A Very Bookish Murder is a pure delight to read, as the other Ally McKinley mysteries have been too. This time, a writer's conference is held in the Highlands and the featured speaker is murdered. Half the suspects are staying at the hotel but the other half is staying at Ally's place. As Ally gets closer to the truth, she has to ensure that she isn't the next victim! In typical Dee MacDonald form, the murderer's identity wasn't clear until the very end, which is very refreshing for someone who reads a large number of mysteries! I can't wait to read the next installment in the series.

Seductive and twisted. Highly recommended! Readers, find some quiet alone time to settle in with this one because you won't stop reading until you've turned the final page. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries, suspense and thrillers.

A Very Bookish Murder by Dee MacDonald continues the Ally McKinley Cozy Mystery series, this time delivering a whodunit in the quaint Highland village of Locharran with the backdrop of a literary, book-centric event. With her cute puppy Flora and her loyal partner Ross by her side, retired TV researcher‑turned‑guesthouse‑owner Ally finds herself in the middle of a murder in a writers’ retreat, while she is hosting four of the retreat guests at her guesthouse.

When a famous author, Jodi Jones, arrives to lead a retreat at a nearby hotel, Ally needs to play hostess and gets pulled into being part of the event. The event turns, err, eventful when Jodi is discovered strangled in the ladies toilet, which pushes Ally once more into playing an unofficial detective. A second death shortly follows, heightening the stakes and adding layers of plagiarism and infidelity.

MacDonald’s plotting is tight and well-paced. The narrative never drags, maintaining a steady momentum progressing the mystery, interspersed with the lulling routine of afternoon teas, continental breakfasts and running of the B&B. The idyllic backdrop of the Scottish countryside and the slow life adds to the charm of the book.

This was my first MacDonald book, but not having read the other books in this series didn’t distract me from enjoying this cozy mystery.

Another 5-star read for book three in this series! I truly adore these books, the characters are so relatable and easy to love. Every time I pick one up, I feel like I’m right there in the Scottish Highlands with them.

This one follows Ally as she dives into yet another murder mystery in her small town. Most of the familiar faces from the previous books are back, and it felt like no time had passed since the last one. I slipped right back into their world and didn’t want to leave.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that’s warm, charming, and hard to put down, this series is an absolute must.

With spring in the air, guesthouse owner Ally McKinlay has five interesting visitors staying in her renovated malthouse. Well-known author Jodi Jones, who is the main speaker at a writing retreat being held at the local hotel, as well as four other writers, is enjoying Ally’s hospitality. Ally accepts an invitation to attend the first session but, after an altercation between Jodi and another writer, finds a lifeless body in a hotel bathroom! Determined to help the new detective assigned to the case Ally and partner Ross find themselves wondering if the guesthouse is hiding a killer in plain sight and when another body is discovered solving the case quickly becomes a necessity. Can they scour the gossip columns and social media sites and make a breakthrough before anyone else's final chapter is written?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. Book three in this series definitely merits more than 5 stars and has to be one of my favourite reads of the year so far! It is laugh out loud in places, and a scene between Ally and local shopkeeper Queenie was just brilliant. I'm looking forward to book four already. Highly recommended.

Dee MacDonald’s A Very Bookish Murder Body, the third installment in the Ally McKinley Mystery series, is a delightful cozy mystery that immerses readers in the charming Highland village of Locharran. As a first-time reader of MacDonald’s work, I was thoroughly enchanted by this fast-paced, engaging tale that blends a gripping whodunit with vivid characters and a picturesque Scottish setting.

The story centers on Ally McKinley, a guesthouse owner and amateur sleuth who finds herself embroiled in yet another murder investigation. When renowned novelist Jodi Jones hosts a writers’ retreat in Locharran, Ally welcomes some of the attendees to her cozy Auld Malthouse B&B. The retreat takes a dark turn when Jodi is found strangled in the hotel’s ladies’ bathroom during the inaugural session. As Ally digs into the case—assisted by her faithful puppy Flora, her partner Ross, and a new detective, DI Amir Kandahar—the mystery deepens with accusations of plagiarism, infidelity, and hidden grudges among the retreat’s attendees. The stakes escalate when another writer, claiming to know the killer’s identity, is found dead, making it clear the murderer is still at large and determined to keep their secrets buried.

MacDonald crafts a compelling mystery with a well-paced plot that keeps you guessing. The cast of characters—from the eclectic writers’ group to the quirky locals—brings Locharran to life, making it feel like a character in its own right. Ally is a relatable and likable protagonist, balancing her amateur sleuthing with warmth and wit, while DI Kandahar’s fresh perspective and surprising respect for Ally’s insights add a new dynamic to the series. The subplot involving the dramatic delivery of twin heirs to the Countess of Locharran adds a heartwarming layer to the story, showcasing MacDonald’s knack for weaving personal moments into the suspense.

The book’s cozy atmosphere, with its quaint Scottish setting and minimal gore, makes it a perfect read for fans of bloodless mysteries. While it stands alone well, the rich character development and hints of past adventures left me eager to dive into the first two books in the series. The climactic “ah-ha” moment is both satisfying and thrilling, tying up loose ends while keeping the stakes high.

Overall, A Very Bookish Murder is a captivating, character-driven mystery that delivers on both plot and charm. Dee MacDonald has crafted a series that’s sure to delight cozy mystery enthusiasts. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a clever puzzle set in a cozy Highland village!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley, author, Dee MacDonald, and the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another fun read in a delightful series. In book three, Ally is comfortably settled in her Inn and as it's spring getting ready for her busy season. A book critique group is having a week long convention, including a famous published author, and Ally is asked to host five women that the local hotel doesn't have room for, including the celebrity author. While the author may have published books, she's not everyone's cup of tea, and during an afternoon session, she is challenged by an attendee who accuses her of plagiarism. When all heck breaks loose, the hotel rushes in refreshment and encourages a break to cool things off. When Ally visits the loo, she is invited to the afternoon session by her guests, she finds the strangled body of the author crammed in a stall. When the officer Ally is used to dealing with shows up, he looks unwell, and before he can question everyone, he has a heart attack. We are now on quite a wild ride! Who wanted the guest author dead? Is Ally hosting a murderer? Will the officer make it, and who will fill in for him? What other secrets are there to uncover and can Ally assist the new detective? You will find your time well invested in getting those answers! Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookouture, and the author for an opportunity to read. #AVeryBookishMurder #AllyMcKinleyMystery #DeeMacDonald #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "A Very Bookish Murder", the third book in the Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald.
We're back at the Auld Malthouse with Ally McKinley, B&B owner and amateur detective.
Welcome back to Locharran, where murder investigations seem to find Ally, no matter how hard she tries to avoid them!
When an all female writers' group comes to town, and bestselling author Jodi Jones and some of her group are booked into Ally's B&B, she takes advantage of an invitation to attend the inaugural get together at the local hotel.
But Ally discovers the author dead in the ladies' room, and she's once again thrown into the middle of an investigation; and when her usual foil, DI Rigby has a sudden heart attack (on scene, no less), Ally is introduced to a new detective with an interesting take on matters. DI Kandahar actually requests her assistance! It seems that DI Rigby actually thought her insights are worth listening to, no matter how many times he said the contrary. AND, there's a personal connection between Rigby and the dead woman!
Of course, all of the attending group come under suspicion, but it's not an easy task for Ally and the DI (along with, of course her loving partner, 'retired' vet Ross) to ferret out all of the motives. Because there seem to be many - accusations of plagiarism, husband stealing, etc. leave no doubt that someone certainly wanted Jodi dead.
As the threads begin to ravel in Ally and DI Kandahar's investigations, another twist - one of the writers confides that she thinks she knows why the author was killed, and ends up deceased herself!
Slowly but surely, all of the pieces of the mystery begin to come together, ending quite dramatically in an 'ah-ha' moment that nearly results in another death.
And in the usual story-within-the-story, Magda, the Countess of Locharran suddenly goes into labour in the middle of the night and Ally and Ross are drafted in as midwives - delivering the long-awaited twin heirs to the earldom.
If you like a fast-paced, fairly bloodless, cozy mystery series, set in a quaint Scottish town with plenty of 'characters', this series is for you. Can be read as a standalone, but books one and two are definitely worth it. Recommended.

This was my first time reading anything in this series and I was completely charmed. This book drew me in right away with its cozy B&B setting and a clever, book-themed murder that felt tailor-made for book lovers. I didn’t feel lost at all jumping into the series here — the characters and world were so warm and easy to settle into. Ally is the kind of amateur sleuth I love most: smart, observant, a little nosy in the best way, but always grounded and genuinely kind. Her dog Flora was such a lovely touch too .

The mystery itself was perfectly paced, with just the right number of red herrings and twists to keep me intrigued without ever feeling overly complicated. I really enjoyed how the book balanced its puzzle with everyday moments — cups of tea, chats with the authors, the rhythm of running a B&B. That’s what made it such a comforting read. I also appreciated the literary angle — as someone who adores stories about stories, it was a fun and satisfying layer. This book felt like a cozy escape, and by the end, I was surprised by how attached I’d become to the setting and characters. I’ll definitely be going back to read the earlier books — and I already know I’ll be picking up the next one.

Another great addition to the series. Definitely can't beat a nice cosy murder mystery and this one was brilliant. I love how each book brings new interesting characters

A very busy time trying to solve a complex murder by strangulation. Ally hopes that one of the cozy mystery novelists who are guests in her guesthouse is not the murderer of the rather unpleasant fellow writer slated to give a series of talks at a retreat. Besides that, the Earl's wive gives early birth to twins, the local DI and friend of many, is shocked into a coronary when recognizing the victim, and soon a few more issues arise! Lovely read. ****review
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Bookouture courtesy of NetGalley. Thank you! Avail Sep 19, 2025
#AllyMcKinleyMysteriesBk3 #CozyMystery #AVeryBookishMurder by Dee MacDonald #NetGalley #ScottishHighlands#birthoftwins @bookouture #novelists #familydrama #veterinarian #localpolice

A Very Bookish Murder is the third installment of the Ally McKinley series from Dee MacDonald and it is the quintessential cosy mystery novel.

The story goes like this. Ally is retired and has opened a guest house in the small village of Locharran, in the Scottish Highlands.

Her guests for the week are a group of would-be writers, all attending a retreat hosted by the famous, and, as it turns out, rather divisive, novelist Jodi Jones.

But before the ink has dried on the first workshop notes, Jodi is found strangled in the ladies’ bathroom.

At least seven of the attendees, four of whom are staying with Ally, could be the culprit.

But, it transpires that there were more than a few people with axes to grind against the late Jodi Jones, so who had the strongest motive and who would go so far as to kill her?

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As cosy mysteries go, this is an easy breezy treat. The stage is set, we have our suspects, our amateur sleuth, and plenty of clues along the way to figure out whodunnit.

On the one hand, that's great and exactly what I love; on the other, though, it was a little too easy to unravel, and by three-quarters of the way through, the suspect was very obvious.

That, and as lovely as Ally is, it's also quite incredible that as she whittled down the suspects, it was clear that any of the four in her guesthouse could be a murderer, and it didn't seem to bother her one bit.

So while I thoroughly enjoyed the book for what it is, a fun cosy mystery, the ease with which you can guess the 'who' in the whodunit let it down just a smidge.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "A Very Bookish Murder" in exchange for my honest opinion.

A book by Dee MacDonald is always a winner. Whether it is the Kate Palmer series or the new Ally McKinley series, you know it will be well researched, well thought out, the characters engaging and the plots believable. This is the third book in the Ally McKinley series and it just keeps getting better and more interesting as we learn more and more about the characters. I read this book in one sitting.

As we know from the previous books Ally has moved to Locharran, Scotland from Edinburgh much to the annoyance of her adult children Jamie and Carol who we learned in the first book ridiculed her decision at 66 to buy an old malthouse and convert it into a charming B&B.

Ally is in a wonderful relationship with Ross Patterson the retired vet whom she met when her puppy Flora needed her shots. She has fit in well and has made good friends that she can count on. People like Earl Hamish Sinclair who owns pretty much everything and his new wife Magda. Desdemona Morton has booked a group of authors in a Literary Ladies Writing group on a retreat. Five of the ladies are staying at the B&B - Penelope Fortescue-Rawlins, Brigitte Atkins, Millie Day, Joyce Williams and the guest of honour Jodi Jones a published author.

At the first meeting Jodi is accused of plagiarism by one of the authors. When one person fails to return at the end of the break, Ally goes looking for her and as it's becoming habit - she finds a body. DI Bob Rigby relocated to the Scottish Highlands from Birmingham when his wife insisted that "nothing much happens up there" - and boy was she wrong. When Rigby suffers a heart attack and is helicoptered to Glasgow we meet DI Amir Kandahar who like Rigby trusts Ally instincts and consults with her.

Ally's children are perhaps my least favourite characters because they are trying to force her back to "civilization" every time that something bad happens in the village. They want her to move back and live in a lovely "spare room" and they've given permission for her to bring Ross as well.

There are great twists and turns in this story. Some shocking revelations. Family secrets. I certainly can't wait for the next book to see what Ally gets involved with next.

"A Very Bookish Murder” the 3rd instalment in An Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald set in the in the quaint village of Loccharran, Scotland. In this instalment, Ally welcomes a group of writers to her B&B for a writers retreat, but their literary pursuits are cut short when one of their own becomes a murder victim. Can Ally unravel the clues and solve the mystery before she’s written out of the story for good?

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Annie did..
Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters.

I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment to see how the series evolves. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, Scottish settings, or amateur sleuths, this book is a great choice.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ally McKinley is back to find another body. A novel is found strangled in the bathroom at a writers retreat and of course it is Ally who finds her.a fun cozy mystery in the Scottish Highlands and Ally must find out what really happened.

A Very Bookish Murder is the third in the Ally McKinley Mystery series. This time we join Ally when she is playing host at her B and B to a group of writers who are all in the area for a course. Unfortunately, as seems to happen when Ally is around, one of their number falls victim to murder.
I have to admit that this time, I completely failed to spot the murderer. There were plenty of clues and hints that all made sense when it came to the big reveal. However, I didn't make the connection as the story unfolded. Ally, at least was on the ball and although her hidden mystery solving board on the back of a painting didn't quite get her the right result, she was able to put together all of the other clues better than I was.
Fortunately, my enjoyment of the story was in no way diminished by my inability to solve it. I'm really enjoying this series and I am looking forward to finding out what murder Ally manages to find herself in the middle of next time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

A Very Bookish Murder, is the third installment of the Alley McKinley cozy mystery series by Dee McDonald after the incident with the walking group Ally finally opens up the Malt B&B in Locharran, Scotland. this time instead of those on holiday or a walking group she opens up and rents to a riders group at the request of one of her new friends Destamona. One of those staying with Allie is Jodie Jones a famous author along with four other women in the writers group. They all insist Ally accompanied them to the Craigmonie hotel. this is where the amateur sleuth finds her first body and it is the author Jodie Jones and it is right after a woman from Ireland accuses Jodie of committing plagiarism. Although it looks easily solvable Alley will find herself in a very deep seated revenge plot that isn’t so easy to solve., soon after calling 999, a helicopter comes in only to determine it is too late for poor Jody but it is right on time for detective Rigby because right after getting to the hotel he suffers a heart attack. Thanks to Alley‘s quit thinking she stopped the helicopter from leaving and saved Rigby‘s life but what he reveals to her when she visits him at the hospital, what he says makes the case that much more personal. she also learns how much detective inspector Rigby really thinks of her sleuthing abilities. this is how she comes to know DI Amir and she will definitely need his help because Jody is far from the only murder victim. I love this cozy mystery series I love that alley although soon reaching her 70s is a woman on the move and an every day person you could really see yourself being friends with. These books are not only funny but intelligently done and ones I cannot wait for the next installment of. I can honestly say these are among my favorite cozy mysteries. #NetGalley, #Bookouture,#TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #DeeMcDonald, #AVeryBookishMurder,

Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Okay so from time to time I like to read a mystery book and this one was so good because, yeah there was a murderer but there was more than that. So I don't want to spoil anything but if you are going on a vacation and you have a little bit of time, please read this book I'm telling you it's good.

3.25 stars! A fun and cozy read. Perfect for the rainy day!

We follow Ally, a B&B host in the third installment of a murder mystery series. This one centers around a famous writer hosting an event with a seeming eclectic range of women in attendance. The writer is murdered right at the beginning of the event, and poor Ally is smack dab in the middle as she hosts some of the potential murder suspects in her own home! Ally then must navigate the balance between being a good hostess and trying to help the local investigator uncover which of these seemingly unlikely ladies is the murderer.

The writing and plot are straightforward and easy to read. The characters are interesting but given the length of the book, we don’t get to see too much about them. I was able to predict the killer about halfway through, which is exciting. Overall, I’d recommend this book if you are interested in cozy mysteries set in a charming environment! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.