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Scottish Bookshop Mystery #6
Deadly Editions
A treasure hunt through Edinburgh gives way to a search for a villain terrorizing the city in Paige Shelton's Deadly Editions, the sixth Scottish Bookshop Mystery.
Bookseller Delaney Nichols receives a mysterious cloaked visitor one evening at the Cracked Spine Bookshop. He presents to her an even more perplexing note: an invitation to an exclusive treasure hunt hosted by eccentric socialite Shelaigh O'Connor. Delaney is intrigued, but also cautious: Shelaigh, while charming in person, has a reputation for her hijinks as a wealthy young woman in the '70s. She was even once suspected for the murder of a former boyfriend, though ultimately cleared of all charges.
But Delaney is enticed by the grand prize at the end of the treasure hunt: a highly valuable first edition copy of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. The winner is also to receive the contents of Shelaigh's vast library, and an unspecified sum of cash.
The night after the first meeting of the treasure hunters, however, several homes in Edinburgh are robbed in a manner reminiscent of Shelaigh's old tricks. And when a man connected to Shelaigh is killed, suspicion builds. Except Sheilagh herself has disappeared from her home, seemingly kidnapped by the villain.
Terror mounts throughout the city as Delaney attempts to solve the mystery, while trying to stay out of the killer's clutches. For she, it seems, is his next target.
Bookseller Delaney Nichols receives a mysterious cloaked visitor one evening at the Cracked Spine Bookshop. He presents to her an even more perplexing note: an invitation to an exclusive treasure hunt hosted by eccentric socialite Shelaigh O'Connor. Delaney is intrigued, but also cautious: Shelaigh, while charming in person, has a reputation for her hijinks as a wealthy young woman in the '70s. She was even once suspected for the murder of a former boyfriend, though ultimately cleared of all charges.
But Delaney is enticed by the grand prize at the end of the treasure hunt: a highly valuable first edition copy of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. The winner is also to receive the contents of Shelaigh's vast library, and an unspecified sum of cash.
The night after the first meeting of the treasure hunters, however, several homes in Edinburgh are robbed in a manner reminiscent of Shelaigh's old tricks. And when a man connected to Shelaigh is killed, suspicion builds. Except Sheilagh herself has disappeared from her home, seemingly kidnapped by the villain.
Terror mounts throughout the city as Delaney attempts to solve the mystery, while trying to stay out of the killer's clutches. For she, it seems, is his next target.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
January 3, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with a free advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
What could be more fun than a treasure hunt? And what if the prize was a marvelous private library collection? And what, if in addition to that, all the contestants were all going to be awarded a large sum of money just for playing? Tempting??
Well, Edinburgh bookshop owner Delaney Nichols received an invitation to participate in this treasure hunt after it was delivered, out of the blue, by a mysterious delivery person. Delaney was one of four people to get such an invitation by the elderly, eccentric and wealthy Shelagh O’Connor. Once she arrived at the O’Connor estate she was overwhelmed by the size of the library, as well as the object of the treasure hunt – a rare edition of Robert Lewis Stephenson’s classic, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
O’Connor, a spinster, is obsessed with this book, so much so that in her youth she used to dress up and prowl the streets of Edinburgh as Mr. Hyde. It got her in hot water once, but will the present imitate the past? Once the hunt begins a “New Monster” seems to begin roaming the streets of Edinburgh and there are Monster sightings, a rash of burglaries, and even a death. Who is to blame, who is the monster and is Shelagh O’Connor a prime suspect due to her past eccentricities?
Delaney is on the hunt for the clues to the treasure hunt, and each clue seems to lead to a different pub in the city. Along the way she begins to uncover clues about O’Connor’s past until one day O’Connor is kidnapped, and her cousin is left a bloody mess by the attacker. Now the police and Delaney shift into high gear in their search for clues and to unlock the mystery identity of the Monster. Despite the treasure and the cash prizes, the race is on to find Shelagh and hope that the Monster has not taken the life of another victim.
The police are baffled, the clues seem to be impossible to follow, and all the while every person who knew or worked for O’Connor is a possible suspect.
This is a well written novel, one that keeps the reader guessing until the very end of the book and makes us wonder if there is not a little of Mr. Hyde in all of us. The book features the pubs of Edinburgh, believable characters and a very interesting plot. While being the 6th in the series, this certainly can be read as a stand-alone mystery and is an enjoyable novel for all mystery fans.
This review was previously published on www.mysteryandsuspense.com
What could be more fun than a treasure hunt? And what if the prize was a marvelous private library collection? And what, if in addition to that, all the contestants were all going to be awarded a large sum of money just for playing? Tempting??
Well, Edinburgh bookshop owner Delaney Nichols received an invitation to participate in this treasure hunt after it was delivered, out of the blue, by a mysterious delivery person. Delaney was one of four people to get such an invitation by the elderly, eccentric and wealthy Shelagh O’Connor. Once she arrived at the O’Connor estate she was overwhelmed by the size of the library, as well as the object of the treasure hunt – a rare edition of Robert Lewis Stephenson’s classic, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
O’Connor, a spinster, is obsessed with this book, so much so that in her youth she used to dress up and prowl the streets of Edinburgh as Mr. Hyde. It got her in hot water once, but will the present imitate the past? Once the hunt begins a “New Monster” seems to begin roaming the streets of Edinburgh and there are Monster sightings, a rash of burglaries, and even a death. Who is to blame, who is the monster and is Shelagh O’Connor a prime suspect due to her past eccentricities?
Delaney is on the hunt for the clues to the treasure hunt, and each clue seems to lead to a different pub in the city. Along the way she begins to uncover clues about O’Connor’s past until one day O’Connor is kidnapped, and her cousin is left a bloody mess by the attacker. Now the police and Delaney shift into high gear in their search for clues and to unlock the mystery identity of the Monster. Despite the treasure and the cash prizes, the race is on to find Shelagh and hope that the Monster has not taken the life of another victim.
The police are baffled, the clues seem to be impossible to follow, and all the while every person who knew or worked for O’Connor is a possible suspect.
This is a well written novel, one that keeps the reader guessing until the very end of the book and makes us wonder if there is not a little of Mr. Hyde in all of us. The book features the pubs of Edinburgh, believable characters and a very interesting plot. While being the 6th in the series, this certainly can be read as a stand-alone mystery and is an enjoyable novel for all mystery fans.
This review was previously published on www.mysteryandsuspense.com
January 18, 2021
The sixth installment of the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries reunites readers with the wonderful cast of employees at the Cracked Spine in Edinburgh, Scotland. Goosebumps may crawl up your arms once you realize how protagonist Delaney Nichols has been set up as she and close acquaintances surge forth on a treasure hunt planned by an eccentric wealthy woman named Shelagh O’Conner who is obsessed with the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
The story is thoroughly engrossing as Delaney and friends work as teams by searching local pubs in the area surrounding the Grassmarket in order to decipher the nifty clues leading to the treasure. It also becomes evident a psychopath is masquerading as Mr. Hyde. Readers will need to delve deep to figure out this murder mystery!
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
The story is thoroughly engrossing as Delaney and friends work as teams by searching local pubs in the area surrounding the Grassmarket in order to decipher the nifty clues leading to the treasure. It also becomes evident a psychopath is masquerading as Mr. Hyde. Readers will need to delve deep to figure out this murder mystery!
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
July 7, 2021
What fun! A cozy mystery treasure hunt through the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland.
April 3, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We return to Edinburgh on a snowy morning. Delaney Nichols loves her job but is a little leery about a message inviting her to meet with socialite Shelagh O’Conner. Shelagh is known for her fantastic library but she also has a questionable past that includes misdeeds and murder. She was cleared of the murder but as a fan of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, her hijinks still give people pause. Delaney does attend the meeting and is intrigued by Shelagh’s plan for a treasure hunt culminating in a winner take all prize that includes all the books in her library and a large cash award. The quest is to find a unique first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. Delaney agrees to take part and is excited to search for the treasure.
Meanwhile, several Edinburgh homes have been robbed similar to those in Shelagh’s past. Is she up to her old tricks or is there a copycat? A murder takes everything up a notch especially because the deceased is connected to Shelagh. Then Shelagh is kidnapped.
So Delaney with the help of her husband Tom, friends Elias, Aggie, and co-workers Rosie and Hamlet are busy trying to decipher treasure hunt clues while trying to find Shelagh and catch a killer all while not becoming the next victims.
I enjoy each visit to The Cracked Spine and catching up with Delaney, Rose, Hamley, and sometimes Edwin. Edwin trusts his staff and has taken a step back from his business. Aggie and Elias are staying with Tom and Delaney while work is being done on their cottage. The two couples get along famously and it nice to see them all together. All these characters are so well-developed and engaging.
The new characters introduced are a diverse bunch. Shelagh’s backstory was very interesting and her home was a unique place. The other characters are all connected to her in some way and many become worthy suspects.
I found the treasure hunt part of the story very entertaining. Visiting the different pubs searching for clues was fun. The pubs ranged from traditional to modern and all the descriptions provided crystal clear images. Other settings were also wonderfully described. I love Tom and Delaney’s home including their new library reading area. I am sure they will spend many hours there as would I if I had such a fantastic place.
The kidnapping and murder mysteries are very well-plotted. The plot and subplots are all intricately woven together. The tie-in to Jeckyl and Hide really added something unique to the story. Twists upon twists lead up to an exciting reveal that kept my eyes glued to the pages. Delaney’s unique “bookish voices” always make me smile as she tries to figure out what they are trying to tell her.
Paige Shelton writes stories that are so easy to escape right into. Deadly Editions was no exception. I was captivated from the first page to the last. As soon as I turned the final page I was already missing these characters. Until next year, Ms. Shelton. I will be waiting with bated breath for the next Scottish Bookshop Mystery.
We return to Edinburgh on a snowy morning. Delaney Nichols loves her job but is a little leery about a message inviting her to meet with socialite Shelagh O’Conner. Shelagh is known for her fantastic library but she also has a questionable past that includes misdeeds and murder. She was cleared of the murder but as a fan of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, her hijinks still give people pause. Delaney does attend the meeting and is intrigued by Shelagh’s plan for a treasure hunt culminating in a winner take all prize that includes all the books in her library and a large cash award. The quest is to find a unique first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. Delaney agrees to take part and is excited to search for the treasure.
Meanwhile, several Edinburgh homes have been robbed similar to those in Shelagh’s past. Is she up to her old tricks or is there a copycat? A murder takes everything up a notch especially because the deceased is connected to Shelagh. Then Shelagh is kidnapped.
So Delaney with the help of her husband Tom, friends Elias, Aggie, and co-workers Rosie and Hamlet are busy trying to decipher treasure hunt clues while trying to find Shelagh and catch a killer all while not becoming the next victims.
I enjoy each visit to The Cracked Spine and catching up with Delaney, Rose, Hamley, and sometimes Edwin. Edwin trusts his staff and has taken a step back from his business. Aggie and Elias are staying with Tom and Delaney while work is being done on their cottage. The two couples get along famously and it nice to see them all together. All these characters are so well-developed and engaging.
The new characters introduced are a diverse bunch. Shelagh’s backstory was very interesting and her home was a unique place. The other characters are all connected to her in some way and many become worthy suspects.
I found the treasure hunt part of the story very entertaining. Visiting the different pubs searching for clues was fun. The pubs ranged from traditional to modern and all the descriptions provided crystal clear images. Other settings were also wonderfully described. I love Tom and Delaney’s home including their new library reading area. I am sure they will spend many hours there as would I if I had such a fantastic place.
The kidnapping and murder mysteries are very well-plotted. The plot and subplots are all intricately woven together. The tie-in to Jeckyl and Hide really added something unique to the story. Twists upon twists lead up to an exciting reveal that kept my eyes glued to the pages. Delaney’s unique “bookish voices” always make me smile as she tries to figure out what they are trying to tell her.
Paige Shelton writes stories that are so easy to escape right into. Deadly Editions was no exception. I was captivated from the first page to the last. As soon as I turned the final page I was already missing these characters. Until next year, Ms. Shelton. I will be waiting with bated breath for the next Scottish Bookshop Mystery.
May 3, 2021
I love cozy mysteries and I love Scotland too, so this is a series made for me!
This book is everything I was hoping for! A bookstore, an owner who loved following clues, and a whodunit well worth reading! I love treasure hunts, so this was an added bonus.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book is everything I was hoping for! A bookstore, an owner who loved following clues, and a whodunit well worth reading! I love treasure hunts, so this was an added bonus.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 15, 2021
Deadly Editions is the sixth book in the Scottish Bookshop mystery series. The main character, Delaney, is an American woman who relocated to Scotland to work in a unique bookshop, the Cracked Spine. Delaney occasionally helps solve mysteries. Deadly Editions starts with Delaney on a treasure hunt, but leads to her looking for a killer.
I recommend starting with the first book in this series, The Cracked Spine. Each book in the series has a unique mystery, but the relationships between the characters grows throughout Delaney’s time in Scotland.
Deadly Editions is a delightful cozy mystery. The characters are likable and the story is entertaining. Light, fun, and quirky. A good read for fans of cozies.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I recommend starting with the first book in this series, The Cracked Spine. Each book in the series has a unique mystery, but the relationships between the characters grows throughout Delaney’s time in Scotland.
