This book is described as “A gripping cozy mystery set in the Highlands” and is published by Bookouture. This is the first book in the series.
The story begins in Edinburgh in August 1911. Twenty-five-year-old Maud McIntyre and her lady’s maid Daisy Cameron (24) have just set up their detective agency. After a spate of jewellery robberies in country house parties, their first case involves attending one of these parties at Duddingston House to hopefully prevent another theft. But when a crime happens, there’s a murder to solve.
The book feels well-researched and the time period feels authentic. It’s interesting to see the sexism of the time and how some people feel a woman couldn’t be a detective. I found it slightly overly descriptive at times, especially regarding the clothes people were wearing, but that’s just my taste, not a big criticism.
I liked the main characters. Maud and Daisy are very believable and I enjoyed the dynamic between them. They are both strong, female characters and feisty before their time, which is fun to read about and I enjoyed seeing how they had to rein themselves in at times.
I enjoyed the way the novel combined several different things they were asked to solve and the big denouement at the end. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series soon.
8 out of 10
BLURB
When Maud McIntyre sets up her own private detective agency, she never imagines her first case will involve murder… A mystery in the Highlands? The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency is on the case!
Edinburgh, 1911: When Maud McIntyre and her lady’s maid, Daisy, form a detective agency, they never dream their first case will take place at a glamorous house in the Scottish Highlands. But when the Duchess of Duddingston, concerned that a notorious jewellery thief will target her lavish weekend party, employs Maud to go undercover as a guest to find the culprit, the agency has its first case to solve…
Undercover with Daisy as her maid, Maud follows a trail of clues across the Duddingston House estate. And as she meets the weekend guests, she hopes one of them will reveal themselves as the jewellery thief. But when one of the house guests is discovered dead, Maud and Daisy realise they’re not only hunting precious gems, but a murderer…
As Maud and Daisy investigate, they realise that a connection in Edinburgh might hold a vital clue that will help them solve the case. Travelling back to the city, Maud hopes that what she and Daisy uncover will help them piece together the murder mystery at Duddingston House…
But when Maud receives a telephone call from the Duchess requesting urgent assistance, she realises that the murderer didn’t have just one victim in mind. Speeding down the drive to Duddingston House, Maud and Daisy hear gunshots ring out across the estate. Will they reach the Duchess in time to save her? And will they catch the murderer in the act?
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