Cressida, Ruby the Pug, Dotty and Co. are back in action. They're off to the wilds of the Highlands this time around. A large Castle hunting estate, unlanded Gentry, wealthy Southern implants are all involved in the newest murder for Cressida to solve.

The former owner of the estate, Hamish Glenkirk, has been found dead and Cressida isn't exactly lacking in suspects. He was, shall we say, a "bad egg"! A locked tower room murder mystery to tickle her grey cells.

As usual she's on the spot and interfering before DCI Andrews and the good Sgt can get on scene. The isolation of the estate means the murderer can't be far away. But that also means they could be sharing a roof with a murderer.

Fun, witty, walk on the wild side of the roaring '20's. A great representation of how the Aristocracy then and now haven't changed too terribly much! There's still a very different code of ethics for those above and below stairs. DCI Andrews didn't appear till about half way through the book - at least that was in keeping with transport connections back then. It would have been more surprising if he's turned up in a few hours!

Things are looking up in the romance department for Cressida - but will she ever give up her independence for love?

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!

*** Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review

I always tease that I would not hang out with these amateur sleuths that keep finding bodies, but I’m happy to read about them. This is book three in the Cressida Fawcett series. She’s a socialite that keeps ending up in the wrong place. Or maybe the right place since she keeps solving the cases. I love reading the next installment of the series as there aren’t many cozy historical series I follow. The author does such a good job of setting the era. I am fan of the characters, including Cressida, her pug and her best friend Dotty. I am also a fan of DCI Andrews, but he is missing through a good part of this book.

This one also has one of my favorite elements, a locked room death. A man is found dead in a room locked from the inside. The fun with the locked room cases is you need to figure out the how, the why and the who. And in this installment, there is no shortage of suspects, as the deceased was not very well liked. Another castle, another murder and another time Cressida goes meddling in the case and puts herself in danger.

The book is fast paced, fun and entertaining. I know weird words for a murder mystery, right, but seriously, I like the charm of this series. If you like amateur sleuths and the 1920s, you need to read this series.

I have read the previous adventures of Cressida and her pug Ruby, which I already enjoyed very much, so I was excited about this new story. I was especially happy about the setting in a Scottish castle with its secret passages.
The story is well-written with a lot of red herrings that made me guess until the end.

Very enjoyable read, I recommend it, as well as the previous books, to anyone who likes cosy mysteries.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely return to Cressida (Cressy), Lady Dot, Lord Alfred and pug, Ruby . This time, their country house shooting weekend is marred by a locked room mystery. How could someone have entered the study? Why? Cressy is headstrong and determined to solve the case. She's delighted when she can call in her father's former batman, now a Scotland Yard Detective Inspector, as she knows he'll be slightly more lenient with her participation in the sleuthing. A fun cozy set in the Scottish Highlands of the 1920s.

Scotland, 1925: Cressida Fawcett has been hired as the interior designer for the well-to-do Stirling family. They want her to redesign the historic Ayrton Castle located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. Without a second thought Cressida packs her bags and little Ruby her pug and awesome sidekick. Cressida and Ruby take a stroll through the highlands, and her new job is soon derailed when the previous owner of Ayrton Castle, Hamish Glenkirk is found dead inside a locked room. Detective Andrews of Scotland Yard is assigned to the case but it will take him a while to get there. Cressida, not just an interior designer but also a super sleuth, decides she needs to begin solving the case and discovering who the murderer is, and fast. As she narrows down the list of suspects, when one of the suspects and another victim is shot. Time is running out and so is her list of suspects, she must solve the case before another body is found.

Death in the Highlands written by author Fliss Chester was a wonderful cozy mystery. This story had me reeling from beginning to end. I had no idea who the culprit was until the very end. I always know that Cressida Fawcett and her pug Ruby will take me on an adventure. This lovely mystery is the third installment in the Cressida Fawcett Series. I enjoyed everything about this story from the delightful characters to the amazing pug Ruby. This story can be read as a standalone but I suggest reading this delightful series from the beginning. I love this series and I highly recommend it.

Cressida Fawcett has been hired to do some interior designing at the posh Ayrton Castle. She is quite excited to begin this endeavor and she and her little pug Ruby are on their way.

Shockingly, the former owner of the castle, Hamish Glenkirk, has been found dead and the circumstances surrounding his death definitely look like murder, but there are a lot of questions. Due to the castle’s locations, Scotland Yard police cannot get there quickly so Cressida, having already gained experience as an amateur detective, takes it upon herself the figure out what happened.

Cressida finds that she is in a race against time, especially as another murder soon takes place. Just as in the first two books in this series, this was a fun jaunt, and Cressida is a true delight. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Fliss Chester’s new historical cozy mystery DEATH IN THE HIGHLANDS, featuring her intrepid protagonist Cressida Fawcett. I love this series and have read them all! I love the time period (1920s) – it reminds me a bit of another series I adore: the Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen. Cressida is smart and fearless and funny, too. Plus she has a cute dog – what’s there not to like?
thank you for my review copy!

A delightful mystery as we follow Cressida and her wonderful sidekick Ruby to the Scottish highlands.

Summoned to help with her interior design flare, it is not long before a body appears and the journey begins!!

Wonderful characters and many misdirections lead the duo on a hunt for the killer. But with a hunting party going on, there is a plethora of potential suspects!

An enjoyable, fun jaunt that will have you guessing and enjoying the antics!

Scotland, June 1925.Socialite & interior designer Cressida Fawcett has been invited to cast her 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, travels with her friend Dotty & her little pug Ruby, of course! Then Hamish Glenkirk, former owner of Ayrton, is 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. 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. 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.
The third outing for Cressida & another well written enjoyable cosy mystery. There are plenty of suspects as well as red herrings plus twists & turns. Plus Cressida doesn’t have the support of Andrews for quite a while. The characters are well portrayed & have depth, the pace is good & it also gives a lovely impression of the Roaring Twenties, roll on book four
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “Death in the Highlands.” All opinions and comments are my own.

The Honourable Cressida Fawcett, her best friend Lady Dorothy Chatterton and the inestimable companion Ruby the Pug are in the Scottish Highlands for The Glorious Twelfth, the start of Grouse hunting season. Well, wouldn’t you know it, Cressy and Dotty (and helpful Arthur, Dotty’s brother) are confronted with a murder from the get-go, when the former owner of Ayrton Castle is found stabbed to death in the library. Called to the Castle for her interior design knowledge, Cressy’s sleuthing abilities will be tested to their fullest in “Death in the Highlands,” book three in the cozy mystery series by Fliss Chester. Luckily, DCI Andrews from earlier books is available (he’s happily vacationing close by), and with his Scotland Yard expertise and Cressy’s intuition and ability for ferreting out the how (the library was locked), the why, and eventually the who, the perpetrator has no chance, doncha know.

In the meantime, author Chester ensures clues, characters and settings are as well turned out as our aristocratic Bright Young Things. (Since our book is set in 1925, life is good.) That means plenty of suspects; family, friends, and not-so friends -- what’s that blackmail letter about, for instance. Our would-be detective talks everything through for us readers -- handy, that. Ruby helps out, as only a dog can do. Handy, that, too. And since this is a classic cozy, set in a classic era, we get treated to the classic “everybody in the drawing room” scene (some readers may be tired of it, I’m not) whereby a killer is revealed. And once again, as in so many cases, murder done to right what the murderer considers a terrible wrong.

Ms. Chester knows how to put together a story that is entertaining and moves at a good pace, with just a touch of “let’s go all over the evidence again, shall we?” Should also mention that the personal stories are continued for Dotty and Cressy, too, without taking over the narrative. Dotty’s being a fool for love about her archeologist fiancé, and The Hon. Cressida Fawcett, that “independent woman” is still determining how attached she wants to be. We’ll see how that goes in future books.

This has been the best in the series so far; it’s not as needlessly long as the first 2, the murder solving had been fast paced and zippy, our MC and her trusty bestie sidekick and love interest are featured, and it all just works.

Cressida Fawcett, her good friend Dotty and pug Ruby were headed for Ayrton Castle in Scotland, where Cressida would help Lady Anne, new owner of the castle, and her husband Lord Richard, with the new decorations. It was 1925 and both Cressida and Dotty were looking forward to some time at the historic estate. The morning of the hunt, while waiting for the final members of the party to arrive, Dotty told Cressida how much she disliked the particular sporting activity - they were interrupted by the rapid arrival of one of the men. Hamish Glenkirk, former owner of Ayrton Castle, had been discovered, dead, in the turret room. But the room was locked from the inside; it was three flights up - how did the murderer enter, or leave? Cressida phoned Scotland Yard to advise her good friend DCI Andrews, then was immediately on the case...

It shocked Cressida and Dotty how many suspects there were. Hamish had been universally disliked, even by his own family. So how was Cressida to separate each person and discover the actual murderer? There was danger in the castle with its isolation meaning they were living with a killer. Cressida hoped Andrews would not be too much longer - in the meantime, the job was hers.

Death in the Highlands is the 3rd in the Cressida Fawcett series by Fliss Chester, and a great historical cozy mystery. Fun, entertaining, I noticed Cressida was still doing the sleuthing without the detective at 55%. I was starting to wonder if he'd show! But show he did, and Cressida outdid him in this particular episode! Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Back in 1925, Cressida Fawcett took a train ride
To the Highlands where some friends now reside.
She's been asked to give decor advice
And join the glorious twelfth party - should be nice!

The Stirlings bought Ayrton Castle from the Glenkirks
Who are part of the party - surely that irks?
When Hamish Glenkirk is found dead in a locked room
The happy atmosphere turns to one of gloom.

With a call to Detective Andrews seeking his aid
Along with her friend and brother plans are made.
Cressida can't resist trying to discover
How the murderer escaped one way or another!

With lots of folk who didn't like Hamish at all
There are plenty of suspects on whom to call.
But Cressida needs to be very aware
Or she could be in for more than a scare!

Ruby, her pug, is there to help, too,
She's great at pointing out more than one clue!
But can they uncover the perpetrator before
Another victim is found - or could there be more?

A page turning historical cosy mystery that's great
With plenty of surprise twists to keep you up late.
A fun read that's entertaining, full of mystery, too,
That I don't hesitate to highly recommend to you.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I found this to be very hard to get into and quite boring. I could not finish. I won’t be posting to goodreads or instagram. Too bad because I love pugs.

Book three in this feel good cosy mystery series.

Cressie, Dot and Ruby are back and their socialite gathering sees them thrown into yet another murder, let the sleuthing commence.

I have read all three books in the series and they are a delight, the characters are likeable and quirky, the plot builds up with clues planted along the way, the series is developing well.

The third book in the series about Cressida Fawcett, interior designer and socialite who frequently stumbles across dead bodies.

Cressida certainly gets around in her pursuit of work and fun. In the previous book she was in Cornwall and now she is at the opposite end of the country in the Scottish Highlands. This is a locked room mystery where the previous owner of Ayrton Castle is found murdered in an office in the tower with the door locked from the inside.

Cressida's favourite detective also gets around! Inspector Andrews is based at Scotland Yard in London but happens to be on holiday in Scotland and pops in to make Cressida's investigations a little more legal. She does an excellent job of solving the mystery and showing me how hopeless I am since I would never have guessed the culprit.

Very enjoyable and a series I intend to keep reading.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC. I'm really loving this series and how the characters are developing. Kept guessing til the end!

Cresside Fawcett is such a fun main character - she is plucky in a way that suits the time and her standing in society, and the crimes she finds herself embroiled in are always varied and interesting. I find this authors writing style very easy to read and fresh - she has an elevated turn of phrase that you don't often see in cozy mysteries.

Very enjoyable third entry in this series. Cressida, her friend Dotty, and Cressida's pug Ruby (a character of some importance) are in Scotland to help decorate a castle, shoot some grouse, and solve a mystery when the castle's former owner is murdered. An interesting look at the customs of the time and a clever plot. Great character development for Cressida who is dealing with a definite change in her long-held view that she will never marry. Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.