Death in the Highlands

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“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!”

I really enjoyed this mystery. This the first in this series I have read but will be going back to read the others now. I love how the characters are written and how the plot and mystery were laid out. The only downside was that it was drug out a little bit and could’ve been a tad shorter for what the story was. Other than that I really enjoyed it as a lover of Scotland!

Absolutely some of my favorite elements, female detective, the 1920s, a murder mystery and the Scottish highlands. This is so addictive. I now need to read the earlier 2 books!! But I ant wait to see what Cressida gets herself into next.
I just reviewed Death in the Highlands (A Cressida Fawcett Mystery Book 3) by Fliss Chester. #DeathintheHighlands #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Death in the Highlands, the third novel to feature the Honourable Cressida Fawcett, set in 1925.

Cressida and her friend, Dotty, are staying at Ayrton Castle for shooting and interior design as Lord Stirling, the new owner, wants to upgrade the castle. It comes as a shock when Hamish Glenkirk, the former owner, is found stabbed to death in a locked room in the turret. DCI Andrews is a day away, so Cressida feels obliged to start an initial investigation.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death in the Highlands, which is a light, frothy read that hides a good mystery. I imagine that the author had great fun conjuring up scenarios that use every trick in the book from locked rooms to secret histories, because I had great fun reading it.

The novel is told from Cressida’s point of view, so, technically, the reader should arrive at the same conclusions that she does. Not this reader, I was baffled and surprised by the denouement, which inevitably has Cressida revealing the truth in front of all the interested parties. And what a truth, there is sadness and a certain amount of incompetence that adds to the sadness. It’s clever. Still, it’s all fun before that with Cressida making lots of discoveries, putting herself in danger and spoiling her pug, Ruby, who turns out to be tenacious investigator herself making several contributions to the case.

The novel revolves around Cressida, who is a socialite with an independent income. This allows her to live on her own, party hard and indulge her skill and interest in interior design, never mind hone her newly acquired detective skills. She is resolutely single as she cherishes her freedom, but that might change as there’s a potential romance in the offing. It was fun to see her deal (badly) with her emotions. It’s making me long for the next instalment to see how this develops.

Death in the Highlands is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

It's the roaring '20s. Wealthy heiress Cressida Fawcett is known for being fiercely independent (though never apart from her little pug Ruby) with an eye for interior design. Its in the latter role that she, along with her BFF Lady Dorothy Chattworth and Dorthoy's older brother Alfred, has been invited to Ayrton Castle, up in the Scottish Highland. Ayrton has recently been purchased by Sir Richard and Lady Anne Stirring; as the castle has sadly been neglected by the previous owner (in part because of his gambling debts), it is in need of new furnishings, paint, wallpaper, and so forth.

Soon after they arrive, however, Cressida's designing schemes are put on hold as the previous laird Hamish Glenkirk is found dead, brutally stabbed in a locked room in the castle. Hamish had many ememies, ranging from his son (angry at losing what he felt was his birthright - the castle) to the ghillie / groundskeeper (angry at how Hamish had been mismanaging the estate). More puzzling perhaps is the how; Aryton is a castle, complete with thich stone walls and only thin slit windows (only sutible for allowing in a little light and shooting arrows at neighboring invaders.) Cressida summons her favorite policeman, Detective Andrews, but of course can't resist poking around while waiting his arrival.

I'm a fan of golden age mysteries in general and have read the other two Cressida Fawcett books, enjoying all three of them. There's a few tropes that carry forward - hints at previous alchol inspidered shanningins which are never full revealed, Ruby dutifully folliwng Cressida around to provide comfort and to be feed an over abundance of bacon - but aren't over done as I was afriad they would be after the first book. There's a moment of Cressida doing something superbly stupid, although she does acknowled that it is superbly stupid before she does it. It is a bit of coincidence that Detective Andrew (who served with her father and, it's implied, has greatly benefited from Cressida's deductions) is in Scottland, but it's also forgivable. And there's always been....more than average? affection simmering between Cressida and Alfred which appears to heat up a notch as Cressida is overly aware of the amount of time Alfred is spending with the Stirrings 19 year old daughter.

Highly recommended - can't wait for the next book of Cressida's adventures.

I received a copy of this from Net Galley that I voluntarily chose to review.

This series is getting better and better with development in Cressida's character where she is considering her future with the newspaper and her feelings for Alfred. It's another twisty mystery full of quirky character's and dramatic scenery and extreme weather which traps everyone causing forced proximity and further danger and drama. Can't wait for the next to see where we go. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another enjoyable story in the series about Cressida and her little pug, Ruby. I like the steady pace of the novel, its interesting characters and the way in which we are drawn into the intrigue. The setting of a cold, draughty Scottish castle provides a mixture of history, murder and mystery as Cressida investigates the background of residents in the castle to uncover a murderer, against the advice of her Scotland Yard friend, DI Andrews! We follow her exploits with trepidation as she puts herself in danger.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cosy mystery murder in an interesting and colourful setting. I am looking forward to reading more about Cressida and Ruby in the future!

The third Cressida Fawcett book finds Cressida in Scotland to help
Family friends decorate their new castle. However, things go awry when the former owner is murdered. He wasn’t well-liked so there are plenty of suspects. Cressida decides to investigate again.

Another great entry in this series. These mysteries have great plot progression and clues. We’re also getting some character development with Cressida who is starting to maybe have feelings for Alfred. Can’t wait for the next in this series!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I cant help but keeping enjoying this series and it just seems to go from strength to strength.

Another twisty mystery in a great setting. Cressida seems to be getting more involved and her sleuthing skills only get better.

Didn't guess the ending, and enjoyed meeting the other characters along the way.

I thought the cover was very pretty, and after enjoying the previous book in the Cressida Fawcett series, I was excited to read this one.

This was a charming cosy mystery with some fun and likeable characters. I warmed to Cressida and Ruby last time, so I enjoyed reading about them again. I also enjoyed the author's choice of setting - the Highlands - and felt it was brought to life very well. I would be interested in reading the future books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Fliss Chester is back, with another episode of the Cressida Fawcett Mysteries, Death in the Highlands. This time, Cressida, Dotty, and Ruby are attending a house party in the Scottish Highlands, for the start of the shooting season.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked the setting of a castle (complete with secret passages) in the highlands. Although I didn’t relish reading about the shoot, it was only a couple of very short scenes, and so didn’t interfere with my enjoyment.

It was fun to be reading about Cressida and Dotty again, and of course Ruby. Ruby manages to be both hugely entertaining and also a good detective, leading Cressida to things she hasn’t spotted yet.

As well as the regular cast, who feel like old friends, the castle is full of suspicious characters and mysterious happenings - both in the past and the present - that make for a tantalising mystery to solve. It was delightful trying to unravel the threads alongside the characters.

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging mystery, look no further!

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

There’s a dangerous killer lurking by this loch… and only canny Cressida can track them down….. The intriguing cast of characters added so much depth and complexity to the plot, it made for a truly gripping read.
It felt like I was immersed in the plot of a TV Crime Drama. The way the team worked together seamlessly to unravel the mystery was just expertly crafted and so well done.

Thank you to @netgalley and @Bookoutre for this ARC. This is book 3 of the Cressida Fawcett mystery series but all can be read as a stand alone. Cressida is in Scotland for a hunting weekend when the past owner of the estate is found dead. She puts on her investigative hat once again to figure out the murderer. I love these cozy mysteries and set in the UK at that! It is far-fetched that someone always dies in her presence but that is also what makes them easy mysteries! #DeathintheHighlands #CressidaFawcett #FlissChester #Bookoutre #June2023

This book kept my interest and the mystery was well thought out. Enjoyed it very much. I would recommend this book to my friends who also enjoy books with romance and suspense.