A Christmas Tartan by Paige Shelton Series: Scottish Bookshop Mystery #1.5
Published by Minotaur Books on October 25, 2016
Source: Purchased
Genres: Mystery, Short Story, Christmas
Pages: 32
Format: eBook
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Christmastime has come to Scotland, and Delaney and all her coworkers at the Cracked Spine, the quirky bookshop in the heart of Edinburgh, are all in the holiday spirit. Between mugs of hot chocolate and nibbles of gingerbread, Delaney has been given the task of tracking down the provenance of a mysterious box of objects that her boss, Edwin, has recently acquired. In it are various trinkets, but what really catches Delaney's eye is a worn copy of A Christmas Carol, where she also finds an old photo tucked inside. On the back is a name, which leads her to a woman whose granddaughter has gone missing. When it becomes clear that the box might be connected to the missing girl, Delaney is pulled into the intrigue, and takes it upon herself to figure out what really happened—and why.
I’ve read all three full-length books in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series and enjoyed them all. Delaney is someone I would like to be friends with. And the other folks in the bookstore, including the owner are fun to spend time with. The bookstore also has a backroom full of various interesting objects and it’s often these that lead to the mysteries.
In A Christmas Tartan, Delaney is given a box of things that includes a copy of A Christmas Carol with a photo inside. She of course is curious and the photo leads her to an elderly woman in town whose granddaughter is missing.
This one is slightly more paranormal than most of the series. The present is connected to the past and to some extent, Delaney sees both, or maybe she doesn’t. Either which way, the mystery of what happened to the girl is well-done and the solution made sense. The ending scene made me smile. It’s a warm holiday mystery, although perhaps not representative of the series over all.
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.
I feel like I have read one by this author. Mhmmm can’t remember.
But yes, this sounds pretty good!
I’m seeing so many Christmas stories. This one sounds good as well and I do like the cover.
I like the touch of paranormal here.