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Death in a Shetland Lane
'This series is a must-read for anyone who loves the sea, or islands, or joyous, intricate story-telling.' ANN CLEEVES
Days before the final Shetland fire festival, in broad daylight, a glamorous young singer tumbles down a flight of steps. Though it seems a tragic accident, sailing sleuth Cass Lynch, a witness at the scene, thought it looked like Chloe sleepwalked to her death.
But young women don't slumber while laughing and strolling with friends. Could it be that someone's cast a spell from the Book of the Black Arts, recently stolen from a Yell graveyard?
A web of tensions between the victim and those who knew her confirm that something more deadly than black magic is at work. But proving what, or who, could be lethal - and until the mystery is solved, innocent people will remain in terrible danger...
Days before the final Shetland fire festival, in broad daylight, a glamorous young singer tumbles down a flight of steps. Though it seems a tragic accident, sailing sleuth Cass Lynch, a witness at the scene, thought it looked like Chloe sleepwalked to her death.
But young women don't slumber while laughing and strolling with friends. Could it be that someone's cast a spell from the Book of the Black Arts, recently stolen from a Yell graveyard?
A web of tensions between the victim and those who knew her confirm that something more deadly than black magic is at work. But proving what, or who, could be lethal - and until the mystery is solved, innocent people will remain in terrible danger...
- GenresMystery
Paperback
Published April 9, 2024
18 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Marsali Taylor
39 books175 followersMarsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland’s scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland’s distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 2, 2023
I’ve enjoyed all of the Shetland sailing mysteries and this one was no exception! Another good crime mystery, well-written and researched, and with beautiful descriptions of Shetland. I love it when a book has me interested enough to be looking things up on the internet to find out more! I hope the author writes more - I shall miss Cass, Gavin and the cats.
May 11, 2023
Sailor Cass Lynch is back from a long spell away and preparing her own small craft for the sea. There’s lots to learn about her, her neighbours, her cats, the locals and their passions. Then, of course, there’s her passion for the copper in a kilt, DI Gavin Macrae. There are also her cats, Cat and Kitten, who apparently love sailing and even have their own little life jackets. It’s all very cute.
As the chance of one marriage reconciliation arrives, so does the chance for fame, and there’s nothing more dangerous than a woman who’ll do anything for recognition or to take another woman’s man. When the man is question is also a seeming money grabber, and the chase of fame is more about looks than talent, it can get nasty. So, there are lots of reasons and plenty of suspects when this young femme fatale is the one who ends up dead.
Marsali uses local legends and a touch of the supernatural to bring the story to life of make everyone feel and seem a bit guilty, and to let them slip on a red herring or two. It’s a well-crafted storyline that keeps going through the pages of the book and resolves very satisfactorily.
There is a lot of local dialect used in the book. It illustrates the people and their way of life, the differences of living in Shetland to anywhere else. If a reader is uncertain about the pronunciation or meaning, there is a very useful guide in the back, which I wish I’d found sooner. This use of language is the perfect support to the wonderful sense of place that Marsali puts on the page. The descriptions were enough to paint the picture, I felt like I understood and could almost see the landscape and the architecture these characters walked amongst.
This volume is the first of the Shetland series I have actually read, and it’s book 11. There is enough of the characters pasts that I don’t think I missed anything by coming in part way through the series, but there might be things that a reader of the full series would understand better than I do. For example, I’m not sure how or why Cass and Gavin got together, and I couldn’t quite get to grips with his characters in some respects. But I don’t think it detracted too much.
What I did find distracting was the tide times and the quotes that head many of the chapters. While I understand that these would be hugely important for Cass and her sailing, they didn’t do anything to help the story. While I do sail (yes, I am even RYA qualified) I came to this book as a crime reader and I wanted to get on with the story, so it didn’t take long to start skipping those bits, though having them on the page was distracting for the eye and did tend to put me off the reading. The only criticism I have of this book are this and the slow start. Yes, lots of it was build-up and scene setting, introducing the players, but honestly, I prefer a faster pace into the story. This is a personal preference, and I know lots of people who would totally disagree with what I just said.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I think I would. I’d have to recommend that you are a lover of reading about sailing as well as reading about crime, so there are very few of my immediate circle I would recommend this to, but if you like sailing, or you like the Ann Cleeves “Shetland” series, this is definitely a good alternative that you may well enjoy. And I have to admit, I’m kind of tempted to go back and read book one of the series to know Cass and Gavin better, which means this book definitely has something worthwhile to it.
As the chance of one marriage reconciliation arrives, so does the chance for fame, and there’s nothing more dangerous than a woman who’ll do anything for recognition or to take another woman’s man. When the man is question is also a seeming money grabber, and the chase of fame is more about looks than talent, it can get nasty. So, there are lots of reasons and plenty of suspects when this young femme fatale is the one who ends up dead.
Marsali uses local legends and a touch of the supernatural to bring the story to life of make everyone feel and seem a bit guilty, and to let them slip on a red herring or two. It’s a well-crafted storyline that keeps going through the pages of the book and resolves very satisfactorily.
There is a lot of local dialect used in the book. It illustrates the people and their way of life, the differences of living in Shetland to anywhere else. If a reader is uncertain about the pronunciation or meaning, there is a very useful guide in the back, which I wish I’d found sooner. This use of language is the perfect support to the wonderful sense of place that Marsali puts on the page. The descriptions were enough to paint the picture, I felt like I understood and could almost see the landscape and the architecture these characters walked amongst.
This volume is the first of the Shetland series I have actually read, and it’s book 11. There is enough of the characters pasts that I don’t think I missed anything by coming in part way through the series, but there might be things that a reader of the full series would understand better than I do. For example, I’m not sure how or why Cass and Gavin got together, and I couldn’t quite get to grips with his characters in some respects. But I don’t think it detracted too much.
What I did find distracting was the tide times and the quotes that head many of the chapters. While I understand that these would be hugely important for Cass and her sailing, they didn’t do anything to help the story. While I do sail (yes, I am even RYA qualified) I came to this book as a crime reader and I wanted to get on with the story, so it didn’t take long to start skipping those bits, though having them on the page was distracting for the eye and did tend to put me off the reading. The only criticism I have of this book are this and the slow start. Yes, lots of it was build-up and scene setting, introducing the players, but honestly, I prefer a faster pace into the story. This is a personal preference, and I know lots of people who would totally disagree with what I just said.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I think I would. I’d have to recommend that you are a lover of reading about sailing as well as reading about crime, so there are very few of my immediate circle I would recommend this to, but if you like sailing, or you like the Ann Cleeves “Shetland” series, this is definitely a good alternative that you may well enjoy. And I have to admit, I’m kind of tempted to go back and read book one of the series to know Cass and Gavin better, which means this book definitely has something worthwhile to it.
June 10, 2023
Shetland's favourite sailing sleuth Cass Lynch is home on leave from the training ship Sørlandet, starting to settle down to life on land with her partner DI Gavin Macrae. Spring is on the way, and Cass’s first task is giving her beloved yacht Khalida a spring-clean and getting ready for the sailing season.
But as Cass’s many loyal fans have come to expect, her life is never that simple. And sure enough, our heroine is making her way through Lerwick’s picturesque streets when the body of a young woman tumbles down a flight of steps and lands at her feet. Cass is a qualified first aider, and a member of the party the woman was with is a nurse, but their best efforts are to no avail. What’s more, it soon becomes clear her fall was no accident. Once again there’s a murderer loose in Shetland.
Trouble seems to dog Cass’s footsteps, and between musical ambitions, tensions among the victim’s friends and the rediscovery of an ancient Book of the Black Arts, she soon finds herself embroiled whether or not she wants to be. And this time she really doesn’t. She has enough on her plate with Khalida, her driving theory test which involves an overnight sail to another island (not that Cass ever turns down an excuse to sail) and a lot of soul-searching about her future with Gavin: is she prepared to abandon the sea and settle for a domestic life in order to ensure he stays around?
Cass is surrounded as always by a wealth of interesting characters, all putting pressure on her one way or another. Her parents pull in opposite directions regarding her relationship with Gavin. The murder victim’s friends want to confide in her. Other people, aware that she lives with the local police chief, are keen to convince her of their innocence. Gavin shows how glad he is to have Cass at home, and that’s the biggest pressure of all.
Shetland itself has a part to play. There’s Up Helly Aa, the winter fire festival in all its rumbustious glory, complete with the noisy and colourful entertainment and dancing which follow the parade. There’s the island of Yell, with its own unique personality and dialect. And there’s the marina at Brae, scene not only of Cass’s labours on her yacht, but also of friction around fishing rights and the raising of a boat which has been sunk: whether by accident or from malice is one of the mysteries to be solved.
Will Cass, Gavin and Sergeant Freya Petersen solve the murders (yes, there’s more than one) before it all backfires on Cass? Will she pass her driving theory test? And most important of all, will she find a compromise which will allow her to indulge her passion for the sea without compromising her relationship with Gavin? No spoilers here – you’ll have to read the book and see. In fact, why not read it anyway, and the previous ones in the series? You won’t regret it.
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Reviewer: Lynne Patrick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
But as Cass’s many loyal fans have come to expect, her life is never that simple. And sure enough, our heroine is making her way through Lerwick’s picturesque streets when the body of a young woman tumbles down a flight of steps and lands at her feet. Cass is a qualified first aider, and a member of the party the woman was with is a nurse, but their best efforts are to no avail. What’s more, it soon becomes clear her fall was no accident. Once again there’s a murderer loose in Shetland.
Trouble seems to dog Cass’s footsteps, and between musical ambitions, tensions among the victim’s friends and the rediscovery of an ancient Book of the Black Arts, she soon finds herself embroiled whether or not she wants to be. And this time she really doesn’t. She has enough on her plate with Khalida, her driving theory test which involves an overnight sail to another island (not that Cass ever turns down an excuse to sail) and a lot of soul-searching about her future with Gavin: is she prepared to abandon the sea and settle for a domestic life in order to ensure he stays around?
Cass is surrounded as always by a wealth of interesting characters, all putting pressure on her one way or another. Her parents pull in opposite directions regarding her relationship with Gavin. The murder victim’s friends want to confide in her. Other people, aware that she lives with the local police chief, are keen to convince her of their innocence. Gavin shows how glad he is to have Cass at home, and that’s the biggest pressure of all.
Shetland itself has a part to play. There’s Up Helly Aa, the winter fire festival in all its rumbustious glory, complete with the noisy and colourful entertainment and dancing which follow the parade. There’s the island of Yell, with its own unique personality and dialect. And there’s the marina at Brae, scene not only of Cass’s labours on her yacht, but also of friction around fishing rights and the raising of a boat which has been sunk: whether by accident or from malice is one of the mysteries to be solved.
Will Cass, Gavin and Sergeant Freya Petersen solve the murders (yes, there’s more than one) before it all backfires on Cass? Will she pass her driving theory test? And most important of all, will she find a compromise which will allow her to indulge her passion for the sea without compromising her relationship with Gavin? No spoilers here – you’ll have to read the book and see. In fact, why not read it anyway, and the previous ones in the series? You won’t regret it.
------
Reviewer: Lynne Patrick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
May 9, 2023
I first discovered Marsali’s amazing books last year and I really enjoyed the ones that I have read. ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ is the eleventh book in the series. Much to my shame I haven’t read all of the books in the series yet but after reading ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ and reminding myself how enjoyable her books are, I can guarantee that by the end of the year I will be fully up to date. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ but more about that in a bit.
It took me a little while to get into ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ but that has more to do with the fact that I was tired and finding it hard to concentrate when I started to read than anything else. After a chapter or two, I found myself being drawn into the story and from then on, I found it difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. I had my own theories as to how the story was going to develop and who was guilty of the murder so of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered off in the wrong direction. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’. I found ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ is extremely well written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Marsali Taylor. Marsali certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proved to be one heck of a story. Marsali brings the Shetland Isles to life through her very realistic and vivid descriptions. She describes the Shetland Isles so vividly that inviting that I was all set to pack a suitcase and go for a holiday. Reading ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twist and turns along the way. I love the way in which Marsali makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Marsali’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It took me a little while to get into ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ but that has more to do with the fact that I was tired and finding it hard to concentrate when I started to read than anything else. After a chapter or two, I found myself being drawn into the story and from then on, I found it difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. I had my own theories as to how the story was going to develop and who was guilty of the murder so of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered off in the wrong direction. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’. I found ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ is extremely well written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Marsali Taylor. Marsali certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proved to be one heck of a story. Marsali brings the Shetland Isles to life through her very realistic and vivid descriptions. She describes the Shetland Isles so vividly that inviting that I was all set to pack a suitcase and go for a holiday. Reading ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twist and turns along the way. I love the way in which Marsali makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Death In A Shetland Lane’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Marsali’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 19, 2025
Another brilliant murder mystery set in Shetland and starring sleuth and sailor Cass Lynch.
