What do you think?
Rate this book
Death at a Shetland Festival
'This series is a must-read for anyone who loves the sea, or islands, or joyous, intricate story-telling.' ANN CLEEVESCrowds are gathered for a concert at Shetland's renowned folk music festival when there's a shocking discovery - international folk legend Fintan Foley has been stabbed backstage. Sailing sleuth Cass Lynch and her partner DI Gavin Macrae are in the audience and must untangle a complicated case where nothing is quite what it seems. Cass soon discovers that Foley's smiling stage persona concealed links with Shetland. He'd worked here in the 80s, the days when oil brought wealth to the islands.Has a long-buried secret risen to the surface - and will it make Cass a target for a cold-blooded killer?Atmospheric and gripping, Death at a Shetland Festival is the latest instalment in the much-loved Shetland Mystery series by Marsali Taylor. Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.
- GenresMystery
352 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2025
About the author
Marsali Taylor
40 books184 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 14, 2025
Really enjoyed this book nice learning about Shetland
January 17, 2025
This was a book with a really good plot and even although I worked most of it it out, I still had to read the second narrative to work out the why. The narrative was split and that made the past easier to picture for the reader. The narrative from Cass's point of view was full of wonderful descriptions of Shetland.
I sometimes felt that the description of both the island and likewise the sailing was a a bit too much. The Shetland tourist industry must love these books though, as even I was interested enough in some of the places mentioned to look them up!
The novel was long to read, but enjoyable with a plot that someone my age could relate to. However, not sure that younger readers would get it.
I sometimes felt that the description of both the island and likewise the sailing was a a bit too much. The Shetland tourist industry must love these books though, as even I was interested enough in some of the places mentioned to look them up!
The novel was long to read, but enjoyable with a plot that someone my age could relate to. However, not sure that younger readers would get it.
June 28, 2024
Marsali Taylor’s Shetland has become another of the world’s beautiful but dangerous places, and it comes to life in a big way in the latest outing for her shrewd sailing sleuth Cass Lynch. One of the most prominent events of the year is about to get under way when the book begins: the Shetland Folk Festival, a huge and joyous jamboree which welcomes performers of traditional music from all over the world at a series of sell-out concerts at various locations on the islands.
Cass and her policeman partner Gavin Macrae have tickets for the first concert – and since murder seems to dog Cass’s footsteps, it comes as no surprise when the body of one of the artistes is found in a pool of blood at the back of the venue. The artiste is Fintan Foyle, a famous Irish Canadian singer who has come to the Shetland event as part of a world tour.
The local police are on the spot to do the initial groundwork, but because of the victim’s fame, a major investigation team flies in from the mainland, and Gavin finds himself well and truly sidelined. Fortunately, the incomers involve local sergeant Freya Peterson in a minor role; she is as annoyed as Gavin to be pushed out, and keeps him and Cass informed.
Meanwhile, Cass has another mystery to solve. A diary dating back to the 1980s has turned up in a box of books donated to a parish sale, and she sets about identifying the owner so it can be returned. She resists the temptation to read it, but Marsali Taylor takes pity on the reader and offers enough taster chunks to reveal how this story strand links to the murder.
Naturally, the major investigation team go off down blind alleys, and it’s the Shetland contingent who solve both the murder and the mystery of the diary. Along the way there are plenty of twists, turns and crossed wires, with Taylor’s trademark cast of interesting characters, including a host of different folk musicians, and a group of women with a common history of jobs at the workers’ camp when the Sullom Voe oil terminal was under construction forty years ago. She brings to life the boisterous final night of the folk festival and explores the subtle undercurrents and emotions of the relationships between the artistes and the locals. And as well as preparing for one more tour of duty on board the longship Sørlandet before settling down to domestic life with Gavin, Cass gets to go sailing in her yacht Khalida, another trademark of this engaging series.
Not for the first time, Marsali Taylor has ticked all the boxes: familiar characters to enjoy, and new ones to warm to (or not, as the case may be); a generous helping of Shetland landscape and everyday life; a nicely convoluted mystery; and as a bonus, a slice of recent island history to explore. Long may murder continue to follow Cass Lynch around her beloved Shetland!
------
Reviewer: Lynne Patrick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Cass and her policeman partner Gavin Macrae have tickets for the first concert – and since murder seems to dog Cass’s footsteps, it comes as no surprise when the body of one of the artistes is found in a pool of blood at the back of the venue. The artiste is Fintan Foyle, a famous Irish Canadian singer who has come to the Shetland event as part of a world tour.
The local police are on the spot to do the initial groundwork, but because of the victim’s fame, a major investigation team flies in from the mainland, and Gavin finds himself well and truly sidelined. Fortunately, the incomers involve local sergeant Freya Peterson in a minor role; she is as annoyed as Gavin to be pushed out, and keeps him and Cass informed.
Meanwhile, Cass has another mystery to solve. A diary dating back to the 1980s has turned up in a box of books donated to a parish sale, and she sets about identifying the owner so it can be returned. She resists the temptation to read it, but Marsali Taylor takes pity on the reader and offers enough taster chunks to reveal how this story strand links to the murder.
Naturally, the major investigation team go off down blind alleys, and it’s the Shetland contingent who solve both the murder and the mystery of the diary. Along the way there are plenty of twists, turns and crossed wires, with Taylor’s trademark cast of interesting characters, including a host of different folk musicians, and a group of women with a common history of jobs at the workers’ camp when the Sullom Voe oil terminal was under construction forty years ago. She brings to life the boisterous final night of the folk festival and explores the subtle undercurrents and emotions of the relationships between the artistes and the locals. And as well as preparing for one more tour of duty on board the longship Sørlandet before settling down to domestic life with Gavin, Cass gets to go sailing in her yacht Khalida, another trademark of this engaging series.
Not for the first time, Marsali Taylor has ticked all the boxes: familiar characters to enjoy, and new ones to warm to (or not, as the case may be); a generous helping of Shetland landscape and everyday life; a nicely convoluted mystery; and as a bonus, a slice of recent island history to explore. Long may murder continue to follow Cass Lynch around her beloved Shetland!
------
Reviewer: Lynne Patrick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
April 3, 2024
This is the latest in Marsali Taylor's Shetland based crime series that I particularly enjoy due to the atmospheric Scottish island location surrounded by the seas, featuring amateur sleuth and sailor Cass Lynch, in a relationship with DI Gavin Macrae, living in their home by the sea, with her yacht Khalida, with their trio of cats. The author uses an actual folk festival which inspires this mystery, in which famous Irish folk singer, now living in Canada with his children, Fintan Foley, is performing with others. Attending the festival, in which a Canadian group includes his cousin Will who could be his twin, are Gavin, and Cass, blown away by the opening act of talented fiddler, Ethan, accompanied by his mother, Debs.
Chaos ensues when Kay Baker bursts into the hall, covered in blood after coming across Foley's murdered body in the dark. Gavin immediately takes charge, cordoning off the crime scene, and organising the relevant interviews. However, he is taken off the case with his personal connection to Will, leaving him angry and frustrated, an outside MIT comes in, although DS Freya Peterson remains, giving him the inside track on the case. In the meantime, Cass has come across a diary, partially filled with entries from 1981, and a photograph, at a church sale, she is intent on finding the owner of the journal with the aim of returning it to them. In 1981, thousands of men were brought in and resided in a workers' camp, building the Sullum Voe oil terminal, with locals primarily employed in the lower paid catering and cleaning services..
With the dual timelines from 1981 and the present, the connections begin to slowly emerge. This is an intricate and complex murder mystery, well plotted, that had me completely engrossed with its surprising twists and turns until the shocking truth is laid bare. Cass could hardly have imagined the danger she is to find herself in. This is a wonderful addition to what is a compulsive series that is informative on local culture, language and dialect, and with a established cast of characters that I am always delighted to catch up with, such a Cassie's friend, Magnie. I recommend this to readers interested in the Shetlands in all its glory, its history and people. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Chaos ensues when Kay Baker bursts into the hall, covered in blood after coming across Foley's murdered body in the dark. Gavin immediately takes charge, cordoning off the crime scene, and organising the relevant interviews. However, he is taken off the case with his personal connection to Will, leaving him angry and frustrated, an outside MIT comes in, although DS Freya Peterson remains, giving him the inside track on the case. In the meantime, Cass has come across a diary, partially filled with entries from 1981, and a photograph, at a church sale, she is intent on finding the owner of the journal with the aim of returning it to them. In 1981, thousands of men were brought in and resided in a workers' camp, building the Sullum Voe oil terminal, with locals primarily employed in the lower paid catering and cleaning services..
