Fateful Words by Paige Shelton takes us back to Edinburgh, Scotland where Delaney Nichols finds herself with an unexpected assignment. I thought Fateful Words was well-written with realistic, developed characters. The main cast is comprised of friendly characters that you enjoy getting to know. We get to learn more about Delaney in each book. I appreciated the descriptions of The Cracked Spine and Edinburgh. The author really brings the city and its rich history alive. The mystery was multifaceted which I loved. There is plenty going on to keep things lively especially in the second half. Delaney asks questions and searches for clues. She slowly starts putting the pieces together. The whodunit ramps up for an eventful reveal. I like that Delaney keeps Inspector Winters updated. You have to wonder how Inspector Winters feels about Delaney's texts and phone calls (it has to get annoying). This was a fun mystery to solve. We get to catch up with Rosie, Tom, Edwin, Hamlet, and Hector (such a sweetie). Fateful Words is the eighth A Scottish Bookshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series. I have read the series in order which has allowed me to get to know Delaney and her friends. I enjoyed the literary references as well as the folklore, historical tidbits, and the historical sites referenced. I felt like I was touring Edinburgh with Delaney and the tour group. Delaney's intuition or her bookish voices were a little silent this time around. They can be a touch obscure. Delaney has to figure out what they mean and how they fit into the puzzle. Fateful Words is my favorite A Scottish Bookshop Mystery thanks to its complex mystery with its intriguing twists. Travel to Edinburgh in Fateful Words with a beautiful boon, a missing superior, tour troubles, a book excursion, an odd death, and an enigmatic mystery.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Delaney Nichols loves her job at The Cracked Spine Bookshop. Working on the "dark side" of the shop organizing owner Edwin MacAlister's many collections is like a dream come true.
Right now Edwin is off on some secret business and took Hamlet with him. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, Rosie and Delaney can handle the bookstore, but this is the week of Edwin's yearly literary tour around Edinburgh and his invited guests have already arrived. Delaney has no choice but to take over the tour knowing the participants are going to be upset. Edwin's tours are legendary and while Delaney can't measure up to his fame but she will give it her all to give them the best time in Edinburgh she can.
The first day of the tour went pretty well but after dinner trouble breaks out at the inn where the group is staying. The manager has fallen or was pushed off the roof, an employee has been attacked and one of the members of the group has disappeared.
Delaney has another real-life mystery on her hands and she and her husband Tom team up to do their best to solve it. They soon realize both Delaney's life and the bookstore are in danger so time is most definitely of the essence.
____
Fateful Words is the 8th book in Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series and this is my new favorite.
Delaney Nichols has grown so much since she arrived in Edinburgh, a farm girl from Kansas. She is confident in her job, married a wonderful man, and has made many friends. This time she was put to the test and had to fill in for Edwin and for a newcomer she did an excellent job. I love the way she follows the clues and always shares her findings and theories with Inspector Winters although I am sure it gets to be a bit much for him at times.
I really enjoyed that even though he was away in London Edwin played a major role in this story. He is a fantastic boss and truly Delaney, Hamlet, Rosie, and even Hector are his family. They have a strong bond and that is what makes this series so strong. The characters are realistic and genuine and it is very easy to get invested in their lives.
Ms. Shelton takes her readers right along as Delaney escorts Edwin's guests on a tour of the city. Her descriptions paint pictures whether it be above ground or below. I felt like I was on a fabulous virtual vacation to a city I would love to travel to someday. The fact that she intertwines a couple of fantastic mysteries along the way makes it even better yet.
Those mysteries have a bunch of moving parts made harder to solve by a variety of twists and turns. I was fascinated by the notion that instead of narrowing down the number of suspects the list increased as the story played out. Another change from previous stories Delaney's "book voices" were silent throughout most of the story. The twists mounted as we got closer to the end and the suspense takes a big jump. The pages were flying and I was holding my breath. Wow, what an ending.
Surely one of the best books I will read this year. Fateful Words is a supreme addition to this series. A complicated mystery, with delightful characters, set in a dream locale. I was entertained from the moment I opened the book until the final page. I really have a hard time letting these characters go. Until next year Edinburgh, my virtual bags are already packed.
Delaney Nichols loves her job at The Cracked Spine Bookshop. Working on the "dark side" of the shop organizing owner Edwin MacAlister's many collections is like a dream come true.
Right now Edwin is off on some secret business and took Hamlet with him. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, Rosie and Delaney can handle the bookstore, but this is the week of Edwin's yearly literary tour around Edinburgh and his invited guests have already arrived. Delaney has no choice but to take over the tour knowing the participants are going to be upset. Edwin's tours are legendary and while Delaney can't measure up to his fame but she will give it her all to give them the best time in Edinburgh she can.
The first day of the tour went pretty well but after dinner trouble breaks out at the inn where the group is staying. The manager has fallen or was pushed off the roof, an employee has been attacked and one of the members of the group has disappeared.
Delaney has another real-life mystery on her hands and she and her husband Tom team up to do their best to solve it. They soon realize both Delaney's life and the bookstore are in danger so time is most definitely of the essence.
____
Fateful Words is the 8th book in Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series and this is my new favorite.
Delaney Nichols has grown so much since she arrived in Edinburgh, a farm girl from Kansas. She is confident in her job, married a wonderful man, and has made many friends. This time she was put to the test and had to fill in for Edwin and for a newcomer she did an excellent job. I love the way she follows the clues and always shares her findings and theories with Inspector Winters although I am sure it gets to be a bit much for him at times.
I really enjoyed that even though he was away in London Edwin played a major role in this story. He is a fantastic boss and truly Delaney, Hamlet, Rosie, and even Hector are his family. They have a strong bond and that is what makes this series so strong. The characters are realistic and genuine and it is very easy to get invested in their lives.
Ms. Shelton takes her readers right along as Delaney escorts Edwin's guests on a tour of the city. Her descriptions paint pictures whether it be above ground or below. I felt like I was on a fabulous virtual vacation to a city I would love to travel to someday. The fact that she intertwines a couple of fantastic mysteries along the way makes it even better yet.
Those mysteries have a bunch of moving parts made harder to solve by a variety of twists and turns. I was fascinated by the notion that instead of narrowing down the number of suspects the list increased as the story played out. Another change from previous stories Delaney's "book voices" were silent throughout most of the story. The twists mounted as we got closer to the end and the suspense takes a big jump. The pages were flying and I was holding my breath. Wow, what an ending.
Surely one of the best books I will read this year. Fateful Words is a supreme addition to this series. A complicated mystery, with delightful characters, set in a dream locale. I was entertained from the moment I opened the book until the final page. I really have a hard time letting these characters go. Until next year Edinburgh, my virtual bags are already packed.
