Midwinter Intrigue

Rannoch Fraser Mysteries #8.5

by Tracy Grant

December 1818
A Malcolm & Suzanne Rannoch Historical Mystery

*a novella*

Former spies Malcolm and Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch have fled Britain with their family to escape the exposure of Suzanne's past as a French agent in the Napoleonic Wars. The news that Malcolm's grandfather, the Duke of Strathdon, is dangerously ill makes them risk a secret voyage to Scotland in the depths of winter. But they arrive at the Rannoch castle on the Highland coast to find that all is not as expected. Dunmykel Castle holds dangerous mysteries beyond the sliding panel in the library, the hidden rooms, and the secret passage to the beach. As snow falls and the holiday season approaches, the Rannochs face smugglers and old enemies, and must race to uncover a deadly secret that could destroy their hard-won escape.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Regency, Romance, Fiction, British Literature

149 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2017

About the author

Tracy Grant studied British history at Stanford University and received the Firestone Award for Excellence in Research for her honors thesis on shifting conceptions of honor in late fifteenth century England. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her young daughter and three cats. In addition to writing, Tracy works for the Merola Opera Program, a professional training program for opera singers, pianists, and stage directors. Her real life heroine is her daughter Mélanie, who is very cooperative about Mummy’s writing. Tracy is currently at work on her next book chronicling the adventures of Malcolm and Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, not much plot and absolutely no resolution of what plot there was -- this read like the first few chapters of a larger work. If these don't start getting meatier, I'm going to stop reading them.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. The combination of historical fiction and dramatic inter-weavings of the affairs and positioning that went on with the British aristocracy and their relationships makes for a very entertaining read.

This is a novella and was much shorter than a full novel, but it was just as packed with suspense, intrigues and spies as the full books are in this series.

I like all the characters and couples who people this world the author has created, and learning more with each book about who they all are, and the new information about how they are all connected has so far not been anything but engrossing.

There was a preview at the end of this novella of the next book and I am looking forward to reading it as well.

This is just really well-done historical fiction and I enjoy it.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novella with lots of twists and turns, as well as plenty of suspicious characters to keep you guessing. Fair warning - this is a cliff-hanger and we all have to wait until next summer to sort out the latest in the Rannoch family's complicated lives!

[Daniella Bernett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tantalizing tease of a mystery full of spies and others with shadowy intentions. A wonderful installment in the Malcolm & Suzanne Rannoch series. Just as the tale was getting more complicated, the novella left me hanging. I await with bated breath "The Duke's Gambit" to see how Tracy Grant ties all the intriguing threads together.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rannochs have now returned to Scotland after self-imposed exile in Italy following the discovery that information about Suzanne's past threatens her safety in England. Summoned to Dunmykel Castle with reports that Malcolm's grandfather, the Duke of Strathdon, is seriously ill, Malcolm is surprised to find the illness was a ploy for the Duke to present a plan that might allow the family to return to England. Immediately upon arrival, dangerous acts occur that throw everyone into a mood of fear and uncertainty.

This novella was filled with action and suspense. The ensemble Rannoch investigative team was enjoyable to read about as each member played a part in determining what future decisions should be made. I particularly enjoyed the setting of Dunmykel Castle at Christmas, with a hint of celebration as the mysterious events unfold. The novella ended with a cliffhanger that will make it hard to wait for the release of the next novel in this series in May.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this series. The characters have always been favorites of mine but I swear the last couple of books have been so redundant. The story line keeps rehashing the same information over and over again. The intrigue, which these stories were once so good at, takes a back seat. If any of the couples apologize to each other again I am going to be ill. The good news that this novella did set up a couple of possible new stories. Hopefully they will get this series back on the right track.

[Jane Shibilski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midwinter Intrigue scores again!

I’ve read all of the Malcolm & Suzanne Rannoch novels and have loved every one. My only wish is that this would have been a longer read as I finished this in one day. Through the years I’ve read many historical novels, but the novels of Tracy Grant have managed to stand out much as a safe haven in a storm comforts and makes you feel as though you’ve finally reached home. By that I mean the characters are distinct and memorable, the plot never fails to entwine you in a mystery and you always look forward to the next book. Some may say this type of book is superficial and trite, but what amazes me is through the years I have never forgotten the characters, plots and outcomes of just about all of this series of novels. The entertainment value is very high and allows me to escape to another place and time. A quality I value in today’s society and times of strife.

[Minnesinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the last, but still... It's too short, for starters.

This book edition included a more generous than most 'teaser' from the next book, which picked up in exactly the same spot where this book ended. Why could Grant not have added to this book? It feels like she broke off just because Malcolm had to leave—I.e., only one shift in locale is now allowed per book. At this rate, it will take a decade for this series to wrap up.

Is it just me, or has Grant gone downhill since she became a 'Mummy'? Is anyone else tired of her writing taking a back seat to motherhood?

Her books now feel like she is writing more for the bottom line than for the joy of writing. Everything feels calculated, advancing in mincing steps, only so far in order to stretch the (cash cow) series out as long as possible.

I am so disappointed.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short novella in print. The story is set in December, 1818 in Scotland. Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch have returned to Scotland after learning that his grandfather is seriously ill. That turns out to be a lie and the couple becomes involved in a mystery involving Malcolm's mother and her hidden secret. The book was a very quick read.

[Christine Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Tracy Grant

The continuation of the Rannoch's and their friends and family captures the imagination and has more twists and turns leaves you waiting for the next chapter and next book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

not complete

cliffhanger ending, more like s group of book chapters than an entire story. well written as always, and advances the overall story, but it finishes with Malcolm and another man going off to London to find someone and that’s it. Disappointing.

[Barbara Literski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Events

Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch are taking a chance going to Scotland to check on his grandfather. It seems that no matter where they go events from the past or present will rise up.
Be ready for a surprise.

[Cathy Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really glad that I hadn't noticed this novella was published until the next novel (Duke's Gambit) was also already out. It's a good story, but ends on a cliffhanger. The good news is that the next book IS a complete story, with an actual resolution to the events that start in this one.

[Mskychick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rats. The novella ends at 75%. I was hoping for more.
#insatiable

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice quick story that has me eager to read the next book in the series.

[Shalini M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many of the novellas, this had hardly any mystery, but it did form an important link between the previous and the next book, which is why this is at 3 stars rather than 2.5.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a big fan of the Rannoch books I was a bit disappointed in this one. It seemed as if most of it was spent rehashing and the ending was so abrupt I thought there was something wrong with my Kindle.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm and Mélanie Rannoch, their children and the Davenports have gone to Dunmykel, Malcolm’s home in Scotland. It is December 1818 and they’ve been summoned by Malcolm’s sister Giséle because their grandfather, the Duke of Strathdon is ill. Turns out, it was a ploy by the Duke to get them there. He has a plan to get them back to Britain. While there, they learn more about the Elsinore League, celebrate Jessica’s second birthday, and also celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s. More clues and a couple of new mysteries.

[Kiki Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a setup to the Duke's Gambit, a book I didn't particularly like. As per usual with novellas--especially Tracy Grant's novellas--this is an unnecessary addition. We learn nothing new, there's not an actual plot with resolution, and this feels more like a sneak peek of the story rather than an actual book on its own. This is one of my main issues with Grant as an author; she repeats conversations ad infinitum and takes forever to say what could have been said in a few sentences.