The Poison Pen by Paige Shelton takes us back to the Cracked Spine bookshop in Edinburgh and Delaney, an American transplant. Her boss, Edwin, the owner of the Cracked Spine, has asked her to visit an old friend of his and bring home an object that was found on the grounds of her home. Elias drives her as she is still not comfortable with driving on the other side of the read. As they arrive, they meet an old friend of Elias’, Homer, who is the groundskeeper. The grounds look wonderful, but the “mansion” is nearly in ruins. When they enter they find the lair of a hoarder, the mistress and Edwin’s friend, Jolie Lannister. They can barely make there way through the small aisles created between all the stuff. Just leaving is her lawyer and some folks from an auction house, apparently not invited. Shortly, they get her to take them out to the shed, where they have been storing their find. It is astonishing and must be taken to Edwin immediately, as he is the expert. It quickly turns into a tiff between them and people at the museum over ownership. It get interesting.

Delaney is a good character. She has found love in Scotland and is married to Tom who is only peripherally involved in her investigations. She has Aggie and Elias, with whom she lived when she first arrived; as well as Rosie at the bookshop, who is a font of information, both about Scotland and about Edwin, since she has known him forever. There are more characters, all as well-written as they need to be, all interesting. The mystery is a good one, and Delaney sets about discovering exactly what is going on, which is not easy as so many people have things to hide. Shelton always gives us a touch of Scottish history, which adds to the character of the book. It is a good read, one of an excellent series. Thanks, Paige, for creating Delaney and the Cracked Spine!

I was invited to read The Poison Pen by St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #PaigeShelton #ThePoisonPen

I've only read one other installment of the Scottish Bookshop series ("Fateful Words"), but Edwin played a much bigger role in that story than this one. It almost seemed as if he was trying to fade into the background in "The Poison Pen." As a result, Delaney becomes the featured character.

While I enjoyed the story, it didn't capture my attention as much as "Fateful Words" did. Perhaps it was because there seemed to be less danger involved and a lot more running around trying to track down leads. I'm not certain what it was, but it just didn't draw me in as well.

Regardless, it was a good story and I don't have any specific complaints. I'm hoping the next book brings more of the Cracked Spine team back into the story, especially Edwin, who is such a quirky character.

Thank you to Paige Shelton, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

The Poison Pen is the ninth book in the A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by Paige Shelton.

Edwin, the owner of a Scottish bookstore, asks Delaney Nichols to visit with his old-time friend, Jolie Lannister. Jolie has found what she feels might be a legendary Crusader Sword that she wants to turn over to Edwin. When Delaney arrives at Jolie’s estate, she finds Jolie is in a discussion with her lawyer, Bowie Berry, and Giles Haig, an auctioneer and his assistant. Jolie is a hoarder, and Berry plans on using that to prove Jolie’s competency. Haig is there to evaluate Josie’s estate. Jolie sends Berry and Haig on their way and takes Delaney to a nearby shed to show her the sword. If the sword is a Crusader Sword, it belongs in a museum, as Scottish law says it is illegal for private citizens to own historical items. As they are returning to the house, they come across Homer, Jolie’s gardener, standing over the dead body of Haig’s assistant. Homer was holding the knife that had killed the assistant. Jolie asks Delaney to investigate the death, and she contacts Inspector Winters to help with the investigation.

When Jolie was a child, a story that was going around was that Jolie was a “love child” of Edward VIII. An aide to Edward VIII reportedly wrote a journal supporting this story. Still, the journal has gone missing, and Delaney wonders whether this might have anything to do with the murder of Haig’s assistant.
I love this series; the books are well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed, believable, and engaging.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this engaging series.

One can always rely on Paige Shelton to write a good book. This one is solid….interesting story, quirky characters, imaginative setting. My only complaint is the title. With such subjects to choose from as swords, blades and hoarding, this was a very weak title.Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThePoisonPen for advanced digital copy.

The Poison Pen is book #9 in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by and can be read as a stand-alone.
🌕🌕🌕🌕/5

Bookseller and amateur sleuth Delaney Nichols has been asked by her boss Edwin, an antiquarian to authenticate a timeless Scottish relic found on his friend Jolie’s property. When Delaney arrives she’s greeted by Jolie’s “legal team”. Once the interlopers leave they take a look at the relic only to discover a shocking murder has just taken place!
Who would commit such a crime and why? Is Jolie’s controversial family history involving a royal bloodline involved?
Delaney must dig deep to put the pieces of this complex puzzle together.

What I Enjoyed:
🗡️ Learning about true Scottish history ( Battle of Culloden, the Crusaders) this was well researched. The Treasure Trove is real and is a division of the National Scottish Museum in Edinburgh.
🗡️ A well crafted array of characters who each play an important role.
🗡️ The plot and sub plot were intertwined and complimented each other.
🗡️ The villain’s identity had me stumped until the end!

What Could Have Been Improved:
🗡️ Delaney’s curiosity and need for justice put her friends in dangerous position. She wasn’t worried about those consequences and she should have known better.
🗡️ I’d like to have seen a true partnership with detective Winters. Text messages and calls with updates are not realistic standard procedures. Felt odd.

Summary:
This was such a thrilling reading experience! I recommend the book if you enjoy traditional/cozy mysteries, found family, Scottish history.

Thank you to
for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Poison Pen is book #9 in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by Paige Shelton.

While I enjoy the mysteries in this series, I keep coming back for the characters. I enjoy seeing how they develop and grow throughout the series. This book was interesting because it took place soon after Queen Elizabeth II’s death. Delaney is on an intriguing assignment to see about a valuable item when there is a murder. This was an entertaining story that I couldn’t put down.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I think this is the first book I've read that has mentioned the Queen's passing. It isn't really central to the story, but Delaney's "bookish voice" (her intuition) for this book is Queen Elizabeth.

The Poison Pen is the 9th book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. You don't have to read the previous books to enjoy this one. I've read 5 books in the series, but they are all standalone mysteries, and enough background is provided on the characters so you know who everyone is. I like that the character backgrounds aren't just info dumps but flow in a natural way so even long-time readers aren't bored by it.

I enjoyed the mystery in this book. Actually, there are kind of two mysteries - one is the murder and the other is about an ancient sword that is found. We get to learn a little bit of Scottish history as Delaney attempts to authenticate the sword. Because the sword might be considered a national treasure, the Treasure Trove Unit is involved. I thought that this was made up for the story, but I googled it and there is a real Treasure Trove Unit at the National Museum of Scotland. The name just sounds a little funny for a real organization, but at the same time, I like it.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Rosie seemed to play a bigger role than usual and I really like her. She is a no-nonsense woman who is kind of like the mother of the group. But at the same time she provides levity to the story with some of her comments.

If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery with a little Scottish history thrown it, then this is the book to read.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Thursday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/04/the-poison-pen-by-paige-shelton-review.html

An interesting mystery starring a transplanted American to Edinburgh where she has settled, gotten married and works in a bookstore. Of course, murder soon follows. The latest case has Delaney branching out beyond books to look at an antique found on a person estate. Things get complicated from there. I think it is well crafted with good characters and a satisfying mystery that is complex but believable.

This is the first cozy that I have seen that has addressed the death of Queen Elizabeth. The characters are quite broken up about it. My aunt would have disapproved of such an emotional display in the true tradition of the British stiff upper lip but that isn't as much of a thing today as it use to be. Outside of whatever someone may think about the monarchy and aristocracy, this book praises how Queen Elizabeth dedicated her life to the country and to acts of service. She was in her nineties and doing over 300 public appearances a year. Do you know of anyone working that hard at that age?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Kansas transplant Delaney Nichols has worked at the Cracked Spine Bookstore in Edinburgh for several years. She was asked to visit a friend of her boss, Edwin, to evaluate a recent find on her property. She gets her cab driver friend and former landlord, Elias to drive her to Jolie Lannister's home. There they find, Homer, an old friend of Elias working as gardener. Inside is Bowie Berry, Jolie's sometime lawyer, and an auctioneer and his assistant. The house is VERY cluttered and chaotic and Bowie is there to take over cleaning and getting rid of much of Jolie's things. Jolie finally gets rid of her and the auction people (who were unaware that it was an ambush by Ms. Berry.) Jolie and her housekeeper serve tea and then take Delaney and Elias on a tour of the grounds and finally to an unsecured garden shed is a Crusader's sword?!!
Before they can barely examine it, there is shouting, and they find Homer standing over the body of the auction assistant, Alban Dunning. with a bloody rake. He insists that he didn't do it. While the police attempt to sort out the murder, the sword is taken to the National Museum's Treasure Trove director, Cramer Donnell .
The sword is destroyed in front of Delaney and others by someone who worked at the Museum and should have known better. He is fired and escorted out.
After many twists and turns, Delaney figures out "who dun it", but not before getting herself and husband, Tom, in danger.
This is a great addition to this series and can be read as a stand alone, but you will miss so nuances without the history of the characters.
It is wonderful to see the interaction of Delaney and her adopted Scots family, but I think many of them could do without the danger her curiosity and need for justice sometimes put her in.
Highly recommend this book and the rest of the series too.
I give it TEN STARS!

Paige Shelton has been writing the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries for a while now. This new book is the ninth in the series and a delightful entry.

This time the events take place not long after Queen Elizabeth’s death. Delaney is asked to take a look at an artifact. It is possible that this has a deep historical significance. However, a lot is going on when Delaney arrives, including an intruder.

The story goes deeper. Is Jolie, the person Delaney was meeting, an heir to the throne? Readers can imagine how this will unfold but the fun is in the story.

This is a good traditional mystery. I liked the location, characters and story line. Recommended to fans of cozies.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

American ex-pat and Scottish bookseller Delaney has done it again. The amateur sleuth has become entangled in a murder, a hoarder’s life, a pushy attorney, and a possibly stolen national artifact. Can Delaney solve the crime and determine the proper answers to the other questions? You will spend a delightful few hours steeped in Scottish history and surrounded by Delaney’s friends and loved ones while reading The Poison Pen.

The book’s plot had a few surprises along the way. The villain’s identity stumped me until the exciting conclusion. If you want to read a cozy with well drawn characters and a challenging mystery, pick up The Poison Pen. 4 stars

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

The Poison Pen is the 9th book in a cozy mystery series. We follow Delaney, a woman from Kansas who has a background in rare books and artifacts. She goes to Scotland for a new job at a bookstore and she keeps getting caught up in mysteries. This one is about a Crusade sword and some shady business.

I enjoyed this book! I love all of the characters and the relationships throughout the book. I love the setting. Scotland is definitely a dream vacation for me and this book describes it well. I thought the mystery was interesting and it was a good cozy mystery.

I do feel it was a bit too long for me and I wish it would've been shortened a bit. I would still recommend this to people looking for a cozy mystery!

Thanks so much to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

While this book can be read as a stand-alone, since I had never read anything by Paige Shelton I had to start at the beginning. I like to read series in order, that way I know the characters and how they are all related to each other. The Poison Pen deals with Jolie and her house of oddities. Where did the sword come from? Cam Delaney put the clues together to figure out the mystery of the sword and who committed murder? I'm not going to tell you what happened, but this book (and the rest of the series) are a great mystery and I couldn't figure out the culprit until right before it was revealed. Great story!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

I love this series, set in a Scottish bookstore. There are always interesting storylines, which can be read a stand-alones, but are enhanced by familiarity with the characters and their relationships. This book revolves around a potentially stolen ancient Scottish sword, a possible claim to the throne, and interesting side characters with large mansions and museum work. I loved it and can't wait for the next one! Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the advance digital copy!

When a sword is found on the grounds of Jolie Lannister’s estate she contacts Edwin, the owner of an Edinburgh bookstore who also deals in relics. Edwin asks Delaney Nichols, an American employee, to evaluate the sword to determine if it is a Crusader Sword. Delaney’s arrival at the estate interrupts a meeting between Jolie, Bowie Berry, her lawyer, and Giles Haig, an auctioneer. Jolie is a hoarder and. Berry is using the estate’s condition to question her competence and have Giles sell off the home’s contents. After removing the unwelcome intruders Jolie takes Delaney to see the sword, hidden in a shed. A shout leads them to Homer, the groundskeeper, who is found standing over the body of Giles’ assistant. Delaney contacts Inspector Winters, who she has worked with on previous cases. Keeping the sword hidden violates Scottish regulations on the discovery of relics and leaves the sword’s ownership in question. Delaney worries that withholding the discovery from Winters will damage his trust in her. While Jolie wants Delaney to investigate the murder, she holds back information and Delaney is not sure she can trust her.

This is a fast paced mystery that contains a number of red herrings. The Lannister family is notorious for claims made by Jolie’s mother that Jolie is actually the child of Edward VIII and should have inherited the throne instead of Elizabeth. A journal kept by one of Edward’s secretaries that refers to their relationship is stolen from the estate, leaving the question of whether the death is related to the sword or the theft of the journal. In addition to Paige Shelton’s cozy group at the bookshop and Tom, Delaney’s supportive husband, she introduces a conniving lawyer, a deceitful museum director and an interesting bit of history. Then there is Hector, the bookshop’s sweet dog who will steal your heart. This is one of my favorite series and I am looking toward to Delaney’s next adventure. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book for my review.

The Scottish Bookshop mysteries is one of my favourite series because of the setting (an old bookshop in Edinburgh with a hidden warehouse full of artefacts) and the characters, who are all charming in their own way. This time, most of the story takes place away from the bookshop but it’s still fascinating it so many ways.

There’s a (possibly) priceless relic, shady characters, a claiment to the throne, (alleged) royal affairs, and the ethics of who owns treasures of historical significance. Add on a cast of familiar old characters and some new faces and this cozy mystery has it all.

There’s so much going on and the addition of some new faces keeps this story moving along at a wonderfully fast pace. I was so excited to see find out if the relic was what they thought it might be and then the journey that the relic takes is just a roller-coaster of ups-and-downs. That, along with the murder mystery and finding out if Jolie is really royalty, definitely held my interest for the entire book.

One of the things that this book touches on a lot is how things aren’t always black and white. Life is a lot of grey areas, and several of the characters in the book demonstrate that in a variety of ways. A huge part of this story is who “owns” a treasure that is found and has historical significance. The family that has owned it for generations? The person who found it on their land? The country? The local museum? Whoever can afford to purchase it? All of these come into play often throughout this series, but especially in this one and it was interesting to see how each character – from Edwin, to Delaney, to Joshua – felt about these issues.

Delaney makes a wonderful main character/amateur sleuth. She’s smart, logical and not reckless (most of the time). and she is always considering different points of view. She doesn’t take too many risks and is always quick to keep her police enforcement friends in the loop. I love how well she has settled into life in Scotland and her and Tom make a lovely married couple.

All in all, this was another wonderful addition to the series and I hope there’s more to come!

* Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for review purposes.

I’m always happy when I pop into a cozy mystery in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. It’s like taking a vacation through a book! The ninth installment in this mystery series by Paige Shelton, The Poison Pen, brings us back to visit amateur sleuth Delaney Nichols, who has a specialty bookshop in Edinburgh called The Cracked Spine.

If you’re new to the series, you can certainly jump in on The Poison Pen. Each book contains it’s own mystery, so the only thing you’ll miss is the evolution of the characters and relationships over the series (though in this series, I’d say that’s minimal and the reason to read the full series is for the enjoyment of it!).

The book opens just after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and everyone is sad and mourning her passing. Delaney is particularly sad, since she feels that since moving to Edinburgh from America, the royal family has been more relevant to her daily life. Delaney is basically an honorary Scot now that she lives and works at The Cracked Spine bookshop in Edinburgh owned by the well-respected bookseller and collector, Edwin MacAlister. Rounding out the team are favorite characters Rosie, Joshua, Hector, and Hamlet.

Delaney has met and married the love of her life, Tom, and the two have settled into their cozy seaside cottage in Edinburgh. Delaney loves her life (and frankly, I love her life too! I wish it were my life, minus the mysterious deaths!). Delaney spends most of her time in the warehouse adjoining The Cracked Spine bookshop, assisting Edwin with curating his secret and extensive collection of rare and historical artifacts.

As the group discusses the passing of the queen, they need a distraction and it comes in the form of a new mission. Edwin asks Delaney to venture out to the West Rosebud House in Roslin. West Rosebud is the family estate of Jolie Lannister, an old friend of Edwins and rumored illegitimate heir to the throne. The estate has been in their family for over a century. Jolie has an artifact that she thinks might fit Edwin’s collection, and Edwin wants Delaney to check it out.

Delaney enlists her friend Elias to accompany her. Frankly, she’s never quite adjusted to driving on the opposite side of the road and Elias drives professionally. The pair arrive at the estate and meet Jolie’s groundskeeper Homer who is a good friend of Elias. The happy reunion is soured when they walk in on an argument between Jolie and her attorney, Bowie, who has surprised her by bringing an appraiser to review the contents of West Rosebud House. The appraiser, Gilles Haig, has also brought an assistant, Alban Dunning.

Bowie alleges that Jolie is exhibiting signs of becoming a hoarder, and that he must step in to take control of the estate. The first step is to review and inventory the contents of the estate. Delaney and Elias effectively break up the argument—prompting the unwelcome group to leave—and turn to Jolie who is understandably distraught. The trio head to the shed where Jolie has hidden the object she wanted Delaney to review—an old, dirt-encrusted sword. Delaney believes the sword is authentic, which excites the group.

The discussion is cut short when a commotion outside draws them out to find Homer standing over the dead body of Alban, Gilles’s assistant. When Homer is arrested, Delaney and Elias jump to help him. Delaney knows she must find out who the real killer is and why they murdered Alban before Homer goes down for a crime he didn’t commit. Word of the rare sword gets out, and everyone in the collection business wants it, including the Treasure Trove Unit of the Scottish government. Meanwhile Delaney discovers a connection between the murder and a journal from Jolie’s mother that claims Jolie may be the rightful heir to the throne.

If that plot doesn’t get you intrigued by this mystery, check your pulse! It’s got everything—a rare sword, an alleged illegitimate heir to the throne, murder, and an historic Scottish estate. Paige Shelton’s books are always well-written and contain fascinating mysteries. I like that she doesn’t get too bogged down in the personal relationships between the characters and keeps the mystery at the center of the plot. There are plenty of red herrings and clues to follow as the reader seeks to solve the mystery alongside Delaney. I was kept guessing until the final reveal.

An intriguing mystery and a wonderful installment in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series!

Thank you to St Martin’s Press for my copy. Opinions are my own.

I love the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries. This is book 9 in the series, and as usual, it is a treat. I am a sucker for books set in Scotland, and this series provides armchair travel as Shelton's lovely descriptions make you feel as though you are there.

Amateur sleuth Delaney is a US expat working at a charming bookstore in Edinburgh. This story is set just after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. And Delaney's enigmatic employer, Edwin, has an assignment for her. His old friend Jolie might have a priceless relic on her property, and he wants Delaney to check it out. Jolie's mother had long claimed her daughter was the rightful heir to the throne due to her affair with King Edward III. Soon, a suspicious death occurs on Jolie's property, which might link the priceless relic with this salacious claim.

This one has a very intriguing plot involving Crusader swords, Scottish protocol surrounding historical treasures, and a reimagined history of the royal family, specifically Edward III, who abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. I enjoyed how Shelton wove these things in with the investigation. Much of the action takes place outside the bookstore this time, so we meet a few new characters but still spend some time with the lovely recurring cast.

Delaney is an intelligent, likable sleuth who makes you feel like you are discovering Scotland alongside her. Her colleagues at the bookshop, her husband Tom, and other locals are warm, quirky, and feel like old friends. Jolie was a fun addition, and I hope she pops up again sometime. Shelton always delivers a solidly plotted and red herring filled mystery, so this story is well-written with a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended to all my cozy mystery-loving friends!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, for the free book!

I admit to being a fan of this series, each installment of which can easily be read as a standalone but which is so much richer for knowing the backstory. Delaney, our intrepid American in Edinburgh is once again placed in the game by her boss Edwin, who owns the bookshop where she works, This time, she's tied up into a claim that a sword was used by a Crusader but there's a big issue. There's a claim that- wait for it - Elizabeth (and thus the rest of the line) was not the true inheritor, As always Delaney, her husband Tom, Inspector Winter, and the rest have to wrestle with tricky questions. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me!

A sword from the Crusades has been found and Edwin wants Delaney to check it out. A twisted tale of ownership, history and the throne are all a part of this story. While Delaney has mellowed a bit since her marriage, she's still wanting answers to her questions. With help from old friends and new ones, Delaney gets her mystery solved. Loved the story arc and the characters continue to shine in this series.
I received an ARC of this book in return for a review.