Of Books and Bagpipes

Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series, Book 2

By: Paige Shelton

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Delaney Nichols has settled so comfortably into her new life in Edinburgh that she truly feels it's become more home than her once beloved Kansas. Her job at the Cracked Spine, a bookshop that specializes in rare manuscripts as well as other sundry valuable historical objects, is everything she had dreamed. Her latest task includes a trip to Castle Doune to retrieve a hard-to-find edition of an old Scottish comic, an "Oor Wullie", in a cloak-and-dagger transaction that Edwin has orchestrated.

While taking in the sights, Delaney is startled to spot a sandal-clad foot at the other end of the roof. Unfortunately the foot's owner is dead and, based on the William Wallace costume he's wearing, perfectly matches the description of the man who was supposed to bring the Oor Wullie. As Delaney rushes to call off approaching tourists and find the police, she comes across the Oor Wullie. Instinct tells her to take the pages and hide them under her jacket. It's not until she returns to the Cracked Spine that she realizes just how complicated this story is and endeavors to untangle the tricky plot of why someone wanted this man dead, all before getting herself booked for murder.

©2017 Paige Shelton-Ferrell (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The Edinburgh and greater Scotland settings are lovingly woven through the story, which includes details of literature and Scottish history. In this first-person account, Delaney is a bright, sympathetic figure surrounded by well-drawn secondary characters." ( Booklist)

She's Not in Kansas Anymore

Delaney Nichols loves her new job at the Cracked Spine Bookshop and the history and mystery of Scotland has certainly grown on her, so much so that she barely misses her home back in Kansas. Her latest task, to retrieve an early edition of old Scottish comic, an "Oor Wullie", takes Delaney into some dangerous territory. She finds the courier she is to meet dead with the ancient comic close by. What she does next sets off a series of events that will eventually unravel a very old tale and hopefully explain why someone wanted the man dead. Excellent entry into the series.

Great Reader and interesting mystery

I have really enjoyed the first two books in the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries. I especially like the author who has elevated the complexity of the mystery and characters above some of the other "cozy" story types.
I love the reader, Carrington Macduffie, as she has a beautiful Scottish accent and the ability to differentiate characters voices, both male and female. I find that ability is really difficult for some readers. I am excited to listen to the next in the series.

Loved the narrator!

It was great to keep the same narrator from the previous book in the series. Carrington MacDuffie does an excellent job with the voices and accents.

Another fantastic Scotland adventure!

The story is well written and full of amazing characters! The story line keeps you thinking and guessing all the way to the very last chapter! I can't wait to knit and listen to the next book! The performer is brilliant! She has done an tremendous job keeping these characters lively and real! A true audio joy!

Interesting Story

Sorry, but I felt that even with the interesting story I don't care for the version of AI that did this very fake. The voice was very, very fake. You could tell it was always the same person. Or fake voice mimic multiple times so this was poor and I can't give it a 5 rating..