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The Highland Mysteries #6
Treacherous Thistles: A Scottish Highland Cosy Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 3 Dec 26Travel photographer Joana Snowdon is sent to document three wee Highland villages competing for a tourism trophy. She expects hanging baskets, scenic lochs and glens, and perhaps some Highland coos. What she does not expect is to stumble across her own death notice online. That was not in the brief.
Someone wants Joana to put the camera down. And they're willing to cut the eyes out of her picture to make the point. Even DCI Fraser, who is only cheerful by mistake, is showing signs of concern. Brian, her colleague and best friend, quickly decides to act as her bodyguard. Joana, being reliably stubborn, ignores them both and heads deeper into the glens.
There she finds an illegal whisky distiller, a delicate affair nobody wants a photo of, and a Highlander who set off for the Azores and never arrived. But despite his wild idea that the garden centre owner is the head of the Highland Mafia, it is Brian who turns up what nobody was meant to find.
Beneath the bunting and the prize-winning flower beds, the locals are prepared to do whatever it takes to win. Anything at all. The closer Joana gets to the truth, the more she finds herself in the firing line.
Someone wants Joana to put the camera down. And they're willing to cut the eyes out of her picture to make the point. Even DCI Fraser, who is only cheerful by mistake, is showing signs of concern. Brian, her colleague and best friend, quickly decides to act as her bodyguard. Joana, being reliably stubborn, ignores them both and heads deeper into the glens.
There she finds an illegal whisky distiller, a delicate affair nobody wants a photo of, and a Highlander who set off for the Azores and never arrived. But despite his wild idea that the garden centre owner is the head of the Highland Mafia, it is Brian who turns up what nobody was meant to find.
Beneath the bunting and the prize-winning flower beds, the locals are prepared to do whatever it takes to win. Anything at all. The closer Joana gets to the truth, the more she finds herself in the firing line.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 3, 2026
About the author
Joana Snowdon
10 books8 followersI live on the coast of the North Sea in North East Scotland, where the salty air and endless horizon are the perfect companions for dreaming up a cosy mystery.
In my previous life, I worked as a journalist and travelled the world. These days, you’re more likely to find me in my garden with a pen and paper than on a plane. I don't write in an old-fashioned way, but I still love to plan my plots and clues with something I can actually hold. When I head out into the Highlands, I usually bring a thermos of green tea and something vegan that is easy to pack for a picnic (I love eating!). And if this sounds familiar… well… yes. Admittedly, I am a bit like Brian. I like my drama and my snacks. But I’m also a bit like my other main character, Joana, who shares my name. I can be dry, often sarcastic, and sometimes a little annoying.
My stories are of course fiction, but they draw heavily on my real experiences in the Scottish hills. Thankfully, there aren’t nearly as many dead bodies in real life, though many of my quirkier characters are inspired by the wonderful people I’ve met.
I’ve chosen the Highland Coo as the symbol for The Highland Mysteries because, to me, there isn’t a more magnificent animal in the world. They are wild, beautiful, and never really tamed. Just like Scotland itself. (Plus their hairstyle looks pretty much like mine after a sleepless night of plotting, so they have my sympathy.)
While my books are full of secrets and the occasional corpse, I promise to skip the grisly details. I believe there’s enough gloom in the world already. My goal is to give you an escape: a clever twist, a bit of amusement, and a chance to laugh before you return to reality.
Cheers, Joana
In my previous life, I worked as a journalist and travelled the world. These days, you’re more likely to find me in my garden with a pen and paper than on a plane. I don't write in an old-fashioned way, but I still love to plan my plots and clues with something I can actually hold. When I head out into the Highlands, I usually bring a thermos of green tea and something vegan that is easy to pack for a picnic (I love eating!). And if this sounds familiar… well… yes. Admittedly, I am a bit like Brian. I like my drama and my snacks. But I’m also a bit like my other main character, Joana, who shares my name. I can be dry, often sarcastic, and sometimes a little annoying.
My stories are of course fiction, but they draw heavily on my real experiences in the Scottish hills. Thankfully, there aren’t nearly as many dead bodies in real life, though many of my quirkier characters are inspired by the wonderful people I’ve met.
I’ve chosen the Highland Coo as the symbol for The Highland Mysteries because, to me, there isn’t a more magnificent animal in the world. They are wild, beautiful, and never really tamed. Just like Scotland itself. (Plus their hairstyle looks pretty much like mine after a sleepless night of plotting, so they have my sympathy.)
While my books are full of secrets and the occasional corpse, I promise to skip the grisly details. I believe there’s enough gloom in the world already. My goal is to give you an escape: a clever twist, a bit of amusement, and a chance to laugh before you return to reality.
Cheers, Joana
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 2, 2026
Joana Snowdon is traversing three villages, photographing them for a tourism publication's best village contest. This enjoyable assignment is suddenly clouded by anonymous threats, leaving Joana no choice but to bring in her co-conspirator, Brian. Together, the two examine the darker, hidden side of the pretty locations: the disappearance of a beloved uncle, the vandalism of a village's floral display, and the existence of the Scottish Mafia, which might just be a figment of Brian's imagination. But when the torment escalates, DCI Fraser and his underling DC Murray step in with official attention.
I have a whimsical thought that at the beginning of each story in this series, a character will clamour for the author's attention and insist on being the "most valuable player". For me, this accolade was awarded to Brian in Treacherous Thistles. His loyalty, even under the pressure of a hike in the mountains, was unwavering, and his contribution to the detection work was remarkable. That isn't to say that the other characters lacked presence, just that Brian had his moment to shine in this particular novel.
And, once again, the author has brought seemingly routine community life and endowed it with an undercurrent that has the reader waiting for the second shoe to drop. With a red herring strewn across the path every so often, the mystery is not as simple as it initially seemed. What started as a fantastic series is becoming ever more brilliant, as incomprehensible as that seems.
It is possible to read this book as a standalone; it is self-contained, and the characters do a fabulous job of introducing themselves. I'd suggest reading the series in order, though.
Thank you to Joana Snowdon and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
I have a whimsical thought that at the beginning of each story in this series, a character will clamour for the author's attention and insist on being the "most valuable player". For me, this accolade was awarded to Brian in Treacherous Thistles. His loyalty, even under the pressure of a hike in the mountains, was unwavering, and his contribution to the detection work was remarkable. That isn't to say that the other characters lacked presence, just that Brian had his moment to shine in this particular novel.
And, once again, the author has brought seemingly routine community life and endowed it with an undercurrent that has the reader waiting for the second shoe to drop. With a red herring strewn across the path every so often, the mystery is not as simple as it initially seemed. What started as a fantastic series is becoming ever more brilliant, as incomprehensible as that seems.
It is possible to read this book as a standalone; it is self-contained, and the characters do a fabulous job of introducing themselves. I'd suggest reading the series in order, though.
Thank you to Joana Snowdon and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
Read
October 4, 2026Another entertaining Scottish cozy mystery, this time set in small villages of the Highlands competing for a tourism award. Some chuckles with Joana’s sidekick, the ever loyal but ever complaining Brian.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Treacherous Thistles is the latest Highland mystery by Joana Snowdon. What a delight this series is! It has everything I want in a cozy mystery series. It's funny, has a great setting, fun characters and a well written mystery! Brian has become one of my favorite cozy characters. He's funny, has no filter, is deeply loyal and has a heart of gold. He is exactly who I would want to solve a mystery with! Fraser is becoming a favorite character too! In spite of his grumpiness, he truly cares and that makes him a great police officer. This mystery was a really fun challenge to figure out and I really enjoyed this delightful break from the real world.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My favorite investigative duo is back!
"Treacherous thistles" is the latest installment in the series and once again, Joana and Brian find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery because apparently wherever these two go, someone is bound to end up dead.
This time, we travel through Scotland as Joana is hired by the tourism board to photograph three villages competing in the Thistle and Thrive competition. What should be a straightforward photography assignment quickly turns into something much more sinister, with murder, mysteries and threatening messages to uncover.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this series is seeing how much the characters have grown over the course of the books. And this time, although he is technically the sidekick, Brian was definitely my favorite character.
Of course, Brian wouldn't be Brian without his obsession with vegetarian food and snacks, his endless complaining and his wonderfully crazy theories. This time, the Scottish Mafia makes an appearance in his imagination. But beneath all of that, Brian plays a much bigger role in the investigation than he might realize. His loyalty to Joana really shines through, as does his determination to help her figure out who is behind the threatening messages. This novel really gives Brian his chance to shine and I absolutely loved seeing that side of him.
I also really enjoyed the interaction between Joana and DCI Fraser. She may be a constant source of stress and high blood pressure for him, but when her life, career and reputation are potentially at risk, he goes above and beyond to make sure she is safe. Their relationship adds another layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
The mystery itself is well constructed, the story is fun and fast paced and there is plenty to keep you engaged right until the very end.
Another entertaining mystery from Joana Snowdon and I can't wait to see where Joana and Brian's adventures take them next!
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Treacherous thistles" is the latest installment in the series and once again, Joana and Brian find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery because apparently wherever these two go, someone is bound to end up dead.
This time, we travel through Scotland as Joana is hired by the tourism board to photograph three villages competing in the Thistle and Thrive competition. What should be a straightforward photography assignment quickly turns into something much more sinister, with murder, mysteries and threatening messages to uncover.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this series is seeing how much the characters have grown over the course of the books. And this time, although he is technically the sidekick, Brian was definitely my favorite character.
Of course, Brian wouldn't be Brian without his obsession with vegetarian food and snacks, his endless complaining and his wonderfully crazy theories. This time, the Scottish Mafia makes an appearance in his imagination. But beneath all of that, Brian plays a much bigger role in the investigation than he might realize. His loyalty to Joana really shines through, as does his determination to help her figure out who is behind the threatening messages. This novel really gives Brian his chance to shine and I absolutely loved seeing that side of him.
I also really enjoyed the interaction between Joana and DCI Fraser. She may be a constant source of stress and high blood pressure for him, but when her life, career and reputation are potentially at risk, he goes above and beyond to make sure she is safe. Their relationship adds another layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
The mystery itself is well constructed, the story is fun and fast paced and there is plenty to keep you engaged right until the very end.
Another entertaining mystery from Joana Snowdon and I can't wait to see where Joana and Brian's adventures take them next!
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Treacherous Thistles is a fun addition to Joana Snowdon’s Highland Mysteries series. This time, Joana Snowdon and her long-suffering companion Brian find themselves caught up in a particularly complicated mystery involving threatening messages, a missing elderly man, a suspicious grave, village politics, and more than a few secrets that people would rather keep buried.
Joana is definitely not your typical amateur sleuth. She is blunt, stubborn, independent, and seemingly incapable of leaving a mystery alone—even when DCI Fraser repeatedly tells her to do exactly that.
There are quite a few suspects and possible motives to sort through here, and I liked how the investigation gradually expanded from what initially seemed like a relatively straightforward village mystery into something much more complicated. The Scottish Highland setting also adds a lot to the atmosphere, with the small villages, local rivalries, community politics, and, of course, the ever-present weather.
Some of the dialogue had me smiling, particularly Brian's increasingly outrageous theories and Fraser's exasperation with Joana's tendency to involve herself in police investigations. At the same time, there is enough genuine danger and suspense to keep the story moving.
A cozy mystery with a distinctly Scottish flavor, plenty of humor, an engaging cast of characters, and enough twists to keep me guessing. If you enjoy character-driven cozy mysteries where the sleuth is just as likely to annoy the police as she is to help them solve the case, Treacherous Thistles is worth picking up.
Joana is definitely not your typical amateur sleuth. She is blunt, stubborn, independent, and seemingly incapable of leaving a mystery alone—even when DCI Fraser repeatedly tells her to do exactly that.
There are quite a few suspects and possible motives to sort through here, and I liked how the investigation gradually expanded from what initially seemed like a relatively straightforward village mystery into something much more complicated. The Scottish Highland setting also adds a lot to the atmosphere, with the small villages, local rivalries, community politics, and, of course, the ever-present weather.
Some of the dialogue had me smiling, particularly Brian's increasingly outrageous theories and Fraser's exasperation with Joana's tendency to involve herself in police investigations. At the same time, there is enough genuine danger and suspense to keep the story moving.
A cozy mystery with a distinctly Scottish flavor, plenty of humor, an engaging cast of characters, and enough twists to keep me guessing. If you enjoy character-driven cozy mysteries where the sleuth is just as likely to annoy the police as she is to help them solve the case, Treacherous Thistles is worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Treacherous Thistles by Joana Snowdon is another cozy mystery in this series that will keep you guessing "whodunit" until the very end. I receive an advance copy of this book through BookSirens.com and I always review every book that I read. I thought the plot and characters are well developed and I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction among them. There is an amateur sleuth, a vegan partner, and a detective with a sidekick with a misuse of common phrases that will keep you smiling. There are lots of scenarios that build up to the classic cozy mystery murder. Some of the happenings are related, some are coincidental, but they will keep you guessing and trying to figure out how to solve the crimes.
This is not the first book that I have read by this author in this series and I will try to read more. Enjoy.
This is not the first book that I have read by this author in this series and I will try to read more. Enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
We're back with our friends Joana & Brian! Joana has contracted to take pics of several highland towns for the Annual Thistle Competition. While staying in a remote cabin someone leaves a threat for Joana but doesn't say why. She calls Brian to ask his opinion and he is off to the London airport. Several more threats come and Brian calls their good friends Murray & his boss Fraser from the police. They arrive by the 3rd threat. Meanwhile the towns are tidying up their communities and planting flowers & thistles which are the national flower of Scotland. The investigating continues with Fraser telling her to go home and the threats stop. Silly thing to say to Joana. You will thoroughly enjoy this page turner. It more than earns it's 5*++. I can't wait for the next in the series.
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion.
Read on 10/06/26.
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion.
Read on 10/06/26.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again Joana is photographing various places for a competition called The Thistle and Thrive. Then, when she was in a glamping pod in a remote park someone pinned a crushed rose to the door and the next morning she found a destroyed camera on the outside table. She phones Brian, who immediately flew up to Scotland to be with her and he discovered a death notice for her. Then a photo of her on the windscreen of her car with the eyes cut out. Brian notified their police contacts. Then Joana hears of a man who was once a local, moved to The Azores, was back visiting his niece & had gone missing whilst his niece & her husband were away. There is a lot going on in this book and once again Joana with some help from Brian solve a mystery or two!
Review of advance copy
Treacherous Thistles is A Scottish Highland Cozy Mystery by Joana Snowdon. I am enjoying this series. I get to travel around Scotland through the camera lens of Joana and Brian. In this book, Joana and Brian are documenting 3 tiny Highland villages for tourism. This should be an easy and fun assignment. Right? Everything is going great until Joana finds her death notice online! DC Fraser is concerned, Brian is going to be her bodyguard, Joana is going to discover who is planning her death. This mystery is wonderful and I believe everyone will enjoy this novel. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This was a bit dark, twisted, and sad, when
the reveal came, but it didn't seem like a selfish or ruthless act of violence (but it was still a crime). The least likely source, or so I thought. I love this series so much. The sleuthing, setting, the characters, the story telling- it all feels organic and natural for some dark secrets.
A great show of running the evidence down, it was almost chilling. Step in for some dark fun times!! Well worth your time.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
the reveal came, but it didn't seem like a selfish or ruthless act of violence (but it was still a crime). The least likely source, or so I thought. I love this series so much. The sleuthing, setting, the characters, the story telling- it all feels organic and natural for some dark secrets.
A great show of running the evidence down, it was almost chilling. Step in for some dark fun times!! Well worth your time.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
Review of advance copy
Sixth novel in this series and it already had me laughing out loud 10 pages in.
I love the increasing banter between Joana and Fraser and I hope to see something develop in the future?
The mysteries are well developed and intertwined with lots of red herrings and unexpected findings. The fact that Joana herself was threatened added another layer to the mysteries.
Can't wait to read the next one, I'm addicted to this series!
I love the increasing banter between Joana and Fraser and I hope to see something develop in the future?
The mysteries are well developed and intertwined with lots of red herrings and unexpected findings. The fact that Joana herself was threatened added another layer to the mysteries.
Can't wait to read the next one, I'm addicted to this series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed reading it but honestly I find Brian's characterisation was a wee bit laboured. What maybe was meant to be humorous did not land for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Like finding quirky old friends again. And spending an enjoyable few hours of reading. Looking forward to the next adventure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews