This novel is my introduction to the author’s work; it is also the eight installment in the ongoing Scottish Bookshop Mystery, and while the book was very readable, there were more than a few references to prior events, while some of the relationships between recurring characters are never made clear.

Which is to say, I found the writing uneven and the mystery unsatisfying.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The novel hinges on the premise that Delaney, an American expat living in Edinburgh, and recently married to a Scot, works for a wealthy, if eccentric, man who owns a bookstore (The Craked Spine–also the title of the first book in the series), and who, among other things, organizes regular all-paid ‘literature tours’ for groups of four people at a time–usually people he’s never met in person before, though in some cases he’s corresponded with them for years.

Only, Delaney’s boss is called away without warning–or explanation–the very morning one of these tours is to start, and she’s therefore pressed into service as a guide.

Of course, no sooner the tour starts that odd things start happening, with the first night ending with a woman attacked at the inn where Edwin’s guests are to stay for the duration of the tour, and the body of the manager found nearby, and we are, of course, off to the races: people who aren’t who they say, or say all they know, for any number of reasons; some more violence, a couple of disappearances, and so on.

Things just keep happening, and more characters show up, until there’s a dramatic scene followed by some more explanations and filling-in of some of the blanks by other characters; the end.

I’m being pithy here, but this is yet another supposed cozy mystery where the main character is supposed to be an amateur sleuth working to solve a mystery, but in which mostly things just happen around, and to, her.

Delaney is a fair narrator, in that the reader knows exactly what she knows, and sees, and thinks, but she’s by no means a good or organized investigator.

On top of which, there are too many things happening that she doesn’t know–and therefore that the reader can’t know–so that it’s inevitable that Delaney fumble her way to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

However, several elements of the ‘mystery’ are so heavily telegraphed very early on–Meera’s identity, why Edwin has to leave with such urgency, etc.–, that it doesn’t make sense for Delaney not to put two and two together and get four, even if that wouldn’t have helped her answer all of the questions being raised.

Another irritant is the same character inconsistency I noted in one of the main characters in another cozy mystery I read recently: Delaney is suspicious of someone, but when another character shares his own suspicious, she immediately makes light of them–and that is never explained.

Which brings me to the ending: not only is it incredibly abrupt, the final explanations do not fill in all the holes or answer all my questions. As a mystery reader, this doesn’t make me happy.

Beyond all this, I found all the characters flat; I didn’t get a sense of any of them as distinct individuals. I mean, the book is over 280 pages, and I still have no idea how old Delaney is supposed to be. Mid-twenties? mid-forties? No clue. I have no idea how long she’s lived in Scotland, or how long she’s been married, or much of anything about her. The most interesting thing we learn about Delaney is the “bookish voices” (lines from books) that she’s supposed to hear at significant moments, and honestly, the gimmick didn’t really work for me.

Another thing that bothered me is which things the author chooses to share versus which were entirely elided.

The full first chapter, for example, introduces a whiff of woo-woo, perhaps to go along with Delaney’s ‘bookish voices’, that doesn’t do anything for the plot.

And I don’t need to know that Delaney and her husband grabbed “a piece of toast each” before “hopping in the car” etc etc unless this matters to the story. Which, as you can guess, it doesn’t. There are a bunch of these little transitions that, again, don’t add anything to the plot.

Meanwhile, I’m still not sure who Hamlet is to Edwin or Rosie, whether Rodger is a recurring character or not, what happened to the night clerk at the inn, and more.

And yet–and this is important–I read the ARC in two sittings, and I’m intrigued enough about the setup that I plan to read the first in the series (if nothing else, to figure out some of the relationships between the recurring cast of characters).

Fateful Words gets a 6.50 out of 10 (and at least .50 of that is the readability)

I had so much fun reading Fateful Words! This was my second read in the series and Delaney already feels like an old friend. The death in this mystery is not as "off the page" as murders are in most cozy mysteries, so be aware of that. On top of the unknowns of the death, there was an unknown situation going on with Edwin (owner of the bookshop) that caused concern for all the characters. It had me as a reader concerned too! What added so much to this story was the literary tour, usually led by Edwin, that Delaney had to lead this time. It was a blast to tour Edinburgh and get to know the tour guests too. I really enjoy the mysteries that Paige Shelton weaves and how she unraveled what was happening in this story. I'm excited to continue this series and visit this wonderful Scottish city, bookshop, and characters again.

Fateful Words is out April 4th. Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for my e-arc!

This is another wonderful installment in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series! I loved being back in Edinburgh with Delaney and crew. As the series gets longer, the mysteries get more involved and twisty. In this one, there were many different layers and I had no idea who to trust and who was or wasn't involved. And because the plot included a literary tour of the city, it was wonderful to learn more about the places and history of the area. There is some background from earlier books that adds to the story, but this would work well as a standalone for those just finding the series as well. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy!

This is book 8 in the series, and I'm happy to say, just as charming as the first one! Delaney feels like she did when she first started at the Cracked Spine- a bit out of her league, when she has to take over the annual tour for Edwin. But with some help from friends and her hubs, she soon finds her pace, but a murder that seems to be connected to one of their clients, soon leads to solving a mystery, while handling the tour. Add in some suspence about if Edwin is ok, as he is being silent from London, and it's a bit of a page turner, that is equal bits charming and mysterious! Don't miss if you're a fan, but also a good book to start into the series!

Delaney Nichol's boss, the owner of The Cracked Spine bookstore, is out of town for some mysterious reason. Delaney is left to host the Edinburgh literary tour he usually guides. On the first night of the tour, the inn manager falls off the roof of the building and dies. Or was he pushed? Then one of the tour members disappears. Delaney is in a race against the clock, deciphering clues while keeping the tour of Edinburgh's sights running.

The world-building in this is fantastic! Shelton takes you on an armchair travel adventure to Scotland and shows you several famous landmarks. Bibliophiles will love all the literary references, including the fun touch where Delaney's intuition guides her via famous quotes/authors. Delaney is a likable and intelligent sleuth, a girl from Kansas who has moved to Scotland, and we get to appreciate Scotland through her eyes. The supporting characters are delightful, though this installment has us out and about in Edinburgh more than in the bookshop. No complaints, though! I loved learning about all the famous sites like the Sir Walter Scott monument and the Edinburgh Underground Vaults. I so enjoy Shelton's writing, and this one is well-plotted and paced, with more than one mysteries to solve and some mild danger. I'll keep traveling with Shelton to Scotland as long as she keeps writing these books!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this ARC. I enjoyed it!

3.5 stars

Pro:
* Unique way of getting together a group of suspects
* Engaging literary tours
* The connection between Delaney and Tom

Con:
* Some familiar friends missing
* A bit difficult to believe the police don’t come to some conclusions that Delaney does
* The reveal is terribly contrived

Thank you to Paige Shelton, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fateful Words by Paige Shelton takes us back to Edinburgh, Scotland where Delaney Nichols finds herself with an unexpected assignment. I thought Fateful Words was well-written with realistic, developed characters. The main cast is comprised of friendly characters that you enjoy getting to know. We get to learn more about Delaney in each book. I appreciated the descriptions of The Cracked Spine and Edinburgh. The author really brings the city and its rich history alive. The mystery was multifaceted which I loved. There is plenty going on to keep things lively especially in the second half. Delaney asks questions and searches for clues. She slowly starts putting the pieces together. The whodunit ramps up for an eventful reveal. I like that Delaney keeps Inspector Winters updated. You have to wonder how Inspector Winters feels about Delaney’s texts and phone calls (it has to get annoying). This was a fun mystery to solve. We get to catch up with Rosie, Tom, Edwin, Hamlet, and Hector (such a sweetie). Fateful Words is the eighth A Scottish Bookshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series. I have read the series in order which has allowed me to get to know Delaney and her friends. I enjoyed the literary references as well as the folklore, historical tidbits, and the historical sites referenced. I felt like I was touring Edinburgh with Delaney and the tour group. Delaney’s intuition or her bookish voices were a little silent this time around. They can be a touch obscure. Delaney has to figure out what they mean and how they fit into the puzzle. Fateful Words is my favorite A Scottish Bookshop Mystery thanks to its complex mystery with its intriguing twists. Travel to Edinburgh in Fateful Words with a beautiful boon, a missing superior, tour troubles, a book excursion, an odd death, and an enigmatic mystery.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Fateful Words (Scottish Bookshop Mystery #8) by Paige Shelton from Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press /Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

…Seamlessly weaving history and nods to Scottish literature into the story in a way that does not feel like an info dump, but it becomes another layer of the story....

Life has returned to normal for Delaney Nichols and her husband Tom after the events of the previous book in the series, The Burning Pages. When the owner of the Cracked Spine and Delaney’s employer, Edwin MacAlister is mysteriously called out of town with co-worker Hamlet, Delaney is asked to guide his yearly literary tour around Edinburgh and her co-worker Rosie, and her dog Hector will mind the shop. Edwin’s tours are infamous, and readers clamor to be able to fill one of the four spaces Edwin reserves for his special pen pals. Delaney, a recent transplant from Kansas herself, feels out of her depth, unsure whether she could live up to Edwin’s one-of-a-kind tours.

Delaney meets the four tourists Luka, Meera, Kevin, and Gunter at the local inn across from the bookshop after locking up. While waiting Delaney senses a strange atmosphere among the staff and is then informed by the Inn manager Geoff, that Edwin’s credit card had been declined. Edwin, who is financially well off, never has had issues with his finances, so Delaney uses her card knowing she will get it back.

When in the evening Delaney spots one of the young hotel clerks barely able to stagger out the door, her and her husband Tom decide to call an ambulance, but seconds later there is a commotion around the other side of the building. When it appears, someone has jumped or was pushed off the Inn’s roof Delaney fears that she will have to call the tour off but when the other members wish to continue Delaney decides to press on, but something does not feel right. Then one of the tour members disappears while on a lunch excursion. It is beginning to become clear that the death, missing member, and Edwin’s unexplained absence are all connected, and she feels it is her responsibility to get to the bottom of things before anyone goes missing or gets hurt.

One thing I love about the author is the way she almost makes the city of Edinburgh a character in itself. Seamlessly weaving history and nods to Scottish literature into the story in a way that does not feel like an info dump, but it becomes another layer of the story. Like her previous books in the series Fateful Words is filled with intrigue, red herrings and unique quirky characters making this another classic cozy that will keep you guessing to the very end. Although not my favorite in the series this was a wonderfully enjoyable installment, and I cannot wait to read more of Delaney’s adventures. I highly recommend it.

A very enjoyable read I have read many boks by Paige Shelton. This is the second book in this series I have read. I was able to pick up on the characters without a problem, Delaney is amazing with all the twist and turns they had me guessing till the end of the book. Looking forward to reading mor of her books in this series and other. Thank You

To paraphrase the Scottish poet Robert Burns: 'The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.' In the eighth book in Shelton's Sottish Bookshop Mystery series, Edwin, the owner of The Cracked Spine bookstore, has planned his annual Edinburgh literature tour for four handpicked customers but finds he must be out of the country to deal with a serious problem. He requests that Delaney, one of his trusted young clerks, take over the running of the tour for him. What?? Can she fill his illustrious shoes to the visitors' satisfaction?

Unfortunately just after all the guests have checked into their hotel rooms, the hotel's owner falls to his death from the roof of the building. Could this tour get off to a worse start? And when will Edwin be back?

Although I have read other books by Paige Shelton, this was my first chance to read a book from her Scottish Bookshop Mystery series and I quite enjoyed it. It was a quick read with an intriguing plot dealing with identity theft and murder and with a delightful cast of characters. It was fun to spend a few hours exploring the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, with the literary tour group.

I received an arc of this new cozy mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks!
My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

I loved the Scotland setting! Edinburgh seemed liked the cutest town. And the bookshop?! The Cracked Spine, love it!

The murder happens pretty quick (~15% mark). Delaney has to solve the mystery while worrying about her boss who just left town on secret business. We had quite a bit of characters to speculate from but I struggled with this book. It was slower paced and I just wasn’t into it like I wanted to be!

Even though it’s the 8th book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. I didn’t have issues with that part, more with the mystery itself. The plot was all over the place and I didn’t connect with any of the characters.

Overall, it was good but not great!

[ Thank you Minotaur Books & Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

This is the 8th book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series but my first. I absolutely adored it.

A clever plot involving an Edinburgh book tour led by Delaney Nichols, an employee of The Cracked Spine Bookshop. A tremendous cast of characters. With so much sightseeing around Edinburgh, it felt like a travelogue at times.

I can't say enough about this one, except to say I'm going to track down the earlier books in the series ASAP and get caught up. And this is THE new to me author I'll be raving about to my mystery-reading friends.

Highly recommended!!

This is the 8th book in A Scottish Bookshop cosy mystery series. I read easily as a stand alone not familiar with the previous books. Delaney Nichols is an American from Kansas who has moved to Edinburgh. She is married to pub owner Tom and works in a bookshop owned by Edwin, who is wealthy and an eccentric collector.

When Edwin is unexpectedly called away it falls to Delaney to be hostess to four people he has invited to stay in the city and give a personal tour. The tour focuses on literature and historical sites. It was fun to hear about sites I’ve visited in the city as part of the story. The mystery begins when the manager of Inn where the guests are staying is dies after falling or being pushed from the roof.

I like that Delaney continues with her touring all the while talking to people about their connections to the incident. I also like that she updates inspector Winters every step of the way. (I’m assuming he has worked with her before.) She doesn’t intentional go out on the limb putting herself in danger.

This is a typical cosy mystery and I enjoyed reading it. The main characters are entertaining. I also like how the author weaves Edinburgh sites and history along with books written in Scotland into the story. (I’m not sure if that is unique to this book or is regular in the series.) I would read more in the series but didn’t love it enough to add the previous books to my TBR pile. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for offering me an ARC via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)

Another great read in this series. Delaney is put to work leading a book tour when Edwin is called away. Though she's worried about his absence, she must lead the tour for him. Things begin to unravel when the hotel need payment for the rooms and Eddie's card is declined. Getting Tom to help with the tour makes Delaney feel better. Loved the entire story and was glad to return to Scotland for this book. A page turner!

Delane is tasked to conduct a tour when Edwin suddenly goes out of town .
While conducting the tour some one dies ,someone goes missing and Edwin is having money problems is it all connected.
Good mystery and info on the area.
Volunyarily reviewed.

Delaney leads Edwin’s unique tour of Edinburgh when he is called out of town at the last minute. Delaney persuades her husband, Tom, to help since she is a transplanted American. Readers benefit from a fascinating tour of the Scottish city and a well-conceived murder mystery.

The usual characters – Delaney, Tom, Edwin (owner of the Cracked Spine), Rosie, and Inspector Winters – all get into tracking down clues, interviewing persons of interest, and revisiting sites from the tour. Paige Shelton writes an engaging novel with an intriguing plot and interesting characters.

Paige Shelton has penned many traditional mysteries. Her fans will be delighted with this new novel. I was sold from the beginning…Scotland, Books!

This adventure with Delaney was pretty delightful, even with the shenanigans. I enjoyed traveling around Edinburgh with her. There are mysterious business, missing persons, literary tours, and murder.

This is the eighth in a series. I want to go back and read any that I missed. You might too.

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

Thank you Minotaur Books for the gifted ARC.

This cozy mystery series set in a bookstore in Edinburgh is great for book lovers. I’ve only read the 7th and 8th books in the series, but I found they worked well as standalones.

Read for:
Edinburgh setting
Literary references
Great main character and secondary characters

I really enjoy these cozy mysteries, but I can’t say in either book I read that the mystery itself was very strong. There isn’t a lot of nuance and it’s all pretty far fetched. I found the conclusions in both books to be pretty messy.

3.5 stars - won’t hit my favorites list, but I will continue on with this series because I love escaping to Edinburgh.

I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. Too many coincidences were happening that had Delaney wondering what was going on. From Edwin and Hamlet’s quick and unexpected departure, to the incident at the inn, and someone impersonating a member of the tour group has definitely raised more questions than answers. Inspector Winters was certainly busy this go around and Tom, as always, was the ever supportive husband and assisted with the tour.

This has been an enjoyable series to read (I binged read all 8 books) and it has definitely made me want to travel to Scotland, specifically Edinburgh, sooner rather than later. Delaney is a great main character and I love her and Tom’s relationship. The crew at The Cracked Spine are all unique and the perfect people for Delaney to have in her life. The only ones missing from this story were Elias and Aggie so hopefully they will be back in future books.


Thank you @minotaurbooks @stmartinspress @paigebooks and @netgalley for this gifted ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I very much enjoy this series and this was an entertaining addition to it. I enjoyed the literary tie-ins to Edinburgh. I the characters and multiple mysteries to be solved. kept me reading. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series and I hope this will be a vey long series.