Delaney, an American from Kansas, has found herself in Scotland, but unlike her fellow Kansan Dorothy, she’s here because she has chosen to make it her home. Her boss at The Cracked Spine, a bookstore and more, has unexpectedly left her to give a several day tour to four visitors throughout her beloved Edinburgh. Already feeling something isn’t right, Delaney, her husband and their Detective friend are quickly drawn into more mysterious circumstances. The mysteries were complex, I didn’t figure out who was behind everything, and the glimpses of Edinburgh and its history via the tours were lovely. I was surprised to read in the authors notes at the end that she has only been to Scotland once, it’s clear in her writing that she loves it. The eighth in the series, the book can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend the entire series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for an advance readers copy, and to Paige Shelton for creating such a wonderful world to visit, even if there is a murder, for a few hours of enjoyment.

Fateful Words is the 8th book in the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries. I have read this series from the beginning. The story takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland. Delaney is the main character. She works at the bookstore The Cracked Spine. The story opens with Delaney going to The Scotland Antiques Center, a large old warehouse with a box of monocle that Edwin (her boss) wanted Michael Norway a local spectacle and monocle expert to see. Michael in exchange gives Delaney another monocle with an engraving on the back. It has the name Tom like her husband. Michael said the monocle was magic. He put it around her neck.

When she gets back to the store, Rosie, she works at the store, tells her that Edwin had been called away and Hector (another person who works at the store) had gone with him. Delaney will be leading the walking tour that Edwin usually does. There will be four people in the group. Meera Murphy from Dublin, Kevin (woman) Moore from London who owns a book store, Gunter from Berlin who dealt in old documents in Germany and Luka King from Australia who owns his own construction companies. After they all met they decided to continue the tour. They would meet for dinner and then go to Tom's pub. When going into the pub Delaney saw a man dressed in black leave the Inn across from the pub. Carmel Robertson who works at the Inn comes out dazed and bloody. Delaney goes to help Carmel but calls the police. While waiting for the police, Delaney hears a scream. Tom went to see what has happen came back to say that someone fell off the roof of the Inn. He thinks it is the manager of the Inn Geoff Larson. Tom takes the tour people to his pub. Meera had left earlier to go to the Royal Mile. When texted she said that she didn't hear anything and would come to the Inn later.
Inspector Winter is a local inspector and good friend of Tom and Delancey.

When at the Inn to check on the reservations for the tour people Delancey finds that Edwin's credit card was denied. She has been told by Carmel that if it is not paid the tour people will not be able to stay there. Delancey pays with her own card. She tells Rosie that Edwin's card was denied and she has taken care of it. Asks Rosie where Edwin is but Rosie tells her that she can't tell her.

Inspector Winter comes to the store and tells Rosie and Delancey that the person who died was Geoff and he suspects that someone else was on the roof with him. There is no evidence that he was pushed but he is looking into it. He tells them that Carmel is still unconscious and is in a medically induced coma. She has a subdural hematoma. Later he tells them that Geoff was definitely murder.

This is where the story takes off and there is so much to tell that I will leave this part of the story to the reader to enjoy. There is a question of why did Edwin go away, What are the mysterious goings on at the Inn. Who really is Meera and why does she always disappear. Who is Barney O'Shea and what does he have to do with the Inn, etc. Why does Kevin always get sick in her room but feels better when she gets outside, The story builds up to a surprise and exciting climax.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Edwin and Hamlet have been called to London on a secret business. Edwin usually heads a tour of book lovers through Scotland. But since he's gone, Delaney must take the reins. There's a mystery tour person and a murder. Can Delaney and Inspector Winters uncover the mystery and figure out the connections.

The mystery had me perplexed and I had no idea who the killer was. I love the author's writing and I love the characters. Delaney does an excellent job finding the truth and asking the right questions.

I enjoyed this book. It’s complicated and interesting. The characters are engaging. I was not surprised by who the bad guy was, I just had a feeling who it was. #FatefulWords #NetGalley

This is a tour of Edinburgh wrapped up within a mystery, and it works wonderfully. Removing the dry aspects of a tour guide, and instead replacing them with puzzles and clues set around the must-see sights, readers are able to enjoy a cozy mystery, and learn all about one of Scotland's most famous cities. I would recommend this as a great book for those who are going to visit the city and have some time beforehand (train, plane, etc.).