Loch Down Abbey

1930s Scotland.

The servants at Loch Down Abbey are dropping like flies from a mystery debilitating virus, but above stairs the family are more concerned with the lack of bathroom tissues and feral children (since Nanny has so inconveniently popped her clogs).

But then Lord Inverkillen is found dead in suspicious circumstances. The useless Inspector declares it an accident, but redoubtable housekeeper Mrs MacBain isn't so sure. Since the house is in lockdown, only someone on the inside can be the culprit. And with the family doing who knows what all day,. Mrs MacB (in the face of dwindling staff numbers and increasing workload) goes digging.

It's amazing what secrets are hidden....

Excellent :)

I thoroughly enjoyed Beth Cowan-Erskine's first novel, Loch Down Abbey. When requesting to read the book, I was not expecting the interesting plot twists but quickly came to appreciate Mrs. MacBain, the housekeeper, and the many challenges she and the staff face while the family mourns the death of Lord Inverkillen and the potential loss of their home. The ending took me completely by surprise but in the best way. I hope Cowan-Erksine writes some additional novels as her characters are interesting and the plot compelling. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #LochDownAbbey.

My only wish is that this book suggested a sequel. Perfect if you loved The Thursday Murder Club, Loch Down Abbey houses the Inverkillen family. It is the 1930s and money is tight. Very tight in fact, even the toilet roll supplies are dwindling. When Lord Inverkillen is found dead in mysterious circumstances, and the police declares it an accident, it’s up to head housekeeper Mrs MacBain – who should get her own series of mysteries – to solve it. The problem is: the family is more preoccupied with Nanny’s death than the head of the family. As an illness sweeps the country, and the downstairs staff have to work cleverly to appease those upstairs, Mrs MacBain begins her own investigation into the nefarious goings-on. Beautifully written with real attention to detail, this is a joyous read that’ll stay with me for a long time.

A family Saga, comedy, pain, love and betrayal titles plus privilege and an epademik sweeping the nation, just your average family, they have 125 rooms plus the servant parts obviously.

After the family return from the annual "Spring Ball" tragedy strikes and life will have to change and its a upstairs downstairs tale Downton Abbey but a bit more comedy. When things go wrong the family have to make plans and work out what they need to sacrifice. This family don't do change well actually not sure what they do do well but argue they are a class act there.

I really enjoyed this novel from disappearing children to gifted servants and the aristocracy there is a lot going on but all flows together seamlessly into an escape from reality into a world that has almost disappeared. The hero's take a while to stand out the twists are fantastic i loved them all. The stand out moments are brilliant. If you want to escape for a while this is definitely a good book for that.

I give it 5 stars I think you will see why and I hope you love it as well.

Loch Down Abbey is a very frolicsome caper full of slapstick humor taking place in Scotland sometimes in the 30s. The story centers around the Inverkillen, an aristocratic but penniless Scottish family and the mayhem that ensues after the accidental death (or is it murder?) of the current Lord. Suffice to say that the family is mostly composed of a large number of obnoxious, selfish, overbearing dimwits running a wheel short of a full set, a family that would definitely be unable to survive one single minute without the faithful dedication and goodwill of their numerous and very efficient staff. And yes before I forget, a nasty virus called VPM (virulent, pernicious, mauvaise) is spreading around the land and threatening to wreck havoc in Loch Down Abbey.....
Cleverly plotted, peopled with a cast of unforgettable characters and written with an uproarious mix of Anglo-American humor, this very funny and unputdownable novel is a sure winner from start to finish! To be enjoyed without moderation.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this wonderful book and for the laughter

Loch Down Abbey is set in 1930, the golden age of house party mysteries, but has constant echoes and allusions to recent coronavirus related events. The Inverkillen family live in Loch Down Abbey, a rambling old house, with unexplored rooms and large grounds. There are rather fewer servants than the family would like, and Nanny has just died, so keeping the children in order is a challenge. There is much bickering between the arrogant and lazy upper class characters, the children keep disappearing, the only effective grown ups seem to be the dedicated servants.
Then the Earl is found dead, an incompetent police officer labels it as an accident. An epidemic starts to impact the downstairs team leaving ever fewer servants, eventually requiring the lords and ladies to do some actual work. The head house keeper Mrs McBain investigates the murder, and uncovers multiple layers of family secrets, which eventually turn all of their lives upside down. She also discovers how the children escape and appear again in strange places. The final twist was unexpected, it felt satisfying.
The narrative moves along at a good pace with wit and charm, laugh out loud funny at times. I enjoyed this book

I have been in a reading slump for days but I found this glorious mystery and I am enthralled. It has some current nods while still being the 1930’s and also a whodunnit. I am loving this book. The twists and turns were unexpected and I loved how everything turned out for everyone. The story was quick paced and so interesting. I really enjoyed this author and will read anything else they write.

I loved the Thursday Club Murders and I loved this book too. Set in the 1930's it was a brilliantly written, somewhat gently suspenseful, but as a huge Marple/Poirot fan, this was perfect

Absolutely hilarious! Loch Down Abbey has everything: the upstairs and downstairs of Downton Abbey, mysterious illness that's spreading faster than the village's rumours, a prestigious family on the brink of bankruptcy, and a murder mystery! The only thing I had a hard time with was all the names of characters. First names, last names, ranks of nobility.....this is the time when I wish I have an actual, physical book where I can flip back to the page where all the characters and their relationships were listed.

"Anyone who said there were no secrets in a small village had clearly never been to Loch Down.”

Loch Down Abbey has one hundred and twenty-five rooms, a Library, and five thousand acres of land. That doesn’t include the servants’ quarters of course; one never counts those. But, nineteen people only use six, Other than the bedrooms, too shame!
This is a story of accidental death and a heart attack and a scandal, no two, three is better or maybe 4, I think of 5!!!

A funny grandmother, very selfish children, and grandchildren, full of rumors and gossip. 6 children exploring an amazing Abbey and find its secrets. They search the house and find the hidden paths but, adults could not. More than 20 servants being less and less, to get the family mad.

Royal residents of Loch Down Abbey are not very interested in being out or do something but, they always are busy. The head housekeeper, After fifteen years, didn’t understand what it was they did all day. They hardly can even be dressed, and of course, they don't know the way of the kitchen.
“Why must he always try to do things? He isn’t good at doing things. Doing Things is what servants are for.”

Mrs. MacBain, the head housekeeper, is worried about new sickness in the village, and the accidental death which looks no accidental at all. But, what could she say? "I suspect one of the family murdered His Lordship?"

It was a very interesting, funny and mysterious book with strong characters, I easily could imagine them. This wasn't a crime- mystery but, there were lots of secrets. I really enjoyed this Scottish set. I loved the house, It was so amazing and exploring. With lots of secret passages that no one could see if somebody sneaking around. I'm sure the killer, loved the house as I am. :)

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read Loch Down Abbey by Beth Cowan-Erskine in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book! It had absolutely everything I love in a book. Was disappointed when I’d read it as I wanted to read it again for the first time. I even slowed down reading it towards the end to stretch it out.

I enjoyed this story. Fun twist at the end. May be a little too soon for the tp jokes. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Oo y’all I was really impressed with this one!! It was really good and definitely an awesome thriller that I wasn’t expecting. Drama and suspense, so great to read!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, however I did feel there was to many characters to try keep up with
A good plot with Mrs McBain investigating the cause of her masters demise with twists and turns along the way that keeps you guessing all the way through
I loved Mrs McBain who seems to be the one in charge even more so than the owners and even had a few giggles when reading this brilliant book
Would defiantly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author

I recently got approved for my first-ever NetGalley ARC, and y'all—I could not be more delighted that this is how I got to dive in. Loch Down Abbey was EXACTLY what I hoped it would be when I read the synopsis: a clever, funny romp through 1930s Scotland, complete with a mysterious death (perhaps a murder?!), a lovable but dwindling staff (that darn pandemic), and plenty of twists, turns, and hidden passageways. I know I already said I was delighted, but there is no better word—the whole read was absolutely delightful, and I'd happily read a thousand more pages about the absurdity of the Ogilvy-Sinclairs. I knew I would love this from the tone of the (debut!) author's bio and the one-paragraph introduction, and I was not disappointed!

Mini-synopsis: The Ogilvy-Sinclair family have lived in Loch Down Abbey for 600 years, but their crushing debt and their terrible whisky business are threatening their future in the Abbey. After the Earl, Lord Inverkillen, is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the four-generation family (and their staff) unravel a web of secrets as they fight to maintain their livelihood and chaos ensues. There are quite a lot of characters, and most of them are terrible people, but the sum of their parts is—you guessed it—delightful.

Loves: The writing style, the characters, the sub-plots, the occasional but not-overdone references to the lockdown

Dislikes: Nothing! I am, as you know, delighted

Perfect for: Anyone who loves a cozy whodunnit

Pair with: Scotch whisky, of course

Thanks so much to @netgalley for this ARC.

I enjoyed this book, it is is a locked room mystery set on a country estate in Scotland during the 1930s. However, it is much more than that, whilst there is one mystery at the heart of the book, there are a number of others that run alongside, including a highly contagious, mysterious illness affecting the population....quite reminiscing of the current pandemic.
It is a very humorous book, satirical in parts, and it pokes fun at the aristocracy quite sharply, most of whom are shown to be incredibly selfish, and quite unable to function properly, when many of the servants are affected by the illness. Many of the scenes involving the family did make me laugh, and reminded me of some of the ‘poor celebrities’ complaining over Twitter of being unable to leave the million pound homes, whilst most of the population struggle in flats and small houses. However, the author does a good job of balancing those displays of selfishness, with subtle reminders that very few, if any, of the family live the lives they want to, shackled by a sense of duty and expectation. Moreover, not all of the family members were odious, there were a couple who showed compassion and intelligence, but it was the servants who were the real stars, and far more insightful and intelligent than the family, a reminder that being born into privilege does not equate to being superior, in terms of intelligence or decency, just lucky!
On the surface this book is a cosy mystery, but I found it to be much more, and the references to the shortage of toilet rolls and flour, were a reminder of the position we were all faced with in March 2020. There were elements that demanded the reader suspended belief, some bits were perhaps a little contrived, but I thoroughly enjou]yes it.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in return for a honest review.

I absolutey love a good cosy mystery and I love historical fiction so when my two favourite genres mix I just love it. This is up there with the best. It's set in the 1930s on a Scottish estate. Typical of the period the house is struggling to make money and to make things worse there is also virus spreading throughout. When the Lord of the Manor dies its discovered it wasn't the virus that killed him.

This is a fantastic and quite a funny read. I loved the characters and there was a great cast of them. Much like Downton Abbey you get to find out about both the owners and the staff. There are lots of twists in the story as you try and work out who did it as well as some red herrings. I didn't guess, will you?

I really love a good mystery,especially when it's paired up with historical fiction. The author transports us to 1930s, on a Scottish estate. In a sad, yet typical issue of the time period, the manor is struggling to stay afloat financially. To make things even worse there is an incredibly infectious virus spreading throughout the household and the nearby village. When the Earl dies its discovered it wasn't the virus that killed him, but it was murder.

This was an extremely enjoyable and humorous fantastic read. The author did a fantastic job creating a wonderful car of characters and an interesting plot. I enjoyed the Downton Abbey feeling to it, as you're not just limited to learning about the aristocracy, but the servants and well. The author made she to throw in quite a few little subplots that it keeps your interest going through the whole book. A great, fun read.

1930s, Scotland, family-dynamics, investigation, law-enforcement, situational-humor, verbal-humor, housekeeper, illness, quarantine, secrets, amateur-sleuth, cosy-mystery*****

The Family has lived at The Pile for a few centuries but that doesn't mean that they want that or can afford it any longer. So when the Earl dies by misadventure it does want some investigating. There is a sizeable cast of certifiable characters with or without any sense at all. Then there are the horde of unruly children, secret passages, Mrs. MacBain the housekeeper, and the local constabulary! The whole thing is great fun with some obvious and some very sneaky spoofs. A most enjoyable read!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley.

Loch Down Abbey is situated in deep Scottish Highlands ,set in the 1930's this huge property with its 127 rooms and a huge amount of staff is the ancestral home for 600 years of the Inverskillen Family. Lord Inverskillen is found dead and from then on the story begins and what fun it is .I thought the characters were excellent I felt I knew them ,there was a mystery ,secrets and lies ,fast paced ,hard to put the book down ,I loved the ending and especially how all the characters at the end were given an update to their lives .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

A very 'gentle' book, but great fun to read. Modern day problems are set into the 1930's world. Twists and turns in the plot keeps everything interesting. No real expectation for a sequel, mores the pity.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy.

The story of a family living in Loch Down (Lockdown ... get it ?) Abbey while a mysterious illness is spreading in England and Scotland. The mysterious death of Lord Inverkillen leads to secrets being revealed one after the other keeping you on the edge of your seat. And when the servants start to get sick leaving the family to adjust and do things they never imagined they would have to do (like making their own bed, can you imagine) it adds a good dose of humour. I loved the little parralels between the situation we are living right now with covid-19 and the situation the family is experiencing.
I hated some characters and fell in love with others and in the end everyone got what they deserved so what more could I asked for ?

Brilliant fun! Set in beautiful Scotland in the 1930s, a mysterious illness is creeping into households and causing servants and aristocrats to become sick. In Loch Down Abbey there is a wee problem...the clueless and oblivious family members don't even realize that the servants (what are their names, anyway?) start dropping like flies with the illness until it is brought to their attention. Not only that but post-war hardships are still felt so it's time to economize. As servant after servant fall sick, the family must learn how to manage impossibly difficult tasks such as making beds (gasp!) on their own.

Nanny McKenzie has died, leaving the clutch of children on their own devices. Iris, the family ward, offers to keep track of them but they are a handful, constantly exploring the massive grounds and mansion. Loudly. Lord Inverkillen's death throws another wrench into the family's affairs. Thank goodness for Mrs. MacBain, the housekeeper who knows the ins and outs more than anyone. Her curious and ordered mind is perfect for amateur sleuthing. Inspector Jarvis is the official investigator. As the story continues, we see the foibles and folly of the upper class as they struggle with daily life in the 125-room abbey. There are also more twists than an old hidden staircase.

The wit and humour are laugh out loud delightful. This book is not meant to be taken seriously but in the spirit it is written. I just love that. My favourite character is the kind and resourceful Mrs. MacBain and though the family is jam packed with problems and laughable characters, some do have redeeming qualities the odd time. The children's antics are too funny! So is the lawyer's name. And the details such as the abbey itself with its various seasonal rooms are wonderful. I think more Scottish vernacular would have added an authentic feel but that's hardly a complaint especially as the book more than makes up for it,

Those seeking humour with their historical fiction ought to read this. It is well worth it, utterly absorbing. Love the details which elevate a good read to a great one.

My sincere thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this hilarious and quirky book...it was pure enjoyment.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this quaint book

think downtown abbey and upstairs and downstairs
then think Poirot and that will give you a hint of the flavour of this book

there are a lot of characters to this book so i tried not to get to bogged down with each and everyone...they each in their own way add to the flavour of this story, there are so many twists and turns and red herrings galore that it makes for an enjoyable read

Lord Inverkillen is found dead under strange circumstances and it throws the whole family into chaos, life will never be the same again for all and with revelation after revelation revealing itself the family start to disintegrate and with a betrayal from one family member will life ever be the same again

an entertaining read that gripped me right to the end
will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors work

Oh I loved this book! There are a lot of characters, but the narrative glides effortlessly between them and is very well written. I’d love to see it as a film. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Beth, it really was a joy to read. Thank you #netgalley

Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton, NetGalley and the author for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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What a unique story!

Going off the blurb alone, I was not expecting the wry humour, the almost satire narrative and the gripping mystery that are the highlights of this story in my opinion.

Frankly speaking, this doesn't feel like a debut novel to me and reads more like the work of a seasoned author.

Family conspiracies, secrets and rivalries all form one part of the story's intrigue. The all too familiat flu-like disease forcing everyone into staying at home adds further eeriness enhanced by the older and more mysterious setting. Amidst all of this, the arrogance amd privilege of the rich are portrayed with rib-cracking (does that qualify as an adequate descriptor?) humour that is nonetheless realistic.

I'd love to read more in this series and Beth Cowan-Erskine's other works.

Overall rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars