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Shetland Sailing Mysteries #4
The Body in the Bracken
The fourth instalment of Marsali Taylor's Shetland Sailing Mysteries.
Cass Lynch has been persuaded to spend Christmas in the Highlands with her friend DI Gavin Macrae, but their romantic walk by the loch is cut short when they find a skeleton among the bracken. Back home in Shetland, Cass hears about Ivor Hughson, who left his wife and failed business months ago, and hasn’t been heard of since. A near-disaster aboard Cass’s yacht suggests someone wants to stop her asking questions about his disappearance. Meanwhile, there are eerie reports of sightings of a njuggle, a Shetland water-horse which drowns curious passers-by. Soon it’s taking Cass all her wits to stay alive …
Cass Lynch has been persuaded to spend Christmas in the Highlands with her friend DI Gavin Macrae, but their romantic walk by the loch is cut short when they find a skeleton among the bracken. Back home in Shetland, Cass hears about Ivor Hughson, who left his wife and failed business months ago, and hasn’t been heard of since. A near-disaster aboard Cass’s yacht suggests someone wants to stop her asking questions about his disappearance. Meanwhile, there are eerie reports of sightings of a njuggle, a Shetland water-horse which drowns curious passers-by. Soon it’s taking Cass all her wits to stay alive …
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2015
123 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
About the author
Marsali Taylor
39 books175 followersMarsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland’s scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland’s distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 23, 2024
Really enjoyed this one . Set In Shetland it is a good murder mystery with fascinating Shetland folklore and lots of sailing information too.
December 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this: the setting is Christmas in a Highland glen and Shetland over New Year. Cass sails herself to the glen to spend Christmas with her delightful policeman Gavin's family. While walking in a favourite, but remote, place which he wants to show her they find a decomposed body. She returns to Shetland as planned, but news of the body turns out possibly to fit the description of a man who is believed to have left home there a few months before. There are some threats, a further death, and some mysterious incidents, and Gavin comes back to Shetland as part of the investigation. Eventually the murderer is revealed (not the one I had thought).
There are some improbable coincidences here: how unlikely is it that Cass would be the person to find the missing Shetland man in a remote place on the mainland, for instance? but there is so much to like here: maps; each day beginning with a ship's log describing the weather, sunrise/sunset times (the days are very short), and although I know nothing about sailing the details are lightly imparted and never a barrier to the story for me: it makes me feel I have learned something of the skill involved, the dangers, and the excitement. There's some Gaelic (on the side of the Scottish policeman) and lots of, again lightly done, Shetland language (with a glossary at the back); some Shetland folklore; and a whole Up Helly Aa episode which includes some of the behind-the-scenes bits. (some of the snapshots in my grandparents' photo album now make a bit more sense!) The relationship between Cass and Gavin is tentative and gentle. Also, I love Cat!
There are some improbable coincidences here: how unlikely is it that Cass would be the person to find the missing Shetland man in a remote place on the mainland, for instance? but there is so much to like here: maps; each day beginning with a ship's log describing the weather, sunrise/sunset times (the days are very short), and although I know nothing about sailing the details are lightly imparted and never a barrier to the story for me: it makes me feel I have learned something of the skill involved, the dangers, and the excitement. There's some Gaelic (on the side of the Scottish policeman) and lots of, again lightly done, Shetland language (with a glossary at the back); some Shetland folklore; and a whole Up Helly Aa episode which includes some of the behind-the-scenes bits. (some of the snapshots in my grandparents' photo album now make a bit more sense!) The relationship between Cass and Gavin is tentative and gentle. Also, I love Cat!
March 12, 2025
I ordered a batch of cheap books online during the first lockdown, desperate for new reading material while the library was closed. Most were read and discarded, but among them was a Marsali Taylor book, which I loved so much that since then, I've been tracking down the series and working my way through it in order.
The Body in the Bracken opens with Cass arriving at her policeman friend Gavin's family home for Christmas. Their friendship is tentatively blossoming into something more, but when they go for a romantic walk, they stumble over a body. Cass sails back home to Shetland, leaving Gavin to investigate, but it isn't long before the death is shown to have links to Shetland meaning that Gavin arrives on the island. Cass is also very much involved in helping solve the mystery, displaying her usual courage and practical common sense in the process - a refreshing change from the usual run of heroines who just get in the way.
Marsali Taylor is rapidly becoming my favourite whodunnit author. She is brilliant at evoking a sense of place - I've never been to Shetland, but I feel that if I ever do, I will recognise it from her books. Her descriptions of ships and sailing will make the most determined landlubber want to set sail, while references to the scenery, culture and folklore of Shetland are scattered lightly throughout, adding a unique flavour but never overwhelming the story.
Taylor doesn't shy away from the difficulties of building a relationship between globetrotting, independent Cass, whose true home is the sea, and land-loving, crofter/policeman Gavin, who has more than once had to investigate a crime where Cass has been a suspect.
Fans of the previous books will enjoy meeting Anders, Rat, Cat, Peerie Charlie, Magnie & Co once more. These characters are so well-rounded and believable that it's hard to realise they only exist within the pages of these books. I finished The Body in the Bracken with a real sense of regret that it's not possible to meet these people in real life!
This can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I'd recommend reading through the series in order, since the same characters recur and you get to see different relationships building and changing. Recommended for anyone who likes a good mystery with a strong sense of place, living characters and not too much violence & gore!
The Body in the Bracken opens with Cass arriving at her policeman friend Gavin's family home for Christmas. Their friendship is tentatively blossoming into something more, but when they go for a romantic walk, they stumble over a body. Cass sails back home to Shetland, leaving Gavin to investigate, but it isn't long before the death is shown to have links to Shetland meaning that Gavin arrives on the island. Cass is also very much involved in helping solve the mystery, displaying her usual courage and practical common sense in the process - a refreshing change from the usual run of heroines who just get in the way.
Marsali Taylor is rapidly becoming my favourite whodunnit author. She is brilliant at evoking a sense of place - I've never been to Shetland, but I feel that if I ever do, I will recognise it from her books. Her descriptions of ships and sailing will make the most determined landlubber want to set sail, while references to the scenery, culture and folklore of Shetland are scattered lightly throughout, adding a unique flavour but never overwhelming the story.
Taylor doesn't shy away from the difficulties of building a relationship between globetrotting, independent Cass, whose true home is the sea, and land-loving, crofter/policeman Gavin, who has more than once had to investigate a crime where Cass has been a suspect.
Fans of the previous books will enjoy meeting Anders, Rat, Cat, Peerie Charlie, Magnie & Co once more. These characters are so well-rounded and believable that it's hard to realise they only exist within the pages of these books. I finished The Body in the Bracken with a real sense of regret that it's not possible to meet these people in real life!
This can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I'd recommend reading through the series in order, since the same characters recur and you get to see different relationships building and changing. Recommended for anyone who likes a good mystery with a strong sense of place, living characters and not too much violence & gore!
July 21, 2021
Cass verbringt die Weihnachtstage bei ihrem Kollegen und Freund Gavin Macrae in Schottland. Alles läuft ziemlich harmonisch ab, auch wenn der Beziehungsstatus der beiden noch nicht ganz klar ist - bis sie bei einer Wanderung auf eine schon stark verweste, unbekleidete Leiche stoßen.
Bei ihrer Rückkehr auf die Shetland-Inseln kommt Cass der neueste Klatsch zu Ohren: der gerne großspurig auftretende Ivor Hughson, wie Cass begeisterter Segler, ist seit einiger Zeit spurlos verschwunden. Zwischen ihm und seiner Frau soll es gekriselt haben, und angeblich hat er den Sohn eines lokal sehr bekannten Unternehmers bei einem Geldgeschäft übers Ohr gehauen.
Cass' Neugier ist geweckt, und natürlich fragt sie sich auch, ob es sich bei dem Toten wohl um Ivor handeln könnte. Also streckt sie, mal vorsichtig, mal weniger subtil, die Fühler in alle möglichen Richtungen aus, obwohl sie genau weiß, dass Gavin von ihren Laienermittlungen nicht begeistert sein wird ... und leider ist er da nicht der einzige.
Marsali Taylors Shetland-Krimis sind alleine schon wegen des Schauplatzes reizvoll. Die Shetland-Inseln und das Segeln sind die Konstanten in ihren Romanen und immer wieder faszinierend, wobei ich mich in all die nautischen Fachausdrücke im englischen Original erst mal einlesen musste, nachdem ich die Vorgängerbände auf deutsch gelesen hatte. Das typische Brauchtum und die Legenden der Inseln spielen auch diesmal eine wichtige Rolle, vor allem die "njuggle" genannten pferdeartigen Wesen, die nicht nur in den einschlägigen Geschichten leben, sondern angeblich auch in der Gegend gesichtet wurden.
Den Kriminalfall fand ich diesmal streckenweise ein bisschen lahm, weil manche Anhaltspunkte, die zur Aufklärung führen, schon relativ früh im Buch klar sind, aber trotzdem steigt die Spannung mehr und mehr und gipfelt in einem durchaus atemberaubenden Showdown vor der Kulisse des archaischen Winterfests "Up Helly Aa". Und wie bei vielen Serien macht auch hier einfach das Wiedersehen mit vielen alten Bekannten und die eine oder andere Entwicklung im Privaten Spaß.
Also vielleicht nicht das Highlight der Reihe, aber trotzdem ein unterhaltsamer Krimi an tollen Schauplätzen.
Bei ihrer Rückkehr auf die Shetland-Inseln kommt Cass der neueste Klatsch zu Ohren: der gerne großspurig auftretende Ivor Hughson, wie Cass begeisterter Segler, ist seit einiger Zeit spurlos verschwunden. Zwischen ihm und seiner Frau soll es gekriselt haben, und angeblich hat er den Sohn eines lokal sehr bekannten Unternehmers bei einem Geldgeschäft übers Ohr gehauen.
Cass' Neugier ist geweckt, und natürlich fragt sie sich auch, ob es sich bei dem Toten wohl um Ivor handeln könnte. Also streckt sie, mal vorsichtig, mal weniger subtil, die Fühler in alle möglichen Richtungen aus, obwohl sie genau weiß, dass Gavin von ihren Laienermittlungen nicht begeistert sein wird ... und leider ist er da nicht der einzige.
Marsali Taylors Shetland-Krimis sind alleine schon wegen des Schauplatzes reizvoll. Die Shetland-Inseln und das Segeln sind die Konstanten in ihren Romanen und immer wieder faszinierend, wobei ich mich in all die nautischen Fachausdrücke im englischen Original erst mal einlesen musste, nachdem ich die Vorgängerbände auf deutsch gelesen hatte. Das typische Brauchtum und die Legenden der Inseln spielen auch diesmal eine wichtige Rolle, vor allem die "njuggle" genannten pferdeartigen Wesen, die nicht nur in den einschlägigen Geschichten leben, sondern angeblich auch in der Gegend gesichtet wurden.
Den Kriminalfall fand ich diesmal streckenweise ein bisschen lahm, weil manche Anhaltspunkte, die zur Aufklärung führen, schon relativ früh im Buch klar sind, aber trotzdem steigt die Spannung mehr und mehr und gipfelt in einem durchaus atemberaubenden Showdown vor der Kulisse des archaischen Winterfests "Up Helly Aa". Und wie bei vielen Serien macht auch hier einfach das Wiedersehen mit vielen alten Bekannten und die eine oder andere Entwicklung im Privaten Spaß.
Also vielleicht nicht das Highlight der Reihe, aber trotzdem ein unterhaltsamer Krimi an tollen Schauplätzen.
September 20, 2023
This is the eleventh book which I have read in this cosy crime series. This is the fourth book in this series (eleven books so far) and was originally published as "The body in the bracken". I like the main character of Cass Lynch and I like the references to life in the islands so I find the books charming.
In this story Cass visits Gavin in Scotland and they discover a skeleton. When Cass returns home to Shetland she wonders if the skeleton could be that of a man who went missing several months ago. To be honest the plot is a bit confusing but as I like Cass and I enjoy reading about sailing and life in Shetland I was happy to go along. There is some excitement and once again Cass finds herself in danger.
Probably a good idea to read these books in order so you can see how Cass' life develops over the series.
In this story Cass visits Gavin in Scotland and they discover a skeleton. When Cass returns home to Shetland she wonders if the skeleton could be that of a man who went missing several months ago. To be honest the plot is a bit confusing but as I like Cass and I enjoy reading about sailing and life in Shetland I was happy to go along. There is some excitement and once again Cass finds herself in danger.
Probably a good idea to read these books in order so you can see how Cass' life develops over the series.
January 8, 2025
Dieses Mal hat es mich ein bisschen gestört, denn Cass war gefühlt die Einzige, die die richtigen Schlüsse gezogen hat. Täter und Ermittler haben sich alle ziemlich ungeschickt verhalten, sonst wäre der Mord deutlich schneller aufgeklärt worden. Der rote Faden hat mit hier gefehlt.
Außerdem gab es einige Unstimmigkeiten, so hat die Autorin einmal von Vogelgezwitscher geschrieben, das den Frühling ankündigt, dabei war das neue Jahr gerade mal ein paar Tage alt und der nächste Schneefall schon in Sichtweite.
Die Beschreibungen der Landschaft haben einiges wieder gut gemacht. Und ich kann Cass sehr gut verstehen, dass die das Leben auf ihrem kleinen Boot trotz aller Widrigkeiten genießt.
Außerdem gab es einige Unstimmigkeiten, so hat die Autorin einmal von Vogelgezwitscher geschrieben, das den Frühling ankündigt, dabei war das neue Jahr gerade mal ein paar Tage alt und der nächste Schneefall schon in Sichtweite.
Die Beschreibungen der Landschaft haben einiges wieder gut gemacht. Und ich kann Cass sehr gut verstehen, dass die das Leben auf ihrem kleinen Boot trotz aller Widrigkeiten genießt.
January 16, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable book
It's always nice to try and find new authors to read and I came upon this book by accident, but saying that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The level of detail in the sailing meant that I actually felt I was on the yacht alongside the main character Cass Lynch. I also thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of both Skye and the Shetland Islands, having never been to Skye it really makes you want to get across there straight away. I have spent a little time in the Shetland Islands but unfortunately not for Up Helly Aa and that also sounds really good.
It's always nice to try and find new authors to read and I came upon this book by accident, but saying that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The level of detail in the sailing meant that I actually felt I was on the yacht alongside the main character Cass Lynch. I also thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of both Skye and the Shetland Islands, having never been to Skye it really makes you want to get across there straight away. I have spent a little time in the Shetland Islands but unfortunately not for Up Helly Aa and that also sounds really good.
July 26, 2018
Really enjoyed this story - especially with the added touch of the 'Nautical Information'.
However, the accidental finding of a body that turns out to be somebody who lived so close to where our Heroine comes from, just takes the whole thing 'past the realm of coincidence'.
Having said that, I absolutely adore the setting of the coastline of NW Scotland - and the names/places evoke wonderful holiday memories for me.
However, the accidental finding of a body that turns out to be somebody who lived so close to where our Heroine comes from, just takes the whole thing 'past the realm of coincidence'.
Having said that, I absolutely adore the setting of the coastline of NW Scotland - and the names/places evoke wonderful holiday memories for me.
September 16, 2018
Not for me
I was expecting more of a detective story . Instead it was a detailed description of how to sail a boat up and down the Scottish coastline. Followed by a yarn about a strange Shetland pony.
In between was a scant and passing mention of a murder.
Just to confuse the reader a little more the injection of unexplained Scots dialect words left me happy to abandon the book after just 65 pages.
I was expecting more of a detective story . Instead it was a detailed description of how to sail a boat up and down the Scottish coastline. Followed by a yarn about a strange Shetland pony.
In between was a scant and passing mention of a murder.
Just to confuse the reader a little more the injection of unexplained Scots dialect words left me happy to abandon the book after just 65 pages.
March 4, 2021
😊
I enjoyed this book set around Christmas. Scottish locations and the several Scottish dialects, mainly set I Shetland. A good base story but I did think hmmm so many, many coincidences. It didn't take from the enjoyment I had from this book though. I must admit and hold my ✋up though that I did skip all the nautical talk of sea levels etc. Apart from that for me it's a very good book.
I enjoyed this book set around Christmas. Scottish locations and the several Scottish dialects, mainly set I Shetland. A good base story but I did think hmmm so many, many coincidences. It didn't take from the enjoyment I had from this book though. I must admit and hold my ✋up though that I did skip all the nautical talk of sea levels etc. Apart from that for me it's a very good book.
January 6, 2024
Marsali Taylor writes well, with interesting descriptions of both landscapes and people, and of course, her trademark descriptions of sailing and sea journeys. The Body in the Bracken is set partly in Shetland and partly in mainland Scotland, bringing together areas she knows well, and can describe in detail. The lot weaves and twists, and there are some unexpected events during this story, as well as the gradual blossoming of Cass' romance.
March 18, 2024
Cass Lynch's visit to DI Gavin Macrae's farm for Christmas ends with the macabre find of a body stripped of all identifying marks near the loch. Back in Shetland, Cass is drawn into a case of a local man who has left his wife and girlfriend and a business in a financial mess. And no one wants her asking inconvenient questions. I love this series and the development of Cass as a character. Highly recommend.
July 23, 2018
A book that can be a struggle to read. There is a good deal of local dialect and idiom, which gives the book a degree of authenticity but this coupled with the details and intricacies of the sailing technicalities make this a story where you end up reading a sentence or a paragraph a second time in order to make some sense of the conversations.
If the story itself had been better, this would have been less of an irritation. As it is the story line had the potential to be riveting but sadly it fell well short of my expectations. Also, being one of a series, there is a regular reference to other [previous] stories, which was unnecessary and a distraction.
I finished the book and found it .... alright - not great, but not bad. I wouldn't, however, read any others in the series on this evidence of this story, though.
If the story itself had been better, this would have been less of an irritation. As it is the story line had the potential to be riveting but sadly it fell well short of my expectations. Also, being one of a series, there is a regular reference to other [previous] stories, which was unnecessary and a distraction.
I finished the book and found it .... alright - not great, but not bad. I wouldn't, however, read any others in the series on this evidence of this story, though.
February 19, 2019
Better than the last one, back to a mystery. Unfortunately somewhat dumb start to it. Cass goes down to visit Gavin in Scotland, they find a body and, as if by magic, it happens to be linked to a mystery back home in the Shetlands. Other than that, a good basic mystery set in a culture that's interesting.
August 6, 2019
Evocative series
Cass is a great protagonist. Sailor. Amateur sleuth and the setting of Shetland and the seas around it are so beautifully described. The stories are believable in that setting and enthralling. I look forward to future Cass and Cat stories if there are going to be any. Strongly recommend.
Cass is a great protagonist. Sailor. Amateur sleuth and the setting of Shetland and the seas around it are so beautifully described. The stories are believable in that setting and enthralling. I look forward to future Cass and Cat stories if there are going to be any. Strongly recommend.
September 5, 2020
This is the second of the Shetland Sailing Mysteries that I have read. I enjoyed the book - Cass is a very independent woman and I like that. However, for me there was a bit too much background (which was interesting) in this one and not enough mystery. I'm looking forward to the next book though.
July 15, 2018
Not sure
The writing paints a vivid picture of beautiful part of Britain. Not sure I like boats so I couldn't relate to Cass wanting to live on one. With a cat. So maybe not for me.
The writing paints a vivid picture of beautiful part of Britain. Not sure I like boats so I couldn't relate to Cass wanting to live on one. With a cat. So maybe not for me.
June 26, 2019
Not allowed to leave no stars ! ! !
I got about a third through this dross and had to give up, reading is supposed to be enjoyable after all ! !
It is probably the most boring book I have attempted, can't believe it got any positive reviews.
I got about a third through this dross and had to give up, reading is supposed to be enjoyable after all ! !
It is probably the most boring book I have attempted, can't believe it got any positive reviews.
May 9, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this fourth installment in the Shetland Sailing Mysteries, the main case was interesting and the ongoing development with Cass and Gavin's relationship was held really well. I look forward to reading book five soon.
January 19, 2018
Fourth book in the series. I like the heroine, Cass, very much. I've been sucked into the Shetland Island culture and the inhabitants of these books.
October 23, 2018
Intriguing mystery
Thought she was going to find romance . Felt the story lost its way a little then got intense . A good read my first book with this author
Thought she was going to find romance . Felt the story lost its way a little then got intense . A good read my first book with this author
November 13, 2018
Too many characters
I found it difficult to remember who was who & an explanation of some words at the beginning rather than at the end would have been better.
I found it difficult to remember who was who & an explanation of some words at the beginning rather than at the end would have been better.
November 28, 2018
Seaside
I have never fancied sailing, can't swim so I wouldn't be any good. This story makes me wish I could go to sea.
I have never fancied sailing, can't swim so I wouldn't be any good. This story makes me wish I could go to sea.
December 29, 2018
Too much detail for me, but I'm sure it would appeal to anyone interested in Shetland or sailing.
April 15, 2020
A very good yarn
This is a very good follow on from the previous books, reading them is not vital but advised
Very entertaining and well researched
This is a very good follow on from the previous books, reading them is not vital but advised
Very entertaining and well researched
December 29, 2021
This is the Christmas One! It is wonderful. If we ever get past this plague, perhaps I will find a way to spend Christmas in the Shetland Islands. (Probably not, but it is something to dream on.)
November 24, 2022
Another engaging, sometimes gripping, story which is also full of interesting characters. The love-interest develops, and the sense of the places makes this a very enjoyable series.
July 17, 2024
Another gripping mystery with a lovely Shetland background, Cass and Gavin finally settling into romance, sea jargon and other characters developing. Just great story telling
June 14, 2015
Once again Marsali Taylor has produced an exciting 'who dunnit'! As usual I didn't guess right!
I loved seeing the growing relationship between Cass & Gavin. Having done a bit of sailing, I found it really interesting to read all the details of Cass's voyage and other sailing sections. I think this might be a bit off putting for someone who has no interest in the subject but wasn't a problem for me.
As always the Shetland details were wonderful- every book I learn more about the place I've lived in for twelve years.
Looking forward to the next one Marsali!
I loved seeing the growing relationship between Cass & Gavin. Having done a bit of sailing, I found it really interesting to read all the details of Cass's voyage and other sailing sections. I think this might be a bit off putting for someone who has no interest in the subject but wasn't a problem for me.
As always the Shetland details were wonderful- every book I learn more about the place I've lived in for twelve years.
Looking forward to the next one Marsali!
September 12, 2015
Galloping coincidences here but I was quite happy to play along. The last chapter, though, or at least the denouement chapter, I found difficult to follow: thought at first it was all a dream sequence and I certainly felt thrown into it. I wondered if there was a bit missing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews