My review as posted on Goodreads:
This is a murder mystery which is set in the 1950s in London and the Scottish Highlands. It is fairly typical of the genre. At times I was reminded of the novels of Agatha Christie and John Buchan.

The book and its setting in time and place seem to be well researched, with reference to real events. I like this in a story of this type because it helps to add credibility.

The plot and the characters are well crafted. As the scene moves to a castle on the shores of a Scottish Loch, I felt that I was part of a game of Cleudo. As the weather closes in and the telephone lines fail...I must stop there for fear of spoiling the story.

I liked the quality of the dialogue which captured the era. There were also enough red herrings to make the arrival at the final reveal worth the wait.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Severn House for the chance to read and review this book.

Murder at the Loch reminds readers why Manor house mysteries have always been a popular sub-genre of mysteries. This interesting mystery pits crime writer David Langham and his good friend Ralph Ryland, a private eye, against a possible killer. When their good friend and former commander, Major Cartwright, requests their assistance, the duo travel to the Scottish Highlands. It appears that someone may wish to kill Major Cartwright or the Dutch engineer assisting him in the recovery of a German airplane that crashed into the loch 10 years before. An eclectic assortment of guests are currently staying at the manor, but while any would have opportunity motives are difficult to discern. But their arrival does not prevent a murder from taking place, and a sudden winter storm isolates the manor. With the phones out of commission and snow blocking the roads, the Langham and Ryland must rely on their wits to discover a cold and calculating killer.

It is easy to like Langham and his fiancé, as well as Ryland and the other characters who play a central role in this series. I look forward to reading other novels in which they play a greater role. Admittedly, Murder at the Loch is the first of Eric Brown's books that I have read, but I have high hopes that his other novels are just as good. With an engaging set of central characters, and an entertaining plot, Murder at the Loch is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a classic British mystery.

4/5

I received a copy of Murder at the Loch from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Cittermom
(7/12/16)