Deadly Editions is a delightful cozy mystery. The characters are likable and the story is entertaining. Light, fun, and quirky. A good read for fans of cozies.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2021
Present day. Edinburgh, Scotland. Paige Shelton’s Deadly Editions (Scottish Bookshop Mystery #6) finds Delaney Nichols newly married and back at her job at The Cracked Spine, an intriguing bookshop where Delaney works with other characters such as Rosie, Hamlet, a student, and Hector, a miniature Yorkie who watches over all who work at The Cracked Spine. When I am reading each book in this series, I get very comfortable and feel right at home as I have been to Edinburgh about 6 times. Lucky me! It is a fascinating historical city. On this day Delaney receives by messenger an invitation to an “eccentric socialite” Shelagh O’Conner’s treasure hunt that promises as grand prize an extremely valuable “ first edition copy” of Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In addition, the winner will be gifted Shelagh’s huge library. Everyone who ‘plays’ in this treasure hunt will get a sizable amount of cash. Delaney definitely wants to participate, but she is only interested in the books in Shelagh’s library. Delaney is a consummate book lover. At the first meeting at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, Delaney meets the other players. Delaney and I both like a new character, Birk Blackburn, who becomes Delaney’s teammate which pleases Tom, Delaney’s new husband, because Delaney will not be alone in this endeavor. This treasure hunt includes some pub crawling, interpreting various clues, and trying to stay alive. A ‘new monster’ appears which brings out one of the groups’ past. Is the monster emulating Mr. Hyde? Then there is a death. Is this death connected to the hunt? The author throws in some other bad behavior which begins to scare the people of Edinburgh. And parts of Edinburgh can be very frightening! I thoroughly enjoyed ‘my’ trip back to Edinburgh. I always enjoy Delaney’s ‘bookish voices’. These are quotations from books she has read, and she often ‘hears’ them when she is in a spot of trouble. When she figures out just what the voices are saying, they often save the day and Delaney too. The author’s writing enables the reader to have vivid images of Edinburgh. As it is winter, Delaney looks out the window of the bookshop and says “I was living in a real-life snow globe again.”. When you visit Edinburgh, please do not forget the haunted pubs such as The Banshee Labyrinth- Scotland’s Most Haunted Pub. Aye! 😱5 stars!
March 23, 2021
Series: Scottish Bookshop Mystery #6
Publication Date: 4/6/21
Number of Pages: 304
** 3.3 Stars **
Delaney Nichols moved to Edinburg from Kansas just a bit over a year ago – and what an exciting year it has been. She’s made many new friends, including a police inspector, and she’s gotten married to a handsome-as-sin pub owner named Tom. Life just couldn’t get much better – until she’s invited to a meeting concerning a treasure hunt. The prize? The entire library owned by the very eccentric Shelagh O’Connor goes to the person who manages to find the final treasure in the hunt.
The exceedingly wealthy Shelagh has quite a colorful background and an obsession with Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The four treasure hunters must follow the obscure clues to find an original copy of the Stevenson book. Delaney’s three competitors are Birk Blackburn (a recurring character), Jacques Underwood a distant relative of Shelagh’s, and Tricia Lawson who is a librarian at a local school.
As the hunt ensues, the city is plagued by sightings of the monster (Hyde) who is committing robberies – and murder. Then Shelagh disappears from her home leaving behind a disordered library and a bloody handprint on the door. Is the monster responsible for all of it? Did the monster appear because of the treasure hunt or is it a coincidence? Will they be able to find Shelagh before she is harmed? Or, did Shelagh stage her own disappearance? Can Delaney figure it all out and solve the case? You’ll just have to read the book to find the answers.
I have enjoyed each book in this series, but I just couldn’t get into this one. There were too many people running in too many directions and no coherent plan at all. Delaney doesn’t seem to do any real investigating – she just seems to fall into things. Then there are her normal ‘bookish voices’ but she doesn’t understand what they are trying to tell her or she doesn’t have time to think about them. Those voices just seem superfluous if they serve no purpose. I just couldn’t come to care about any of the characters (those non-recurring ones), and the recurring characters just didn’t even seem to reach out and grab me. I really wanted to love it and given the book blurb, I should have loved it. At any rate, this is my least favorite of the books in this series, but I am totally looking forward to the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 4/6/21
Number of Pages: 304
** 3.3 Stars **
Delaney Nichols moved to Edinburg from Kansas just a bit over a year ago – and what an exciting year it has been. She’s made many new friends, including a police inspector, and she’s gotten married to a handsome-as-sin pub owner named Tom. Life just couldn’t get much better – until she’s invited to a meeting concerning a treasure hunt. The prize? The entire library owned by the very eccentric Shelagh O’Connor goes to the person who manages to find the final treasure in the hunt.
The exceedingly wealthy Shelagh has quite a colorful background and an obsession with Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The four treasure hunters must follow the obscure clues to find an original copy of the Stevenson book. Delaney’s three competitors are Birk Blackburn (a recurring character), Jacques Underwood a distant relative of Shelagh’s, and Tricia Lawson who is a librarian at a local school.
As the hunt ensues, the city is plagued by sightings of the monster (Hyde) who is committing robberies – and murder. Then Shelagh disappears from her home leaving behind a disordered library and a bloody handprint on the door. Is the monster responsible for all of it? Did the monster appear because of the treasure hunt or is it a coincidence? Will they be able to find Shelagh before she is harmed? Or, did Shelagh stage her own disappearance? Can Delaney figure it all out and solve the case? You’ll just have to read the book to find the answers.
I have enjoyed each book in this series, but I just couldn’t get into this one. There were too many people running in too many directions and no coherent plan at all. Delaney doesn’t seem to do any real investigating – she just seems to fall into things. Then there are her normal ‘bookish voices’ but she doesn’t understand what they are trying to tell her or she doesn’t have time to think about them. Those voices just seem superfluous if they serve no purpose. I just couldn’t come to care about any of the characters (those non-recurring ones), and the recurring characters just didn’t even seem to reach out and grab me. I really wanted to love it and given the book blurb, I should have loved it. At any rate, this is my least favorite of the books in this series, but I am totally looking forward to the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 28, 2022
Another entertaining entry in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. Not quite 4 stars for this one. The murder mystery actually was not as interesting as the treasure hunt for a rare edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, organized by a rich, eccentric Shelagh, who was the suspect in a murder in the 1970’s. Delaney is once again on the trail both for the rare book and also searching for Shelagh, who has mysteriously disappeared. I love the atmosphere as well as the literary references in this series.
December 30, 2020
Ms. Shelton's Deadly Editions is the sixth book in the Scottish Bookshop series and was another entertaining and intriguing read from beginning to end.
I love visiting Edinburgh and seeing Delaney and the characters that inhabit her world. Tom, Elias, Aggie, Rosie and Hamlet all have a part to play in this book and add a richness to the story. These characters are so well developed now that I feel like I'm visiting with old friends when I open one of these books. The plot moves swiftly as Delaney must go on a treasure hunt through different pubs of Edinburgh. I loved visiting all of the different pubs as Ms. Shelton described them. A limited number of suspects, twists, red herrings and a dramatic reveal kept me turning the pages until, with a satisfied sigh, I reached the end. It's going to be a long year to wait for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I love visiting Edinburgh and seeing Delaney and the characters that inhabit her world. Tom, Elias, Aggie, Rosie and Hamlet all have a part to play in this book and add a richness to the story. These characters are so well developed now that I feel like I'm visiting with old friends when I open one of these books. The plot moves swiftly as Delaney must go on a treasure hunt through different pubs of Edinburgh. I loved visiting all of the different pubs as Ms. Shelton described them. A limited number of suspects, twists, red herrings and a dramatic reveal kept me turning the pages until, with a satisfied sigh, I reached the end. It's going to be a long year to wait for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
April 5, 2021
Deadly Editions is the sixth book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by Paige Shelton.
Delaney Nichols has received an invitation to Deacon Brodie’s Tavern to discuss Shelagh O’Connor’s possibly participating in a treasure hunt that she is planning. Delany had doubts about doing the treasure hunt but finally decided to attend once she heard how extensive Shelagh’s library. When Delaney arrives at Shelagh’s home, she is amazed by the library’s vast collection of books. Three other people will be joining in the treasure hunt, Tricia, a librarian, Jacques, a cousin of Connor’s, and Birk, a good friend of Edwin MacAllister, owner of The Cracked Spine, and Delaney’s employer. The group will be searching for a valuable edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the winner will get O’Connor’s extensive library. The other members will get a very substantial cash award. The other members include Tricia, a librarian, Jacques, Shelagh’s cousin, and Birk. Delaney is familiar with Birk, as he is a close friend of Edwin MacAllister, her employer.
Delany learns from Rose, a co-worker, that O’Connor has an obsession with the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde book and its characters. When she was a teenager back in the 1970s, O’Connor would dress similar to Mr. Hyde and stroll around town. One evening she was arrested for murder while dressed as Mr. Hyde, but those charges were later dropped.
Delaney and Birk have decided to team up searching for the clues that will lead them to find the hidden book. These clues will take them to several pubs in Edinburgh. Shortly into their treasure hunt, there are several house robberies, and a mysterious man dressed as Mr. Hyde is spotted in the area, and about this time, O’Connor goes missing. There is also a couple of deaths that are either friends or employees of O’Connor. Delaney will call on coworkers Rose and Hamlet and her husband, Tim, and Elias, her former landlord, to help with the search for O’Connor.
It always nice to visit with Delaney and the staff of the Cracked Spine bookshop. The stories are always well-written and plotted with a look at the city of Edinburgh. The cast of characters are very interesting, likeable and well-developed.
I will be watching for the next book in this informative and exciting series.
Delaney Nichols has received an invitation to Deacon Brodie’s Tavern to discuss Shelagh O’Connor’s possibly participating in a treasure hunt that she is planning. Delany had doubts about doing the treasure hunt but finally decided to attend once she heard how extensive Shelagh’s library. When Delaney arrives at Shelagh’s home, she is amazed by the library’s vast collection of books. Three other people will be joining in the treasure hunt, Tricia, a librarian, Jacques, a cousin of Connor’s, and Birk, a good friend of Edwin MacAllister, owner of The Cracked Spine, and Delaney’s employer. The group will be searching for a valuable edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the winner will get O’Connor’s extensive library. The other members will get a very substantial cash award. The other members include Tricia, a librarian, Jacques, Shelagh’s cousin, and Birk. Delaney is familiar with Birk, as he is a close friend of Edwin MacAllister, her employer.
Delany learns from Rose, a co-worker, that O’Connor has an obsession with the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde book and its characters. When she was a teenager back in the 1970s, O’Connor would dress similar to Mr. Hyde and stroll around town. One evening she was arrested for murder while dressed as Mr. Hyde, but those charges were later dropped.
Delaney and Birk have decided to team up searching for the clues that will lead them to find the hidden book. These clues will take them to several pubs in Edinburgh. Shortly into their treasure hunt, there are several house robberies, and a mysterious man dressed as Mr. Hyde is spotted in the area, and about this time, O’Connor goes missing. There is also a couple of deaths that are either friends or employees of O’Connor. Delaney will call on coworkers Rose and Hamlet and her husband, Tim, and Elias, her former landlord, to help with the search for O’Connor.
It always nice to visit with Delaney and the staff of the Cracked Spine bookshop. The stories are always well-written and plotted with a look at the city of Edinburgh. The cast of characters are very interesting, likeable and well-developed.
I will be watching for the next book in this informative and exciting series.
April 7, 2021
Delaney is enjoying a winter morning at The Cracked Spine when an intriguing note is delivered to her by way of messenger. The note appears to be from a local socialite by the name of Shelagh O'Connor. She would love for Delaney to join in on a treasure hunt and the prize for whoever can find it is a first edition book. Delaney can't possibly let such an attractive prize pass her by so she decides to join in on the fun. She knows she needs to be careful though, O'Connor has a past that can't be overlooked no matter how many years have passed. Things start to go bad on the night all the treasure hunters are set to meet. First homes are broken into that remind people of just what Shelagh was a part of in the past. Next a man is murdered and Shelagh herself goes missing. The question is did she have a part in the mans death, was she kidnapped, or is something far more sinister going on? Follow along in this delightful read that is filled with one mystery after the next. Can Delaney figure out what is going on? Is Shelagh a murderer or innocent victim? Dive in and find out!!!
April 3, 2021
Having just gone back and reread #4 and then reading for the first time #5, it was lovely to have both the characters AND the back storylines firmly in my mind for the reading of this, the 6th book in the series. And what a story it is - murder, mayhem, Robert Louis Stevenson. So much fun and a little bit of the creepies too, if I am being honest. I am not sure that I would have been as brave as Delaney and company were. There were moments where I was, quite literally, on the edge of my seat.
That being said....
I guessed the killer early on [I do read a lot of mysteries and quite often guess correctly early on] and then guessed other aspects of the story [fairly early on] that played out accordingly. I didn't know the why, so that was a complete surprise and I think that the author did a good job of leaving it open at the end for more issues with these same characters. We will see.
Thankfully, the story was really good, so much so that knowing who the killer was didn't detract from the story. The hunt for the clues and all the stuff about Robert Louis Stevenson really added to the story and I came away knowing more than I did going in and also left me with a hankering to do a reread of several of his books. Very well done. I am so glad that I went back and reread and restarted this series; it reminded me why I love this author and her books.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Shelton, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That being said....
I guessed the killer early on [I do read a lot of mysteries and quite often guess correctly early on] and then guessed other aspects of the story [fairly early on] that played out accordingly. I didn't know the why, so that was a complete surprise and I think that the author did a good job of leaving it open at the end for more issues with these same characters. We will see.
Thankfully, the story was really good, so much so that knowing who the killer was didn't detract from the story. The hunt for the clues and all the stuff about Robert Louis Stevenson really added to the story and I came away knowing more than I did going in and also left me with a hankering to do a reread of several of his books. Very well done. I am so glad that I went back and reread and restarted this series; it reminded me why I love this author and her books.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Shelton, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2020
3 1/2 stars. I love treasure hunts so this was already a hit with me. Well then a bookshop. And Edinburgh. Plus a visit through some of the pubs. Could you go wrong?
The author didn’t. I have read other entries in this series and enjoyed the characters so this was a nice visit with old friends. The book moved a long quickly and even though I guessed who the culprit was there were enough twists to keep me satisfied.
Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde plays a pivotal role in this story. Delaney probes the psychological implications of the story and it’s possible parallels to people and events in the story. It adds some substance that you don’t find in the average cozy.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
The author didn’t. I have read other entries in this series and enjoyed the characters so this was a nice visit with old friends. The book moved a long quickly and even though I guessed who the culprit was there were enough twists to keep me satisfied.
Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde plays a pivotal role in this story. Delaney probes the psychological implications of the story and it’s possible parallels to people and events in the story. It adds some substance that you don’t find in the average cozy.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
March 22, 2023
4 stelle e mezza
Devo dire che l'autrice è stata brava: avevo subito sospettato della persona giusta, ma poi ho dubitato fortemente della mia scelta e a un certo punto non sapevo dove andare a cercare il colpevole. Alla fine, come ho detto, è risultato essere colpevole la persona che avevo sospettato per prima, ma non avevo comunque capito diverse cose. Per il resto, viste le descrizioni che ho letto, credo che mi piacerebbe visitare Edimburgo sotto la neve.
Devo dire che l'autrice è stata brava: avevo subito sospettato della persona giusta, ma poi ho dubitato fortemente della mia scelta e a un certo punto non sapevo dove andare a cercare il colpevole. Alla fine, come ho detto, è risultato essere colpevole la persona che avevo sospettato per prima, ma non avevo comunque capito diverse cose. Per il resto, viste le descrizioni che ho letto, credo che mi piacerebbe visitare Edimburgo sotto la neve.
May 4, 2021
I love this series. The main character is smart and likeable. I haven't read Dr. Jekyll so I wasn't familiar with some of the references but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. The ending seemed a little rushed (I would have liked to know what happened to the prize) but I am still looking forward to the next one.
April 12, 2021
Shelton continues to delight with this Scottish bookshop setting and a host of lovable characters I've come to think of as friends. A very intriguing mystery within a mystery with quite a few potential suspects kept me rabidly listening and it was over all too soon. Now I'm impatiently waiting for the next installment. :-)
February 10, 2022
Another great book about Delaney and her friends at the Cracked Spine Bookshop. This book sends her and her friends on a treasure hunt to find and win the highly valuable first edition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde book. Page turning suspense.
May 6, 2021
Delaney is invited to do a hunt through the town for a book with a money prize. The prize is offered b a lady who lives alone and caused trouble in the past. While the book is good , I like her other series better.
December 19, 2020
DEADLY EDITIONS, the sixth book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by Paige Shelton, is another terrific addition to one of my favorite series. The reader is treated to the enchanting city of Edinburgh, Scotland as seen through the eyes of American transplant, Delaney Nichols. I especially enjoyed how the plot revolved around pubs in the area and Ms. Shelton’s strong descriptions brings their quaint charm to life on the pages. I also think that Delaney has just about the best job in the world working as a bookseller/buyer for the Cracked Spine Bookshop and I would dearly love to spend time in such a place. She’s surrounded by a cast of delightful, well-developed characters who each contribute to the appeal and it’s been a pleasure getting to know them over the course of the series. It’s been gratifying seeing them grow and develop relationships, including a marriage between Delaney and Scottish pub owner, Tom. Delaney also has a unique gift in that she can hear “bookish voices” – quotes from books that provide clues to assist in solving a problem or a mystery. It adds to the focus of books and bookshops, and while I’m not familiar with the quotes used, I appreciate the addition.
In this newest release, the plot revolves around the theme of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. I loved how the author wove complex intrigue involving this classic dark tale into both an exclusive book treasure hunt and into a long ago unsolved murder and a current day murder. At the center of these crimes is eccentric wealthy Shelaigh O’Connor, owner of a vast book collection. Besotted with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Shelaigh created a scandal in her teen years by emulating some of the elements of the dark book. When a copycat appears and Shelaigh disappears, many wonder if she’s to blame for the crimes committed. As Delaney hunts for the treasured book and for Shelaigh herself, she uncovers clues to who had reasons to murder Shelaigh’s friend. As the multifaceted threads of the story came together, Ms. Shelton pens a suspenseful reveal that had me on the edge of my seat, turning pages faster and faster. My only regret was not savoring it longer since I’ll have to wait another year for the next book in the series.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this newest release, the plot revolves around the theme of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. I loved how the author wove complex intrigue involving this classic dark tale into both an exclusive book treasure hunt and into a long ago unsolved murder and a current day murder. At the center of these crimes is eccentric wealthy Shelaigh O’Connor, owner of a vast book collection. Besotted with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Shelaigh created a scandal in her teen years by emulating some of the elements of the dark book. When a copycat appears and Shelaigh disappears, many wonder if she’s to blame for the crimes committed. As Delaney hunts for the treasured book and for Shelaigh herself, she uncovers clues to who had reasons to murder Shelaigh’s friend. As the multifaceted threads of the story came together, Ms. Shelton pens a suspenseful reveal that had me on the edge of my seat, turning pages faster and faster. My only regret was not savoring it longer since I’ll have to wait another year for the next book in the series.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 3, 2021
This sixth book in Paige Shelton's Scottish Bookshop cozy series continues to charm readers. What's not to like about a treasure hunt in Edinburgh, Scotland with a rare library as the prize? Shelton likes to weave in a bit of Scottish legend and lore into each book. Previous topics have been as varied as Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Loch Ness monster. In Deadly Editions, it's Robert Louis Stevenson's groundbreaking The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
The mystery is a good one, aided by treasure hunt clues and the erratic behavior of Shelagh O'Conner. In fact, O'Conner is so eccentric that she keeps readers off-balance, which is certainly a good thing for leading armchair sleuths astray.
As is true in any good cozy series, the focus of the story is on the main character. Kansas transplant Delaney Nichols continues to lead the charmed life that any reader could envy, with her perfect job at the Cracked Spine Bookshop, her perfect circle of friends and co-workers, and her perfect soulmate. While I'm living a little fantasy of my own as I read about her, one of the things I do love about Delaney is the fact that she never fails to contact Detective Inspector Winter whenever she has any new information. She's not the type of amateur sleuth who automatically assumes she knows more than all the trained professionals. I would imagine that this is the main reason why Winter seems content to let her do her thing.
If you're in the mood for something light and fun, filled with nuggets of information, a mysterious treasure hunt, and the stuff some fantasies are made of, be sure to pick up Paige Shelton's Deadly Editions. Then all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
The mystery is a good one, aided by treasure hunt clues and the erratic behavior of Shelagh O'Conner. In fact, O'Conner is so eccentric that she keeps readers off-balance, which is certainly a good thing for leading armchair sleuths astray.
As is true in any good cozy series, the focus of the story is on the main character. Kansas transplant Delaney Nichols continues to lead the charmed life that any reader could envy, with her perfect job at the Cracked Spine Bookshop, her perfect circle of friends and co-workers, and her perfect soulmate. While I'm living a little fantasy of my own as I read about her, one of the things I do love about Delaney is the fact that she never fails to contact Detective Inspector Winter whenever she has any new information. She's not the type of amateur sleuth who automatically assumes she knows more than all the trained professionals. I would imagine that this is the main reason why Winter seems content to let her do her thing.
If you're in the mood for something light and fun, filled with nuggets of information, a mysterious treasure hunt, and the stuff some fantasies are made of, be sure to pick up Paige Shelton's Deadly Editions. Then all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
April 26, 2021
I have read all the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries in order and I love them! But I noticed the same inconsistency in 3 places in this book and it distracted me during the whole book.
1.) On page 23, Shelagh says, "I'm sixty." On page 26, she refers to an event that happened "in the late sixties" when “[she] was seventeen.” I have always assumed these books were set in the current year, so around 2020. If Shelagh is 60ish now, she would have been 8-10 years old in the late sixties, not 17.
2.) On page 165, Birk says he met Shelagh, “…in 1993. She was just over thirty.” On that same page, Joshua says, “The old Monster roamed the streets in 1968.” If Shelagh was 30ish in 1993, again, she would have been 8-10 years old in 1968, not 17.
3.) On page 238, Louis says he’s known Shelagh, “probably sixty years now. [He] first worked for her parents.” On the same page, he says, “I met the O’Conners back when Shelagh was sixteen.” That means Shelagh is closer to 76 years old.
The math just doesn’t add up; either Shelagh was born in 1951 and is much older than 60, or the year of the Monster was in the late seventies, not the late sixties. Did I misread something? Someone please correct me, seriously! 😊
If I’d only noticed this inconsistency one time, I could have glossed over the error, but it happened so many times. I was distracted by it and didn’t enjoy the story as much as I otherwise would have. This may seem minor to some readers but it bothered me, hence the 3 stars. But overall, I recommend this series!
1.) On page 23, Shelagh says, "I'm sixty." On page 26, she refers to an event that happened "in the late sixties" when “[she] was seventeen.” I have always assumed these books were set in the current year, so around 2020. If Shelagh is 60ish now, she would have been 8-10 years old in the late sixties, not 17.
2.) On page 165, Birk says he met Shelagh, “…in 1993. She was just over thirty.” On that same page, Joshua says, “The old Monster roamed the streets in 1968.” If Shelagh was 30ish in 1993, again, she would have been 8-10 years old in 1968, not 17.
3.) On page 238, Louis says he’s known Shelagh, “probably sixty years now. [He] first worked for her parents.” On the same page, he says, “I met the O’Conners back when Shelagh was sixteen.” That means Shelagh is closer to 76 years old.
The math just doesn’t add up; either Shelagh was born in 1951 and is much older than 60, or the year of the Monster was in the late seventies, not the late sixties. Did I misread something? Someone please correct me, seriously! 😊
If I’d only noticed this inconsistency one time, I could have glossed over the error, but it happened so many times. I was distracted by it and didn’t enjoy the story as much as I otherwise would have. This may seem minor to some readers but it bothered me, hence the 3 stars. But overall, I recommend this series!
April 21, 2021
Loved the treasure hunt and the Jekyll and Hyde references, but felt like this was a bit fillery. Rtc.
UPDATE: Full review on my blog, Sam's Beach Reads.
What I Loved:
The Bookish References. In the Scottish Bookshop Mystery books, there is usually a bookish theme that helps the reader immerse themselves into the mystery. In Deadly Editions, the book in question was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is one of my favorites, for many of the same reasons Shelaigh loves it: it is a fascinating study of human nature. Shelaigh even goes as far as dressing up as Mr. Hyde to see for herself the different ways she would be treated. What was even better about Deadly Editions was all of the facts that Shelton throws in and how she incorporates them into her characters, like how Robert Louis Stevenson was neighbors with a man who brutally killed his wife after being a mild mannered person, then that man’s great grandson is now Shelaigh’s caretaker. I love the past and the present coming together like this.
The Treasure Hunt. I have never been particularly good at riddles, but I love reading about other people who are. Birk and Delaney teaming up to solve Shelaigh’s riddle and inherit her book collection was the most fun I’ve had reading in a while. It leads them on a wild chase through some of Edinburgh’s best and most haunted pubs – how can you beat that?! It also creates a great opportunity for Delaney and Bridget the sassy reporter to bond, and it was gratifying to see Delaney with another woman her own age. One thing this series does lack is good female bonds beyond the mothering type.
The Mystery. What I love about the Scottish Bookshop books is that the murder mysteries are very “Christie-esque” in that the cats of characters is limited to a small group of people per book, there is usually a red herring, and the person you least expect is the killer / kills in a novel way. Some people find this trope to be tired, but I enjoy it so much more because I rarely solve the murder before the end. Deadly Editions was no exception. I didn’t guess the killer or the motive, and it was thrilling to get to the big reveal.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The Bookish Voice “Big Reveal.” All her life, Delaney has heard bookish voices in her head that are either a portent to the future or a helpful guide to solving murder mysteries. The first couple of books hinted that it was supernatural, but the series has backed away from that and basically chalked it up to Delaney’s personal brand of intuition. She is so in tune and well read, she harkens to quotes from books she has read. Either way, it caused her quite a bit of problems when she was a child, and is generally a closely held secret. So when Delaney decides to tell Tom, her new husband, about the voices, I was prepared for a certain level of drama. Would he accept her? Will he help her find out the origin of the voices? Instead, Tom is as cool as a cucumber and the matter is just… dropped. I don’t even consider this a spoiler because Shelton treated this reveal as such a non-issue. For dedicated lovers of the series, this is a letdown.
The Pace. This wasn’t a huge issue for me, but the pacing was frankly all over the place in Deadly Editions. The treasure hunt was well-paced, but then solving the mystery interspersed along with being stalked by the new Monster created some extremely fast moments followed up languishing pages of sipping coffee and chatting about bygone romantic drama. Be prepared to be bored and at the edge of your seat in the course of 10 pages.
UPDATE: Full review on my blog, Sam's Beach Reads.
What I Loved:
The Bookish References. In the Scottish Bookshop Mystery books, there is usually a bookish theme that helps the reader immerse themselves into the mystery. In Deadly Editions, the book in question was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is one of my favorites, for many of the same reasons Shelaigh loves it: it is a fascinating study of human nature. Shelaigh even goes as far as dressing up as Mr. Hyde to see for herself the different ways she would be treated. What was even better about Deadly Editions was all of the facts that Shelton throws in and how she incorporates them into her characters, like how Robert Louis Stevenson was neighbors with a man who brutally killed his wife after being a mild mannered person, then that man’s great grandson is now Shelaigh’s caretaker. I love the past and the present coming together like this.
The Treasure Hunt. I have never been particularly good at riddles, but I love reading about other people who are. Birk and Delaney teaming up to solve Shelaigh’s riddle and inherit her book collection was the most fun I’ve had reading in a while. It leads them on a wild chase through some of Edinburgh’s best and most haunted pubs – how can you beat that?! It also creates a great opportunity for Delaney and Bridget the sassy reporter to bond, and it was gratifying to see Delaney with another woman her own age. One thing this series does lack is good female bonds beyond the mothering type.
The Mystery. What I love about the Scottish Bookshop books is that the murder mysteries are very “Christie-esque” in that the cats of characters is limited to a small group of people per book, there is usually a red herring, and the person you least expect is the killer / kills in a novel way. Some people find this trope to be tired, but I enjoy it so much more because I rarely solve the murder before the end. Deadly Editions was no exception. I didn’t guess the killer or the motive, and it was thrilling to get to the big reveal.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The Bookish Voice “Big Reveal.” All her life, Delaney has heard bookish voices in her head that are either a portent to the future or a helpful guide to solving murder mysteries. The first couple of books hinted that it was supernatural, but the series has backed away from that and basically chalked it up to Delaney’s personal brand of intuition. She is so in tune and well read, she harkens to quotes from books she has read. Either way, it caused her quite a bit of problems when she was a child, and is generally a closely held secret. So when Delaney decides to tell Tom, her new husband, about the voices, I was prepared for a certain level of drama. Would he accept her? Will he help her find out the origin of the voices? Instead, Tom is as cool as a cucumber and the matter is just… dropped. I don’t even consider this a spoiler because Shelton treated this reveal as such a non-issue. For dedicated lovers of the series, this is a letdown.
The Pace. This wasn’t a huge issue for me, but the pacing was frankly all over the place in Deadly Editions. The treasure hunt was well-paced, but then solving the mystery interspersed along with being stalked by the new Monster created some extremely fast moments followed up languishing pages of sipping coffee and chatting about bygone romantic drama. Be prepared to be bored and at the edge of your seat in the course of 10 pages.
April 11, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Deadly Editions is the 6th book in the Scottish Bookshop cozy mystery series by Paige Shelton. Released 6th April 2021 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
All of the Scottish Bookshop mysteries are self contained and as such work well enough as standalones. The characters' interrelationships have developed over the course of the books, so there will be some missing backstory, but the author is adept at giving the necessary information, so readers who choose to pick up this one first won't likely experience any problems with keeping the story straight.
For lovers of very light bookstore cozies, these will likely be a good fit. This outing sees Delaney and crew on a scavenger hunt with the prize being a wealthy and eccentric bibliophile's priceless library collection. There are four people in-it-to-win-it (with generous cash grants to the ones who don't take home the grand prize). The stakes get higher when the benefactress is kidnapped, and everyone is scrambling to rescue her and solve an old murder mystery from her past.
All in all, it's a diverting, very light, readable cozy mystery with a whimsical ensemble cast. Some of the plot setups and developments are a bit over the top, but I strongly suspect that's a big part of why bookshop cozies are wildly popular. A strong suspension of disbelief is required. The language and content are chaste and perfectly safe for commute or work reading.
Four stars. The author is a talented and capable storyteller, and I do love bookstore cozies.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Deadly Editions is the 6th book in the Scottish Bookshop cozy mystery series by Paige Shelton. Released 6th April 2021 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
All of the Scottish Bookshop mysteries are self contained and as such work well enough as standalones. The characters' interrelationships have developed over the course of the books, so there will be some missing backstory, but the author is adept at giving the necessary information, so readers who choose to pick up this one first won't likely experience any problems with keeping the story straight.
For lovers of very light bookstore cozies, these will likely be a good fit. This outing sees Delaney and crew on a scavenger hunt with the prize being a wealthy and eccentric bibliophile's priceless library collection. There are four people in-it-to-win-it (with generous cash grants to the ones who don't take home the grand prize). The stakes get higher when the benefactress is kidnapped, and everyone is scrambling to rescue her and solve an old murder mystery from her past.
All in all, it's a diverting, very light, readable cozy mystery with a whimsical ensemble cast. Some of the plot setups and developments are a bit over the top, but I strongly suspect that's a big part of why bookshop cozies are wildly popular. A strong suspension of disbelief is required. The language and content are chaste and perfectly safe for commute or work reading.
Four stars. The author is a talented and capable storyteller, and I do love bookstore cozies.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
April 14, 2021
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.
In a bookstore in Edinburgh, Delaney Nichols, bookseller, is presented with a unique opportunity-an invitation to join a literary treasure hunt. The person making the offer may be a bit mysterious and even suspicious, but it's hard to resist the promise of not only a first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but the guarantee of being gifted the organizer's entire library of highly valuable books. But when events from the past seem to be repeating themselves, Delaney has more than one mystery to solve.
I absolutely love Edinburgh, I've visited there twice now, so the location had me hooked from the start. Shelton made me want to travel back to Edinburgh right away and hit up all the bookshops and pubs. Delaney is a likable character, a smart and geninually kind book lover who makes a great team with her husband, pub owner Tom. The characters that surround them are unique and interesting, and all add to the story.
The mystery was a really fun one, especially as it was woven around the characters and ideas of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a book I love. I definitely did not see the ending coming, but it made sense looking back, which is always a plus for me.
The only thing I wasn't crazy about is that Delaney's intuition comes to her in the form of book characters and authors talking to her inside her head at important moments. I liked the integration of story and author quotes, but it just felt strange and out of place. Granted, I have not read the other books in this series, so it may be this would make more sense to me if I started from the beginning.
This was a fun, charming book with a fantastic setting, fun characters, and an enjoyable mystery. If the rest of the series is just like this entry, it's a world I would like to revisit.
In a bookstore in Edinburgh, Delaney Nichols, bookseller, is presented with a unique opportunity-an invitation to join a literary treasure hunt. The person making the offer may be a bit mysterious and even suspicious, but it's hard to resist the promise of not only a first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but the guarantee of being gifted the organizer's entire library of highly valuable books. But when events from the past seem to be repeating themselves, Delaney has more than one mystery to solve.
I absolutely love Edinburgh, I've visited there twice now, so the location had me hooked from the start. Shelton made me want to travel back to Edinburgh right away and hit up all the bookshops and pubs. Delaney is a likable character, a smart and geninually kind book lover who makes a great team with her husband, pub owner Tom. The characters that surround them are unique and interesting, and all add to the story.
The mystery was a really fun one, especially as it was woven around the characters and ideas of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a book I love. I definitely did not see the ending coming, but it made sense looking back, which is always a plus for me.
The only thing I wasn't crazy about is that Delaney's intuition comes to her in the form of book characters and authors talking to her inside her head at important moments. I liked the integration of story and author quotes, but it just felt strange and out of place. Granted, I have not read the other books in this series, so it may be this would make more sense to me if I started from the beginning.
This was a fun, charming book with a fantastic setting, fun characters, and an enjoyable mystery. If the rest of the series is just like this entry, it's a world I would like to revisit.
May 5, 2021
Deadly Editions is an enjoyable, fun read. The characters are lively, inspiring, and entertaining. The bookshop is delightful and in a Scottish setting that will make any reader want to visit.
Delaney is an engaging character. She loves the bookshop and her Scottish home and is often amused and bemused by customers and residents. Spending so much time with books can be tedious, but not for Delaney; she can’t stop putting herself in the middle of murder investigations. This time, the killer is using a treasure hunt for a book, and not just any book, but a first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but could the woman conducting the hunt, Shelagh O'Conner, or the book itself be the cause of murder and intrigue? Delaney isn’t sure, but she is determined to find out.
It doesn’t take long before suspects come out of the woodwork, evidence points its icy fingers at Shelagh, and history starts repeating itself. In and out of the bookshop, with help from all of her Scottish friends, Delaney unravels a duplicitous evil plot and the identity of a killer.
I enjoyed Deadly Editions quite a lot and believe other readers who have yet to pick up this book will too. Readers are taken on an adventure in a Scottish town with great descriptions and a look into the life of an eccentric book lover who will charm even the most stringent cozy lover. The Cracked Spine bookshop will entice readers to explore their local book stores and maybe motivate them to travel to far-off exotic locals.
Delaney is an engaging character. She loves the bookshop and her Scottish home and is often amused and bemused by customers and residents. Spending so much time with books can be tedious, but not for Delaney; she can’t stop putting herself in the middle of murder investigations. This time, the killer is using a treasure hunt for a book, and not just any book, but a first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but could the woman conducting the hunt, Shelagh O'Conner, or the book itself be the cause of murder and intrigue? Delaney isn’t sure, but she is determined to find out.
It doesn’t take long before suspects come out of the woodwork, evidence points its icy fingers at Shelagh, and history starts repeating itself. In and out of the bookshop, with help from all of her Scottish friends, Delaney unravels a duplicitous evil plot and the identity of a killer.
I enjoyed Deadly Editions quite a lot and believe other readers who have yet to pick up this book will too. Readers are taken on an adventure in a Scottish town with great descriptions and a look into the life of an eccentric book lover who will charm even the most stringent cozy lover. The Cracked Spine bookshop will entice readers to explore their local book stores and maybe motivate them to travel to far-off exotic locals.
February 13, 2021
“Deadly Editions” is the 6th instalment in the "Scottish Bookshop Mystery” series by Paige Shelton. I loved visiting Edinburgh, Scotland and the Cracked Spine book shop again. The story is full of quirky characters, a beautiful setting, and an interesting plot. I liked how this time we were exploring the tale of Jekyll and Hyde as well as a treasure hunt.
There were several possible suspects, and kept me guessing for quite a while. I was drawn into this story right away and did not want to put it down. Overall, I found it to be a very entertaining read that made me long to visit Scotland and read more about author Robert Louis Stevenson.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There were several possible suspects, and kept me guessing for quite a while. I was drawn into this story right away and did not want to put it down. Overall, I found it to be a very entertaining read that made me long to visit Scotland and read more about author Robert Louis Stevenson.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 23, 2021
4.5 stars
This is the sixth book in the Scottish Bookshop mystery series by Paige Shelton.
Delaney is offered the opportunity to acquire a first edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s book The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr Hyde. This invitation leads to a scavenger hunt and then the lady conducting the festivities goes missing.
This book gives you a double whammy. You get to follow the mystery and the solving of it while following the characters following the clues left in the scavenger hunt. This made the book doubly exciting.
I really enjoyed following Paige around during this mystery. I kind of had that whole feeling of Clue the Movie and couldn’t get enough of this clever tale. Just one fun read.
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the sixth book in the Scottish Bookshop mystery series by Paige Shelton.
Delaney is offered the opportunity to acquire a first edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s book The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr Hyde. This invitation leads to a scavenger hunt and then the lady conducting the festivities goes missing.
This book gives you a double whammy. You get to follow the mystery and the solving of it while following the characters following the clues left in the scavenger hunt. This made the book doubly exciting.
I really enjoyed following Paige around during this mystery. I kind of had that whole feeling of Clue the Movie and couldn’t get enough of this clever tale. Just one fun read.
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
May 16, 2021
I've been waiting not so patiently for this book, and it certainly did not disappoint. From the beginning, the start of the scavenger hunt, I was hooked. Fairly quickly, I realized that I had forgotten so much about Jekyll and Hyde that I went back and reread it half way through this book, just a bit of a refresher. Also looked up Deacon Brodie, a new acquaintance. I loved tagging along with Delaney and Co. as they worked to unravel the mystery, and I found myself wanting to visit all of the historic pubs they visited. There was less of the regular bookshop crew in this book, and I missed them, but thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Tom is willing to go with Delaney on her adventures. It's going to be a long wait, but I'm ready for my next trip to The Cracked Spine.
February 22, 2023
3 chapters in I found myself wondering why I had taken so long to pick up this book and read it. Paige Shelton is, without a doubt, my favorite cozy author ... and this is my very favorite series! Everything I love ... a mystery ... a bookstore ... in Scotland ... a bit of romance ... and a group of very fun people who all love each other. A sleuth who gets along well with the police inspector (and actually listens to him and tells him anything she learns!!!) I just love these books. This one is no exception, and I enjoyed it very much!
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