This book is a charming and adventurous read that blends mystery, romance, and the allure of the Scottish Highlands. Pepper's writing shines with wit and warmth, bringing to life characters that are easy to root for. The plot is engaging, set at a medium pace, with just enough intrigue to keep you guessing without becoming overly complicated. It's a feel-good story that offers a perfect escape, combining the thrill of a mystery with the comfort of a well-written romance. If you are in the mood for a lighthearted adventure with a dash of romance and a scenic backdrop, this is the perfect choice.

Grace and Frederick are at it again, in all the most delightful ways. This is the next in the series by Basham that takes you through an unlikely meeting and marriage and resulting in numerous adventures and mysteries. Each book builds on the character development, but this could also be read well as a stand alone. I personally have loved watching the characters grow and this book, is no exception to that. A great coxy mystery that is a fun and easy read.

Grace's playful and dynamic personality makes her a very likable character as opposed to her sister who is not very likable at all. I loved that Fredrick loves Grace for all her quirks and not despite them.

I got tired of repeated references to Grace using fiction to solve real life problems. Plus a lot of repetition about how they weren't supposed to marry and how much they enjoy each other now, including physical enjoyment (closed door but we all know what is going on). I felt like each repetition was a repeat because the author feared the reader was forgetful or something. It felt like a first introduction to the characters instead of the 4th book.

As for the mystery, I think the reader was led all along the way to know who was guilty so each step in the story wasn't a huge revelation. And by the time they get to Scotland the reader knows it all along with the characters. All that is left is to figure out where the will is and how to capture the guilty with enough evidence to convict. No red herrings to throw the reader off. You do get some excitement during that last part though.

Sex: marital intimacy, innuendo
Language: no
Violence: yes

4.5 stars! I absolutely loved being back with Frederick and Grace in this 4th installment!

I loved the first book, and I feel like this book brings them back home in a really good way, not just physically but also in terms of the heart of their story. They're back in America in Grace's home, dealing with an issue with her sister and a mystery with its origins in their late mother's family in Scotland. I really enjoyed the mystery!

I love the way Frederick and Grace love, heal, and support each other in these books! Everything great about their relationship was on full display here and I cannot get enough! I would love to read more books about them and their life together with Zahra, and hopefully more babies to come!

The Astleys find themselves embroiled in another mystery when they return to Grace's home and find things have dramatically changed.

Follow Grace and Freddy as they work through inheritances, pretenders, and dangerous alliances.

It was interesting to see Freddy and Grace interact with Lillias and Tony after an interval of almost a year, given how fraught those relationships were with tension.

And Lillias was not pictured in a favorable light, so much so that when the book ended, I wanted more from her character... more growth, or at least a realization or acknowledgement of her selfishness and its impact.

Still, Grace's remarkable optimism and its positive impact on Frederick shone through. You also get glimpses of Zahra and the reassurance that the little girl is finding her place within the Astley family.

The Highland Heist will remind readers that God works in all situations for good, often in unexpected ways.

While The Highland Heist can be read as a standalone, some of the references might be better appreciated in context after reading the other books.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publishers through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

Book Review: The Highland Heist
By Pepper Basham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Barbour Publishing, Pepper Basham and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this novel to honestly read and review. All opinions and ideas expressed in this review are my own.

Freddie thinks to surprise Grace and their adopted daughter with a trip to visit her family, but instead they end up in the middle of a surprise of their own. Grace’s home has been sold to pay off debts and letters have been delivered telling them of a secret inheritance from their mother! To top it off, they arrive at her sister’s house to find her standing over the dead body of her husband. They must solve the mystery and head to Scotland to claim their inheritance before time is up. Shenanigans are afoot.

As per usual for this series, this was a charming edge-of-your-seat read. Freddie and Grace never disappoint. Their adventures are always fun, if not sometimes a tad bit nail biting. Freddie, Grace and Zahra are as quirky and sweet as ever. They are quick to support each other and help family, even when that family treats them abominably. They are also kind to everyone they meet. However, this one is not my favorite of the series! This surprised me a bit. Because of the title, I thought it would be totally set in the Highlands, but in reality a lot of it was set in Grace’s hometown in America. I would have also liked to have seen more character growth from Grace’s sister! The faith was light but present! They mention giving their fear over to the Lord. I don’t know if there are any more books planned for this series, but I am ready for how many ever Pepper will give us. I would love to see another episode with Jack.

