Wow! After reading the blurb I had to read this book. Everything about it sounded as though it was right up my alley. A treasure hunt with a huge prize, robbery, murder, and kidnapping. How else could a mystery be told. This one though has some secrets up it’s sleeves. The author has written yet another edge of your seat mystery. As a stand-alone it is great but if you get a chance to read the others……you learn a lot more about the protagonist and their development in the story.


5 out of 5 stars


Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. this is a really good mystery very well written with great characters I highly recommend for all mystery lovers.

The protagonist who annoyed me and the general mystery were not compelling. But it was a mystery that followed the formula you'd expect.

I really enjoy this series set in Scotland centered around a bookshop, I mean whats not to love. :)

Delany is pretty much in charge of the bookshop now because Edwin though still the owner has pretty much retired because he has a lady friend now and they go off doing things. Though when Delany was sent an invitation to check out a huge book collection that has a special Jekyll and Hyde book, she calls up Edwin to see what he thinks. He gives her the greenlight to check it out with no book budget!

Delany gets there and finds out that there will be a treasure hunt and that her and a few others will be given the first clue then they have to figure out where the next clues will be and it should lead then to the Jekyll and Hyde book. Then a murder happens and the stakes seem a bit higher and Delany is not sure if it's worth trying to find the book, but she can't leave a mystery unsolved!

I really like the characters in this series! I love Delany and Tom (who isn't a cop!!!) then there is Rosie and Hamlet who work at the bookshop and many other fun characters!

I enjoyed just reading this one and hanging out with the characters that I really should have been able to figure out the killer but I just didn't really try...lol.

It's just a fun series and I would recommend it!

Having just finished Deadly Editions by Paige Shelton, I was left feeling it was a very enjoyable read. The story had various mysterious elements woven around a colorful cast of characters. This story kept me engaged and wanting to keep pushing through the chapters to find out what was going to happen.

I had read one of Paige Shelton’s previous books from this series. But the story also stands alone, and I didn’t feel I would be missing out on anything, even if I didn’t already know these characters. The author does a great job of getting you engaged with the characters and making you feel like you know them well. Delany Nichols is the main character, who as an American now rooted in a foreign country, has more than enough on her plate—and more keeps getting piled on as the mystery builds.

There was plenty of Scottish brogue in the dialogue, which I appreciated how the author very cleverly made sure that a “translation” was offered up by some means. The brogue added to the flavor of the story. The back story on several classic books and their authors adds a lot of historical interest, as does the setting in some very old pubs in the town, which make you feel like you are on a sightseeing tour of a Scottish town in words. Really fun!

I enjoyed this book enough that I continue to be investigating and reading a few others from the same series. If you are at all interested in an aspect of this story: mystery with twists and turns, classic books, travel, and a cast of characters you’d like to meet in person and share a drink at a pub with, don’t hesitate to pick up this book.

I received an eARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

This was a delightful read. I love treasure hunts. But when the prize is an amazing private library collection, you can’t go wrong. The characters are well developed and the mystery keeps you wondering until the end. I loved reading about the various pubs in Edinburgh. While you can read this sixth book in the series as a standalone, reading earlier books will give you a better background on the characters and how their relationships have grown. The clues presented will have you invested in the story. Sit back and enjoy this mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Nothing and nobody is quite what they seem when Delaney and crew are on the hunt for a very special volume of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. What is more perplexing is there seems to be a link between the book and what is happening in Edinburgh. And the woman who has set Delaney in her search is nowhere to be found. She is a known eccentric but even this may be a bit too odd for her. What dark forces are at work?

This series is always fun with good stories, populated with interesting characters and wonderful journeys through the streets of this magical city.
Five purrs and two paws up.

Deadly Editions by bPaige Shelton

A treasure hunt through Edinburgh gives way to a search for a villain terrorizing the city. The sixth Scottish Mystery Bookshop.

This was a light and fun cosy mystery. I like this series very much. It held many surprises. I enjoyed this book and especially the Scottish lingo.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Delaney Nichols receives a secretive invitation to participate in a scavenger hunt where the grand prize is the inheritance of Shelagh O’Connor's entire library which is filled with first editions. Shelagh had been very enamored of the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in her youth and had even been caught portraying the character back in the 70's so when a figure is seen resembling Shelagh in her disguise of years past, and then robberies and death follow, all eyes look for Shelagh, but she's been kidnapped.

Following Delaney and the other characters as they try to decipher the clues to solve the treasure hunt and figure out who has taken Shelagh was loads of fun and very entertaining. So unique in a mystery, I loved it.

The 6th book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series is just as entertaining as the previous ones. Delaney is involved in a treasure hunt and of course there's murder and even a kidnapping. The storyline is well done and I'm really enjoying the characters and their development. Also, what's not to love about Edinburgh?!

Deadly Editions is the sixth book in the Scottish Bookshop mystery series. The main character, Delaney, is an American woman who relocated to Scotland to work in a unique bookshop, the Cracked Spine. Delaney occasionally helps solve mysteries. Deadly Editions starts with Delaney on a treasure hunt, but leads to her looking for a killer.

I recommend starting with the first book in this series, The Cracked Spine. Each book in the series has a unique mystery, but the relationships between the characters grows throughout Delaney’s time in Scotland.

Deadly Editions is a delightful cozy mystery. The characters are likable and the story is entertaining. Light, fun, and quirky. A good read for fans of cozies.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Delaney Nichols is American by birth but Scottish by marriage. She works at the Cracked Spine, an unusual bookstore. Her husband, Tom, has his own small pub. She’s surprised when a messenger arrives at the store, inviting her to meet Shelagh O’Conner, a rich woman and something of a kook, more politely said as eccentric. Delaney is invited to take part in a treasure hunt of sorts. There are four hunters involved and each will receive payment for participating. The winner will receive a rare first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson, plus the contents of Shelagh’s extensive library.

One of the other hunters is Birk, a friend of Delaney’s. They decide to work together to solve the clues. Jacques, a relation of some sort to Shelagh is another, with a local librarian making up the fourth. When she was younger, Shelagh dressed as a beggar and would prowl the streets at night. During that time, there were several burglaries and, ultimately, a murder. She was cleared, but the legend and suspicion remain.

Now burglaries are happening again and another murder, and Shelagh is nowhere to be found. Is she on the run or is she a victim too? Delaney and her friends will have to decipher more clues to not only win the books but to save their lives.

This is book six of the series. Delaney and Tom are a delightful pair, loving and adapting to life as newlyweds. The other employees of the bookstore are unique but no matter what, they are a team, including Hector, the dog. The local pubs and The Cracked Spine Bookstore are characters as much as the people. For a visit to Scotland without leaving home, Delaney makes a perfect tour guide.

The Burning Pages, the next installment of the Cracked Spine series, is coming in April, 2022. Shelton also writes the Alaska Wild mysteries, two so far, both reviewed here. Look for Dark Night, coming in December, available for pre-order now. Previously, she wrote six Farmers’ Market books, five in the Cooking School series, and three Dangerous Type mysteries, many reviewed for KRL.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the 6th book in the Scottish Bookshop mysteries. In this book, Delaney takes part in a treasure hunt where the rewards are a the content of a collector’s library, and a valuable first edition of Jekyll and Hyde. When a man is murdered, Delaney tries to find the killer.

I love the Edinburgh setting, it’s fascinating to read about the historical aspects of the city. The writing is great, and I like revisiting the characters from previous books. I highly recommend this book.

I normally love the books in this series. I love that the mystery either combines a bit a Scottish Lore or a classic book. And the fact that Delaney can hear books. I but this one was not my favorite of the series. In many way in part to the fact that The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson was my least favorite out his book. Made it a little harder to focus on the modern mystery but it was still a good read. And I do look forward to the next book in the series.

Deadly Editions (A Scottish Bookshop Mystery) by Paige Shelton
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication Date: April 6, 2021

Deadly Editions is the sixth book in A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by Paige Shelton. I hadn't read the previous books in the series, but was able to easily read this as a standalone mystery.

I really enjoyed this book! Such a fun story! The mystery was fantastic and the story was amazing! I loved the characters!

I look forward to reading the other books in the series and recommend it to cozy mystery fans!

I'm so grateful to Paige Shelton, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

A messenger dressed all in black, his ensemble topped off with a “pillbox-like cap,” delivers a message to Delaney Nichols at the Cracked Spine, the bookstore where she works.

Ms. Delaney Nichols,



Your presence is requested this afternoon at 2:00 at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern to discuss Ms. Shelagh O’Conner’s vast collection of rare and valuable books. Please don’t be tardy.

Sincerely and with gratitude,



Ms. O’Conner’s representative,

Mr. Louis Chantrell.

Delaney is tempted to go—a vast collection of rare books is catnip to a bibliophile, but it’s such short notice. Could she question Mr. Chantrell in advance? Rosie, her grandmotherly co-worker, is dubious.

Rosie shrugged. “I doubt it. It all seems purposefully mysterious and delivered with little time tae spare.”



Briefly I listened for a bookish voice. My intuition sometimes spoke to me, lent some guidance, using the voices of characters from books I’d read. But all was silent; there wasn’t even enough information for my intuition to have an opinion.



“Yes, mysterious. Weird,” I said.



“A wee bit. Are ye going?



“I’m interested in any book collection, of course, but something about it feels manipulative.”

Minor quibbles aren’t going to keep Delaney from satisfying her curiosity. Off she goes to Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. Everyone’s waiting—Louis Chantrell, Shelagh’s longtime adviser, Shelagh O’Conner herself, whose gold dress gives her a regal appearance, Delaney’s good friend Birk Blackburn, Tricia Lawson, a local librarian, and Jacques Underwood, who has just arrived from Paris. Shelagh describes Jacques as her “closest possible relation” and then gets right to the point.

“Here’s what’s going to happen. You will all search for a treasure. The person who finds the treasure will be the winner and will receive my entire library, upon my death.”

Shelagh adds, “once the book is found, you each will receive a large sum of money.” Everyone will get the same substantial amount of money.

Deadly Editions has it all: a foreign, yet not too foreign location and a mysterious bookish treasure hunt funded by a wealthy patroness. The winner will receive a first edition of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, penned by Robert Louis Stevenson, a famous Edinburgh writer. There are subtle references to Stevenson’s novella throughout Deadly Editions, so here’s a quick refresher.

Dr. Jekyll is a kind, well-respected and intelligent scientist who meddles with the darker side of science, as he wants to bring out his ‘second’ nature. He does this through transforming himself into Mr Hyde – his evil alter ego who doesn’t repent or accept responsibility for his evil crimes and ways.

A first edition that is in tolerable condition sells for around $1,500 on AbeBooks so one can only imagine the value of a first edition that is in stellar condition: “Ms. O’Conner had multiple shelves filled with copies of the short horror novel from the late 1800s, many of her copies considered priceless.”

Shelagh gives Delaney the first clue.

I unfolded it and read aloud:



“‘Pierce my hart and blood will flow. Not red nor black, but aye, read all o’.’” I looked at Shelagh. “Clue number one?”



“Aye.”



“A riddle of sorts.”



“Maybe.” Shelagh shrugged.



“I’m not from Edinburgh, Shelagh. I’m still kind of a tourist. I’m not sure I’ll be able to figure out one clue, let alone a trail of them.”



“I disagree. Based upon what I have learned about you, you are very smart.”

After her meeting with Shelagh ends, Delaney heads to her husband Tom’s pub, “The Smallest Pub in Scotland,” to mull things over. N.B. Tom’s pub is the only pub in the story that isn’t real, but given the name, it may be a fictional stand-in for The Wee Pub. The news captures her attention: out of the blue, Edinburgh is experiencing a rash of late-night robberies. According to CCTV, the thief is a man wearing a shabby coat and a big hat. A patron shushes the bar talk, saying, “There’s been a murder!” The newscaster continues.

“It seems that the burglar is now under suspicion of murder as well. The victim is an Edinburgh recently known to tend bar at our world-famous Deacon Brodie Tavern. Ritchie John was last seen alive at the pub yesterday afternoon, though it’s unclear if he was there as an employee or patron. CCTV caught the burglar making his way into Mr. John’s flat. A couple hours ago, police went to the flat to investigate and found Mr. John’s body.

This is not Delaney’s first investigation and she’s not a believer in coincidences—Ritchie John poured her a shot of whiskey just a few days earlier, during the meeting at Deacon Brodie Tavern. Is his death connected to the contest? Speaking of which, Delaney shares the first clue with her husband who notices that the word “hart” is part of the name of The White Hart Inn, another famous old watering hole. They hurry off to the pub and find fellow contestant Birk Blackburn waiting: “There you are! I’ve switched to coffee so I could manage my way home. Why did it take you so long?”

Delaney has more questions when Shelagh O’Conner disappears—has she been kidnapped or is this a stunt? A fun treasure hunt through Edinburgh where all the clues are inside pubs has shifted to a search for a villain terrorizing the city.

But this is what Delaney embraced years ago. She remembers, “The Cracked Spine, the Edinburgh bookshop had called to her from over the sea—Leave your safe Kansas world and come live an adventure.” Since this is the sixth Scottish Bookstore Mystery, it’s past time to say that Delaney Nichols is not in Kansas anyone.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Paige Shelton sets us in a Scottish Bookshop mystery, Deadly Editions. Delaney Nichols works at the Cracked Spine bookstore where she is invited to a meeting with eccentric Shelagh O'Connor who has a large book collection and is a huge admirer of Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. If she or other participants can follow a series of clues to find her valuable first edition of the latter title, she will inherit O'Connor's book collection. As tje treasure hunt starts, a murder occurs and Shelagh is kidnapped. How is it all connected? Great cosy.

A treasure hunt for a priceless first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde has Delaney on a pub crawl of sorts that is being hosted by a most unusual benefactor. has a very unique history and it seems to be clouding the present mystery. Delaney's bookish voices seemed unusually quiet this time around, but maybe it was because she had a partner in crime solving. Birk and Delaney team up to not only solve the strange case of the treasure hunt but to also work their way through the clues and red herrings surrounding the hunt's missing benefactress, Ms. Shelagh O'Conner. The usual and unusual characters of this series help to further the mystery along, Brigid and Delaney and manage to have a bit of compatible sleuthing when hunting down the history behind Mr. Hyde and the death of Shelagh's secret beau from long ago. I am not sure which part was more interesting, the treasure hunt/pub tours or the Jekyll & Hyde history that surrounded those pubs. It all worked together so well that a reader is drawn in regardless of this being their first Scottish Bookstore Mystery or their most recent.

Deadly Editions is an enjoyable, fun read. The characters are lively, inspiring, and entertaining. The bookshop is delightful and in a Scottish setting that will make any reader want to visit.

Delaney is an engaging character. She loves the bookshop and her Scottish home and is often amused and bemused by customers and residents. Spending so much time with books can be tedious, but not for Delaney; she can’t stop putting herself in the middle of murder investigations. This time, the killer is using a treasure hunt for a book, and not just any book, but a first edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but could the woman conducting the hunt, Shelagh O'Conner, or the book itself be the cause of murder and intrigue? Delaney isn’t sure, but she is determined to find out.

It doesn’t take long before suspects come out of the woodwork, evidence points its icy fingers at Shelagh, and history starts repeating itself. In and out of the bookshop, with help from all of her Scottish friends, Delaney unravels a duplicitous evil plot and the identity of a killer.

I enjoyed Deadly Editions quite a lot and believe other readers who have yet to pick up this book will too. Readers are taken on an adventure in a Scottish town with great descriptions and a look into the life of an eccentric book lover who will charm even the most stringent cozy lover. The Cracked Spine bookshop will entice readers to explore their local book stores and maybe motivate them to travel to far-off exotic locals.