With the dual timelines from 1981 and the present, the connections begin to slowly emerge. This is an intricate and complex murder mystery, well plotted, that had me completely engrossed with its surprising twists and turns until the shocking truth is laid bare. Cass could hardly have imagined the danger she is to find herself in. This is a wonderful addition to what is a compulsive series that is informative on local culture, language and dialect, and with a established cast of characters that I am always delighted to catch up with, such a Cassie's friend, Magnie. I recommend this to readers interested in the Shetlands in all its glory, its history and people. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
May 19, 2024
When Cass discovers a teenager’s diary from the 1980s while sorting through books for a church jumble sale and tries to return it to its owner, she has no idea that she is getting involved in a tragic chain of events that will lead to murder. The account of Cass’s present-day adventures is interspersed with extracts from the diary. Since the mystery is set in and around Shetland’s famous folk music festival, each section of the book is headed with the title of a Shetland song which is relevant to what we are about to read.
There is much less sailing in this latest book, since Cass is on shore leave before her final voyage in Sørlandet. While I missed the sailing, I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time in Cass’s home community and learning about the croft where she and Gavin now live. I also really felt for Cass as she feels torn between her nomadic life aboard Sørlandet and the more settled, Shetland-based life she is about to start. Many of us know what it is like to want to live two separate lives at once, but it’s not something that is often portrayed realistically in a novel.
I did work out the killer quite a bit before Cass does, but I don’t feel this detracts from the story in any way. The real strength of Taylor’s writing is in her realistic portrayal of Shetland and the characters she creates. I’m visiting Shetland next year, and I have to keep reminding myself that I won’t bump into Cass and Gavin and their friends because they don’t exist outside of the pages of a novel – I can’t think of a better tribute to the quality of the writing than that. (According to the author’s acknowledgements, Cat, Kitten and Julie are based on her own cats, so I can comfort myself that they at least are real!) I understand why some reviewers feel the descriptions are not necessary to the plot, but I actually enjoy the details as I find as much pleasure in reading about Cass's world as I do in watching her solve the mystery.
Recommended for anyone who likes non-gory crime novels with good characterization and sense of place and to anyone who loves Shetland or the sea. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
There is much less sailing in this latest book, since Cass is on shore leave before her final voyage in Sørlandet. While I missed the sailing, I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time in Cass’s home community and learning about the croft where she and Gavin now live. I also really felt for Cass as she feels torn between her nomadic life aboard Sørlandet and the more settled, Shetland-based life she is about to start. Many of us know what it is like to want to live two separate lives at once, but it’s not something that is often portrayed realistically in a novel.
I did work out the killer quite a bit before Cass does, but I don’t feel this detracts from the story in any way. The real strength of Taylor’s writing is in her realistic portrayal of Shetland and the characters she creates. I’m visiting Shetland next year, and I have to keep reminding myself that I won’t bump into Cass and Gavin and their friends because they don’t exist outside of the pages of a novel – I can’t think of a better tribute to the quality of the writing than that. (According to the author’s acknowledgements, Cat, Kitten and Julie are based on her own cats, so I can comfort myself that they at least are real!) I understand why some reviewers feel the descriptions are not necessary to the plot, but I actually enjoy the details as I find as much pleasure in reading about Cass's world as I do in watching her solve the mystery.
Recommended for anyone who likes non-gory crime novels with good characterization and sense of place and to anyone who loves Shetland or the sea. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
April 17, 2024
I have not read previous books in the Shetland Mystery series. I would say however, that this does not detract from the story as it is pretty easy to catch up with the characters. The series centres on professional sailor and amateur sleuth, Cass Lynch who is in a relationship with Detective Inspector Gavin Macrae. The pair attend an annual folk festival on the island. Among the performers are a Canadian group whom Cass knows well and Fintan Foley who is a famous Irish folk singer, now himself based in Canada.
During one of the performances, volunteer Kay Barker runs hysterically into the hall, with her hands covered in blood. She has stumbled over Fintan Foley’s murdered body in the darkness. Gavin Macrae starts to investigate the case, but because he has personal dealings with some suspects, is subsequently removed from the case. Cass, however, has found a diary, with entries from 1981 and a photograph obviously taken in the 80s of three young people. In 80s, the Sullom Voe oil terminal was constructed on Shetland. Thousands of men from all over the UK came to work on the construction and were housed in a worker’s camp on the island. The local Shetland residents, mainly women, were also employed in providing catering, laundry and cleaning services to the workers.
From this point in the book, we continue with dual timelines from 1981 and the present. The plot is complex and intricate, but unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It is very slow-moving and I found myself turning over and skipping pages, certainly for the last two-thirds of the book. I really wanted the writer not to labour over every point and description.
My thanks to NetGalley, Headline Accent and Marsali Taylor for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review
During one of the performances, volunteer Kay Barker runs hysterically into the hall, with her hands covered in blood. She has stumbled over Fintan Foley’s murdered body in the darkness. Gavin Macrae starts to investigate the case, but because he has personal dealings with some suspects, is subsequently removed from the case. Cass, however, has found a diary, with entries from 1981 and a photograph obviously taken in the 80s of three young people. In 80s, the Sullom Voe oil terminal was constructed on Shetland. Thousands of men from all over the UK came to work on the construction and were housed in a worker’s camp on the island. The local Shetland residents, mainly women, were also employed in providing catering, laundry and cleaning services to the workers.
From this point in the book, we continue with dual timelines from 1981 and the present. The plot is complex and intricate, but unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It is very slow-moving and I found myself turning over and skipping pages, certainly for the last two-thirds of the book. I really wanted the writer not to labour over every point and description.
My thanks to NetGalley, Headline Accent and Marsali Taylor for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review
May 13, 2024
A discovery at a church rummage sale leads to a complex case for Cass Lynch and her partner DI Gavin Macrae. A diary had been tossed in with donated books and, after she reads enough to see that it contains personal information, Cass decides to look for the owner. She and Gavin are spending a long weekend attending the Shetland Folk Festival. Headlining the Festival is Fintan Foley, an internationally famous Irish folk singer. He is stabbed to death almost immediately after his performance. As Cass tries to identify the owner of the diary, she finds links between what happened over forty years earlier with the recent murder. She is determined to find the killer before there is another victim.
Although Death at a Shetland Festival is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Descriptions of Festival days alternate with chapters taken from the diary. The murder at the Festival setting is made more difficult to solve by the different memories of witnesses, confused by the crowds and music (look for the illustration of the gorilla in the room). The author of the diary is a tragic figure whose secrets reach into the present. Both plots weave seamlessly together until the final conclusion. Each chapter contains the words and translations of Shetland folk music that adds to the atmosphere. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Headline and Marsali Taylor for this ARC.
Although Death at a Shetland Festival is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Descriptions of Festival days alternate with chapters taken from the diary. The murder at the Festival setting is made more difficult to solve by the different memories of witnesses, confused by the crowds and music (look for the illustration of the gorilla in the room). The author of the diary is a tragic figure whose secrets reach into the present. Both plots weave seamlessly together until the final conclusion. Each chapter contains the words and translations of Shetland folk music that adds to the atmosphere. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Headline and Marsali Taylor for this ARC.
February 22, 2025
When a famous folk musician is stabbed at a folk festival, supersleuth Cass Lynch and Gavin her policeman boyfriend are in the audience. Is the death connected with the diary Cass has found and with the lochside death of a young girl, both of which happened many years ago, when the murder victim was on the island?
This is the twelfth in the Shetland Mysteries starring Cass and Gavin and Cat and Kitten (and now Julie, Kitten's kitten). There is perhaps less sailing this time but the book is still full of the wonder of Shetland. The major change is that we, the reader, get to read extracts from the diary which Cass, full of concern for privacy, doesn't. This means that the reader is a step ahead of Cass and the police; it meant that I worked out whodunnit before they did (for almost the first time in the series). I think I enjoyed it even more because I could spot the tiny clues that Cass didn't spot until later. But I don't read the Shetland Mysteries books in order to solve the crime; they are much better than the run of the mill murder mysteries because I have grown to know the characters and I want to see them develop and I adore the setting and the storytelling is simply superb.
I loved the concept of the gorilla video too. It opens up realms of uncertainty in a murder-mystery. I've seen it before and I reacted just as Cass did.
