Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 1
Paige Shelton has crafted an excellent puzzle of a mystery filled with plenty of misdirection to keep readers guessing. Her main character has just the right amount of budding romance with the handsome Tom, and she furthers her Scottish education by traveling by train and visiting Sterling and the Wallace Monument.
If you overlook her tendency to trip over dead bodies, you have to admit that Delaney is having the perfect adventure in Scotland. She's not faced with too much culture shock because she's surrounded by a buffer of friends consisting of her co-workers, Tom, and her landlords Elias and Aggie. She doesn't even have to brave public transportation all that much because Elias has a taxi and insists on driving her to many of the places she needs to go, just like an overprotective father.
I do have to admit to one small grievance (other than Delaney keeping evidence from the police): Edwin MacAlister himself. All his secrets, all his being unable to be reached by telephone or any other means, not only makes him a rather puzzling sort of businessman, it makes him downright annoying. He needs to show more trust in his employees/chosen family. I'd also like to know more about the treasures in that warehouse of his, but it may be a bit premature to ask him for a guided tour, especially since I've just filed a complaint.
I'm ready... Bring on Delaney's next adventure in Scotland!
If you overlook her tendency to trip over dead bodies, you have to admit that Delaney is having the perfect adventure in Scotland. She's not faced with too much culture shock because she's surrounded by a buffer of friends consisting of her co-workers, Tom, and her landlords Elias and Aggie. She doesn't even have to brave public transportation all that much because Elias has a taxi and insists on driving her to many of the places she needs to go, just like an overprotective father.
I do have to admit to one small grievance (other than Delaney keeping evidence from the police): Edwin MacAlister himself. All his secrets, all his being unable to be reached by telephone or any other means, not only makes him a rather puzzling sort of businessman, it makes him downright annoying. He needs to show more trust in his employees/chosen family. I'd also like to know more about the treasures in that warehouse of his, but it may be a bit premature to ask him for a guided tour, especially since I've just filed a complaint.
I'm ready... Bring on Delaney's next adventure in Scotland!
Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Shelton is the second book in A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. Delaney Nichols works at The Cracked Spine in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her boss, Edwin MacAlister has sent her on a special errand to Castle Doune to pick up a rare copy of Oor Wullie (an old Scottish comic). Delaney only knows that her contact will be in costume. She is driven by friend and landlord, Elias (also a cabdriver) who wishes to keep Delaney safe while on this errand. Delaney is looking around and notices a body backward on a staircase. It turns out to be the man Delaney was to meet. While awaiting the police, Delaney does find the book which she quickly hides out of sight. Upon returning to The Cracked Spine, she shares what happened with Edwin (and then the rest of the staff). The deceased is Billy Armstrong, son of an old friend of Edwin's, Gordon Armstrong. Gordon had died two years previously in a boat fire. The group is shocked when Gordon shows up later that day in the bookshop. Gordon wants to know what happened to his son. They find out that Gordon had sent the book to Edwin via Billy, and it contained the details on what had happened two years prior. Delaney starts seeking the truth and to uncover who killed Billy Armstrong. She is aided by her friends at The Cracked Spine and her âbookish voicesâ. Delaney will need support if she is to uncover the lies and expose a killer.
I had not had the opportunity to read The Cracked Spine since its publication. I discovered that it is better to read the first book (The Cracked Spine) before starting Of Books and Bagpipes. Some background details are provided on the main character, but not all the needed information is included. Of Books and Bagpipes is an arduous novel to read. I found the Scottish dialogue difficult to decipher. If it was just in small sections, it would be manageable (but it was not). The pace of the book is slow and untangling the interchanges significantly slows down the reading. There are several obscure and famous Scottish authors mentioned throughout the novel. I believe most readers will like the inclusion of this information. I give Of Books and Bagpipes 2.5 out of 5 stars. The saving grace of this story is the mystery. It is complicated and challenging to solve. A reader needs to pay close attention to the details to unscramble the clues and crack the case. Also, included in the novel is information on various historical sights. While the information is interesting, it does bog down the story. I was not a fan of Delaney's boss, Edwin. I find that he keeps too many secrets. I believe the author was trying to make him mysterious, but it does not quite work. I wish the author had stuck with a warehouse full of unusual and unique items (instead of all the secrets and lies). I did not see how Delaney's âbookish voicesâ enhanced the book. I would have preferred ghosts. Ghosts associated with old historical sites (like Castle Doune) or maybe spirits that live in The Cracked Spine (I prefer this scenario). While Of Books and Bagpipes was not to my liking, I am a fan of Paige Shelton's other series (especially A Dangerous Type Mystery series).