If you love mysteries set in a historical setting, especially clean or Christian ones, then you will enjoy this one immensely. If a murder scene or affection between a married couple bothers you then, maybe skip this one. #NetGalley #TheHighlandHeist

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of Freddie and Grace’s adventures. In The Highland Heist, they once again find themselves knee-deep in murder, mystery, and this time, all things Scottish. Just as they’re returning from their honeymoon, Frederick surprises Grace by rerouting their travels to America so she can visit her father, sister Lillias, and meet her new nephew. But the happy reunion they expect quickly unravels. They arrive to find the family home sold, Lillias’ husband Tony murdered under suspicious circumstances, and a Scottish barrister seeking them out to deliver surprising news: Grace and Lillias have inherited a Scottish castle from their late mother.

When Lillias is accused of Tony’s murder, Freddie and Grace immediately step in to help clear her name. But before they can unravel the truth, Lillias—heartbroken and desperate for a fresh start—flees to Scotland to claim the inheritance and escape the pain of her past. With time running out, Freddie and Grace follow, only to be met with one obstacle after another: a murderer on their trail, rumors of a ghost, a missing will, and a deadline that keeps creeping closer.

This book drew me in from the very first page and didn’t let go. I loved watching Freddie and Grace grow—not just as sleuthing partners, but as husband and wife. Grace’s inner dialogue is always a joy to read. Her curiosity, quick thinking, and desire to solve every mystery make her a compelling and relatable heroine. And Frederick—he’s loosening up in the most charming way. Grace’s influence and his growing comfort with the unexpected have made him more rounded, more relaxed, and even more lovable.

It was such a sweet surprise to have Zhara, their adopted Egyptian daughter, along for the journey. I could clearly picture her bright, inquisitive face, and it warmed my heart to see Grace share her love of adventure with her.

Overall, this was a delightful and captivating read that left me eager for the next chapter in Freddie and Grace’s journey.

While you can read The Highland Heist as a stand-alone book, it is most rewarding to read it after reading the first three.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pepper Basham and Barbour Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Freddie and Grace are so back!! 😍

A will, a murder, a Scottish inheritance—and two of our favourite sleuths are right in the middle of the drama. Time with Freddie and Grace is always a riot of a time, and this was no exception!

The mystery angle was well executed (and some of those twists?!?!?!) with a very fun Jaime Jo Wright feel. Don’t worry, there’s still romance and the mystery isn’t spooky, but the romance does take a bit of a back seat as Pepper leaned into JJW’s mystery shoes! And I was enchanted! 🤭

I did think this was going to be more Scottish centered rather than just the last 30%, but that was my own fault haha because I didn’t read the blurb.

And I just gotta say, Lillias left me with no words… like… seriously woman? I think now I have no complaints about Josephine Edgewood in comparison. 😂 Justice for Josie.

Getting to see Freddie and Grace embracing their role as new parents with their adopted daughter was precious. And I can’t wait to see what happens next (even if the date now has me a little terrified) because I heard rumour of a book #5… !!! 😍


*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I love everything about Freddie and Grace! The mishaps continue to follow them in their married life. Their devotion to each other makes me love them so much.

In The Highland Heist, Pepper Basham once again gives readers a thrilling and delightful adventure with Freddie and Grace (or Lord and Lady Astley as one must call them formally)! The first part of this book takes them to America as Freddie surprises his wife with a trip to see her sister and father. However when they arrive, nothing is as expected, and the unexpected keeps happening! Murder, gambling, debt, jealousy, and uncertainty abound. When the mystery takes them to Scotland, a ghost and hidden treasures await them in the castle Grace and her sister are to inherit.

I just love this series, and The Highland Heist just made that love even stronger. That sounds weird, but whatever. I love it. Freddie and Grace are such an adorable couple. I recommend reading these books in order, but you can read this as a standalone. It’s just that from the first book to this, their love for each other has grown so much, and they’ve adopted a daughter from their Cairo adventure. You’ll also get the backstory on Grace, Freddie, her sister Lillias, and others by reading the first book. If you love inspirational Regency and Victorian era romance, once you start the series, you won’t want to stop anyway!

The inspirational messages that are weaved throughout the plot really spoke to me. These two stood out to me most: “She’d never fully understand why God told His children not to worry, but then made worrying such an easy thing to do.” Right?! “And he had to trust the people he loved most to the one who loved them more.” These spoke right to my soul. I worry too much about the people I love and forget that God loves them even more than I do! I’m grateful for the way that God gave Basham these words that so many of us need. He speaks to us through His word and through people!

I highly recommend The Highland Heist and give it 5 huge stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Between 3.5 and 4 ⭐️ I can’t quite decide yet.

This was my second favourite book in the series behind the first one and I think part of it is I’ve now settled in to what the series is. The stories offer historically and geographically diverse settings with a basis of mystery and some romance sprinkled in. It is a Christian Fiction book so the romance is EXTREMELY closed door which is not my normal style, but with Freddie and Grace it works.

The Highland Heist came back to what is true to the characters and centred around family, inheritance and unravelling the plot close to home.

I will definitely read any further books in this series, it’s definitely a 3.5 - 4 star easy read series for me.

Grace and Fredrick are quickly becoming one of my favorite sleuthing duos. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their dynamic feels so natural—it’s a joy to watch them work together. This latest installment had just the right balance of twists and turns to keep me fully engaged from start to finish.

I found myself genuinely laughing along with Grace’s wit and exasperated right beside her at her sister Lillias’s antics. The characters continue to grow in ways that make me even more invested in their journeys. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series and am already eagerly anticipating the next book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Another great Freddie and Grace adventure by Pepper Basham! This one takes them to Scotland, but by way of the US where Freddie brings Grace to visit her family once again. When a couple of tragedies strike close to heart and home, Freddie and Grace are embroiled in another mystery, but now they have to also contend with contentious family members (of Grace's this time), scoffing police officers and also keeping young Zahra safe. This story is a continuation of the series, so it is best to read them in order. If you haven't read the prior books, the story itself in this one can stand alone, but some of the back stories and relationships might have you scratching your head. Fans of the series will be loving this next installment however.

In this story, we get to see a bit more to the relationship between Grace and her sister. Though we saw some of this in The Mistletoe Countess, it was shown in a greater (and uglier) light in this story and it was fascinating to see the contrast between the 2. We also learned a bit more about Grace's mother who died when Grace was very young. And as a reader who tends to not enjoy romance quite as much as other genres, I do adore Freddie and Grace's relationship. The romance in this book was married romance and I've enjoyed seeing Freddie and Grace's relationship grow through the series to the sweet love that they have. I love how they have learned more about God through their own relationship and have learned to trust Him more with each other's love and well-being.

The stakes in this story are high. The danger is on par with the other books, but they now also have to attempt to keep Lillias (Grace's sister) and her child and household staff safe from harm when they don't believe they are in any danger. As the stakes also include a mysterious inheritance that will aid both sisters in their plights, they have to learn to work together to find a missing will. This involves not only danger from the outside, but also includes a "haunted" castle (making the dedication at the beginning of this book apropos - IYKYK). All in all, this was a riveting story that was thoroughly enjoyable, with good character development and several plot twists, one of which I would have never seen coming (Freddie and Grace didn't either). This book (and series) is one I can heartily recommend to fans of historical novels, romance novels, mystery novels, adventure stories, and good clean fiction in general. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham thrills me as a historical mystery. I love catching up with Grace and Freddie. This couple is mysterious and loving all wrapped in a story goodness. I love seeing their relationship continue and develop. These characters are definitely becoming one of my favorite characters. As for the mystery, it felt a little disjointed. The story starts out strong, but then it twists to something else, then moves to a totally different country to complete the new mystery, which I enjoyed the new mystery. It just didn’t flow like one mystery. It read like three different types of mysteries trying to fight for attention. Yes, there is a resolution that kind of came out of nowhere, but it still was nice to see the mystery wrap itself up. The different country setting’s house was spooky just enough to make the mystery hold my attention. Overall, The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham features great characters who wiggle their way into the reader’s heart. Mystery was not one of my favorite mysteries. I will definitely own a paper copy in my library.

I received a complimentary copy of The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham from Barbour Publishing through Celebrate Lit Tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Pepper Basham has another excellent Freddie and Grace Mystery with "The Highland Heist". This one takes the reader from the United States to the Highlands of Scotland in a chase for an inheritance and to find out who will do anything to steal a highland castle estate from Grace and her sister Lillias. I truly feel these books need to be read in order to get the full context of the book so if you haven't read the others, I highly recommend going back and reading books 1-3...you won't be disappointed.

I really like how we see Freddie and Grace's relationship grow in this story. The love and care they show for their adopted daughter Zahra is amazing in this book. This one also shows the complicated relationship Grace has with her sister Lillias brings the reader to a better understanding of Grace's character and backstory. The inheritance they receive from their mother also gives the reader background on Grace's early life and how like her mother she really is.

Themes in this book are:

* Sweet romantic moments between a married couple
* Murder and mayhem
* Difficult family relationships
* Adoption and how an adoptee's life shapes their character
* Found family and strong friendships
* Greed
* Reconciliation of family relationships
* Closed door married romance
* Christian faith for the main characters

Pepper Basham continues to be one of my favorite authors. Her books are well written, have wonderful Christian faith elements, full of romance and have both heavy and light moments. Other fans of her books, especially the Freddie and Grace mysteries will really enjoy this book!

Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I will never get tired of a Freddie and Grace adventure. I truly hope Pepper continues writing more stories just like this one—full of humor, mystery, and, of course, the swoony moments between Lord Astley and his wife.

I love the growth we see in these characters with each new story. Not only does their love continue to deepen and grow, but so does their faith—and it’s beautiful. I love seeing the way our favorite couple continues to balance each other perfectly, in sync to the point that they can read each other so well.

Freddie and Grace are once again thrown into a mystery that needs solving, and this time, it hits a little closer to home. They only have so much time to unravel it before they risk losing something important to them—in the beautiful land of Scotland.

Be prepared to laugh out loud, sigh with a smile, and sit on the edge of your seat as the mystery unfolds.

The Highland Heist is pure delight, wrapped up in some romance and intrigue. Grace and Freddie find themselves back on Grace’s home turf, but nothing is as it should be. Even worse, there is now a secret inheritance, a murder, and both seem to hinge on Grace’s sister, Lillias. In true style we’ve come to know, trouble seems to find and follow Grace, and she lives for it! This time, Freddie seems to have caught a little of the sleuthing bug as well and is more on-board with this new lifestyle they keep finding themselves enmeshed in. I love that we get to see more interaction with their newly adopted daughter and truly work together as a family. There are some more insights to Grace and Lillias in their younger years as well and the true beauty of Grace’s strength and character shines through. I also love how Freddie always shows up in full support of Grace and the many wonderful qualities and attributes she brings to every situation. Grace truly is a ray of sunshine, and it is joy to accompany her and Freddie on their adventures. I loved traveling to Scotland for this story and some of the mystery behind the castle, but the love sweet love between Freddie and Grace is truly the standout.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This is my first Freddie and Grace Mystery (I know, I know, I’m late to the party starting on book 4) but I was easily caught up to speed with Basham’s word-smith ways and I’m now a big fan of this newly-married duo!

I’ve read contemporary and historical romance from Pepper, so this mystery novel was a totally new side to her for me. Pepper delivered as I knew she would with her wit, fantastic characters, these twisty turns I wasn’t expecting, fantastic drama, tension and action—and yes, a nicely woven faith element. Grace is one feisty, daring, brave heroine and Freddie is not your average earl. These two are a fantastic team and Pepper’s writing, as I mentioned, is superb as always. Complete with laugh out loud moments as I’ve come to expect and love from Basham.

I’m left hoping … is Blake going to get his own story?

And, yes, I’ll be going to pick up The Mistletoe Countess and I’m not sure I can wait for the holidays!

4.5 stars from me! Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

This book has just the right balance between mystery, romantic moments, drama and humour. It was entertaining from the first page to the last page.

Freddie surprises Grace with a trip back to her home as they conclude their honeymoon. However all is not normal and they are quickly thrown off kilter as several unexpected findings happen one on top of another. Thankfully they work well as a team and enjoy a bit of mystery and sleuthing around (Grace especially!). There were several humorous moments in the books and I definitely enjoyed the visual descriptions of how events played out and had a quiet chuckle at the unfolding events.

This is book 4 in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series and can be read as a stand alone (it was my first book of the series and I followed the story line with no troubles), but I suspect it would be more enjoyable if it was read in sequence. I am certainly looking forward to going back and reading the earlier books in the series. This book is a delightful and easy read with a gentle Christian message in it and I definitely recommend you read it.

Another enjoyable Freddy & Grace mystery. This one spans 2 countries on 2 different continents. What is supposed to be a pleasant visit with Grace's family in America turns into a murder mystery with an inheritance at stake. Grace & Frederick go into full sleuthing mode, but of course, nothing is even simple for them. On top of that, they have to chase suspects to Scotland and hope they're in time for Grace & her sister to claim their inheritance. Grace & her sister Lillias have to come to many realizations about themselves & each other. Will these realizations make them stronger and more loving to each other or drive them apart? Can love conquer all? As always, Freddy & Grace mystery is always an adventure.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.