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The Glass Pass
This wasn’t the adventure any of them had in mind when they set out on their various quests to Glasgow, from their quaint pocket of Scotland. But here they are, hiding out in a long-lost spy station, courtesy of Sergeant Tom Armstrong and his young colleague Calum, until a man-on-the-run, who is threatening the lives of the local politician and his top secret VIP, is apprehended.
The scuppered travelers include Inez Blair, heading to her reluctant TV debut with her grown-up niece and seventy-one strawberry tarts. Usually so serene, she’s nervous but excited, and doesn’t want to let her niece down in this important step in her media career. There’s the future Laird of Glenberry and his friend, who are helping a young wife flee her dangerous husband, but the Laird-to-be has more at stake than he is willing to confess. Finally, there’s a harried mum in a neon hat, escaping for a fun night away with her bestie.
Working together to help police on the ground, connections are discovered and alliances formed. Meanwhile, Inez and Tom, with no reason to think they’ve met before, grapple with an elusive feeling of nostalgia when they find themselves alone together, as they increasingly do. You will fall in love with the quirky ensemble cast, and delight in discovering their heartwarming back-stories and the identity of the fun VIP.
Fans of Anxious People will enjoy the cloistered setting, the warmth of the characters, and the twists and surprises, big and small, the whole way through. The style will appeal to readers who appreciate authors like Iain Banks and Val McDermid, who don’t shy away from the Scots language and Scotland’s parochial traits, flattering or otherwise. If you’re looking for a mood-booster with a touch of poignancy and oodles of empathy, this is the book for you.
The scuppered travelers include Inez Blair, heading to her reluctant TV debut with her grown-up niece and seventy-one strawberry tarts. Usually so serene, she’s nervous but excited, and doesn’t want to let her niece down in this important step in her media career. There’s the future Laird of Glenberry and his friend, who are helping a young wife flee her dangerous husband, but the Laird-to-be has more at stake than he is willing to confess. Finally, there’s a harried mum in a neon hat, escaping for a fun night away with her bestie.
Working together to help police on the ground, connections are discovered and alliances formed. Meanwhile, Inez and Tom, with no reason to think they’ve met before, grapple with an elusive feeling of nostalgia when they find themselves alone together, as they increasingly do. You will fall in love with the quirky ensemble cast, and delight in discovering their heartwarming back-stories and the identity of the fun VIP.
Fans of Anxious People will enjoy the cloistered setting, the warmth of the characters, and the twists and surprises, big and small, the whole way through. The style will appeal to readers who appreciate authors like Iain Banks and Val McDermid, who don’t shy away from the Scots language and Scotland’s parochial traits, flattering or otherwise. If you’re looking for a mood-booster with a touch of poignancy and oodles of empathy, this is the book for you.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2025
7 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Lee Carey
1 book1 followerLee hails from Glasgow and now splits her time between there and Rye, New York. Her published works to-date include the front end of the Annual Report for Scottish Power plc, in her first career as a Chartered Accountant, and the Health and Fitness column for her local newspaper, an adjunct to running her own outdoor fitness business.
Above all, Lee loves time with family. She also likes outdoor workouts, champagne with friends, and the beach. She has amateur interests in Shakespeare, ornithology, and architecture, but seems unable to retain any relevant knowledge about them, so don't use her as your phone-a-friend.
Lee hates mashed potatoes.
Above all, Lee loves time with family. She also likes outdoor workouts, champagne with friends, and the beach. She has amateur interests in Shakespeare, ornithology, and architecture, but seems unable to retain any relevant knowledge about them, so don't use her as your phone-a-friend.
Lee hates mashed potatoes.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 23, 2025
So so so fun !!! All the characters were so cute and put me out of a slight reading slump, was absolutely giggling by the end🤭 fantastic 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
May 7, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive a copy to be an advance reader. I absolutely loved it.
Carey invites you into the charming world of Mid-June, a remote cluster of towns in Scotland. The characters are vibrant and well-flushed out - without the novel feeling intentionally “character driven” (read: no long meandering passages in which she tries to prove you should like them, they achieve that feat all on their own!)
