I stumbled on Paige Shelton’s first book in the Scottish Bookshop series purely by accident. I was looking for authors like Kate Carlisle and Shelton’s name came up. I was hooked from the first page and have devoured each entry in the series.

In book 4, we find Delaney working hard to manage her upcoming wedding to Tom, including introducing her Kansas family to her Edinburgh family. While tracking down a reverend to officiate at the wedding, Delaney meets yet another interesting person. This time, it’s Norval Fraser and he draws her deep into a mystery involving the Loch Ness Monster, a missing father, and a murdered nephew.

As usual, Delaney and all her Edinburgh friends are charming, the story is fun and engaging, and there are interesting developments in the personal lives of the characters. I’m begining to think, though, that it’s time to let go of the books talking to Delaney. In the first book, the convention worked well, but here it felt kind of forced. Delaney is interesting enough on her own.

If you can't take a trip to Scotland, being there with Delaney Nichols is the next best thing. American Delaney has been working at The Cracked Spine, antiquarian and rare book shop, and is planning her wedding to Tom. When she goes to meet with a potential officiant, Reverend Nisa, she runs into Norval Fraser, an elderly man who is a Loch Ness monster enthusiast. Norval is immediately taken with Delaney, hoping that she will take his papers and continue his work. When Norval is arrested for the murder of his nephew Gavin, Delaney is sure he could not have committed the crime and is anxious to work to clear his name. This is delightful mystery with interesting characters, wonderful descriptions of Scotland, insertions of the Scottish dialect that make you feel as if you were really there, and of course the Loch Ness monster. I highly recommend it.

It is always a joy to see a new book out in this series. This is the 4th entry and is just as fun as the first 3. As usual we get a murder to solve but this time we also get a wedding and an appearance by Nessie! Or do we? I love the cast and wish I could be part of the Cracked Spine family. Be warned though that by the time you finish you can't help but want to speak in a Scottish brogue!

A great addition to a charming series! I love how seamlessly the author has the character progression going from book to book in the series. It makes the transition from book to book so effortless. The setting, as always, is perfection through words, as is the plot. A well executed mystery that will leave you wanting more.