by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win ebook copy of Highland Peril, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Artist Seamus Carmichael may have nagged his wife Sylvie into agreeing to move from Edinburgh to Cauld Lock in the Scottish Highlands, but it’s a decision she has grown to love. Sylvie is now able to pursue her love of photography when not running her antique art shop or helping out in the gallery when Seamus is called away by his muse. It is not one of his, but a slightly damaged painting by William Leighton Leitch, that promises a hefty price tag when it suddenly attracts two very interested buyers.

When the first buyer learns of the competition, he rushes to Highland Treasures to complete the purchase, only to perish in a car accident before ever returning home. Seamus’s police record make them leery of becoming involved in an investigation, something that proves impossible when it’s discovered that the painting disappeared and the second buyer continues to pursue the loss painting.

While Seamus is a blustery Scotsman with a ginger beard and intimidating presence, he has the dramatic temperament of an artist. Occasionally self-involved to the point of being inconsiderate, he nevertheless adores Sylvie and dissuades her life-endangering investigations. Seamus’s impressive showing at London’s Lundenburg Gallery allows Sylvie to visit the wife of the victim, which has Sylvie sympathetic but later questioning her own judgment. The trail leads to a mysterious treasure from 1652, a prize lost during Scotland’s war with England and worth more than enough money to be a motive for murder.

This enthralling mystery will have readers eager to book the next flight overseas, as descriptions of London and the lush Scottish Highlands are tantalizing. The dialect is played down for Americans, but a handy glossary bridges any gaps and highlights the unique phrases. Sylvie and Seamus are a relatable and compelling couple, as while at times one wonders at Seamus’s focus his love for his wife is unquestionable. However different they may be, they are united by their artistic leanings and love for the Scottish Highlands. History and locale come alive in this extremely entertaining novel, which is a standout as it features Scotland’s ancient castles, chilly weather, and extraordinary culture. This is escapism at its best, as it is a compelling mystery that whisks readers away to a land as beautiful as it is rich with intrigue.

To enter to win an EBOOK copy of Highland Peril, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “highland,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 18, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.