3.5 (not rounding up)

I’ve been a Jane and Redvers fan since the beginning and was ecstatic to get a sneak peek at the next novel. What? Is that a wedding photo on the cover? Even better!
The setting is Scottish isle, which, though can be majestic, can also frequently be cold, gloomy, and, well, somber. I think the issue with this book, which they state themselves, is that they aren’t really working together. We are deprived of the constant Jane and Redvers banter because the assignment, which is a little weak and hard to even remember the point of, apparently Redvers would give everything away with his presence. Jane goes undercover to join this group on a tiny remote island of Scotland with her fiancé hiding under a cloak and meeting up on a distant beach. A cold one, which even they have a hard time making it warm. It’s nice for Jane to be in the no this time, but you are, together, bigger than the sum of each part.

Apparently, this story is very loosely based on a group that was in existence and at least one member visited the island under strange circumstances. The author states that she used information from their writings but had to really scale it back. Well, it should’ve been scaled back even more. The last 25% of the book was interesting and things made more sense and moved, but I really wish I didn’t have to keep pushing myself to find out what happens. I have plenty of other books to read and I hate it when a book really slows me down because I want to finish it but it’s a chore.

There are some great moments and I learned a lot about some random historic things, but, it was no Mena, or Istanbul, or even Boston. I’m glad I had the little novella last fall to give me a bit of a jolt and I’m glad to have some of the romance That is always fun, but I’m a little disappointed. Frown.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for providing an unbiased review.

3.5 stars
Not the best entry in this entertaining historical series perhaps, but still fun with some great characters. I have read all the series entries but still felt a little lost -- a bit more back story would have been helpful as it wasn't exactly clear what Jane was doing investigating these particular murders. And the surprisingly lovely ending was perfect.

Jane Wunderly, a smart and capable widow, and her fiance Redvers, who has a sideline in helping the government with sticky situations, are on the small Scottish isle Iona. Jane is infiltrating the Golden Door occult group. But it isn't long before a dead body turns up and the two secretly try to figure out which of the people connected to the sect were responsible.

Jane and Redvers have great chemistry and respect and these are enjoyable reads. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It’s 1927 and American Jane Wunderly and her fiancé, Redvers, have gone to the remote Scottish Isle of Iona to investigate Robert Nightingale and the secret society he belongs to. His followers are gathering to celebrate an occult ceremony during the solstice. Jane is undercover as a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn. Redvers is staying on the other side of the island while Jane is undercover. When a member of the Golden Dawn is found dead, solving the murder becomes as important as investigating Nightingale.

Author Erica Ruth Nuebauer is new to me, and I did not realize this was the fifth book in a series. Still, I didn’t feel lost in the story, it really seemed self-contained. I loved the descriptions of the settings, and the local characters. The pacing was a little slower than I’m used to, but the mystery of the Golden Dawn and the murder were slowly explored leading to an unexpected but very satisfying ending.

I received an ARC of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. These are my honest opinions.

I am looking forward to the official release of this book. This is volume 5 of the Jane Wunderly books and it's my favorite so far. Jane and Redvers are investigating an occult figure in Scotland and once again get more than they bargained for. Bodies keep dropping and it's hard to know who's involved. The one thing I was worried about did not happen, thank goodness, and the rest of it was enjoyable and fun. I loved watching Jane and Redvers sneaking around to be together and then the thing at the end was like awwww. So yeah. Good book. If you like cozy historical mysteries you should check out this series.

Fifth story in a mystery series!

This is the first time that I read a book by this new author Erica Ruth Neubauer. I didn’t know that Secrets of a Scottish Isle was the fifth story in the Jane Wunderly murder mystery series. I guess I should have read them before reading this one, because this feisty heroine is on a journey filled with twists and turns.
This time, on a remote island off the west coast of Scotland, the dynamic American Jane Wunderly decides to investigate a secret society. The heroine wants to conceal her identity and blend into an occult gathering. Jane is determined to solve a crime! Will she crack the mystery without being in danger?

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."