I had not had the opportunity to read The Cracked Spine since its publication. I discovered that it is better to read the first book (The Cracked Spine) before starting Of Books and Bagpipes. Some background details are provided on the main character, but not all the needed information is included. Of Books and Bagpipes is an arduous novel to read. I found the Scottish dialogue difficult to decipher. If it was just in small sections, it would be manageable (but it was not). The pace of the book is slow and untangling the interchanges significantly slows down the reading. There are several obscure and famous Scottish authors mentioned throughout the novel. I believe most readers will like the inclusion of this information. I give Of Books and Bagpipes 2.5 out of 5 stars. The saving grace of this story is the mystery. It is complicated and challenging to solve. A reader needs to pay close attention to the details to unscramble the clues and crack the case. Also, included in the novel is information on various historical sights. While the information is interesting, it does bog down the story. I was not a fan of Delaney's boss, Edwin. I find that he keeps too many secrets. I believe the author was trying to make him mysterious, but it does not quite work. I wish the author had stuck with a warehouse full of unusual and unique items (instead of all the secrets and lies). I did not see how Delaney's âbookish voicesâ enhanced the book. I would have preferred ghosts. Ghosts associated with old historical sites (like Castle Doune) or maybe spirits that live in The Cracked Spine (I prefer this scenario). While Of Books and Bagpipes was not to my liking, I am a fan of Paige Shelton's other series (especially A Dangerous Type Mystery series).
Jeanne G. (IlliniAlum83) -
Delaney goes on the hunt for a murderer once again in this second in the series set in Edinburgh, Scotland. This murder mystery once again ties to Edwin, millionaire owner of the rare bookstore where Delaney has come from Kansas to be a researcher and finder of historical items. Edwin seems to have many secrets, about his family (first book) and now his friends from college.
Delaney's unofficial investigation takes her to Stirling where the murdered man she was meeting to receive a comic book that Edwin had purchased was a re-enactor of the William Wallace story (inaccurately portrayed in the beloved Hollywood movie, Braveheart).
i love reading books set in places I have visited. When we lived in Germany (2005-09) , our first out of country trip was to Scotland so we had long visits to Edinburgh and Stirling ( youngest daughter is a super-fan of Braveheart). So much fun to hear descriptions of the city and tourist sites as Delaney learns about her new home.
Her ' special power' is still a minor part of the story as it was in the first book which makes me wonder why the author felt the need to give Delaney this paranormal ability. More involvement in future books in the series would just be irritating in my opinion.
Delaney's unofficial investigation takes her to Stirling where the murdered man she was meeting to receive a comic book that Edwin had purchased was a re-enactor of the William Wallace story (inaccurately portrayed in the beloved Hollywood movie, Braveheart).
i love reading books set in places I have visited. When we lived in Germany (2005-09) , our first out of country trip was to Scotland so we had long visits to Edinburgh and Stirling ( youngest daughter is a super-fan of Braveheart). So much fun to hear descriptions of the city and tourist sites as Delaney learns about her new home.
Her ' special power' is still a minor part of the story as it was in the first book which makes me wonder why the author felt the need to give Delaney this paranormal ability. More involvement in future books in the series would just be irritating in my opinion.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Of Books and Bagpipes (Scottish Bookshop, Bk 2) on + 885 more book reviews
Good second addition to the Scottish Bookshop series. Delaney goes to an historic castle to pick up a purchase made by her employer, Edwin - owner of the bookstore. What she finds instead is a dead re-enactor who is the son of a deceased friend of Edwin. During her snooping, she uncovers long buried secrets from Edwin's past.