As usual there are some beautiful descriptions and a nail-biting climax. Another page-turner from Ms Taylor.
This is the twelfth in the Shetland Mysteries starring Cass and Gavin and Cat and Kitten (and now Julie, Kitten's kitten). There is perhaps less sailing this time but the book is still full of the wonder of Shetland. The major change is that we, the reader, get to read extracts from the diary which Cass, full of concern for privacy, doesn't. This means that the reader is a step ahead of Cass and the police; it meant that I worked out whodunnit before they did (for almost the first time in the series). I think I enjoyed it even more because I could spot the tiny clues that Cass didn't spot until later. But I don't read the Shetland Mysteries books in order to solve the crime; they are much better than the run of the mill murder mysteries because I have grown to know the characters and I want to see them develop and I adore the setting and the storytelling is simply superb.
I loved the concept of the gorilla video too. It opens up realms of uncertainty in a murder-mystery. I've seen it before and I reacted just as Cass did.
As usual there are some beautiful descriptions and a nail-biting climax. Another page-turner from Ms Taylor.
March 23, 2024
The story begins at a music festival that is enjoyed by most Shetlanders including Cass and Gavin. Cass is a sailor who is in port for a bit. Gavin is a DI and the person with whom Cass is in a relationship. Together they have a murder to solve…and one with links to the past.
This book moves back and forth between the present and the 80s when oil was being explored and there was a big camp at Sutton Voe. Cass has come into the possession of an old diary from that time and wants to return it to its owner. However, this may not be easy and may also reawaken old tragedy.
In the present, a well-known folk musician has been murdered during the festival. Readers can be pretty certain that this event links with things that happened in the past. Pages will be turned to find out.
Some of the things that I very much enjoyed in this book were the setting, the sailing, the characters, the Scottish words, the evocation of the early 80s and the story itself.
Anyone who has enjoyed crime fiction by Ann Cleeves (Jimmy Perez) and/or Val McDermid (Karen Pirie) should absolutely take a look at this series. I plan to go back to read all of the earlier novels. So glad there are so many of them!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All opinions are my own.
This book moves back and forth between the present and the 80s when oil was being explored and there was a big camp at Sutton Voe. Cass has come into the possession of an old diary from that time and wants to return it to its owner. However, this may not be easy and may also reawaken old tragedy.
In the present, a well-known folk musician has been murdered during the festival. Readers can be pretty certain that this event links with things that happened in the past. Pages will be turned to find out.
Some of the things that I very much enjoyed in this book were the setting, the sailing, the characters, the Scottish words, the evocation of the early 80s and the story itself.
Anyone who has enjoyed crime fiction by Ann Cleeves (Jimmy Perez) and/or Val McDermid (Karen Pirie) should absolutely take a look at this series. I plan to go back to read all of the earlier novels. So glad there are so many of them!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All opinions are my own.
May 12, 2024
I'm always delighted to see that there is a new Cass Lynch book out. I know I am in for a varied read along with a mystery I may or may not solve (usually not!) This one is set during the annual fold festival at the start of May. Cass & partner DI Gavin Macrae are attending a concert at the Hillswick Hall where amongst the acts are friends of Cass from her sailing days & Gavin's cousin. The concert is nearly over when a women burst into the hall covered in blood. She has found a body. The story is told from the present day perspective as well as the crazy days at the start of the oil. A young girl describes in her diary how she worked at the Sullom Voe work camp along with her sister.
The thing I love most about Marsali Taylor's book are the way she combines descriptions of the land & seascape the people & of course the cats! This is woven with the main plot. Living in Shetland it is always good to know exactly where she is talking about. I love dropping in to Cass & Gavin's lives & am always looking forward to the next one Definitely a five star read!
The thing I love most about Marsali Taylor's book are the way she combines descriptions of the land & seascape the people & of course the cats! This is woven with the main plot. Living in Shetland it is always good to know exactly where she is talking about. I love dropping in to Cass & Gavin's lives & am always looking forward to the next one Definitely a five star read!
May 12, 2024
Death At a Shetland festival was the first read by this author. Its apparently part of a series but I had no idea and my reading of it certainly didn't suffer as a result.
The book opens with a music performance and during one of the acts someone comes out screaming covered in blood.
The book then follows the investigation although Gavin Macrae is removed as he's considered too close to the case. Which as you can imagine...goes down well.
The story flicks between the present and the past when the building opens up as a place for the men to gather.
I found this hard going at points due to over description but enjoyed the story overall.
I feel the author could massively improve the pacing of the novel by removing extra details about the music and the instruments.
The setting was stunning and ideal for a crime novel.
The book opens with a music performance and during one of the acts someone comes out screaming covered in blood.
The book then follows the investigation although Gavin Macrae is removed as he's considered too close to the case. Which as you can imagine...goes down well.
The story flicks between the present and the past when the building opens up as a place for the men to gather.
I found this hard going at points due to over description but enjoyed the story overall.
I feel the author could massively improve the pacing of the novel by removing extra details about the music and the instruments.
The setting was stunning and ideal for a crime novel.
June 16, 2025
This is the twelfth book in this cosy crime series and I have read all the previous books. I like the main character of Cass Lynch and I like the references to life in the islands so I find the books charming.
In this story Cass finds an old diary but does not read it as she feels it would be an invasion of privacy. However the author reports some of the diary entries so the reader knows much more about the characters than Cass does. When the murder of a performer happened I was pretty sure that I knew the identity of the killer. Having said that, I had no idea of the killer's motivation so was taken aback when it was revealed. There is some excitement towards the end and once again Cass finds herself in danger. If you have enjoyed the previous books you will probably enjoy this one too.
In this story Cass finds an old diary but does not read it as she feels it would be an invasion of privacy. However the author reports some of the diary entries so the reader knows much more about the characters than Cass does. When the murder of a performer happened I was pretty sure that I knew the identity of the killer. Having said that, I had no idea of the killer's motivation so was taken aback when it was revealed. There is some excitement towards the end and once again Cass finds herself in danger. If you have enjoyed the previous books you will probably enjoy this one too.
May 15, 2024
Death At a Shetland festival was the first book I have read by this author. While part of a series I didn't feel that I was affected by not having read the others so can be read as a stand alone It moves between the present and the 1980's. There are many twists, turns and red herrings in this book to keep things interesting and descriptions of the scenery and wild life are wonderful. However while well written there was too much trivial detail included that slowed the pace so much I struggled not to skip parts of it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 30, 2024
This is the second Shetland book by Marsali Taylor I've read. It certainly didn't disappoint.
The title tells you exactly what happened, but the whodunnit is the best part of the book. I loved the dual timeline aspect, with the segment from 1981 coming from a diary from back in the day.
Cass and her partner, Gavin, a policeman, are at the festival where the murder takes place. She fancies herself a modern Miss Marple, and that's when the fun begins.
Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist came and sent me backtracking yet again.
I hope this author continues with the series because it's a cracking good one.
The title tells you exactly what happened, but the whodunnit is the best part of the book. I loved the dual timeline aspect, with the segment from 1981 coming from a diary from back in the day.
Cass and her partner, Gavin, a policeman, are at the festival where the murder takes place. She fancies herself a modern Miss Marple, and that's when the fun begins.
Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist came and sent me backtracking yet again.
I hope this author continues with the series because it's a cracking good one.
November 24, 2024
Cass Lynch is an interesting protagonist. First mate on a tall ship, she is about to give up her life on the high seas for a more local berth in order to make a life with her partner DI Gavin Macrae. Both get involved in the investigation of a popular Irish-Canadian singer in a plot that gets progressively more convoluted.
July 29, 2024
Always such an enjoyable read, catching up with Cass and Gavin and the next intriguing murder mystery. The history intertwined with the present and of course all the lovely Shetland talk and places make for a great time.
May 11, 2024
Totally addictive
Yet again a Cass and Gavin book that was hard to put down, look forward to the next one. Hopefully another adventure aboard The Swan
Yet again a Cass and Gavin book that was hard to put down, look forward to the next one. Hopefully another adventure aboard The Swan
June 2, 2024
I always love Marsali Taylor’s Shetland Sailing mysteries -perfect escape after reading so many dark books.
April 2, 2025
Very enjoyable crime series with great sense of place and characters. It works as a standalone, even if you haven't read any others.
June 19, 2025
This is A good series but this is maybe not the very best in it. 3.5 stars.
July 17, 2024
I love these books! Another delightful story set in beautiful Shetland. Can’t wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews