Fateful Words by Paige Shelton Series: Scottish Bookshop Mystery #8
Published by Minotaur Books on April 4, 2023
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
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In Fateful Words, the eighth Scottish Bookshop Mystery from beloved author Paige Shelton, bookseller Delaney Nichols stakes her reputation—and her life—when a literary tour turns deadly...
When Edwin, Delaney’s boss at the Cracked Spine bookstore, leaves town on secret business, Delaney is called upon to guide his yearly literary tour around Edinburgh. But on the first night of the tour, at the inn where the tour group is staying, the inn manager falls—or is pushed—off the roof of the inn, and killed. Then, one of the tour members disappears, leaving a trail of puzzles in her wake.
In a race against the clock, Delaney sets out on the expedition of her life, following clues around Edinburgh to get to the bottom of this mystery. Exploring sights from Greyfriars Bobby to the Royal Mile to the Sir Walter Scott Monument, she'll have to put the pieces together quickly, or the bookstore's survival could be on the line...as well as her own.
I have read the Scottish Bookshop mystery series from the beginning and look forward to each new addition. I don’t think you need to have read others in the series to enjoy this one, but it never hurts either.
Delaney is left in charge of a small tour group when Edward and Hamlet take off to London. I don’t understand why their reason for going had to be kept secret. I think it was something I would have let my friends/employees know about for a couple of reasons, but I guess it adds to the tension.
The tour starts off on the wrong foot, with the manager of the inn where the group is staying falling to his death from the roof. Then, at lunch the next day, one of the tour group goes missing. I’m happy that the remaining three continue on with the tour, although it’s probably a questionable decision. I liked the mini-tour of Edinburgh and hearing the stories Delaney shares with the group. I would love to visit sometime.
The mystery had a lot of things going on – missing people, murder and attempted murder, and secrets at the inn. Delaney, as always, wants to figure out what’s going on, but she does a good job of keeping the police updated on what she finds out as she digs around. It’s a bit complicated, but all the threads tie together well in the end. Honestly, I think if Edward had been a little more forthcoming and a little less out of communication, it wouldn’t have gotten as out of control, but it was still a fun book.
About Paige Shelton
Paige studied journalism at Drake College in Iowa. She has only ever wanted to be a writer. She’s had good jobs, bad jobs, great bosses, and terrible bosses, but through it all she has only wanted to write. She’s grateful to have the opportunity now.
Paige and her husband currently live in Arizona.