Each character is better than the last- which is why it’s so great when their journeys all end up delayed at the same place: the only road out of Mid-June. A caper ensues, and the lives of these individuals become increasingly intertwined.
The Glass Pass is a celebration of Scottishisms; a love story to the people, the lives and the small-worldness we’re all so familiar with. And not to mention an iconic Scottish celebrity, but no spoilers here!
It’s a quick, easy read - which was perfect for me as I read it twice back-to-back! I didn’t want to leave Mid-June so soon!
Carey invites you into the charming world of Mid-June, a remote cluster of towns in Scotland. The characters are vibrant and well-flushed out - without the novel feeling intentionally “character driven” (read: no long meandering passages in which she tries to prove you should like them, they achieve that feat all on their own!)
Each character is better than the last- which is why it’s so great when their journeys all end up delayed at the same place: the only road out of Mid-June. A caper ensues, and the lives of these individuals become increasingly intertwined.
The Glass Pass is a celebration of Scottishisms; a love story to the people, the lives and the small-worldness we’re all so familiar with. And not to mention an iconic Scottish celebrity, but no spoilers here!
It’s a quick, easy read - which was perfect for me as I read it twice back-to-back! I didn’t want to leave Mid-June so soon!
June 24, 2025
A totally engrossing but easy read that grabs you right away and delivers on its early promise of mystery and romance with a fun, surprising and heartfelt conclusion. I highly recommend!
Carey does a great job of introducing multiple overlapping and relatable characters in a way that is easy to follow yet mysterious.
She is extremely skilled in creating vividly rendered images of countryside, people and a certain poster….
And if you don’t know much about Scotland or Scottish culture (which I don’t), her use of Scottish idioms and slang along with her evocative descriptions of the countryside will leave you wanting to learn much more.
I really look forward to seeing what is next in the Glenberry Chronicles.
Carey does a great job of introducing multiple overlapping and relatable characters in a way that is easy to follow yet mysterious.
She is extremely skilled in creating vividly rendered images of countryside, people and a certain poster….
And if you don’t know much about Scotland or Scottish culture (which I don’t), her use of Scottish idioms and slang along with her evocative descriptions of the countryside will leave you wanting to learn much more.
I really look forward to seeing what is next in the Glenberry Chronicles.
May 21, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of the book as an advance reader.
This story is filled with relatable, familiar characters who you can't help but feel connected to. The deeper you get into the book, the more compelled you are to keep reading. By the time I reached the end, I didn't want it to stop—I wanted to follow every character's story far beyond the final pages.
Whether you're into mystery, crime, wholesome stories, or historical fiction, there's truly something in this book for everyone. I'm so glad I got to experience it, and I'm already looking forward to the author's next project.
This story is filled with relatable, familiar characters who you can't help but feel connected to. The deeper you get into the book, the more compelled you are to keep reading. By the time I reached the end, I didn't want it to stop—I wanted to follow every character's story far beyond the final pages.
Whether you're into mystery, crime, wholesome stories, or historical fiction, there's truly something in this book for everyone. I'm so glad I got to experience it, and I'm already looking forward to the author's next project.
June 25, 2025
The Glass Pass by Lee Carey is a cozy, clever, and thoroughly charming read. Set in a hidden spy station in Scotland, a group of stranded travelers—each with their own baggage (literal and emotional)—find themselves unexpectedly entangled in a police operation and each other’s lives.
I adored the quirky characters, especially Inez and her seventy-one strawberry tarts, and the subtle, slow-burn connections that form under pressure. There’s mystery, heart, and a real sense of place, with plenty of Scottish flavor.
Perfect for fans of Anxious People—it’s warm, witty, and full of empathy, with just the right amount of twists. A feel-good read that stays with you. 💕
I adored the quirky characters, especially Inez and her seventy-one strawberry tarts, and the subtle, slow-burn connections that form under pressure. There’s mystery, heart, and a real sense of place, with plenty of Scottish flavor.
