In this outing, Jessica travels all the way to London for a book tour with 11!! of her dear Cabot Cove friends in tow. After a traumatic experience, the group's enticed by Inspector George Sutherland's offer to stay at his majestic Sutherland castle and hotel in Scotland. Their vacation is peppered with tales of Witches, ghosts, and curses, until a vengeful murder occurs and strange incidents happen around them.
The descriptions of Scotland and the Sutherland castle are so vivid I felt I were there, and I wish I could go to see this glorious landscape. I feel like Donald Bain did his research, seasoning the story with authentic Scottish Gaelic and pronunciations and personality traits. He would know, since his family hails from Scotland.
There's a mild romantic subplot between George and Jessica and a hint of a love triangle as Dr. Seth Hazlitt notices their closeness. But I feel it's all nothing more than a tease and a let-down. Fans know that while Jessica may have romantic feelings for George, and Seth is her dear friend, our favorite sleuth is determined to be a merry widow for the rest of her days. Frank was her one and only, and she makes it abundantly clear more than once. It made me somehow feel sorry for the love-struck Inspector and friend-zoned Doctor.
I liked this story, but I didn't love it. Jessica's characterization in this early book in the series felt a little shaky. She's still kind and logical. But as we peer into her thoughts she sometimes comes off as too judgmental of others. She also does something that just feels a little too out of character for her in the beginning. I felt it was actually an unbelievable scenario all around.
Speaking of characters, I didn't think they needed to have her travel with that large a group. It just made for paper-thin characterizations of some of them, particularly the wives. And these travelers were prominent men from town. – The Sheriff, Doctor, Mayor, Pilot. Not to mention its prized baker, travel agent, radio station owners and their best fishing guide!! How did Cabot Cove even run with these folks all gone?
I'd still recommend it as a good read and if you're a "Murder, She Wrote" novel completist. About 50 more stories were written afterward (Up until 2018 with Donald Bain) and I think Bain got a full handle on Jessica Fletcher over the years.