Death in the Highlands is the third book in the Cressida Fawcett Mystery series by Fliss Chester. This charming historical cozy mystery is set in 1925 Scotland, and is a wonderful addition to the series.
Title: Death in the Highlands
Author: Fliss Chester
Series: Cressida Fawcett #3
First Published: June 22, 2023
Publisher: Bookouture
Genres: Mystery
Acquired: from the publisher
*** Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
Scotland, June 1925. Socialite Cressida Fawcett has been invited to cast her interior design eye over the Stirling family’s new seat, Ayrton Castle, up in the Scottish Highlands. Thrilled to be spending the summer at the historic estate, Cressida fills her suitcase with this season’s hunting jackets – and some tartan for her little pug Ruby, of course!
But before the party is ready to tramp through the glens, shocking news puts paid to their plans. Hamish Glenkirk, former owner of Ayrton, has been found dead inside a turret room of the castle. The door was bolted from the inside, and the room is three storeys up, surrounded by impenetrable stone walls… How did the murderer get in? And out?
With Detective Andrews of Scotland Yard at least a day’s journey away, Cressida knows she needs to get to the bottom of this case – and fast. There’s no end of suspects among the hunting party. Could it be the local doctor whose wife left him for a fling with the now-dead laird? Or is the gamekeeper hiding secrets under his kilt?
Just as Cressida is closing in on the truth, a blood-curdling scream echoes through the mist. Another member of the party, and one of the suspects, has been shot. With a wee dram in hand, can Cressida find the killer before the bagpipes play for another victim?
Another fun outing with Cressida, this time in Scotland
Wealthy heiress Cressida is back! And with her pug Ruby, and her best friend Lady Dorothy, along for the fun as well. This time, the trio (plus Dorothy’s older brother Alfred) are headed to the Scottish Highlands, to an old castle, where Cressida hopes to put her design skills to good use (and enjoy a few sporting pastimes as well).
As with the previous two books in the series, Cressida is just as independent and capable as ever, eager to solve the locked room mystery that occurs.
Of course, it’s pretty convenient that her friend, Det. Andrews of Scotland Yard happens to be (sort of) close by to lend a legal helping hand. And while he does assist, it’s definitely Cressida that does most of the heavy lifting to solve the murder(s).
There are plenty of suspects and lots of other characters, but things are kept pretty organised and there are several reminders and verbal clue walk-throughs that make the story easy to follow and keep track of.
I’ve read all the Cressida Fawcett mysteries so far and it’s one of my favourite mystery series set in the 1920s. I really enjoy the fun and varied characters, their witty banter, the even pacing of the story, and the wonderful settings, and I appreciate how the books have taken place in different locales, keeping the stories refreshing (and still believable since Cressida is a rich socialite who would be invited to all these amazing parties!)
All in all, another great Cressida Fawcett adventure – I’m looking forward to the next one!
About the Author, Fliss Chester
Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter.
You can connect with Fliss Chester online here:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | BOOKOUTURE PAGE
Purchase your own copy of Death in the Highlands here.
Quote from Death in the Highlands