Shortly after her band's triumphs in the Shetland heats of a national talent show, the gorgeous backing singer falls to her death. But was she pushed? And has this anything to do with the singer's boyfriend, accused of scuttling a rival's fishing boat, or a recently exhumed Book of the Black Arts?
As ever, Cass is on the spot. The usual characters are all here: Gavin the policeman boyfriend, Cat and the newly pregnant Kitten, Maman and Magnie and Peerie Charlie. And behind the investigation lies all the everyday life of Shetland and the big question: can Cass settle down with Gavin for a life on shore or is their love doomed?
The joy of this beautifully written series is the feeling of verisimilitude. Whether Cass is performing CPR, sailing with killer whales, playing with a four-year-old or helping at a food bank, this author takes the time and trouble to make me feel part of the Shetland community. As always there is the dialect, carefully crafted so that even a soothmoother like myself can understand what the locals are saying (and there's a glossary in case I struggle). This is so much more than a murder mystery: it is a welcome to another world.
Shortly after her band's triumphs in the Shetland heats of a national talent show, the gorgeous backing singer falls to her death. But was she pushed? And has this anything to do with the singer's boyfriend, accused of scuttling a rival's fishing boat, or a recently exhumed Book of the Black Arts?
As ever, Cass is on the spot. The usual characters are all here: Gavin the policeman boyfriend, Cat and the newly pregnant Kitten, Maman and Magnie and Peerie Charlie. And behind the investigation lies all the everyday life of Shetland and the big question: can Cass settle down with Gavin for a life on shore or is their love doomed?
The joy of this beautifully written series is the feeling of verisimilitude. Whether Cass is performing CPR, sailing with killer whales, playing with a four-year-old or helping at a food bank, this author takes the time and trouble to make me feel part of the Shetland community. As always there is the dialect, carefully crafted so that even a soothmoother like myself can understand what the locals are saying (and there's a glossary in case I struggle). This is so much more than a murder mystery: it is a welcome to another world.
July 10, 2023
Just want to point out that the ISBN for the book I am reading is for the paperback, not the Kindle edition that Goodreads thinks it is. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could.
I bought this book having recently visited Shetland. I loved the locations that the author describes, many of which I had visited, thus making the book fully alive.
The actual story is OK; a glamorous singer falls in a "closs" in Lerwick (the titular "lane") and dies from the fall. Did she fall or was she pushed? or was it something else? In the meantime, our protagonist, Cass, back from crewing a large training sailing ship, is getting her own boat together for the summer, and readying herself for her (car) driving test. Much of the book is spent on the readying of the boat and the sailing of the boat, which was interesting and different (I haven't read any of the other books in the series, maybe they are repetitive). The book is very up-to-date for 2023, with remarks about benefit cuts in the UK, increases in poverty in Shetland and even orca attacks on boats in the Bay of Biscay.
There is very little actual detection, even though the book could be categorized as a crime story, and even though Cass is partnered romantically with the local Police Inspector. The solution to the crime comes suddenly with little legwork on behalf of the police.
The book is not like Ann Cleeves' Shetland series in that it follows a civilian rather than a detective.
I bought this book having recently visited Shetland. I loved the locations that the author describes, many of which I had visited, thus making the book fully alive.
The actual story is OK; a glamorous singer falls in a "closs" in Lerwick (the titular "lane") and dies from the fall. Did she fall or was she pushed? or was it something else? In the meantime, our protagonist, Cass, back from crewing a large training sailing ship, is getting her own boat together for the summer, and readying herself for her (car) driving test. Much of the book is spent on the readying of the boat and the sailing of the boat, which was interesting and different (I haven't read any of the other books in the series, maybe they are repetitive). The book is very up-to-date for 2023, with remarks about benefit cuts in the UK, increases in poverty in Shetland and even orca attacks on boats in the Bay of Biscay.
There is very little actual detection, even though the book could be categorized as a crime story, and even though Cass is partnered romantically with the local Police Inspector. The solution to the crime comes suddenly with little legwork on behalf of the police.
The book is not like Ann Cleeves' Shetland series in that it follows a civilian rather than a detective.
April 5, 2023
I always love a book by Marsali Taylor and this one is a delight. It's always a treat to hang out with Cassandre and her crew (and I end up feeling infinitely more sea-worthy than when I started out!).
Her books, as well as being fabulous yarns, bring the reader close to nature which these days particularly, is a balm for the soul. I love the lyrical prose and the weaving in of the Shetland Proverbs and Sayings. "Der aetin der ain ten fingers" was my favourite!
I really enjoyed the assembled cast and Taylor keeps us guessing right till the end. The Book o' the Black Arts added a creepy and convincing touch of the occult and of needless to say, I always love the cats!
A great story, with lots of real-life dramas and twists and turns and an ending that has us looking forward to the next book in the series.
Her books, as well as being fabulous yarns, bring the reader close to nature which these days particularly, is a balm for the soul. I love the lyrical prose and the weaving in of the Shetland Proverbs and Sayings. "Der aetin der ain ten fingers" was my favourite!
I really enjoyed the assembled cast and Taylor keeps us guessing right till the end. The Book o' the Black Arts added a creepy and convincing touch of the occult and of needless to say, I always love the cats!
A great story, with lots of real-life dramas and twists and turns and an ending that has us looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 2, 2023
This is the first of Marsali's Shetland sailing series books I've read. I found it an enjoyable read with great characters - especially Cass and Gavin.
The storyline with the two murders is more cozy mystery than crime, in my opinion. It was an easy read with enough twists and turns to keep me turning the virtual pages. I'll have to read the earlier books in the series.
The storyline with the two murders is more cozy mystery than crime, in my opinion. It was an easy read with enough twists and turns to keep me turning the virtual pages. I'll have to read the earlier books in the series.
July 26, 2024
Another great read in this series, always sad to reach the end as just want more! Believable plot with enough fantasy to titillate and create suspense. Have to wait for the next one now to see how Cass and Gavin progress.
February 4, 2025
If you’re in anything nautical 🌊⚓️🐳 then this is definitely for you! The 11th in a series but can be read alone. a really good crime mystery and very well written, very intricate in places.
Cass has returned to a small Shetland island after a long sail and is looking forward to seeing Gavin and the cats 🐈 whilst she’s back, she witnesses the fall and death of a local up and coming singer, except something about the fall doesn’t feel right…
There’s lots of local dialect in this book and it’s nice to have the author explain about the local traditions 🙂
🧡🫶🏻📚
Cass has returned to a small Shetland island after a long sail and is looking forward to seeing Gavin and the cats 🐈 whilst she’s back, she witnesses the fall and death of a local up and coming singer, except something about the fall doesn’t feel right…
There’s lots of local dialect in this book and it’s nice to have the author explain about the local traditions 🙂
🧡🫶🏻📚
March 30, 2025
Drones on about sailing details and what the protagonist is eating, all irrelevant to the so-called murder mystery. Which eventually gets solved, unconvincingly. If you love sailing or Shetland or unneutered cats, you might enjoy it.
April 24, 2023
Not as good as some of the earlier works.
May 19, 2023
I really like this series. All the complimentary comments I've made about the other novels in the series hold true here. Please keep writing, Ms. Taylor!
September 18, 2023
I now know far more than I want to about sailing and customs of Shetland!! I did find this slow going and it wasn't really what I was expecting but a well written book nonetheless
May 4, 2025
I've been eagerly awaiting this book since I finished the last one in the series, and it didn't disappoint. Cass and Gavin are such well-rounded, believable and likeable characters that it's almost painful to realise they don't exist in 'real life'. As always, Taylor manages to weave information about the history and wildlife of Shetland and some of the issues facing its inhabitants into the story without spoiling the flow or coming across as lecturing. So I finish the book feeling educated as well as entertained!
The mystery was well plotted and I didn't guess the villain until very near the end.
If you like murder mysteries that are not too gory, that have realistic characters, some engaging animals and a good chunk of beautiful Scottish scenery and sailing, I can't recommend this series highly enough. When's the next one?
The mystery was well plotted and I didn't guess the villain until very near the end.
If you like murder mysteries that are not too gory, that have realistic characters, some engaging animals and a good chunk of beautiful Scottish scenery and sailing, I can't recommend this series highly enough. When's the next one?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews