It's the season to settle in for another delightful cozy mystery in this series.

I love traveling with the Bryants. This time, it's off to Scotland in 1935 to visit Finnglach Castle for Hogmanay celebrations. It seems that Lord Barlas, their host, has invited them for their investigative skills as he has been receiving some death threats. Since a snow storm leaves the holiday group isolated on the edge of a forest loch, Kitty and Matt deduce that one of the other guests has murder on their mind.

I have followed this series from the beginning and each time I open a new installment, it feels like meeting up with old friends again. I like Kitty and Matt as a couple and their investigative business though I also miss the activity and action at the Dolphin Hotel, along with the other characters there. This book focused mainly on Matt and Kitty and the events at the castle so some of the old, familiar faces were not along on the trip. I like the writing style and the way the author gives so many details about the time period. Love reading about the setting, the homes, the customs, the clothes, and the food! I always look forward to each new book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. If you are looking for a really delightful cozy mystery series set in the 1930s, then this is the one for you.

I've only read this and the previous book in this series and this book was just as fun and entertaining as the last one. I did not want to put it down and read it in one sitting!
I loved how descriptive everything was, I definitely felt like I was right alongside Kitty and Matt and they were trying to help Lord Barlas. The mystery was full of twists and turns with everyone having some kind of motive to be the killer. I had so much fun following Kitty and Matt as they tried to uncover the killer and had no idea who it was before it was revealed.
After finishing this one I've gotten book 1 on my Kindle and can't wait to see how it all started!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "Murder at the Highland Castle" in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 14 in the Miss Underhay series and it was one of the most exciting ones because of the mystery and the location involved. Matt and Kitty receive a letter from Sir Stephen Lord Barlas of Finnglach Castle in the Highlands of Scotland. He feels that his life is in danger and he's frightened and desperate for their help. Matt and Kitty came highly recommended to him by Mrs. Olivia Parsons - who readers will know as Kitty's Aunt Livvy.

When Kitty married Matt a year ago she left her job at her grandmother's hotel the Dolphin in Dartmouth - appointing Mr. Lutterworth as the manager. Kitty joined Matt as a partner at Torbay Private Investigative Services. Kitty has a love of mysteries and trouble does seem to find her.

Ms. Dixon has written such a descriptive story, the way the scenery and the castle are described makes the reader feel that they have traveled with Matt and Kitty to the Highlands. The description of the weather and being cut off from civilization because there is no power, phone lines or a way to get back into the village adds a thrilling sense to the story. Trapped in a castle with a killer with no way of escaping or summoning help makes this story very thrilling.

When Matt and Kitty arrive they are introduced as distant family cousins. They meet an interesting group of people who all seem to know each other and have many reasons to want Lord Barlas dead. The Lord's second wife Velma gets along well with his daughter Ottilie from his first marriage. Her fiancé Donald Waterford is not quite who he says he is and may be marrying Ottilie for her vast fortune. Romy Fisher wants out of her contract and her friend Maxfield Cotter wants to fund his own racing team. Madam Nettie Fortina is a fortune teller who brings warnings to the Lord. Lady Smythe and her husband Sir Rufus are old family friends and Sir Rufus is in business with Lord Barlas.

The main question of the story is who would want Lord Barlas dead? Who would benefit financially the most if he was dead?

Ms. Dixon has found the most brilliant hiding spot ever for a murder weapon. The reader will not see it coming.

At the end of the story Kitty takes on a new role from her grandmother at the hotelier association. Probably meant to keep her out of trouble but where Kitty goes, trouble will surely follow. This book needs more than 5 stars and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

It was the synopsis that reeled me in; a cosy historical mystery set in a Highland castle had an immediate appeal to me. I thought that this was exactly what I had been looking for. It was a pleasure to read the story, because it captured the warm and relaxed mood perfectly. The main characters are also quite likable. Solving the mystery with the hints and clues scattered throughout the storyline was a fun experience. Despite my enjoyment, identifying the killer and other plot twists was effortless. Rest assured, it didn't take anything away from the fun, even just a bit. The story was so engaging that I kept flipping pages to find out what would happen next. With the help of this delightful book, a wet and gloomy day was transformed into something wonderful. That sums it up nicely, doesn't it?

In our fourteenth outing with Kitty and Matt we visit Finnglach Castle in Scotland for the fun of the New Years Eve celebrations of 1935.

Almost as soon as they arrive the castle is cut off by snow and, when a murder occurs, Matt and Kitty are the only ones able to start an investigation and preserve the evidence until the police can get through. Not quite the fun holiday they expected but they do a great job.

This was an entertaining mystery and a very pleasurable read. Looking forward to the next one.

This is a mystery set in 1935 in Scotland. This is the 14th book in the series. You can understand it without reading the previous stories, and it didn't spoil any of the previous mysteries.

Kitty and Matt were asked to attend the party, posing as distant relatives, in hopes that they could determine who's sending Lord Barlas threatening notes and causing near-fatal "accidents." They discreetly asked questions and observed the other guests. This was a clue-based mystery. I had whodunit narrowed down to two people before whodunit tried to kill someone at the end and confessed. I'm not sure there were enough clues to be certain before then, though one did seem more likely than the other. Kitty and Matt were likable characters with an interesting setting and mystery. There was no bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for this ARC. I do love this series and it has been going great but this one was a bit predictable, first tie on 14 books though. Still looking forward to the next however.

Started well enough, but overall I found the writing a little too slow, and the story a bit too predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This author creates well-drawn, complex characters, and knows how to build tension and drama that hold readers to the end. With several plot twists it managed to keep me guessing until the end. Even then I was surprised. I’m not easily surprised.

4.5* rounded up to 5

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a DRC of "Murder at the Highland Castle" (Released November 2023) in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

I am a dedicated fan of the Miss Underhay series and will always essentially inhale any new instalments that come our way, and of course, this edition to the series was no different.

Book 14 sees the Bryant's travelling to the remote and isolated Finnglach Castle in the Scottish Highlands at the request of it's owner Lord Barlas. Afraid that his life is in danger, he needs the ever vigilant and investigative duo of Matt and Kitty to join the party over New Years as he fears one of the gathered guests may have cause to do him harm.

What follows is the build up to the titular murder and then the tricky task of solving the case whilst potentially still locked up with the murderer.

With this series you know you are getting a good old fashioned whodunnit that's well written with engaging and well rounded characters and plenty of twists, turns and red herrings along the way. I really enjoyed the bleak and isolated setting as it definitely felt a little different to the comfortable norm that is usually the backdrop for these stories.

Kitty and Matt have definitely settled into married life now and the direction for the series seems to have well and truly found its footing in this story and the previous book. I will forever be wistful that we don't get as much Alice anymore as she was and remains a wonderful sidekick and foil to Kitty and adds a more interesting dimension to the cast of characters. Hopefully in upcoming editions we'll get more of her involved in the action again but in the meantime I'll take anything that is as engaging and fun to read as this book has been.

I love the Miss Underhay series, and this was a great addition. Kitty and Matt are called to a Castle to investigate threats a friend of her aunt's is getting. While there, they meet some interesting characters, and experience some unusual sights. When their host is found murdered, Kitty and Matt are determined to find who is responsible, since they were unable to prevent his demise. Lots of great side stories, many suspects and motives, and a few twists and turns. Always an enjoyable cozy mystery. Can't wait for Book 15!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kitty and Matt have been asked to join a group at a castle in the Highlands. The owner fears for his life, and rightly so when his body is found. A good cozy mystery, with lots of characters and clues to follow. Fun read and one I highly recommend.

This was a cute, quick read full of fun, yet a bit predictable, twists and turns. The writing style was descriptive and kept a great pace, while not losing out on detail. The characters each had enough character to keep me interested, but not so much that left me overwhelmed, especially since there was a fair amount to keep track of. Highly would recommend to fans of cozy mysteries and whodunits set in the 1930s. A perfect wintry mystery to kick off your holiday reading list!

3.25 🌟
Although this was partway through a series, I was able to pick it up for the first time and follow the story completely.

Take a trip back in time to the Scottish Highlands in the midst of winter, where Kitty and Matt are challenged to investigate some threats and a murder! The plot reminded me of Cluedo, but in a story form, with multiple different characters all with different perspectives, lives and possibly motives too. I found myself trying to guess who it might be for a lot of the book, until I worked it out partway through. For that reason, and because I found it hard to get into the story at times, I give it a 3.25.

Generally, the plot was quite predictable. Upon picking it up, you're aware there's going to be a murder, so that comes as no great surprise and is what I was interested in in the first place! The characters are clever, intuitive and caring and this really shines through in the way the book was written.

I like the fact that the book took me back in time, and made it feel like I was somewhere tucked up in a warm, cosy castle while a storm went on outside!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this lovely book. I will also publish this review on amazon on the day

The latest entry in this enjoyable series. As well-written as ever with a good old fashioned who done it. the character's are familiar and it's nice to see what they are up to this time. Unusually, Kitty and Matt and of course Bertie are in Scotland just for a bit of a change. A fun easy read series that I always enjoy and look forward to. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

An enjoyable ‘who done it’ old style read.
You will change your mind a couple of times before the final pages. You might even get it right.
Recommend.

I read about 20% of this and decided to stop. The writing is far too explanatory for me to keep going. The investigators look at each other and recite everything they are thinking repeatedly, and throw in every little thing you were supposed to notice, in case you didn't. Too jarring and unrealistic for me.

A holiday murder for Kitty, Matt and Bertie, as they head up to Scotland to investigate threats made against Lord Barlas. It looks like a few people have motive and are not who they seem…

Another good entry into the Kitty Underhay series, this time set away from the Dolphin, which I think helps keep the series fresh and interesting. Matt and Kitty work well together, and I’ve enjoyed seeing their relationship develop, with this book being set just after their first wedding anniversary.

Scotland for New Year to welcome in 1936 should be wonderful right? Especially if, like Kitty Underhay and husband, Captain Matt Bryant, you get to stay in an actual castle! So when Kitty's Aunt Livvy recommends the Bryant's detective agency to her neighbour, Lord Barlas, they and their dog Bertie, hurry north to Finnglach Castle, to try and discover why their host fears for his life.

As the weather closes in both the electricity and telephone service is disrupted and it becomes clear to Kitty and Matt that very little is as it should be within the castle's walls. With threatening notes and messages from beyond the grave it is clear the danger is real but when a body is found in the snow there are no clues as to who is responsible. Unable to call for help will they be able to keep everyone safe and discover who their killer is before anyone else is put in danger?

Book 14 in this wonderful series was a bit of a worry as the blurb hinted at something I had read many times before. Ms Dixon however provided her main protagonists with a storyline containing both familiar and new ideas for a great festive read. Additionally the killer’s identity remained unknown until just the right moment and with just the right amount of jeopardy and my original hesitation was quickly replaced with the enjoyment of another great adventure for the Bryants.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this murderous Hogmanay mystery very much as will all fans of this series I think.

The latest entry in the Kitty Underhay series is as enjoyable as ever. The series remains well-written with good mysteries, and reading them is a bit like catching up with old friends. This time, Kitty and Matt are in Scotland at the request of a client who fears for his life amidst strange occurrences at his Scottish manor house. I highly recommend this entire series. They always make for good, light entertainment. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy, which in no way influenced my review.