The Castle in the Glen

by Rhys Bowen

A ghostwriter plunges into danger as she unravels the dark secrets of a powerful Scottish family in a thrilling novel of romance and mystery by the bestselling author of Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.

Australian writer Emma Callander has been recruited to complete the final historical mystery in a series by celebrated author Iris Blackburn. It’s 1964, and Iris’s memory is fading. She’s certain that only Emma can do justice to her novel about a murder on the Isle of Skye. When Emma ventures to Scotland for research, she discovers it isn’t fiction at all, but rather a true crime unsolved for more than fifty years.

It was 1904 when a couple’s suspicious drowning led to the disappearance of a mysterious young woman the locals called the Wild Girl. To this day the mystery is unforgettable, especially among the descendants of an aristocratic family who’ll do anything to keep their secrets buried. From the misty Highlands to a medieval castle, Emma and Tony Gordon, Iris’s handsome lawyer, work ever more closely to uncover them.

But while Iris may be known for her fiendishly clever twists, there’s one not even Emma could have seen coming.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Scotland, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Mystery Thriller

429 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2026

About the author

I'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.

I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.

My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.

I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.

I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries

Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen is an entertaining read with twists, turns, surprises, and a little romance. The story begins in London when a young Australian woman working with a publisher and one book written is offered a job finishing a book by a famous author in early stages of dementia. Part of what she needs to do is go to the Isle of Skye to get a feel for the setting of the story. What she uncovered is very interesting. This is a book that needs to be read without too much information as the surprises just keep coming as the story unfolds. It is almost a story within a story with a great, unsolved mystery. This is a recommended fun read.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping stand-alone novel by the brilliant Rhys Bowen, in my Top Ten favorite authors of all time.

If you haven’t traveled to Scotland, no worries! After reading this book, you will feel as though you’ve been there. (Or you may buy a plane ticket immediately.)

Sadly, I didn’t have the opportunity to see the Isle of Skye when I was in Scotland. But reading this story gave me a sense of its astonishing beauty.

Luckily I read the character introductions at the beginning carefully so I could follow the plot(s).

Highly recommended! Five enthusiastic stars!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Laurien Berenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book by Rhys Bowen is a treat, and The Castle in the Glen is no exception. This mystery within a mystery is full of adventure and intrigue, and the windswept Scottish setting is superb.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1965, and Emma Callander is working at Barlow and Barlow Publishers while living with Jilly and Robyn—three young Australian expats making a life in London. Emma has already published her first novel but hasn't yet found the right moment to begin her next. With her family homestead gone after her father's death, she's feeling a subtle pull to return to Australia. Before she can make any big decisions, a senior editor invites her to visit a well-known client. Emma is surprised by the name, and after a drive outside London, she finds herself having lunch at the client's private home. What unfolds at that lunch sets the stage for the story's central mystery.

I love novels that weave a story within a story, and this one delivers mystery, intrigue, and romance, all while blurring the lines between fact and fiction. There are unresolved questions about an accident and missing persons, with layers of grief, secrets, and family legacy adding depth to the plot. As the tangled web began to unravel, I was eager to keep turning the pages. I thought I had guessed the twist, and while I sensed a connection, I hadn't figured out the true nature of the relationship. As always with this author, the reveal was even more satisfying than I expected.

Cast of Characters are provided at the beginning of the novel for:

• In Iris Blackburn's book, The Wild Girl, 1932
• In London, 1965
• On the Island of Skye, 1965
• And in the Past on the Island, the real-life characters who inspired The Wild Girl.

Thank you Rhys Bowen, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, mysterious, and atmospheric!⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐍 is an immersive, engaging tale predominantly set in London and the rugged Isle of Skye during the mid-1960s that follows aspiring Australian author Emma Callander as an unexpected opportunity to ghostwrite the final novel of a celebrated mystery writer soon evolves into a journey of discovery involving a decades-old mystery, long-buried family secrets, and the unsettling realization that fiction and reality may be far more intertwined than anyone imagined.⁣
⁣
The prose is seamless and evocative. The characters are intelligent, determined, and authentic. And the plot is a compelling blend of mystery, history, family secrets, betrayal, danger, romance, friendship, ambition, resilience, unexpected twists, and hope, all enhanced by a captivating story-within-a-story.⁣
⁣
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐍 is an alluring, layered, entertaining tale by Bowen that transports you to the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland and immerses you in a cleverly crafted mystery filled with unforgettable characters, hidden truths, and heartfelt emotion. ⁣

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen (Aug. 2026) [reading in June]
429-page Kindle Ebook
344-page ADC courtesy of Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Women's Fiction

Rating as a movie: PG-15 for adult content

Featuring: Praise, Bibliography for Rhys Bowen, Cast of Characters, Book within a Book, 1932, 1965, London, England; Skye Island, Scotland; Ghostwriting, Dementia, Detective, Murder Mystery, Politics, Australian Expats, Sexual Innuendos, Author’s Note

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¾🇦🇺🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿📚⛴️

My thoughts: 🔖Page 52 of 344 Chapter 6 - This is off to a slow start, but I'm going to give it a chance.

The Castle in the Glen is a historical fiction novel set in England that features a historical mystery novel set in Scotland. If you're not confused yet, it also features two main characters who are both Australian expat authors. The primary plot involves a young writer ghostwriting for an older one, but the narrative quickly shifts into a mystery of whether or not the book-within-a-book ties into real life—especially once the assignment requires traveling to the actual Scottish setting of the manuscript.
​I was eager to see how the story would develop, but it turned out completely different from what I was expecting. Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is the only other book I've read by Rhys Bowen, but from that experience, I already knew she takes her time revealing a plot. You might start out reading standard women's fiction and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a wartime romance, so I made zero assumptions once the main players were introduced. It definitely had a slow start, but it became much more exciting as the story went on.

​Recommend to others: Sure, if you enjoy historical fiction and family secrets.

Songs for the soundtrack: "Hopelessly Devoted To You" by Olivia Newton-John, "Ferry Cross The Mersey" by Gerry and the Pacemakers, "She's a Woman" by the Beatles

Books and Authors mentioned: Lee Child, The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen, The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear, Maisie Dobbs series Jacqueline Winspear, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Mary Higgins Clark, Agatha Christie, Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series by Deborah Crombie, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams by M. J. Rose, The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen, The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen, Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan, The Last Green Valley by Mark T. Sullivan, Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen, Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Three Bears by Robert Southey, The Boy's Own Paper by Purnell and Sons Ltd. and BPC Publishing Ltd; Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw, Macbeth by William Shakespeare

[Neu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC to review.

Told as a dual story (book-in-a-book) The Castle in the Glen is a standalone novel that follows Emma, an Australian expat living in London during the 1960's. Working in a publishing house, she has published her own novel prior to the start of the book, but has reached a standstill - feeling homesick and out of sorts, she has not written anything since her previous novel, and has begun seriously contemplating a move back home.

However, before making her final decision, her boss takes her to visit the enigmatic Iris Blackburn, a celebrated Australian writer. Iris, famous for her series centring around the Scottish detective Melrose, has started her final novel, but needs help to complete it.

I have only read one Rhys Bowen novel previously, (which I liked) but I was intrigued by the book in a book convention, which I have enjoyed before in other books (e.g. Magpie Murders). The Castle in the Glen does a good job of altering the writing style of the two narratives - both have a very distinctive feel to them.

The start of the novel (~20%), which concentrates on Emma's story feels a bit choppy to be honest. There is quite a lot of exposition and repetition, including a lot of reference to Emma's Australian-ness which felt a bit unnecessary. This included characters saying crickey a lot. This settles down once Emma starts to work on the new novel, and the second storyline is introduced.

While much of the dialogue set in the 1960's feels quite formal or stilted, particularly between Iris and Emma, this could be a reflection of both the time period and power dynamic between the two. It's less apparent within the secondary narrative, which feels more natural. Emma is a likeable main lead, who is driven to finish the novel, and finds herself also trying to solve a mystery, and has a sort of comfortable chemistry with Tony, Iris' solicitor who helps her at various junctures.

For me, the real strength was the portrayal of Scotland, particularly in the secondary story - it has a very particular sense of place - both the characters, but also the social hierarchy and the countryside, which are also being introduced to Melrose at the same time as everyone else.

I would recommend this to others, but it is quite slow. The secondary story was particularly well done.

[Stephanie Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen is a captivating and atmospheric mystery set in 1960s London and Scotland. The story follows Emma Callander, an Australian writer living in London who has found herself at a bit of a standstill with her own writing. She is given an unexpected opportunity to help celebrated Australian author Iris Blackburn complete her final novel. What begins as a writing assignment soon takes Emma to Glasgow and the Isle of Skye and into a decades-old mystery filled with family secrets.

I enjoyed the book-within-a-book aspect of the story. As Emma works on Iris’s unfinished novel, she begins to discover that the fictional story may be more connected to real events than she first realized. I thought the way the two stories slowly came together was interesting and added another layer to the mystery.

For me, one of the strongest parts of the book was the portrayal of Scotland. The descriptions of the countryside and the Isle of Skye were beautiful and gave the story such a strong sense of place. I also enjoyed the secondary story featuring Iris’s fictional detective, Melrose.

Emma was a likeable main character, and I enjoyed her determination to finish the novel while also trying to uncover the truth. I also liked her comfortable chemistry with Tony, Iris’s solicitor, who helps her along the way.

The story did take some time to come together for me, and some of the dialogue, between Emma and Iris, felt a little formal. That could have been intentional considering the time period and the dynamic between the two women. I also had a couple of guesses about where the mystery was going, and my later guess ended up being right.

Overall, The Castle in the Glen was an immersive and enjoyable read with family secrets, mystery, a beautiful Scottish setting, and an intriguing story-within-a-story. It was a slower build, but I enjoyed watching all the pieces eventually fall into place.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen is an engaging novel-within-a-novel. Emma Callander is a young woman who has emigrated from Australia and landed in London. She has written one book, but isn’t sure if she has another in her. She has been working at the publishing company in a low-level position and was arriving at work one day when one of the principals was waiting for her in the lobby, wanting to invite her to accompany him to visit one of his authors, Iris Blackburn. She was taken aback but agreed, silently wishing she had worn different clothing. When they arrived, they met Iris, who was apparently in the first stages of dementia, her companion, her agent, and her lawyer. Her boss and Iris’ agent invited her for a walk on the garden where they approached her with a proposition: finish Iris’ last novel, as she was unable to due to the dementia. They presented quite a pack of renumeration and additional benefits. She really had no choice but to agree. That was the beginning, of many things.

Emma is clever and resilient. She goes to the Isle of Skye to absorb the culture and discovered so much more there. She was both upset and curious. She met several interesting people, not always as they appeared. As she investigated she discovered a real situation that mirrored the plot of the story. Following this line became perilous. She thought she had it figured out but it turns out she, and I, got some of it right, but not all of it. A well-written novel, what one would expect from Bowen. The mystery, both real and fictional, were engaging and the solution was astounding. This is an extremely engaging novel. I recommend it.

It’s I was invited to read The Castle in the Glen by Lake Union Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LakeUnionPublishing # RhysBowen #TheCastleInTheGlen

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rys Bowen, you've done it again - superlatively. Such a well spun mystery sent in 1965 England and 1932 Isle of Skye, Scotland. I absolutely loved the ending!

As dementia creeps into her life, aging author, Iris Blackburn, is attempting to write a prequel as her final book for the Inspector Melrose series. Not confident that she can complete the book, she calls upon the talents of a young up-and-coming Australian author to ghostwrite the book's ending. Emma Callander has recently published her freshman novel to some success. It is she upon whom is called to aid Iris. Emma has doubts that she is up to the task for such an auspicious author, but is willing to try. She reads the manuscript written thus far and is soon dispatched to Glasgow and the Isle of Skye for further research. It is while on the Isle of Skye where everything falls frighteningly into place. Can any good come of all of it? Only time will tell.

The writing of Rhys Bowen (pen name of Janet Quin-Harkin) was excellent and flowed well. There were a number of suspects, each with their own motivations for killing. The mise en scène was absolute perfection and exquisitely described such that one could smell the lovely scent of evergreens and hear the roar of ocean waves in the forceful autumn gale winds. The character development was rich and the architecture well-described. The foreshadowing was prominent and one might guess the outcome. Yet, the journey was worth it all in the end.

I am grateful to Lake Union Publishing for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication date: August 4, 2026
Number of Pages: 429
ISBN: 978-1662527210

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a slightly slow start, I ended up really enjoying this story. Lots of suspense, compelling mysteries, family drama and hidden identities.

The story begins with Emma Callander--a young writer with a promising debut novel--being asked to help ghostwrite the ending to a famous mystery novelist's last book. The writer, Iris Blackburn, is a recluse living outside of London and is beginning to have memory problems that impact her ability to write. Iris insists that Emma read the chapteres completed so far, then travel up to the Isle of Skye in Scotland (where the story is set) to better understand the atmosphere of the location. The novel-within-the-novel is a murder mystery involving the suspicious drowning of an earl's daughter and the commoner she was suspected of eloping with. As Emma heads to Skye on her own, details of the supposedly fictional murder mystery start falling into place and Emma starts to question how much is fiction vs. reality, and what Iris Blackburn really knows.

Bowen does a great job of setting the scene with the windswept coasts of Skye, the winding roads through the highlands, and the gothic feel of the castles and manors. The surreality of Emma questioning the line between fiction and fact, not knowing who to trust and whether she's perceiving danger where none exists really added to the tension throughout.

I loved the concept of getting to read the murder mystery within the story, but the first half felt a little off balance with back-to-back chapters of the mystery and little to no "present" day 1960's. I wouldn't want to sacrifice any of the mystery chapters necessarily, since they were really interesting and could have been a compelling standalone novel in its own right, but perhaps found a way to break it up a little more. The second half of the story really takes off once Emma arrives in Skye, so it all balances out.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

[Fatima Zafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you don't like a story you can be critical and point out what didn't work but when tore through a story and loved every moment it's hard to pin point what actually worked. I will just say pick up this book you will love the mystery, will want to keep reading until figured what happened, the writing is easy to follow, the setting will make you wanna go out and travel the world, the characters are interesting too
I loved it from start to finish, was intrigued the whole way through and enjoyed it all. It's a perfect book to read while it rains outside because it rains quite a lot in the book
We will be so engrossed in the story by iris and then chapter will end and we'll see Emma reading the book but instead of being annoying it added to the vibe of the story, that our main character is reading a book. the story within a story aspect can hardly go wrong and Rhys did her job well
I loved reading about the Scottish Highlands and lairds and I'd say at it's core it's about women being wronged by men, be it matters of education, freedom, marriage and sexual assault
I'd love to read more by this author

Edit: came to bump the rating up to 5 stars. I keep thinking about the story and it's making me nostalgic...I don't know why. Maybe because our main character is reading a novel about a detective who goes to Scottish Highlands to solve the murder mystery of the daughter of the laird. It's a small town, everyone knows everyone and it rains most of the time. He meets the maid the villagers the governess, uncovers some dark secrets on this beautiful piece of land. Then our main character also goes there, visits the castle, meets the son of laird, meets the people living there and it's raining almost everyday!!!
I loved the vibe, loved the story, loved the characters, loved the themes and loved the fact this book made me curious about the world and all it's beautiful corners that I am so dying to visit right now.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been introduced to this author via her previous novel, Mrs Endicot’s. Splendid Adventure, I was very keen to read The Castle In The Glen!
It was a very cleverly constructed book, containing 2 stories, one embedded in the other, both of which were very engrossing and entertaining.
Emma is an Australian, trying to make it as a writer in London. She works for a publishing company and one day she is introduced to their client, famous author Iris Blackburn who wants Emma to help her finish her latest Inspector Melrose mystery book as she is having memory issues.
Emma decides to read the novel which is written in italics as part of the narrative in the book. As the inspector Melrose novel suddenly comes to an abrupt end, Emma really wants to know how it continues, so she takes up Iris’s offer and travels to the Isle of Skye where it is set.
There she encounters people who do not want the past dredged up- is Iris’s novel more than a fictional story?
This was a book I simply couldn’t put down- I really wanted to know what happened at the end. The story within a story construction was very clever and although I was slightly dubious at first, it worked really well.
I liked Emma as a character and the possible romance with Tony, Iris’s solicitor, was a fun side to the plot, making Emma seem all the more real as she wonders if he really likes her.
The descriptions of Skye were wonderfully detailed and well researched making me want to visit the island.
Rhys Bowen is an excellent author who makes her characters and locations come alive for her readers! I highly recommend “The Castle in the Glen”as a compelling historical mystery.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my advance copy.

[Linda S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen started out very oddly. This was an ARC that I had received through NetGalley and sometimes the advanced reader copies have weird formating so I wasn't even sure at the beginning that I was reading the correct novel as it begins with the list of the cast of characters in a novel by Irish Blackburn called "The Wild Girl" and then the first paragraph of that particular book. So I started out reading slightly confused - but my chapter 2, I was hooked. The main character is Emma, who is a writer who has been hired by famous detective writer Iris Blackburn to help finish her last novel as she is older now and has been diagnosed with dementia; the novel is really a prequel to her famous murder mystery series featuring Scottish Detective Melrose, and is about his very first case which took place on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. "The Wild Girl" is about a tragedy that had happened to a noble family on Skye back in the 1930s when the laird's daughter drowned while running away with a man the family considered unsuitable. Both novels held me rivited as I kept reading to learn what would happen next: who was the murderer or the murderers of the unwanted suitor? We know the laird's daughter drowned after the boat that she was traveling in sank but its sail and rudder were damaged - who sabotaged the boat and why? And why does Iris Blackburn seem so interested in Emma's life although she has just met her? So much going on here but no spoilers - just a recommendation to read this novel and find out what really happened. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Callander, an Australian, and a writer with a debut novel under her belt, had been in London for some time. It was 1964 and she was struggling to write and missing Australia and its wide open spaces, sunshine and all that went with it, terribly. She had almost made the decision to return home, when she was asked by her boss at the publishing house to accompany him on his visit to a client. When Emma met the reclusive writer, she was in awe. She loved her books. And when Emma discovered why she was there she was shocked. She was lacking in confidence in her ability to write, but with Iris Blackburn's memory fading, the book - the final in her series - was only half written. She wanted Emma to finish the book for her.

As the book was set on the Isle of Skye, Emma needed to go to Scotland to walk in the footsteps of the Detective Inspector from 1904. To view the castle where the events happened; to meet the people and see the countryside, the lochs and mountains. But Emma didn't know there was danger ahead...

The Castle in the Glen is an exceptional historical mystery by Rhys Bowen which I thoroughly enjoyed. With plenty of twists I didn't see coming, a delightful journey on the Isle of Skye, and some well written characters, I couldn't fault this novel. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Callander, an editor for a London publisher, has one book to her name but is struggling to begin her next. She’s stunned when renowned mystery writer Iris Blackburn approaches her with an unusual request: to finish the novel Iris has started. With the early signs of dementia creeping in, Iris is convinced Emma is the only one who can complete her story.

Though the year is 1965, Iris’s unfinished manuscript is set in the early 1900s on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. To capture the setting authentically, Iris sends Emma to Scotland for on‑the‑ground research. But as Emma digs deeper into the history of the area, she becomes increasingly convinced that the “fictional” murder at the heart of Iris’s book is actually tied to a real, unsolved crime from fifty years earlier.

The more Emma uncovers, the more dangerous her situation becomes. Iris’s young and handsome lawyer, Tony Gordon, senses she may be in trouble and travels to Scotland—arriving just in time to find Emma shaken after a near‑fatal encounter. Together, they begin unraveling long‑buried secrets that someone is still desperate to keep hidden.

Back in England, Emma faces a new dilemma: how to tell Iris that her imagined story may not be imagined at all—and that the truth behind it is still perilous.

This is a beautifully written, atmospheric, and utterly gripping mystery. The pacing is brisk, the tension constant, and I found myself turning pages far into the night. I couldn’t put it down until the very last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Margie Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Rhys Bowen's new standalone, The Castle in the Glen, set in 1965, famed author Iris intends to end her popular mystery series with a prequel featuring her detective protagonist in 1904. But Iris is starting to lose her memory, so she summons a fellow Australian author--young Emma--to help her finish the book. Emma is a junior editor at a publishing firm who has had some mild success with her first novel, but she can't imagine why Iris, one of her idols, thinks she might be up to the challenge.

After reading what Iris has already written, and with the exciting prospect of spending some time and Iris's money in Scotland, where the mystery is set, she agrees to give it a try, trusting her company's handsome lawyer to make sure she gets a fair deal. But when Emma starts doing her research on the isle of Skye, she is stunned to discover that Iris has based her story on a real cold case, where no one has ever been arrested for the deaths by drowning of two young lovers--a girl from a wealthy family and the unsuitable man she loves--or found the missing suitor her family wanted her to marry or her companion, who had previously been nicknamed "The Wild Girl." not so coincidentally the name of the unfinished book in question.

This is mostly a quiet book, but there are enough intricate twists and turns--some of them jaw-dropping--to keep the reader interested and absorbed. And I enjoyed experiencing the unique culture and customs of beautiful Skye.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a longtime fan of Rhys Bowen, I was excited to dive into The Castle in the Glen, and once again she delivered an engaging and atmospheric mystery. This standalone novel combines a fascinating dual timeline with a compelling "story within a story" premise that immediately drew me in.

When aspiring writer Emma Callander is asked to complete the unfinished manuscript of a famous author suffering from memory loss, she travels to the Isle of Skye to research the novel's setting. What begins as a ghostwriting assignment soon becomes something much more intriguing as Emma realizes the fictional murder at the heart of the manuscript may be based on a real unsolved crime from decades earlier.

The Scottish setting is absolutely beautiful, with misty landscapes, ancient castles, and a strong sense of place that made me feel transported to Skye. I especially enjoyed following Emma's investigation as she uncovered long-buried secrets and discovered connections between the past and present. The mystery itself kept me turning pages, and the blend of historical intrigue, romance, and suspense made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Rhys Bowen remains a gifted storyteller, and fans of cozy mysteries, historical mysteries, and atmospheric Scottish settings will find much to love here. A captivating and entertaining escape that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Cindy Ahlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen begins in the 1930’s, with the first chapter of a book telling a story of a wild little girl, written by author Iris Blackburn. We then move to the 1960’s where we meet the main character, Emma Callander, an author from Australia, working in London at a publishing company. Emma receives an offer to complete Iris’s book because the author is suffering from dementia, and this is the last book in a highly successful detective series that she has written. She stays at Iris’s estate to read the book and see if she is willing and able to take on the task. We are with Emma as she reads and are taken back into the 1930’s story. The book moves back and forth between the 1930’s book and Emma in the 1960’s as she reads what the author has written so far. The characters are well rounded, and I enjoyed the dynamics between Emma and Iris, the author. I especially enjoyed the author’s companion, Cynthia, who is not pleased that Emma is there. Emma travels to Scotland to experience the setting of the book, to help her with her task. This is where most of the action takes place. The descriptions of people and places are very clear and easily visualized. Emma travels to places mentioned in the book and becomes a bit suspicious about what she has been asked to do. I really enjoyed going along with Emma from place to place. The writing flowed well and I felt like I was right with her. The book has many things going on, but I will stop here so I don’t give anything away. There were definitely some surprises and twists and turns. I enjoyed the book and especially the epilogue, which gave a lot of information without coming out and stating it directly. I would give the book four stars. I am thankful for the ARC I received from NetGalley.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit up front that the Isle of Skye is one of my most favorite places on earth, and I loved reading about familiar locations, local culture and traditions, and history. That said, the story is equally compelling and a fantastic premise: an elderly, world famous mystery writer summons a young woman with one book to her credit to finish her last book. Both the young writer (Emma) and those surrounding the elderly writer are skeptical about why Emma was chosen, but despite her misgivings (and coincidentally having few other career options), Emma agrees to read Iris’ work and go to Scotland to try and unravel the mystery that has Iris stumped due to her advancing dementia.

The book is divided into three sections: the exposition which leads to Emma meeting Iris, the middle, in which Emma reads Iris’ unfinished manuscript and starts to put the mystery together, and Emma’s trip to the Isle of Skye where she ultimately puts together the information that Iris needed to know before finishing the book. There is a final twist, but I figured it out long before the conclusion, which did not diminish my pleasure in reading it.

I loved the premise of having Emma reading the unfinished manuscript and then taking a trip to Skye to find out more. Rhys Bowen is very skilled at revealing the mystery piece by piece, while keeping the story engaging until the very last pages. Many thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Donna Satterlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is dual-timeline developed thru a book-in-book style I have never read before. It took some time to get used to the format but quickly captured my attention.

Emma Callendar is a young Australian who recently wrote her first novel and has come to London to work but the publishing company that produced it. It is anticipated she will write her next book; however, she is unhappy personally and professionally in London and is planning a return home to Australia in the hopes of writing.

Prior leaving she is introduced to a very successful writer, Iris Blackburn, by the head of her publishing company in the hopes that Emma can act as a ghostwriter and help Iris finish her last novel. Iris, unfortunately, suffers from dementia and allows Emma to read the pages of the novel, a continuation of a detective crime series she writes, in the hopes the book can be completed.

The book is set on the Isle of Skye so Emma needed to go to Scotland to walk in the footsteps of the Detective Inspector. To view the castle where the events happened; to meet the people and see the countryside. Upon arrival Emma discovers that many of the facts are based on an actual unsolved case that took part in 1904.

The Castle in the Glen is an exceptional historical mystery by Rhys Bowen which I thoroughly enjoyed. I had plenty of twists I didn't see coming. I have loved other books by this author, and this one did not disappoint!

[Jenny K (on partial break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhys Bowen is one of my favorite authors, and I enjoyed The Castle in the Glen, one of her standalone books.

Plot summary: Emma Callender is trying to make it in London, working in a publishing office after getting her first book published. She's missing Australia and thinking about returning when she is asked to meet a famous author. Iris needs her to finish her last murder mystery novel, as she shows signs of dementia.

Emma travels to Skye, the Scottish island setting for the novel, and discovers that it may be based on a true crime story. As she finds out more, she may be in danger. Can she figure out what happened?

This has a beautiful, atmospheric setting, with many likable and interesting characters. There are plenty of clues and red herrings as we follow Emma through the island, and the book-within-a-book is an intriguing format.

I think the huge twist and most of the smaller ones were fairly obvious, but I was still riveted waiting for it to play out. And I absolutely loved the epilogue, which gave readers the ending they always wanted. Bowen excels at happy endings that are still realistic and hopeful.

This has a bit of everything: historical fiction, mystery, and a dash of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Rhys Bowen for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

[Cari Zuckerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

After publishing her first book, Emma Callandar moves from Australia to London and starts to suffer from severe writer’s block. Feeling stuck in life and thinking about moving home, even though she doesn’t really have a home to return to, Emma’s life is turned upside down when famous mystery writer Iris Blackburn selects her to finish her final novel. Suffering from dementia, Iris is unable to finish the novel on her own, a murder mystery set on the Isle of Skye. Emma is drawn into the story that Iris has written so far and becomes ever more invested when she travels to Skye to research.

I’m a huge fan of Bowen’s Molly Murphy and Her Royal Spyness series but her standalones are hit and miss for me. Unfortunately, this one falls in the “miss” category. The first half includes twelve chapters from The Wild Girl; the book Iris has started and needs Emma to finish. I found the book within a book tedious, although I’m not sure how else the plot could have been managed. The second half was better, with Emma on the Isle of Skye, but things moved slowly with very little new information until the last few chapters.

I also think the title doesn’t make any sense- the castle in the story is not in a glen; it’s on the coast.

I wouldn’t recommend this book. It wasn’t terrible, I read through it quite quickly, but I won’t remember much about it in a few weeks.

[Morgan Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen is an engaging and atmospheric historical mystery that’s difficult to put down once you get started. Set against the rugged, misty backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, the novel does an excellent job of immersing the reader in both the setting and the time period. The descriptions of the landscape feel vivid and transportive, making it easy to picture the hills, castles, and quiet villages as the story unfolds. At the center of the novel is Emma, a relatable and determined main character who takes on the challenge of completing Iris’ unfinished book. What begins as a straightforward task quickly becomes more layered as Emma travels through Scotland to better understand the setting and context of the novel she’s trying to finish. Along the way, she uncovers clues that suggest the mystery within Iris’ manuscript may not be entirely fictional, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of discovery with twists that keep you eager to see what happens next. Bowen blends historical detail with a cozy mystery feel, creating a story that’s both compelling and easy to read. This was my first time reading a book by Rhys Bowen, and her storytelling style has definitely made me interested in picking up more of her work.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book. What a winding, twisty, story inside a story book The Castle in the Glen is!

Although I've never read Rhys Bowen before, it was quickly obvious that this was the product of a very talented mystery writer. Young writer, Emma, is mysteriously selected to complete the final book of an iconic mystery writer who is showing signs of dementia. Although Emma approaches the project with a healthy amount of skepticism, she doesn't want to turn down what could be a very lucrative career opportunity.

Bowen writes the story, the unfinished mystery novel, within Emma's story, and I found myself completely wrapped up in that mystery, as well as Emma's story. Again, a clearly seasoned and talented writer, Bowen balances the two stories perfectly. Emma's reactions to reading the story were natural and in sync with my own reactions for the most part, further pulling me into both stories.

As the novel takes place on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, of course it's necessary for Emma to travel there to get a feel for the place and the people. And it's there that things start to really get twisted. Just when you think you know, you realize you have no idea what is truth and what is fiction. With a satisfying ending, this is a journey that every mystery lover should enjoy.

[Ivy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set between 1965 and 1904, this historical mystery follows Australian ghostwriter Emma Callander as she travels to Scotland to complete the final novel of a celebrated but fading author. What begins as a research trip soon uncovers a decades-old unsolved murder tied to a powerful family determined to keep its secrets buried. Blending dual timelines, the atmospheric Scottish Highlands, family secrets, romance, and plenty of twists, the novel delivers a compelling mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

I loved the novel's original structure. Readers are treated to a story within a story, following two interconnected plots at once. Rhys Bowen handles this beautifully, keeping both narratives distinct and easy to follow throughout. The mystery held my attention from beginning to end, and while I managed to predict a few of the twists, the final revelation completely caught me off guard just when I thought I had everything figured out. That's one of Rhys Bowen's greatest strengths; crafting layered mysteries filled with clever misdirection and satisfying surprises.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical mysteries, cold cases resurfacing decades later, family secrets, a touch of romance, atmospheric Scottish settings, and stories about authors and the writing process.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Callander is a young Australian woman working in London for a publishing house, she has written one quite successful novel and is struggling to find a subject for the second. In fact, after her last relationship ended she has been thinking about returning to Australia, even if there is nothing/no-one there for her.

Then her boss takes her with him to see one of the publisher's biggest clients, fellow Australian Iris Blackburn. Iris has started writing a new book featuring her famous Scottish detective but she is suffering from dementia and can no longer finish it. Iris asks Emma if she will finish the book for her. At first Emma is horrified, she doesn't really like the books (too gritty) and for an unknown author to attempt to write about an iconic character feels like sacrilege. But once she starts reading the first few chapters Emma is hooked, this is very different to the other books, it is Inspector Melrose's first case, the murder of a young woman on the Isle of Skye.

Iris insists Emma goes to Skye to get a feel for the island, but there Emma discovers the case might not be fiction, because many of the events in Iris's draft took place, just in 1904 rather than in the 1930s. Yet the events were so disturbing that people still remember it.

Although I guessed what had happened, and why, fairly early on it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book or how the mystery unravelled.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* a skilfully written page turner.

For many years Iris Blackburn has written a successful crime series featuring Detective Inspector James Melrose.
Her latest book is set in 1932 on the Isle of Skye, where Melrose starts his career with his first solo case to investigate two mysterious deaths.

Beginning to suffer from dementia, Iris realises she can't complete her book and persuades Australian writer Emma Callander, to continue and finish the book for her.

The long list of characters preceding chapter one was at first daunting. Deciding to wing it and hoping not to become too muddled, I began to read and immediately became absorbed in the ingenious plot of a book within a book. While Emma was reading Iris’s manuscript, I followed Emma's story and also read Iris’s manuscript. Later, checking the list of characters I easily recognised the role each person had played - my initial worries were unnecessary. The past and present time periods were clearly identified, all resulting in an easy to read and absorbing book.

Containing many twists in the plot before one final huge turn. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read a book and put the location on my bucket list. Author Rhys Bowen does a beautiful job describing the Island of Skye.

Emma has written one book. The publishing house where she works invites her to a meeting with an author (think Agatha Christie level in regards to novels, genre and popularity). The author started her book and both Emma and the audience/us are hooked. But the author seems to have some cognition problems and isn’t able to finish writing the book she started.

I loved The Castle in the Glen and highly recommend it. Loved the description and the characters and the plot.

Kudos to author Rhys Bowen. I had been wanting to read Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure and jumped at the opportunity to read another book by this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Lake Union Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.

Approx 447 pages, publication date is Aug 4, 2026.

I may have over-committed a little in my NetGalley addictio; currently approved for over 20 advance reads and have gotten a little behind. I was kicking myself for requesting 447 pages. But I really loved every word of The Castle in the Glen and almost didn’t want it to end.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Castle in the Glen is so different than Bowen's normal genre of historical fiction. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it at first, but I shouldn't have had any doubts. I mean, it's Rhys Bowen after all. I absolutely loved it! The premise of having a book inside a book has become more popular as of late and only works if the story is well-written. In this case, it was perfect! I was completely hooked with the Scottish mystery and detective Melrose's investigation, and even more captivated when that fictional tale turned into a mystery of true crime. It was reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel but in the language of Outlander. So cool! The ending was somewhat predictable but that didn't even matter. Getting there was the ultimate experience of enjoyment. This author always transports me to other worlds and time periods with her atmospheric and immersive prose. I become a part of them, and I never want to leave. I can't wait to get my hands on her next adventure. What a great read!!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!