerous moments where lines were re-read.

Editing has bug mistakes

The sorry was good for a cosy mystery but near the end of the book several outtakes are included. Especially around 39 minutes 40 seconds left. 3 retakes are just in there. Very jolting when your into the story and have the orator day something, then a big "thunk" noise, then repeat the lines. Someone desperately needs to touch this audiobook up so it actually sounds like someone cares.