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Ally McKinley Mystery #5
The Poison Pen Murders
Anonymous letters, a years-old mystery and… a dead body? Ally McKinley is on the case!
Ally McKinley might be the owner of the cosiest little guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands, but she also has a reputation as an amateur detective! So when a threatening note drops through her elderly neighbour Juliet Munro’s door, Ally is called in to investigate. But what first seems like a nasty prank soon proves lethal, when the very next day, Juliet is found murdered…
Her faithful dog Flora by her side, Ally soon learns that more than one woman in Locharran has received a poison pen letter. And though locals’ lips are sealed over coffee and cake, Ally skilfully unlocks the old Locharran mystery that connects the recipients: they were all rumoured to be involved in the death of a young woman called Marie McKay. Is someone trying to stamp out Marie’s killer? And if so, who in Locharran is not who they seem?
A faded photo of a little blond boy with pale eyes has Ally on the right track, but when a woman’s scream shatters the village’s gentle calm, can Ally sort through the secrets before the post delivers another murder?
Ally McKinley might be the owner of the cosiest little guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands, but she also has a reputation as an amateur detective! So when a threatening note drops through her elderly neighbour Juliet Munro’s door, Ally is called in to investigate. But what first seems like a nasty prank soon proves lethal, when the very next day, Juliet is found murdered…
Her faithful dog Flora by her side, Ally soon learns that more than one woman in Locharran has received a poison pen letter. And though locals’ lips are sealed over coffee and cake, Ally skilfully unlocks the old Locharran mystery that connects the recipients: they were all rumoured to be involved in the death of a young woman called Marie McKay. Is someone trying to stamp out Marie’s killer? And if so, who in Locharran is not who they seem?
A faded photo of a little blond boy with pale eyes has Ally on the right track, but when a woman’s scream shatters the village’s gentle calm, can Ally sort through the secrets before the post delivers another murder?
- GenresCozy Mystery
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2026
About the author
Dee MacDonald
23 books323 followersThe Runaway Wife is Dee’s first (published) novel but in fact she wrote her very first book – at around seven years of age! This was a love story which she duly illustrated before sewing all the pages together up one side. Writing was what she ‘was good at’ in school and she won several essay competitions, but then life got in the way and she didn’t pick up a pen again until after retirement.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ally McKinley owns a guesthouse in Scotland and is a keen amateur sleuth. When a neighbour asks for help after receiving a threatening letter Ally is willing to assist but the victim is murdered before she gets a chance. More poison pen letters arrive and it seems someone has a list of people they want to kill. Ally and the police need to work fast to find the killer before there are any more deaths.
This is a really good mystery, well written and with a nice touch of suspense. Ally is assisted by a number of friendly, quirky characters including her partner, Ross, several close friends, and her delightful dog, Flora. She also has a friendly relationship with the local police. It all makes for a comfortable and interesting story which is well worth reading. 4 stars.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a really good mystery, well written and with a nice touch of suspense. Ally is assisted by a number of friendly, quirky characters including her partner, Ross, several close friends, and her delightful dog, Flora. She also has a friendly relationship with the local police. It all makes for a comfortable and interesting story which is well worth reading. 4 stars.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Women were being murdered in the small village of Locharran in the Scottish Highlands. Followed by a threatening letter, on lilac paper in a lilac envelope, women were found, fully clothed, in a bath full of water. A job for the local sleuth, Ally McKinley of the Malthouse B&B, who'd solved murders in the past. This one was an old case - 50 years in the past. The local women were connected to the woman from the past - but why were they being murdered now? Was it revenge? Who was doing it? A local or a visitor? Did Ally have the killer residing in one of her guest bedrooms?
The Poison Pen Murders is another brilliant episode in the Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald which I thoroughly enjoyed. #5 in the series, and just as good as the 1st four have been. Flora, Ally's dog, along with Ross, Ally's partner, and his dog, all continue to make the stories great. Morag, Ally's cleaner is a crackup, and Hamish, lord of the manor, is a curmudgeonly but well liked character. So many great characters, it's usually only the bad guys who aren't so good! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.
The Poison Pen Murders is another brilliant episode in the Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald which I thoroughly enjoyed. #5 in the series, and just as good as the 1st four have been. Flora, Ally's dog, along with Ross, Ally's partner, and his dog, all continue to make the stories great. Morag, Ally's cleaner is a crackup, and Hamish, lord of the manor, is a curmudgeonly but well liked character. So many great characters, it's usually only the bad guys who aren't so good! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.
November 1, 2026
Cozy mystery set in the Scottish Highlands.
Ally McKinley owns the Auld Malthouse Bed & Breakfast in the village of Locharran. She’s also a naturally nosy woman who happens to be a sort of amateur sleuth in a place that has recently seen its share of murder. When one of the locals contacts her about a friend having received a threatening letter, Ally decides to go with her to do a wellness check and find out more. Unfortunately, they are too late and the woman, Juliet, is dead. With few clues and no note to be found, they contact the local detective, Amir Kandahar, and leave it with him. But, wait, other elderly women are receiving the same notes. Ally soon finds the connection to a young woman who all of them knew when they were in school. Now Ally looks at the guests staying at her B&B and also at some of the other odd men hanging about. One of them has to be the killer.
This was basically a sort of locked room mystery since the town is small and the characters are mostly well known to each other. It takes no big investigator to realize that one of the outsiders must be doing the deeds and most of the book is Ally running around talking to people about the murders and dodging the many red herrings. There was not much excitement, suspense, or tension as the suspect pool was small. Ally and Ross romance is comfortable and village life should be more quiet as indeed Locharran seems to draw some bad actors.
This is the fifth book in the series and there doesn’t seem much more that can happen up there in the Western Highlands. I’ve read all of them from the beginning and I’m starting to lose interest. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review.
Books on Tour 11-3-2026
Ally McKinley owns the Auld Malthouse Bed & Breakfast in the village of Locharran. She’s also a naturally nosy woman who happens to be a sort of amateur sleuth in a place that has recently seen its share of murder. When one of the locals contacts her about a friend having received a threatening letter, Ally decides to go with her to do a wellness check and find out more. Unfortunately, they are too late and the woman, Juliet, is dead. With few clues and no note to be found, they contact the local detective, Amir Kandahar, and leave it with him. But, wait, other elderly women are receiving the same notes. Ally soon finds the connection to a young woman who all of them knew when they were in school. Now Ally looks at the guests staying at her B&B and also at some of the other odd men hanging about. One of them has to be the killer.
This was basically a sort of locked room mystery since the town is small and the characters are mostly well known to each other. It takes no big investigator to realize that one of the outsiders must be doing the deeds and most of the book is Ally running around talking to people about the murders and dodging the many red herrings. There was not much excitement, suspense, or tension as the suspect pool was small. Ally and Ross romance is comfortable and village life should be more quiet as indeed Locharran seems to draw some bad actors.
This is the fifth book in the series and there doesn’t seem much more that can happen up there in the Western Highlands. I’ve read all of them from the beginning and I’m starting to lose interest. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review.
Books on Tour 11-3-2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own.
Locharran in the Scottish Highlands isn't a place you'd expect to be a hotbed of criminal activity but unfortunately for B&B owner and curious investigator Ally McKinley that's exactly what it is. When one of her neighbours admits to receiving a poison pen letter Ally wonders if anyone else has had the same thing happen, but unfortunately, before she can find out anything else the woman is dead and things have taken a very dark turn. It seems that both the death and the letters are linked to a tragedy which occurred many years earlier but the villagers most at risk are also most unlikely to discuss what happened! Then another body is discovered and more residents admit to receiving letters and Ally realises she could be running out of time to prevent more fatalities.
Book 5 in this series has everything I want in a cosy. Relatable main protagonists, cute dog, twists, turns, and red herrings, as well as a little bit of romance. Lovely. I didn't guess the killer this time even though the clues were there! I shall try again next time!
Locharran in the Scottish Highlands isn't a place you'd expect to be a hotbed of criminal activity but unfortunately for B&B owner and curious investigator Ally McKinley that's exactly what it is. When one of her neighbours admits to receiving a poison pen letter Ally wonders if anyone else has had the same thing happen, but unfortunately, before she can find out anything else the woman is dead and things have taken a very dark turn. It seems that both the death and the letters are linked to a tragedy which occurred many years earlier but the villagers most at risk are also most unlikely to discuss what happened! Then another body is discovered and more residents admit to receiving letters and Ally realises she could be running out of time to prevent more fatalities.
Book 5 in this series has everything I want in a cosy. Relatable main protagonists, cute dog, twists, turns, and red herrings, as well as a little bit of romance. Lovely. I didn't guess the killer this time even though the clues were there! I shall try again next time!
October 31, 2026
This is one of my favorite cozy mysteries, especially now that cozies and I aren't getting along like we used to. So, it was fun getting back into this series, and the town of Locharran and the characters I have come to adore.
So this one starts out with Desdemona asking Ally to come and talk to her and a friend because the lady was upset over a note. Ally wasn't able to come right away, and when they got there the next day, the older lady was dead in a tub. Once it was deemed not a suicide, Ally's nosy curiosity was piqued, and when it happened to another older lady, she was really curious.
Ally used to be a television researcher before retiring and coming to Locharran to turn an old malt house into a bed and breakfast. So, she also has some guests to attend to as well; at the beginning, she had her son and his wife staying there. It was their first time since she renovated the place. Then there was a birdwatching couple; after her son left, a single man, Mark, showed up and eventually, towards the later part, another couple came to stay, so she can be pretty busy. She still has tons of time to sleuth, though.
Once Ally puts things together and that each of the ladies that was killed had a letter, she found out they were in choir together a long time ago, and there were others, and that lead to finding out about what happened to one of the ladies. Seems like someone has come back to town to seek revenge on these older ladies, and could Ally be harboring a killer!
This one had a lot of near misses for some of the ladies, which I am glad, so that it didn't become a book full of murders, as a couple is enough, but at the same time it seemed a bit overdone too. I think one of the things I really enjoy about this series is the setting and the people we get to hang out with in each story. I also love the way Ally works with the detective and that the detective is just a friend and not a romantic interest.
If you like cozy mysteries, then I really think you will enjoy this series.
So this one starts out with Desdemona asking Ally to come and talk to her and a friend because the lady was upset over a note. Ally wasn't able to come right away, and when they got there the next day, the older lady was dead in a tub. Once it was deemed not a suicide, Ally's nosy curiosity was piqued, and when it happened to another older lady, she was really curious.
Ally used to be a television researcher before retiring and coming to Locharran to turn an old malt house into a bed and breakfast. So, she also has some guests to attend to as well; at the beginning, she had her son and his wife staying there. It was their first time since she renovated the place. Then there was a birdwatching couple; after her son left, a single man, Mark, showed up and eventually, towards the later part, another couple came to stay, so she can be pretty busy. She still has tons of time to sleuth, though.
Once Ally puts things together and that each of the ladies that was killed had a letter, she found out they were in choir together a long time ago, and there were others, and that lead to finding out about what happened to one of the ladies. Seems like someone has come back to town to seek revenge on these older ladies, and could Ally be harboring a killer!
This one had a lot of near misses for some of the ladies, which I am glad, so that it didn't become a book full of murders, as a couple is enough, but at the same time it seemed a bit overdone too. I think one of the things I really enjoy about this series is the setting and the people we get to hang out with in each story. I also love the way Ally works with the detective and that the detective is just a friend and not a romantic interest.
If you like cozy mysteries, then I really think you will enjoy this series.
Currently Reading
November 1, 2026ARC received! Thank you, Bookouture!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I always enjoy my visits to Locharran, in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Ally McKinley, a woman of a certain age, uprooted her life to make over a run down malthouse into an attractive B&B, The Auld Malthouse. She enjoys her adorable home, her pup Flora, a village of quirky and adorable characters, and a relationship with the local semi retired vet. In Ally's new adventure, someone seems to have a problem with a group of women aged in their seventies, whose only common denominator seems to be that they went to school together and sang in the church choir. When Ally finds two of these ladies dead in their full bathtubs and others receiving strange notes, can she help Amir, the local detective inspector, figure out who has it out for all these older neighborhood ladies? Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookouture, and the author for an opportunity to catch up with Ally. #ThePoisonPenMurders #AllyMcKinleyMysteries #DeeMacDonald #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dee MacDonald has delivered another wonderful cozy mystery with The Poison Pen Murders. I love the way she combines an intriguing murder mystery with a charming Highland village setting and a wonderful cast of characters. The writing is engaging, the pacing is just right, and there are plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep you guessing along the way.
Ally is a likeable and entertaining character, and it’s always a pleasure to catch up with her and see what she gets herself involved in next. It was nice to see how the people in Ally’s life have accepted her sleuthing, especially her son and daughter-in-law, who were against her moving to such a remote location and seem to always be trying to tempt her to move closer to them. After staying with her and seeing her action, they started to understand that Ally has built a nice life in a supportive community.
I also enjoyed how twisty the mystery was. There was both danger in the present, but also lots of misdeeds in the past that slowly came to life. There were LOTS of suspects and victims (both potential and actual) and so it was really tough to guess what was coming next. I was second-guessing my second-guesses.
I highly recommend this book (and series) and can’t wait for the next one!
Ally is a likeable and entertaining character, and it’s always a pleasure to catch up with her and see what she gets herself involved in next. It was nice to see how the people in Ally’s life have accepted her sleuthing, especially her son and daughter-in-law, who were against her moving to such a remote location and seem to always be trying to tempt her to move closer to them. After staying with her and seeing her action, they started to understand that Ally has built a nice life in a supportive community.
I also enjoyed how twisty the mystery was. There was both danger in the present, but also lots of misdeeds in the past that slowly came to life. There were LOTS of suspects and victims (both potential and actual) and so it was really tough to guess what was coming next. I was second-guessing my second-guesses.
I highly recommend this book (and series) and can’t wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 STARS
ARC REVIEW: Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of The Poison Pen Murders by Dee MacDonald in exchange for my honest review.
🎵 THE ENTHRILLERIST SOUNDTRACK
“The Pink Panther Theme” — Henry Mancini
The pairing: Sneaky, playful, and suspicious—the perfect background music for spending an entire book quietly investigating five people and being confidently wrong.
Five suspects. Five believable theories. And somehow I managed to investigate everybody except the right person.
Ally McKinley is an amateur sleuth running a cozy guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands when a decades-old story of bullying, betrayal, suicide, and revenge becomes a present-day mystery. The suspected killer was only five when his mother died, and now, as an adult, he may have returned seeking revenge.
The problem? Five men staying under Ally’s roof could fit the profile.
DID IT FOOL ME? YES.
This was easily my favorite part of the book.
The author didn’t give me one convincing suspect surrounded by four obvious red herrings. Every suspect had a background that gave me a legitimate reason to consider him.
I would settle on one theory, learn something new, abandon it, and promptly begin building a case against somebody else.
That’s the kind of misdirection I appreciate. The mystery wasn’t dependent on simply withholding information from the reader. Instead, I was given too many plausible answers, which made narrowing down the correct one genuinely difficult.
Ally herself was another highlight. I especially enjoyed her newfound relationship and the way her partner supported her sleuthing rather than treating it as something he needed to stop.
There’s something charming about finding love later in life and having your partner essentially accept, Yes, the woman I’m dating investigates murders—and currently suspects several men staying in her own guesthouse.
It added warmth and humor without taking away from the mystery.
PACING & CONSTRUCTION
Nearly every chapter gave me another clue, development, or reason to reconsider someone. With five viable suspects and several histories to keep straight, the story could have easily become unnecessarily complicated. Instead, the pieces aligned neatly as the mystery unfolded.
I stayed engaged. I kept investigating.
And I was wrong.
THE ENTHRILLERIST VERDICT
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 STARS
A clever and entertaining mystery built around something I wish more mysteries did well: making every suspect actually worth suspecting.
It didn’t need an out-of-nowhere twist to fool me. It simply gave me five believable answers and let me confidently choose the wrong ones.
ARC REVIEW: Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of The Poison Pen Murders by Dee MacDonald in exchange for my honest review.
🎵 THE ENTHRILLERIST SOUNDTRACK
“The Pink Panther Theme” — Henry Mancini
The pairing: Sneaky, playful, and suspicious—the perfect background music for spending an entire book quietly investigating five people and being confidently wrong.
Five suspects. Five believable theories. And somehow I managed to investigate everybody except the right person.
Ally McKinley is an amateur sleuth running a cozy guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands when a decades-old story of bullying, betrayal, suicide, and revenge becomes a present-day mystery. The suspected killer was only five when his mother died, and now, as an adult, he may have returned seeking revenge.
The problem? Five men staying under Ally’s roof could fit the profile.
DID IT FOOL ME? YES.
This was easily my favorite part of the book.
The author didn’t give me one convincing suspect surrounded by four obvious red herrings. Every suspect had a background that gave me a legitimate reason to consider him.
I would settle on one theory, learn something new, abandon it, and promptly begin building a case against somebody else.
That’s the kind of misdirection I appreciate. The mystery wasn’t dependent on simply withholding information from the reader. Instead, I was given too many plausible answers, which made narrowing down the correct one genuinely difficult.
Ally herself was another highlight. I especially enjoyed her newfound relationship and the way her partner supported her sleuthing rather than treating it as something he needed to stop.
There’s something charming about finding love later in life and having your partner essentially accept, Yes, the woman I’m dating investigates murders—and currently suspects several men staying in her own guesthouse.
It added warmth and humor without taking away from the mystery.
PACING & CONSTRUCTION
Nearly every chapter gave me another clue, development, or reason to reconsider someone. With five viable suspects and several histories to keep straight, the story could have easily become unnecessarily complicated. Instead, the pieces aligned neatly as the mystery unfolded.
I stayed engaged. I kept investigating.
And I was wrong.
THE ENTHRILLERIST VERDICT
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 STARS
A clever and entertaining mystery built around something I wish more mysteries did well: making every suspect actually worth suspecting.
It didn’t need an out-of-nowhere twist to fool me. It simply gave me five believable answers and let me confidently choose the wrong ones.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Poison Pen Murders is the fifth book in Dee MacDonald’s Ally McKinley Mysteries, and honestly? It might be my favorite yet. I already love this author and every single book she’s written, but this one hit especially hard in the best possible way.
This book, like the others takes place in the charming Highland village of Locharran, where Ally is still running her cosy Auld Malthouse Bed and Breakfast, enjoying life with her lovely retired-vet boyfriend, Ross, her faithful dog Flora, Caesar the cat, Morag, her cranky cleaner, and her ever growing circle of interesting friends. Her son and daughter-in-law are even due for a visit, so everything feels warm and settled… until, of course, Ally stumbles into another murder.
It starts when her friend Desdemona rings in a bit of a panic: a reclusive neighbour has received a nasty threatening letter and wants Ally (whose talent for sniffing out mysteries is by now legendary) to come and take a look. But when they arrive, there’s no letter—just a dead body. And it quickly becomes clear that Locharran has a serial killer on the loose. Poison-pen letters start turning up for several local women, all of them linked by an old, dark rumour about the death of a young woman called Marie McKay years ago. Someone is out for revenge, and they’re not stopping until they get it.
Ally, with Flora at her side, does what she does best: she digs into the village secrets, gently unlocks the gossip that no one wants to share over coffee and cake, and follows the trail of a faded old photograph of a little blond boy with pale eyes. The tension builds beautifully, the atmosphere stays wonderfully cozy even as the bodies pile up, and the whole thing keeps you guessing right to the end.
If you already love Ally and her Highland world, this one is pure comfort with a proper edge of suspense. And if you haven’t started the series yet… what are you waiting for? Dee MacDonald never disappoints, and this might just be her best yet. Highly, highly recommended.
This book, like the others takes place in the charming Highland village of Locharran, where Ally is still running her cosy Auld Malthouse Bed and Breakfast, enjoying life with her lovely retired-vet boyfriend, Ross, her faithful dog Flora, Caesar the cat, Morag, her cranky cleaner, and her ever growing circle of interesting friends. Her son and daughter-in-law are even due for a visit, so everything feels warm and settled… until, of course, Ally stumbles into another murder.
It starts when her friend Desdemona rings in a bit of a panic: a reclusive neighbour has received a nasty threatening letter and wants Ally (whose talent for sniffing out mysteries is by now legendary) to come and take a look. But when they arrive, there’s no letter—just a dead body. And it quickly becomes clear that Locharran has a serial killer on the loose. Poison-pen letters start turning up for several local women, all of them linked by an old, dark rumour about the death of a young woman called Marie McKay years ago. Someone is out for revenge, and they’re not stopping until they get it.
Ally, with Flora at her side, does what she does best: she digs into the village secrets, gently unlocks the gossip that no one wants to share over coffee and cake, and follows the trail of a faded old photograph of a little blond boy with pale eyes. The tension builds beautifully, the atmosphere stays wonderfully cozy even as the bodies pile up, and the whole thing keeps you guessing right to the end.
If you already love Ally and her Highland world, this one is pure comfort with a proper edge of suspense. And if you haven’t started the series yet… what are you waiting for? Dee MacDonald never disappoints, and this might just be her best yet. Highly, highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A question that comes up when potentially choosing a book that's not the first book in a series is will I be able to follow along or will I be lost? For me, the author who was the best at this was Sue Grafton. In just a paragraph or so, she would let the reader know who Kinsey Millhone was and what was currently going in her life. Dee MacDonald's book The Poison Pen Murders is the fifth in the Ally McKinley Mystery series and I decided to put it to the Grafton test.
Ally McKinley is a retiree who gave up her city life to run a bed-and-breakfast in the tiny village of Locharran in the Scottish Highlands. She has already made a reputation for herself as an amateur detective solving several murders. The book quickly kicks off with Ally getting a phone call from her friend Desdemona about a threatening letter that another resident of the village got in the mail. When the two of them go to visit the woman who received the letter, they find her floating in an overflowing bathtub. In just a few days, there are more threatening notes and more women of a certain age are discovered dead.
The Scottish Highlands setting is described beautifully throughout the book. The spring time frame calls for an ever changing landscape and the book is full of early blooming flowers and leaves beginning to show.
Dee MacDonald is a skilled writer who subtly weaves information from Ally’s past crime solving adventures into this story. Her son and daughter-in-law are visiting which brings up opportunities to update them on both the state of the bed and breakfast and past murders. Visits from Amir Kandahar, the local detective inspector, also refer back to crimes covered in previous books. All done smoothly and without seeming forced.
So, yes, The Poison Pen Murders passes the Grafton test handily and just a great read in general. I will definitely be adding books 1-5 in the Ally McKinley Mystery series to my TBS stack.
5 lattes out of 5
Disclaimer: This eARC was provided by Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ally McKinley is a retiree who gave up her city life to run a bed-and-breakfast in the tiny village of Locharran in the Scottish Highlands. She has already made a reputation for herself as an amateur detective solving several murders. The book quickly kicks off with Ally getting a phone call from her friend Desdemona about a threatening letter that another resident of the village got in the mail. When the two of them go to visit the woman who received the letter, they find her floating in an overflowing bathtub. In just a few days, there are more threatening notes and more women of a certain age are discovered dead.
The Scottish Highlands setting is described beautifully throughout the book. The spring time frame calls for an ever changing landscape and the book is full of early blooming flowers and leaves beginning to show.
Dee MacDonald is a skilled writer who subtly weaves information from Ally’s past crime solving adventures into this story. Her son and daughter-in-law are visiting which brings up opportunities to update them on both the state of the bed and breakfast and past murders. Visits from Amir Kandahar, the local detective inspector, also refer back to crimes covered in previous books. All done smoothly and without seeming forced.
So, yes, The Poison Pen Murders passes the Grafton test handily and just a great read in general. I will definitely be adding books 1-5 in the Ally McKinley Mystery series to my TBS stack.
5 lattes out of 5
Disclaimer: This eARC was provided by Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5 stars: This is MacDonald's fifth entry in the Ally McKinley Mystery series which is a British Senior Sleuth B&B Cozy Mystery set in Scotland. Featuring a seventy-one year-old widowed retired Scottish TV researcher, who has lovingly restored an old malthouse as a guesthouse B&B, as she finds herself turning sleuth after a poison pen letter received by a local woman leads her to discovering an elderly neighbor drowned fully clothed in the bathtub. After a second woman murdered in the exact same way and having also received a threatening note, she's determined to unmask the killer. Soon she unlocks the 50 year old mystery, the targeted women were all rumored to be involved in a young new mother's death. After finding a faded photo of a little blond boy with pale eyes, she knows she's on the right track but she'll have to work fast to unseal all the secrets before the post delivers another murder?
With plenty of twists and turns, MacDonald has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, MacDonald's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a well crafted supporting cast.
• Takes place during spring in a quaint Scottish Highlands village.
• Animal Companions: There's the MC's adorable little dog, her beau's faithful canine and the MC's newly adopted ginger cat.
While this can be read as a stand-alone, you'll gain much more by reading the series from the beginning with book one, Murder in the Scottish Highlands.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, MacDonald has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, MacDonald's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a well crafted supporting cast.
• Takes place during spring in a quaint Scottish Highlands village.
• Animal Companions: There's the MC's adorable little dog, her beau's faithful canine and the MC's newly adopted ginger cat.
While this can be read as a stand-alone, you'll gain much more by reading the series from the beginning with book one, Murder in the Scottish Highlands.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars
Ally McKinley might be the owner of the cosiest little guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands, but she also has a reputation as an amateur detective! So when a threatening note drops through her elderly neighbour Juliet Munro’s door, Ally is called in to investigate. But what first seems like a nasty prank soon proves lethal, when the very next day, Juliet is found fully clothed in her bath, she’s been murdered. Her faithful dog Flora by her side, Ally soon learns that more than one woman in Locharran has received a poison pen letter. They were all rumoured to be involved in the death of a young woman called Marie McKay. Marie, an unmarried mother committed suicide nearly half a century earlier & her young son was taken into care. A faded photo of a little blond boy with pale eyes has Ally on the right track.
The fifth book in the series & it’s like sitting down with old friends. I love Ally, Ross, Julia, Amir & even Morag. The case is intriguing & although it was soon presumed that the killer was Marie’s son it had me guessing as to who it could be from the handful of suspects. Ally is now in her seventies & se has a way of chatting to people that has them opening up as does Amir. I love that Amir welcomes Ally’s help. I thoroughly enjoyed it & didn’t work out who the villain was. A well written cosy mystery with wonderful characters, a well paced story & some humour as well as tension
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Ally McKinley might be the owner of the cosiest little guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands, but she also has a reputation as an amateur detective! So when a threatening note drops through her elderly neighbour Juliet Munro’s door, Ally is called in to investigate. But what first seems like a nasty prank soon proves lethal, when the very next day, Juliet is found fully clothed in her bath, she’s been murdered. Her faithful dog Flora by her side, Ally soon learns that more than one woman in Locharran has received a poison pen letter. They were all rumoured to be involved in the death of a young woman called Marie McKay. Marie, an unmarried mother committed suicide nearly half a century earlier & her young son was taken into care. A faded photo of a little blond boy with pale eyes has Ally on the right track.
The fifth book in the series & it’s like sitting down with old friends. I love Ally, Ross, Julia, Amir & even Morag. The case is intriguing & although it was soon presumed that the killer was Marie’s son it had me guessing as to who it could be from the handful of suspects. Ally is now in her seventies & se has a way of chatting to people that has them opening up as does Amir. I love that Amir welcomes Ally’s help. I thoroughly enjoyed it & didn’t work out who the villain was. A well written cosy mystery with wonderful characters, a well paced story & some humour as well as tension
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "The Poison Pen Murders" in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was the fifth in the Alley McKinley Mystery series. Ally runs The Auld Malthouse B&B in Locharran. Ross the retired vet is her partner. Jamie Ally's son tried to stop her from buying the malthouse, telling her she was too old to start renovating, she could be comfortable in a nice wee flat in Edinburgh. It doesn't help that Jamie is convinced that Ally lives in the criminal capital of the Highlands.
Juliet Munro - a friend of Desdemona had received a threatening letter and this starts a spree of women in the village getting threatening notes. DI Amir Kandahar relies on Ally to help him find clues and solve his cases.
She has an interesting group of guests. Her son Jamie and his wife Liz stay for a few days. As more women go missing Ally figures out that they were all at school together, similar in age, all part of the choir and still live in Locharran. Even Morag's sister received a threatening note. Someone drowned 50 years ago and now Ally thinks that the son is probably the killer. Someone who moved away as a child, was adopted and has now returned? The events of the events of the past, lies. misdirection all come together for an exciting conclusion to this story.
As always I'm looking forward to what Ally and her friends get into next.
This was the fifth in the Alley McKinley Mystery series. Ally runs The Auld Malthouse B&B in Locharran. Ross the retired vet is her partner. Jamie Ally's son tried to stop her from buying the malthouse, telling her she was too old to start renovating, she could be comfortable in a nice wee flat in Edinburgh. It doesn't help that Jamie is convinced that Ally lives in the criminal capital of the Highlands.
Juliet Munro - a friend of Desdemona had received a threatening letter and this starts a spree of women in the village getting threatening notes. DI Amir Kandahar relies on Ally to help him find clues and solve his cases.
She has an interesting group of guests. Her son Jamie and his wife Liz stay for a few days. As more women go missing Ally figures out that they were all at school together, similar in age, all part of the choir and still live in Locharran. Even Morag's sister received a threatening note. Someone drowned 50 years ago and now Ally thinks that the son is probably the killer. Someone who moved away as a child, was adopted and has now returned? The events of the events of the past, lies. misdirection all come together for an exciting conclusion to this story.
As always I'm looking forward to what Ally and her friends get into next.
August 15, 2026
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review 'The Poison Pen Murders' by Dee MacDonald prior to the publication date.
Book 5 in the An Ally Mckinley Mystery series finds Ally once again wondering if she is hosting a murderer in her Malt House B&B. A series of poison pen letters is making the rounds in Locharran and Ally (the local amateur detective) with the help of her boyfriend Ross and her trusty murder clock board sets out to uncover what links the unfortunate victims to the remaining letter recipients.
What I liked about this book.
- As always the characters are charming and quirky.
- The descriptions of the Scottish landscape.
What I didn't like.
- Unfortunately, given the set up of the town there are only two places external characters can stay, at the local hotel or at Ally's B&B. This immediately narrows the readers choice of murder suspects as it is highly unlikely a local character will be the murderer.
- It seemed like a lot of the book was dedicated to Ally coming home and then immediately deciding that she must go out to ask more questions, She never seems to be in one place long enough to ask all her questions.
- Ally was off her game in this book. She is smart enough to be aware that one of her guests may be the murderer and yet she frequently shared information with guests about the location of people she'd identified as potential future victims.
- I was also disappointed with Ally and her boyfriend Ross for not expressing any concern that Ally might be in danger living in the same building as a potential murderer. It's not like it would be difficult to overpower Ally and I'm sure the murderer could break into her room in the middle of the night if they really wanted to.
I love the premise of this series and the characters are genuinely likeable. Unfortunately the series is becoming too predictable. We need something to change in Locharran, something drastic that shakes everyone up and changes the prescriptive arc of the story.
Book 5 in the An Ally Mckinley Mystery series finds Ally once again wondering if she is hosting a murderer in her Malt House B&B. A series of poison pen letters is making the rounds in Locharran and Ally (the local amateur detective) with the help of her boyfriend Ross and her trusty murder clock board sets out to uncover what links the unfortunate victims to the remaining letter recipients.
What I liked about this book.
- As always the characters are charming and quirky.
- The descriptions of the Scottish landscape.
What I didn't like.
- Unfortunately, given the set up of the town there are only two places external characters can stay, at the local hotel or at Ally's B&B. This immediately narrows the readers choice of murder suspects as it is highly unlikely a local character will be the murderer.
- It seemed like a lot of the book was dedicated to Ally coming home and then immediately deciding that she must go out to ask more questions, She never seems to be in one place long enough to ask all her questions.
- Ally was off her game in this book. She is smart enough to be aware that one of her guests may be the murderer and yet she frequently shared information with guests about the location of people she'd identified as potential future victims.
- I was also disappointed with Ally and her boyfriend Ross for not expressing any concern that Ally might be in danger living in the same building as a potential murderer. It's not like it would be difficult to overpower Ally and I'm sure the murderer could break into her room in the middle of the night if they really wanted to.
I love the premise of this series and the characters are genuinely likeable. Unfortunately the series is becoming too predictable. We need something to change in Locharran, something drastic that shakes everyone up and changes the prescriptive arc of the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dee MacDonald delivers another delightfully quirky cozy mystery with “The Poison Pen Murders,” a story of bitterness and revenge.
Ally McKinley is continuing to run her bed and breakfast in the old malthouse in the Scottish Highlands town of Locharran. Her son and his wife are visiting. Her relationship with retired vet Ross is going well. Life is good.
And then someone starts killing and threatening women in the town with a strange past connection, and Ally knows she has to jump into the case. When she begins to suspect some of her own guests, as well as people close to her friends, she really gets worried.
Will Ally figure out who’s targeting the town’s women of a certain age before another death occurs? Will she keep herself and her friends safe?
MacDonald once again does a great job of creating a unique and quirky cast of characters, including some new ones and a cat named Caesar, all while developing a plot filled with twists and turns, including drama and laugh-out-loud moments, leaving the reader guessing until the very end.
Fans of cozy mysteries and series like Ian Moore’s “Follet Valley Mystery” and Peter Boland’s “Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries” will love this, which is due out Oct. 30.
Five stars out of five.
Bookouture provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Ally McKinley is continuing to run her bed and breakfast in the old malthouse in the Scottish Highlands town of Locharran. Her son and his wife are visiting. Her relationship with retired vet Ross is going well. Life is good.
And then someone starts killing and threatening women in the town with a strange past connection, and Ally knows she has to jump into the case. When she begins to suspect some of her own guests, as well as people close to her friends, she really gets worried.
Will Ally figure out who’s targeting the town’s women of a certain age before another death occurs? Will she keep herself and her friends safe?
MacDonald once again does a great job of creating a unique and quirky cast of characters, including some new ones and a cat named Caesar, all while developing a plot filled with twists and turns, including drama and laugh-out-loud moments, leaving the reader guessing until the very end.
Fans of cozy mysteries and series like Ian Moore’s “Follet Valley Mystery” and Peter Boland’s “Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries” will love this, which is due out Oct. 30.
Five stars out of five.
Bookouture provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
October 9, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
Since opening up her B&B in Locharran, set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, Ally McKinley has become well known for being an amateur sleuth, and helping the police to solve local murders.
With new guests coming to stay over the Easter holidays, Ally has her work cut out when a spate of murders coincide with her new visitors. Could any of them be the killer? Using her sleuthing skills, she helps Detective Amir Kandahar by finding out important information and the gossip!
With threatening notes being sent to the victims before their deaths, Ally feels that locals are holding back. The cases take many unexpected twists which leave Ally flummoxed.
It was great to be back in Locharran with all the locals and Ally. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Ally and Ross, the retired vet.
Queenie is the owner of the local village shop and enjoys a good gossip. She never changes and I find myself rolling my eyes when she crops up.
I like seeing how the case is gradually solved, and although I try to do a bit of amateur sleuthing myself with these stories, I got it wrong … again!
This is a series that I would love to keep on going. Quick and easy reads that are enjoyable and gripping.
Since opening up her B&B in Locharran, set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, Ally McKinley has become well known for being an amateur sleuth, and helping the police to solve local murders.
With new guests coming to stay over the Easter holidays, Ally has her work cut out when a spate of murders coincide with her new visitors. Could any of them be the killer? Using her sleuthing skills, she helps Detective Amir Kandahar by finding out important information and the gossip!
With threatening notes being sent to the victims before their deaths, Ally feels that locals are holding back. The cases take many unexpected twists which leave Ally flummoxed.
It was great to be back in Locharran with all the locals and Ally. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Ally and Ross, the retired vet.
Queenie is the owner of the local village shop and enjoys a good gossip. She never changes and I find myself rolling my eyes when she crops up.
I like seeing how the case is gradually solved, and although I try to do a bit of amateur sleuthing myself with these stories, I got it wrong … again!
This is a series that I would love to keep on going. Quick and easy reads that are enjoyable and gripping.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I always think it sounds strange saying that I really enjoyed a book about murder, but strange or not, I do enjoy them and this one in particular. I've read a few of the Ally McKinley series now (this is book 5) and each one of them has been really entertaining and a good read.
This time, Ally finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation again when a series of women seem to be being attacked and drowned in their baths. As Ally investigates further, she finds out why this might be happening and who might be behind it from their past, without knowing who that might be today.
I didn't solve this one before Ally, I had a few ideas, but I hadn't got it quite right. I didn't really matter though, as this was an entertaining read in any case and I wasn't millions of miles away from the solution.
I'm sure we'll be back with Ally again before much longer and I'm looking forward to reading more about her adventures.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
This time, Ally finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation again when a series of women seem to be being attacked and drowned in their baths. As Ally investigates further, she finds out why this might be happening and who might be behind it from their past, without knowing who that might be today.
I didn't solve this one before Ally, I had a few ideas, but I hadn't got it quite right. I didn't really matter though, as this was an entertaining read in any case and I wasn't millions of miles away from the solution.
I'm sure we'll be back with Ally again before much longer and I'm looking forward to reading more about her adventures.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
October 30, 2026
Having already enjoyed other books in this series, I was delighted to spend more time in Locharran with Ally and her faithful dog, Flora. This instalment combines anonymous letters, old secrets, and a decades old tragedy into a mystery that kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.
What I enjoyed most was the way the investigation gradually peeled back the layers of village life. Beneath the cosy setting lies a community shaped by long held rumours, hidden connections, and painful memories. Ally is as likeable and determined as ever, and I loved following her as she patiently untangled the threads linking the poison pen letters to a tragedy from the past.
The Scottish Highland setting adds plenty of charm, while the emotional undercurrents give the story real depth. The balance between cosy mystery, suspense, and character development is particularly well done. Another strong entry in a series I have come to enjoy very much.
Highly recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.
What I enjoyed most was the way the investigation gradually peeled back the layers of village life. Beneath the cosy setting lies a community shaped by long held rumours, hidden connections, and painful memories. Ally is as likeable and determined as ever, and I loved following her as she patiently untangled the threads linking the poison pen letters to a tragedy from the past.
The Scottish Highland setting adds plenty of charm, while the emotional undercurrents give the story real depth. The balance between cosy mystery, suspense, and character development is particularly well done. Another strong entry in a series I have come to enjoy very much.
Highly recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's spring in Locharran and Ally is looking forward to a visit from her son Jamie and his wife.. When they get there they get friendly with a birdwatching couple who have also just arrived.
Unfortunately it also coincides with Ally and Desdemona's discovery of a murder victim. Desdemona had asked Ally to visit this woman as she wanted some advice as she had received a poison pen letter. The letter can't now be found.
When there is another victim, other people admit to receiving letters. After her son leaves Callum at the hotel asks if she would take in two of his guest as all they've done is complain. Against her better judgment she does. She also has another guest turn up without booking.
She worries that any of them could be the killer as that has happened before.
As usual a nice easy pleasant read.
Unfortunately it also coincides with Ally and Desdemona's discovery of a murder victim. Desdemona had asked Ally to visit this woman as she wanted some advice as she had received a poison pen letter. The letter can't now be found.
When there is another victim, other people admit to receiving letters. After her son leaves Callum at the hotel asks if she would take in two of his guest as all they've done is complain. Against her better judgment she does. She also has another guest turn up without booking.
She worries that any of them could be the killer as that has happened before.
As usual a nice easy pleasant read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I entered the Ally McKinley Mystery series late at this the 5th book in the series but it was easy to pick up the charm of Highland life in Locharran and fall in love with its local characters.
Ally McKinley is a likable main character with a strong sense of duty to ferret out who is killing and attacking her neighbors. Someone who has vengeance on their mind.
The mystery itself is not complex and you may find yourself with a pretty good idea who the culprit is, still this cozy mystery (reminiscent of M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series) is worth settling in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and a scone.
I’d like to thank the publisher for providing this advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ally McKinley is a likable main character with a strong sense of duty to ferret out who is killing and attacking her neighbors. Someone who has vengeance on their mind.
The mystery itself is not complex and you may find yourself with a pretty good idea who the culprit is, still this cozy mystery (reminiscent of M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series) is worth settling in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and a scone.
I’d like to thank the publisher for providing this advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love the Ally McKinley Mysteries, so I couldn’t wait to read The Poison Pen Murders.
This time around, there’s a rash of poison pen letters and murders, and Ally rushes in to investigate.
I love the setting of these books. I love the B&B that Ally runs, and reading about the beautiful countryside around. The village is also fun to read about, with a selection of characters with their own quirks.
The mystery was an excellent one, and the B&B and surrounding area full of suspicious characters. I thought first one person, and then another, must be the culprit.
Overall, this was a particularly excellent mystery, which kept me turning the pages to find out who actually did it! I highly recommend this book, and the whole series.
I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
This time around, there’s a rash of poison pen letters and murders, and Ally rushes in to investigate.
I love the setting of these books. I love the B&B that Ally runs, and reading about the beautiful countryside around. The village is also fun to read about, with a selection of characters with their own quirks.
The mystery was an excellent one, and the B&B and surrounding area full of suspicious characters. I thought first one person, and then another, must be the culprit.
Overall, this was a particularly excellent mystery, which kept me turning the pages to find out who actually did it! I highly recommend this book, and the whole series.
I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
B&B guests under suspicion AGAIN!?🐱
4.5🌟 stars
Ally the B&B owner and amateur detective seems fated to take in guests with questionable backgrounds! Local women of a similar certain age are in grave danger as it seems the poison pen letters they receive are not just idle threats and somehow Ally's new guests end up, with a few locals, on her list of suspects as she keeps feeding her favorite police detective information to crack the case.
Good suspense, plenty of suspects, a cast of characters that's not too large to easily follow and a pet that inadvertently saves the day all contributed to a very good read. I have found every book in this series to be a fine read and some of the local villagers like the gossiping grocer and Ally's cleaning lady are such fun.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4.5🌟 stars
Ally the B&B owner and amateur detective seems fated to take in guests with questionable backgrounds! Local women of a similar certain age are in grave danger as it seems the poison pen letters they receive are not just idle threats and somehow Ally's new guests end up, with a few locals, on her list of suspects as she keeps feeding her favorite police detective information to crack the case.
Good suspense, plenty of suspects, a cast of characters that's not too large to easily follow and a pet that inadvertently saves the day all contributed to a very good read. I have found every book in this series to be a fine read and some of the local villagers like the gossiping grocer and Ally's cleaning lady are such fun.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
November 2, 2026
Ally McKinley is looking forward to a new season at her cosy guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands. It's Easter time, and she's expecting a visit from her son and his wife, hoping they now understand why she loves her new life. When someone dies in suspicious circumstances, Ally is once more drawn into the investigation that has historical links and an emotional heart. I have enjoyed all the books in this series with its quirky characters and twisty murder mysteries. Ally is a credible amateur sleuth, and the bed-and-breakfast setting in the Highlands feels relatable, adding to the story's authenticity. I like the cast of regular characters, the immersive investigation and the suspense of this story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
November 3, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
It’s always a good day when a new Ally McKinley book comes out. I love sitting down with a cup of tea and Ally and her sweet dog Flora.
This time Ally’s neighbor needs her help because her friend got a poisoned pen letter. Ally is caught up and by the time she goes to help, the neighbor’s already dead!
More ladies get poisoned pen letters and Ally is a race against time to figure out what’s going on.
I always enjoy this series and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Ally and company.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#The Poison Pen Murders
#DeeMacDonaldBookTour
#NetGalley #Bookouture #ILoveBooks #BookLove #Bookstagram
It’s always a good day when a new Ally McKinley book comes out. I love sitting down with a cup of tea and Ally and her sweet dog Flora.
This time Ally’s neighbor needs her help because her friend got a poisoned pen letter. Ally is caught up and by the time she goes to help, the neighbor’s already dead!
More ladies get poisoned pen letters and Ally is a race against time to figure out what’s going on.
I always enjoy this series and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Ally and company.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#The Poison Pen Murders
#DeeMacDonaldBookTour
#NetGalley #Bookouture #ILoveBooks #BookLove #Bookstagram
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October 10, 2026A good, enjoyable mystery and another outing with Ally McKinley. The story kept me interested, and I was happy to spend time with the series again. However, this one was more of a 4-star read than a 5-star favorite for me. For some reason, Ally just didn't quite feel like herself this time around. I can't put my finger on exactly why, but something about her character felt a little different. Still, it was a good mystery and a worthwhile read and I definitely will continue on with this great series
Thanks to NetGalley Bookourture and the author for the opportunity to read and review this engaging book which releases on 10/30/2026
Thanks to NetGalley Bookourture and the author for the opportunity to read and review this engaging book which releases on 10/30/2026
October 31, 2026
Favorite Quotes:
… she was able to kick him in the goolies. That always does for them, you know.
She was now hoping he was the killer, if only to imagine him getting a life sentence. Try telling the prison officers just how you like your eggs done!
My Review:
Another fun and well-contrived cozy from the crafty and poison-free pen of Dee MacDonald. I have enjoyed each installment of this cleverly paced, amusing, and satisfying series. Ms. MacDonald’s murders are easy to follow but not easily solved, although I have a delightful time trying and will continue to give them a go when she rolls out the next one.
… she was able to kick him in the goolies. That always does for them, you know.
She was now hoping he was the killer, if only to imagine him getting a life sentence. Try telling the prison officers just how you like your eggs done!
My Review:
Another fun and well-contrived cozy from the crafty and poison-free pen of Dee MacDonald. I have enjoyed each installment of this cleverly paced, amusing, and satisfying series. Ms. MacDonald’s murders are easy to follow but not easily solved, although I have a delightful time trying and will continue to give them a go when she rolls out the next one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When a neighbor is murdered and Ally finds that other also received a letter, as did her neighbor, she finds a connection to an old death years ago. Can Ally figure out who is out to get her neighbors and stop them before they kill again and again?
Each visit to Locharran is filled with a solid mystery and feels like I’ve caught up with old friends. This is the kind of cosy mystery that will have you looking for the next entry as soon as you turn that last page.
Each visit to Locharran is filled with a solid mystery and feels like I’ve caught up with old friends. This is the kind of cosy mystery that will have you looking for the next entry as soon as you turn that last page.
October 30, 2026
I absolutely LOVE this series! All the characters are wonderful! Great addition of Ceasar. the cat.
Someone is killing women of a certain age because of a slight from many years ago. I had NO idea who the killer was!
This is fast paced, and really hard to put down. Can't wait for the next one!
Someone is killing women of a certain age because of a slight from many years ago. I had NO idea who the killer was!
This is fast paced, and really hard to put down. Can't wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another brilliant addition to this series. Poor Ally doesn’t have much luck with the guests at her b&b. I really enjoy these cosy murder mystery books
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