Perfect for fans of Anxious People—it’s warm, witty, and full of empathy, with just the right amount of twists. A feel-good read that stays with you. 💕
August 17, 2025
What a great summer read! I "flew" through this book on two separate airline flights. I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
The characters in this book are all uniquely different and Lee Carey really brought them alive on paper. As someone with Scottish family roots going way back into my ancestry, I truly enjoyed being "transported," as if I were in Scotland.
There are many twists and turns in this book, so it will keep you hooked, as you want to know what will happen next.
If I keep typing, I might just give away the ending, so I'll need to stop. Loved all the characters, especially Inez. Buy your copy to find out why. ;)
The characters in this book are all uniquely different and Lee Carey really brought them alive on paper. As someone with Scottish family roots going way back into my ancestry, I truly enjoyed being "transported," as if I were in Scotland.
There are many twists and turns in this book, so it will keep you hooked, as you want to know what will happen next.
If I keep typing, I might just give away the ending, so I'll need to stop. Loved all the characters, especially Inez. Buy your copy to find out why. ;)
June 16, 2025
The Glass Pass is a terrific first novel by Lee Carey. I was totally engrossed halfway through the second chapter, waiting to see where this adventure was heading. The story has lots of heart, a few surprises, and a very satisfying conclusion. I was amazed at how strongly invested I was in the story arcs of each of the characters. Anyone who enjoys a little bit of romance, some mystery, and expanding their cultural horizons will love this book. I can’t wait for Lee’s next outing.
June 16, 2025
What a great debut novel from first time author Lee Carey! A fantastic story that will resonate with not only a Scottish audience but also readers everywhere. I loved getting to know the characters and their back stories. This novel will keep you engaged till the very last page. I look forward to reading more from this author!
August 14, 2025
*Beautifully written; a delicious read!*
Set in a scenic area of Scotland, in the present day, The Glass Pass is a fun, light-hearted account of what happens when strangers' world collide in the face of an imminent threat. There's plenty of intrigue, mystery, romance, fun and laughs to keep you turning the pages, as you fall in love with each of the characters, including a surprise, real-life, VIP appearance towards the end!
Well written and well paced, I highly recommend this wonderful debut novel from Lee Carey!
And I'm so looking forward to Book Two of the Glenberry Chronicles :-).
Set in a scenic area of Scotland, in the present day, The Glass Pass is a fun, light-hearted account of what happens when strangers' world collide in the face of an imminent threat. There's plenty of intrigue, mystery, romance, fun and laughs to keep you turning the pages, as you fall in love with each of the characters, including a surprise, real-life, VIP appearance towards the end!
Well written and well paced, I highly recommend this wonderful debut novel from Lee Carey!
And I'm so looking forward to Book Two of the Glenberry Chronicles :-).
July 26, 2025
Really enjoyed this - easy to read, engaging and interesting characters and a lot of small twists along the way to keep you interested. Recommend!
August 26, 2025
Loved this first book by Lee Carey. It has all one could ask for: a gorgeous setting, interesting characters, some surprising twists and turns and an overall genuine sense of goodness.
June 16, 2025
I got to be one of the advanced readers of The Glass Pass and I couldn’t be happier! I wanted to keep flipping the pages even after it was done!! It immediately became my new favorite book! The Scottish culture integrated through the book gives the reader an insight into what it’s like to grow up in Scotland and touches on the generational bonds of Scottish families.
The characters of The Glass Pass are so lovely to read about, you will want to become friends with them in real life. Learning so much about them early on allows you to get to them as individuals and be involved in their stories.
The Glass Pass is a heartfelt, comforting story about strangers who make the best out of a bad situation and will make you laugh, cry, and smile the whole way through.
The characters of The Glass Pass are so lovely to read about, you will want to become friends with them in real life. Learning so much about them early on allows you to get to them as individuals and be involved in their stories.
The Glass Pass is a heartfelt, comforting story about strangers who make the best out of a bad situation and will make you laugh, cry, and smile the whole way through.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews