What an odd combination of tropes!

Not a romance in an isolated island locale.
Not a fantasy monster battle.
Not a historical fiction adventure novel.

Maybe historical romance fantasy monster Scottish isle adventure? It's a mouthful. And it's a lot to try to pack into one novel.

Even though there have been lots of historical cozy mysteries coming out presently I do thing this one is unique and engaging. This was not my favorite installment in this series but I really enjoyed the setting and the progressing relationship between Jane Wonderly and her enigmatic fiance, Redvers. I can't wait to see where the next book takes us!

n this latest Jane Wunderly 1920s mystery, Jane and fiancé Redvers are back at their mystery-solving ways. This book is a bit different, though, in that Jane is operating more on her own. Redvers is there to support her and back her up, but they have to meet in out-of-the-way locations to share information so no one knows they’re working together. She’s the one who has to infiltrate an occult group, Golden Dawn, on the Isle of Iona alone and she’s the one facing danger head on.

Jane goes undercover to verify the reliability of the group’s leader, but when the killing starts, it’s up to Jane to find the murderer.

The author’s use of the island almost made it another character in the story. You could practically feel the cold, the damp, the isolation, atmosphere and history of the island and it added to the intrigue of the mystery.

While I always enjoy a Wunderly tale, I did miss Jane and Redvers working side by side. I hope the next mystery has them together through it all.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book. Book 5 in the series and having not even heard of it made this a less than enjoyable read for me.

I continue to enjoy Jane Wunderly’s globe trotting and solving crimes. This fifth installment takes place on the Scottish island of Iona. Here Jane and James Redvers are investigating a charismatic leader of a secret society. Erica has based this secret society on a real “cult”. W.B. Yeats even plays a role in the mystery.

While there are aspects of the story that I enjoyed, I found the beginning very confusing since I felt that the author threw us straight into the action with little explanation. I found the first 25% very confusing. Once I got past the halfway mark, it went much more quickly. All in all, I felt a bit disappointed in the book. While I do recommend it, I would not recommend starting at this book. The author does do a great job with the different localities in the course of the series.

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for this free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review. I am giving this book three stars.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
This story was a great mystery/suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought at first that there was not much going on but then the story picked up and was really interesting and I couldn't put it down to find out who did what and who was the true murderer. This is my first book read by this author and the mysteries solved by Jane and Redvers and I liked the writing style as well as the array of interesting characters. The author did a great job depicting the weather on this Scottish isle, it made the reader "feel" the cold wet damp weather!
What I especially enjoyed was the author indicating at the end that the story was losely based on true history that the Golden Dawn did exist as well as the Isle of Iona. I love historical fiction so I would categorize this book into historical mystery. It was an excellent read!

Another delight from Erica Ruth Neubauer! Love this series. Jane is solving a murder on a remote island of Scotland.

Book: Secrets of a Scottish Isle
Author: Erica Ruth Neubauer
Series: A Jane Wunderly Mystery, Book #5
Publisher: Kensington
Length: 278 Pages
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Blog Rating: 4 Saltire Flags

The book was a bit obvious for a mystery suspense plus I found it a little slow to get going. It might be my fault as this is the first book I ever read by this author, however it is the 5th book in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series. I still enjoyed it and am giving 4 stars.

I definitely loved the paranormal elements and was totally enchanted and absolutely love when novels weave real events in history! I would recommend readers read the previous books in this series, something I am going to do. It is still a powerful novels with fascinating characters and fascinating plotslines.

Disclaimer: I received this complimentary ARC from the Kensington and NetGalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, write, and blog an advance copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.

The novel’s strength lies in the atmospheric setting of a remote Scottish Isle and the blend of occult intrigue. The story skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. The pacing occasionally falters and some plot points feel predictable. Overall it was an interesting read.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm a big fan of this series, but I really missed the interplay between Jane and Redvers in this episode.

Jane takes center stage in this investigation, apparently loosely based on real events. She goes undercover into a occult group. Jane and Redvers are ostensibly trying to determine the trustworthiness of the group's leader, but as murders start to occur, it's clear that there is more going on than they expected.

I found it difficult to completely stay with this story through the middle of the book when it seemed to slow down considerably as new characters were introduced, and new plot threads developed. While most of the threads were wrapped up in the end, some seemed to have been left dangling.

I look forward to a joint Jane/Redvers investigation in the next book in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read a scattered few of this series, missing one or two in between. This time around, the duo is in rural Scotland, and the author sets the scene well. The remote location and the cold and biting wind are well documented, and whatever else I thought of the mystery itself, I could imagine our characters wandering the island mentioned.

This is a book that one can pick up regardless of prior knowledge of the escapades the couple have been in earlier. There are only passing references to other people who do not make an appearance here.

This plot revolves around a group of people who are dabbling in things that the more traditional folks do not believe in. One of their numbers ends up dead, and although this is not part of the original plan.

The plot itself rolled forward in a straightforward manner, but I was more interested in the surroundings than the investigation and the consequences. I had not planned to continue with this series until I saw the setting and I got exactly that.

I think fans of this series will appreciate this book more than I did, I would definitely read another series by the author even if I do not continue with this one.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Jane Wunderly has infiltrated a secret cult. She's mainly on her own though her fiance, Redvers, is also on the island. This is the Golden Dawn, based on a cult that actually existed. And involved in that cult? W. B. Yeats who makes an appearance in this book. Not sure if it's actually successful though.
The mystery deepens when one of the initiates is killed but nobody's really sure how it was done. Add in a rival cult made up of former members and the suspect pool deepens.

Three stars
This book comes out March 26, 2023
Follows Intrigue in Istanbul
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

An intriguing historical mystery set on a Scottish Isle during the 1920's. I enjoyed all the twists and turns and interesting characters. I adore reading about Jane Wunderly and her fiance, Redvers, and their adventures and secret missions.
I can't wait for more.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Fans of historical crime fiction in interesting locations may recall the murder at a hotel near the Great Pyramid in Cairo. The Murder at the Mena House was solved by an American socialite, Jane Wunderly. Her latest escapade sees her discovering SECRETS OF A SCOTTISH ISLE.

The chilly walks, strong sea breeze and lack of trees on Iona and Mull are well described, with the warmth and comfort of the hostel fireplace in the evening. However, we’re told that it’s March and the ceremony is for the solstice – that should be the vernal equinox. Solstice is midwinter and midsummer. Maybe the order got their occasions confused, the veil between the worlds being thin on Iona, and people being subject to occult influences.
Continued.

A complex mystery set in a fascinating location. I love exploring the world in the 1920s with Jane Wunderly!

This was a really interesting historical mystery read that fuses fiction with real history and delves into the world of the occult with some murder on the side.

I really loved how the author took a real event and wove a really good story around that and included real people within the narrative [W.B. Yeats!!!] that just added to all the intrigue.
Jane is one of my favorite characters and I love her independence and spirit, and I really love how Redvers both acknowledges all of that and TREATS her as such. She is his equal and he loves her even more because of that. I enjoy watching them work through both their own personal issues as well as the work that they are there to do [and they do work so well together, even when they don't necessarily agree] and its such a joy to see.

I never saw the killer coming and was really really surprised initially and then, as it all unfolded, kind of smacked myself for not seeing all that was really right in front of me [for me, this is the best kind of mystery] and it was the best kind of reveal. The end was really good too and very much needed and perfect for Jane and Redvers.

This is a really great series and I recommend it highly to those who love a really good historical mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Erica Ruth Neubauer, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dollycas's Thoughts

Jane Wunderly has been sent to the Isle of Iona to investigate the enigmatic leader of the Order of the Golden Dawn, Robert Nightingale. His group which includes influential people gathers for supernatural ceremonies on the isle where the veil is said to be thin. Jane has to conceal her identity and become just a woman from the States interested in the occult and Nightingale's group.  Her fiancé, Redvers, is also there but their relationship must remain a secret.

When she finds a woman who was contemplating leaving the group murdered in the moors, Jane understands leaving the group alive can be quite difficult. She would like to get justice for the woman but the people around her are in their own worlds, or on different planes of existence.  Another death gives Jane some clues she needs be very careful or she could be the next victim.

___

Secrets of a Scottish Isle has a different feel than other books in this series. The tables seemed to have turned. Jane is a fearless woman taking on the bulk of this investigation and all it entails while Redvers works behind the scenes. She also put on the miles traveling the island searching for clues and meeting up with Redvers to report what she had learned. Redvers does pop up in surprising places but I really missed their banter when they work side by side, order drinks, and talk about people, places, and the case they are on. And while Jane enjoyed her break from Aunt Millie, I missed her and Lord Hughes.

Ms. Neubauer does introduce an eclectic array of new characters in this story. Jane and Redvers come into contact with several residents of the island and those who have come for the solstice rituals. Each is unique and memorable but some are pretty shady. Interestingly, with only two hotels on the island, the residents open their houses to visitors. Jane's naturally inquisitive nature had her landlady opening up easily. I did enjoy the way their relationship grew and the good that came from it. I also liked that a real-life character, poet W.B Yeats was part of the story and for more than a cameo, it was a pivotable role.

Jane's assignment was to investigate Robert Nightingale and discover as much as possible about him. Two murders were not planned for but Jane jumped in with both feet and I enjoyed tagging along with her from my recliner, wishing the virtual hiking I did around the island actually burned calories. The author does a wonderful job describing the island. I had a vivid image of every place Jane traveled and shivered at times right along with her.  As for the mystery, I was a bit baffled the entire way. There were some delightful twists and turns that built up to a crazy reveal and showdown.

Ms. Neubauer adds an Author's Note at the end of the book sharing her inspiration for this story and that there are some facts within her wonderful fictional tale. I had never heard of the  Isle of Iona or Order of the Golden Dawn prior to reading this book but learning that the people and happenings are loosely based in real life made me appreciate the book even more. I am sure researching this story was fascinating, especially for someone interested in the occult. 

Secrets of a Scottish Isle is a very intriguing mystery set in an interesting setting with a variety of quirky characters. I learned some things and was totally entertained along the way. Oh, and I loved the final chapter.

The year 1927 and Jane’s assignment is to an isolated island off the coast of Scotland. She was set to investigate discreetly and ferret the secrets of a cult led by the arrogant Livingstone. Getting there was not the issue, but questioning the followers when her own knowledge of the cult was scant, was going to be tough.

Jane did not do her homework and holes appeared at every stage of her stay. When Netta’s body was discovered naked and with scratch marks all over, the mystery deepened. The fact that a group that had split from the main group was on an adjoining island, added to the suspect list. Another body being discovered hastened the enquirer with suspects galore. With Redvers her fiancée on the island, Jane was sure to track the murderer down.

The setting of the story was fabulous. Lonely, wind swept, few inhabitants, tightly knit community. Jane came across as rather careless but that was part of the story.

I had fun in reading the story as I like the characters and there’s plenty of surprising twists.
It’s an entertaining mix of fictional and historical characters.
Entertaining and compelling.
Recommended, many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This story was intriguing to me because it was based on real people and events. Jane and Redvers are investigating a leader in an occult called Order of the Golden Dawn so it has a paranormal element to the story. I loved the twists and turns of the plot as the reader gets to know the suspects better. The reveal was a bit surprising and I liked the happy ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!