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Scottish Highlands #1
Off Kilter
National bestselling author Hannah Reed brings mystery lovers the first in a brand-new series, in which a young writer finds herself swept up in a murder amidst the glens and lochs of the Scottish Highlands…
After the recent death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage, thirty-something Eden Elliott is seriously in need of a fresh start. At the urging of her best friend, bestselling author Ami Pederson, Eden decides to embark on an open-ended trip to the picturesque village of Glenkillen in the Scottish Highlands, to do some hands-on research for a book of her own. But almost as soon as Eden arrives in the quaint town, she gets caught up in a very real drama…
The town’s sheep shearer is found murdered—clipped with his own shears—and the locals suspect Vicki MacBride, an outsider whose father’s recent death left her the surprise heir to his lucrative sheep farm. Eden refuses to believe the affable heiress is a murderer, but can she prove that someone is out to frame her new friend before she finds herself on the receiving end of more shear terror?
After the recent death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage, thirty-something Eden Elliott is seriously in need of a fresh start. At the urging of her best friend, bestselling author Ami Pederson, Eden decides to embark on an open-ended trip to the picturesque village of Glenkillen in the Scottish Highlands, to do some hands-on research for a book of her own. But almost as soon as Eden arrives in the quaint town, she gets caught up in a very real drama…
The town’s sheep shearer is found murdered—clipped with his own shears—and the locals suspect Vicki MacBride, an outsider whose father’s recent death left her the surprise heir to his lucrative sheep farm. Eden refuses to believe the affable heiress is a murderer, but can she prove that someone is out to frame her new friend before she finds herself on the receiving end of more shear terror?
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 1, 2014
392 people are currently reading
2287 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Reed
12 books332 followersBestselling, award-winning author Deb Baker writes the hilarious Gertie Johnson mystery series set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A native Yooper herself, Deb brings her blend of humor and sass to everything she writes, including mysteries written under her pen name Hannah Reed.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews
May 20, 2016
At first I was worried, as I always am, to start a new series, but this book was simply astounding. Hannah Reed not only made believable characters but she made me feel like I was in Scotland along with the heroine. The mystery was perfect, I had an inkling of who it was going to be but had no clue as to why that person killed the victim until the end of the book. Another positive point for me was the fact that unlike other mysteries the "love-interests" in this book overall created a very minor theme, most of the book was dedicated to the mystery and setting the stage for the mystery. Overall an enjoyable experience and I will definately be looking out for more in this series!
August 5, 2019
A light, easy read, quite enjoyable, with a narrative in the first-person, some nice characters and beautiful landscape. This is a typical American, mass-market cosy mystery, however: the plot was a little bit predictable, and the author makes so many efforts to persuade you that one particular nasty person is the culprit, when you know damned well that's just a red-herring.
I don't mean to be disrespectful, because I know these kind of books have a whopping great following, and why not? The majority of them have a murder mystery and something to do with cookery, baking, quilting, knitting and so on, and must satisfy a vast readership. It's just that I know I won't be going out of my way to find and read another one. I'm looking for something different.
I don't mean to be disrespectful, because I know these kind of books have a whopping great following, and why not? The majority of them have a murder mystery and something to do with cookery, baking, quilting, knitting and so on, and must satisfy a vast readership. It's just that I know I won't be going out of my way to find and read another one. I'm looking for something different.
June 18, 2019
I found this to be a charming and enjoyable read. The narrator did an excellent job of defining each character throughout the story. Ms. Reed's writing often made me feel that I could be standing beside Eden as she traveled around the countryside. I laughed as she was learning to drive a manual transmission and learn the rules of the road in her travels. A complex mystery with very likable characters. I look forward to the next book in this series.
June 9, 2024
This was a fun murder mystery and my biggest complaint is a ridiculous statement about the protagonist's friends' writing where this world-popular author sometimes gets 1 star reviews, but she makes it sounds like they are only by trolls who obviously haven't read the books! Even though I given 1 stars to wildly popular and highly rated books I've read all the way through, I didn't take umbrage with that, but it was rather off-putting because it pulled me right out of the story, was completely unnecessary and I didn't forget it. This doesn't mean I won't ever read the second one, though, since I wasn't actually offended. If it or other mistaken comments like this come up in the next one, I'll go off her writing.
The story--a recently divorced and orphaned woman (well, her mother has just died) is sent off to Scotland for a writing holiday by her best friend (the famous author) who has bought her the ticket. She is immediately caught up in a mystery involving a woman who sat next to her on the plane (but to be fair, the plane was going to a smaller airport not all that far from this town, so not quite as much of a coincidence). This is a cozy mystery that moves along with a fair number of things happening, and I was glad to see that this American author has visited Scotland a number of times, so the American visitor POV works well.
The story--a recently divorced and orphaned woman (well, her mother has just died) is sent off to Scotland for a writing holiday by her best friend (the famous author) who has bought her the ticket. She is immediately caught up in a mystery involving a woman who sat next to her on the plane (but to be fair, the plane was going to a smaller airport not all that far from this town, so not quite as much of a coincidence). This is a cozy mystery that moves along with a fair number of things happening, and I was glad to see that this American author has visited Scotland a number of times, so the American visitor POV works well.
August 22, 2016
Loved ... LOVED ... loved it! A very solid mystery, a fantastic protagonist and a big but not overwhelming cast of interesting characters. The twists and turns kept me guessing till the end. Highly recommended!
August 8, 2019
I had a hard time getting into this book... Too much drama in the beginning. I feel a good cozy gets right to business and any drama can come as the series progresses not at the beginning
June 21, 2022
Review originally published June 2017
Recently, my husband and I traveled to Scotland for our son’s destination wedding on the Isle of Skye. Of course, I was interested in all things Scotland. I wanted to know all I could and help get in the mood, not that I really needed to! But, all things said, I feel it is a curiosity we all have when it comes to traveling.
The first thing I did was check out a music CD at the West Salem library called Celtic Fire: Jigs, Reels and Waltzes. I would recommend this CD if you want to hear some lively Celtic tunes. (While on that subject, La Crosse hosts an Irish Fest every year in August.) Next in line was a Fodor’s Scotland book to help plan our trip.
Although our travels also took us to Ireland, and we also loved that country, I came to realize that Scotland held a special place in my heart with the wedding and all, but also because I would describe Scotland as a raw, rugged beauty, enchanting, and mystical.
Edinburgh is even a quaint city for the population being between 400,000 and 500,000. I suppose it’s because of the Old Town district and the hilly terrain. The different colored businesses on the main streets held me captive by their charm. No, I did not try haggis on its own, but inadvertently hidden in a stuffed chicken breast. What truly amazed me is the calm, easy-going demeanor of the people who live there and deal with so many drizzly, rainy, cloudy days.
Before our trip, I had wanted to read a fun Scottish mystery, but that did not happen. Since my interest in Scotland did not subside, I went on a search for such a book. I decided on a cozy mystery. My search landed me with an author by the name of Hannah Reed, who wrote a Scottish Highlands trilogy. The first book in the series is called Off Kilter, and is quite good. I find myself smiling at all the familiar language, foods, driving difficulties, and other differences that we experienced while there.
Off Kilter starts out with a young woman, Eden Elliott, who has just suffered the loss of her mother and a divorce. Her good friend, a national bestseller author, purchases a round-trip ticket to Scotland with a return date six months out, although she can return sooner if she wants.
Eden needs a fresh start and is planning on doing research for her own book. While on the plane, Eden meets Vickie, who is the sole heiress to her father’s farm in Glenkillin. Eden hasn’t even been there a full day when she gets caught up in a murder. She and Vickie find a local sheep shearer who was clipped with his own sheep shears. Yes, I know how silly that sounds.
And, of course, there is a handsome Scottish man involved in this quirky, delightful book!
The writing flows in this story, but what I really enjoyed was that it took me back to Scotland. If you like the first book, give Hooked on Ewe and Dressed to Kilt a try. All three books are at the La Crosse County Library locations in Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska, and West Salem. And if by any chance Scotland is in your plans to visit, you can always check out our travel section!
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
Recently, my husband and I traveled to Scotland for our son’s destination wedding on the Isle of Skye. Of course, I was interested in all things Scotland. I wanted to know all I could and help get in the mood, not that I really needed to! But, all things said, I feel it is a curiosity we all have when it comes to traveling.
The first thing I did was check out a music CD at the West Salem library called Celtic Fire: Jigs, Reels and Waltzes. I would recommend this CD if you want to hear some lively Celtic tunes. (While on that subject, La Crosse hosts an Irish Fest every year in August.) Next in line was a Fodor’s Scotland book to help plan our trip.
Although our travels also took us to Ireland, and we also loved that country, I came to realize that Scotland held a special place in my heart with the wedding and all, but also because I would describe Scotland as a raw, rugged beauty, enchanting, and mystical.
Edinburgh is even a quaint city for the population being between 400,000 and 500,000. I suppose it’s because of the Old Town district and the hilly terrain. The different colored businesses on the main streets held me captive by their charm. No, I did not try haggis on its own, but inadvertently hidden in a stuffed chicken breast. What truly amazed me is the calm, easy-going demeanor of the people who live there and deal with so many drizzly, rainy, cloudy days.
Before our trip, I had wanted to read a fun Scottish mystery, but that did not happen. Since my interest in Scotland did not subside, I went on a search for such a book. I decided on a cozy mystery. My search landed me with an author by the name of Hannah Reed, who wrote a Scottish Highlands trilogy. The first book in the series is called Off Kilter, and is quite good. I find myself smiling at all the familiar language, foods, driving difficulties, and other differences that we experienced while there.
Off Kilter starts out with a young woman, Eden Elliott, who has just suffered the loss of her mother and a divorce. Her good friend, a national bestseller author, purchases a round-trip ticket to Scotland with a return date six months out, although she can return sooner if she wants.
Eden needs a fresh start and is planning on doing research for her own book. While on the plane, Eden meets Vickie, who is the sole heiress to her father’s farm in Glenkillin. Eden hasn’t even been there a full day when she gets caught up in a murder. She and Vickie find a local sheep shearer who was clipped with his own sheep shears. Yes, I know how silly that sounds.
And, of course, there is a handsome Scottish man involved in this quirky, delightful book!
The writing flows in this story, but what I really enjoyed was that it took me back to Scotland. If you like the first book, give Hooked on Ewe and Dressed to Kilt a try. All three books are at the La Crosse County Library locations in Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska, and West Salem. And if by any chance Scotland is in your plans to visit, you can always check out our travel section!
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
May 11, 2022
Original review, after abandoning it quickly: "A little too much recently-deceased-mother at the start. I cannot do that right now."
I should have let it stay abandoned.
But work has been difficult lately, so I needed something light to listen to, so I pulled this up. Scotland. Yay.
Needing something fluffy, however, does not mean I can tolerate moronic.
As to the setting: the narrator was adequate (although the little-girl best friend voice was awful), so I got a bit of passable brogue that probably dazzled my ears to be more accepting than I should have been, longer than I should have been. Also, I think I was giving too much credit to the main character for actually being right about some of the writing process as far as I've experienced it.
However.
The main character pats herself on the back constantly for her skill at writing. She calls herself a romance novelist. She even states at one point that nature gave her a great gift, or something like that. Which makes it a little hilarious that she apparently has about two chapters written of her first book, and takes every possible opportunity to duck out of writing any more. There is one (maybe two? No, I think just the one) scene in the book where she actually buckles down and writes, and she is so self-congratulatory that it's nauseating - and uses that one good day as an excuse to skip the next several. She claims "writer's block" after about half an hour's dithering over writing a sex scene, which is mildly offensive to anyone who's actually ever had writer's block. (And if she's this phobic about writing a sex scene, maybe she should write a cozy mystery or something instead.) If this idiot actually produces a book in the next installment, it'll be a miracle. (One I won't see, because I'm not that big a masochist.)
The other comical part about her self-praise as an author is that this book, which is told in the first person (and so could be said to have been written by the main character), leaves no cliché unturned. I was actually starting to groan out loud by the end - "No, don't do it - don't - argh". My first big, neon, flashing sign that things were not going to go well was when the phrase "commune with nature" was used unironically.
Another moment which stopped me in my tracks - or at least made me stop the audiobook long enough to remark on it - was: "'Well, if it isn't Eden Elliot,' he quipped." The definition of "quip" is "a witty or clever saying". To quote Star Trek's Uhura, "Sorry - neither."
As with just about every other series of cozy mysteries I've tried and hated, there's the seed of a love triangle. Because of course there is. The first person the main character (I know her name - I just really hate it) meets on the ground in Scotland is a hot guy. Then when she finds a body (because of course she does), the police inspector who shows up on the scene is single. So it was blindingly obvious where it was all going. (Especially since she tries to turn off her drooling over the hot guy when she misunderstands him (because of course she does) and thinks she has a girlfriend - it was pretty obvious all along that she was being an idiot there.) I had a faint, tiny, hapless glimmer of hope that this author might do something original - I thought it would be fun if the hot guy turned out to be the murderer, and then the chemistry that actually managed to get conveyed between MC and the copper could play out. But no. Of course not. In future installments of this, I suppose the copper will indeed influence whether the MC and this Leith person enact scenes that will then be featured in MC's book. (Which would be a really good reason in my world not to date a romance novelist.)
Leith (the hot guy) invites the MC to go fishing. He makes it pretty clear to me that there will be hiking and tramping and exploring involved. MC, however, envisions lying back in a boat with a fishing rod propped up to one side, basking in the sun and eating strawberries or something. When she realizes she's probably going to get wet, she's horrified. And she actually tells the reader "I fully expected Leith to do most of the work for me". Yeah, this is a match made in ... somewhere. If the author has any sense at all she'll quickly pair up the main character with the cop.
There are two moments of which I made note which make it very clear that either the main character is a complete and total moron, or ... I don't want to call a real person names; shall we say the author ... lapsed? The first is when the borrowed car MC is driving turns out to have a tire "flat as a two pound coin", so she pumps it full of tire sealant and drives to Inverness. Now, I may have an incomplete understanding of the mechanics of this, but ... if she doesn't, can't, reinflate the thing, what good is sealant going to do? The tire is still ... flat. Although sealed. She also keeps forgetting about it... Which, yes, I understand, court hearings and murderers running about and so on, but she was already so unsettled by driving on the other side of the road in a manual car, I would think driving on the other side in a manual with a flat tire would cause major angst. How do you "forget" a flat tire?
The other moment sealed this book's rating. The main character is trying to figure out how to make someone talk to her, when it's patently none of her business to be trying to get information. And she considers passing herself off as a detective. But ... "it might be illegal to impersonate a police officer", she thinks. It MIGHT be illegal. It M*I*G*H*T be illegal.
Wow.
So ... if the writing in this can be supposed to exemplify the main character's writing, this book will not be on my "fictional books I want to read" shelf. If it actually accurately exemplifies the author's writing, it'll go on the "how in the name of God is this person a, quote, 'national bestselling author', unquote" shelf.
She has a character with twins named Rhys and Ross. I hope never to meet anyone in reality who introduces me to their twins named Rhys and Ross, because my poker face isn't good enough to disguise my horror.
I should have let it stay abandoned.
But work has been difficult lately, so I needed something light to listen to, so I pulled this up. Scotland. Yay.
Needing something fluffy, however, does not mean I can tolerate moronic.
As to the setting: the narrator was adequate (although the little-girl best friend voice was awful), so I got a bit of passable brogue that probably dazzled my ears to be more accepting than I should have been, longer than I should have been. Also, I think I was giving too much credit to the main character for actually being right about some of the writing process as far as I've experienced it.
However.
The main character pats herself on the back constantly for her skill at writing. She calls herself a romance novelist. She even states at one point that nature gave her a great gift, or something like that. Which makes it a little hilarious that she apparently has about two chapters written of her first book, and takes every possible opportunity to duck out of writing any more. There is one (maybe two? No, I think just the one) scene in the book where she actually buckles down and writes, and she is so self-congratulatory that it's nauseating - and uses that one good day as an excuse to skip the next several. She claims "writer's block" after about half an hour's dithering over writing a sex scene, which is mildly offensive to anyone who's actually ever had writer's block. (And if she's this phobic about writing a sex scene, maybe she should write a cozy mystery or something instead.) If this idiot actually produces a book in the next installment, it'll be a miracle. (One I won't see, because I'm not that big a masochist.)
The other comical part about her self-praise as an author is that this book, which is told in the first person (and so could be said to have been written by the main character), leaves no cliché unturned. I was actually starting to groan out loud by the end - "No, don't do it - don't - argh". My first big, neon, flashing sign that things were not going to go well was when the phrase "commune with nature" was used unironically.
Another moment which stopped me in my tracks - or at least made me stop the audiobook long enough to remark on it - was: "'Well, if it isn't Eden Elliot,' he quipped." The definition of "quip" is "a witty or clever saying". To quote Star Trek's Uhura, "Sorry - neither."
As with just about every other series of cozy mysteries I've tried and hated, there's the seed of a love triangle. Because of course there is. The first person the main character (I know her name - I just really hate it) meets on the ground in Scotland is a hot guy. Then when she finds a body (because of course she does), the police inspector who shows up on the scene is single. So it was blindingly obvious where it was all going. (Especially since she tries to turn off her drooling over the hot guy when she misunderstands him (because of course she does) and thinks she has a girlfriend - it was pretty obvious all along that she was being an idiot there.) I had a faint, tiny, hapless glimmer of hope that this author might do something original - I thought it would be fun if the hot guy turned out to be the murderer, and then the chemistry that actually managed to get conveyed between MC and the copper could play out. But no. Of course not. In future installments of this, I suppose the copper will indeed influence whether the MC and this Leith person enact scenes that will then be featured in MC's book. (Which would be a really good reason in my world not to date a romance novelist.)
Leith (the hot guy) invites the MC to go fishing. He makes it pretty clear to me that there will be hiking and tramping and exploring involved. MC, however, envisions lying back in a boat with a fishing rod propped up to one side, basking in the sun and eating strawberries or something. When she realizes she's probably going to get wet, she's horrified. And she actually tells the reader "I fully expected Leith to do most of the work for me". Yeah, this is a match made in ... somewhere. If the author has any sense at all she'll quickly pair up the main character with the cop.
There are two moments of which I made note which make it very clear that either the main character is a complete and total moron, or ... I don't want to call a real person names; shall we say the author ... lapsed? The first is when the borrowed car MC is driving turns out to have a tire "flat as a two pound coin", so she pumps it full of tire sealant and drives to Inverness. Now, I may have an incomplete understanding of the mechanics of this, but ... if she doesn't, can't, reinflate the thing, what good is sealant going to do? The tire is still ... flat. Although sealed. She also keeps forgetting about it... Which, yes, I understand, court hearings and murderers running about and so on, but she was already so unsettled by driving on the other side of the road in a manual car, I would think driving on the other side in a manual with a flat tire would cause major angst. How do you "forget" a flat tire?
The other moment sealed this book's rating. The main character is trying to figure out how to make someone talk to her, when it's patently none of her business to be trying to get information. And she considers passing herself off as a detective. But ... "it might be illegal to impersonate a police officer", she thinks. It MIGHT be illegal. It M*I*G*H*T be illegal.
Wow.
So ... if the writing in this can be supposed to exemplify the main character's writing, this book will not be on my "fictional books I want to read" shelf. If it actually accurately exemplifies the author's writing, it'll go on the "how in the name of God is this person a, quote, 'national bestselling author', unquote" shelf.
She has a character with twins named Rhys and Ross. I hope never to meet anyone in reality who introduces me to their twins named Rhys and Ross, because my poker face isn't good enough to disguise my horror.
June 24, 2018
I enjoyed getting to visit Scotland again via the pages of the book; it's been awhile and I sure have missed it. The small village setting was lovely, with the fun plus of being located in the Loch Ness. area. Loved many of the characters that were in the book, and enjoyed their dialogue. The mystery was a good one. Some additional editing would have been nice; I found a handful of inconsistencies here and there, among a couple of other things. Looking forward to giving the next one a try.
October 24, 2019
Off Kilter is book one in the Scottish Highlands series by Hannah Reed. Eden Elliott decided after the death of her mother to follow her dreams of becoming a writer. To do this, Eden decided she needs peace so she moved to the village of Glenkillen in the Scottish Highlands to research for her book. However, this not the case on arrival Eden became involved in solving the murder of local sheep shearer before her friend Vicki would be charged with his death. The readers of Off Kilter will continue to follow Eden to find out what happens.
I was recommended to read Off Kilter by Hannah Reed, and I was not disappointed. I love Hannah Reed portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. "Off Kilter" is well written and researched by Hannah Reed. I like Hannah Reed description of her settings that allowed me to imagine living in the Scottish Highlands. At times I was unable to stop myself from laughing with some of the antics that the characters get up too.
The readers of Off Kilter will learn about living in a rural community in Scottish highland. Also, readers of Off Kilter will start to understand the problems that drivers have with the different road rules in the United States and Scotland.
recommend this book.
I was recommended to read Off Kilter by Hannah Reed, and I was not disappointed. I love Hannah Reed portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. "Off Kilter" is well written and researched by Hannah Reed. I like Hannah Reed description of her settings that allowed me to imagine living in the Scottish Highlands. At times I was unable to stop myself from laughing with some of the antics that the characters get up too.
The readers of Off Kilter will learn about living in a rural community in Scottish highland. Also, readers of Off Kilter will start to understand the problems that drivers have with the different road rules in the United States and Scotland.
recommend this book.
January 30, 2017
I loved the quirky character of Eden and reading about how she came to be in the village of Glenkillen. I really enjoyed how the writing flowed--it made the reading a pleasure. I liked the descriptions of the village and the dialog of the characters--I could really hear them talking. I have to admit I did figure out who the murderer was, but this does not bother me or detract from the story for me.
What does detract is the feeling that the story has run on too long. Oh, it wasn't just this author--this seems to be going on with most of the cosy stories that I use to love so much. I want to stop a book with the feeling that I need to read the next book NOW. But now I get the same feeling that I do when I indulge too much in a dessert I love. I feel over filled and do not really want to look at another dessert for a long time. The same is with a too long story. And that is too bad when I start a new series. I really enjoyed this book but will I remember when the next one comes out?
3.5 stars
What does detract is the feeling that the story has run on too long. Oh, it wasn't just this author--this seems to be going on with most of the cosy stories that I use to love so much. I want to stop a book with the feeling that I need to read the next book NOW. But now I get the same feeling that I do when I indulge too much in a dessert I love. I feel over filled and do not really want to look at another dessert for a long time. The same is with a too long story. And that is too bad when I start a new series. I really enjoyed this book but will I remember when the next one comes out?
3.5 stars
June 26, 2018
A very entertaining cozy mystery and it wasn’t an easy one to solve, so that’s always a plus. The audiobook was very nicely read by Angela Dawe. I can’t vouch for the realism of her Scottish accents but they sounded good to me. I will definitely check out the next in the series.
September 1, 2018
I adored this cozy mystery! I had an idea who the killer was but wasn’t 100% sure until the reveal. The side romance between Eden and Leith was perfect and didn’t overwhelm the main plot. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series
October 9, 2014
Hannah Reed takes her readers to the highlands in her latest novel, Off Kilter. This is the first book in the Scottish Highland's mystery series and cozy fans will set up and take notice. This book offers an enchanting Scottish village, a new romance novelist, and a kilted highlander to boot! Reed proves that she has more under her bonnet than bee's, as she moves away from her Queen Bee series and into something new. A good first look at a new cozy series!
What I liked:
Most cozy mystery readers are familiar with just about every setting imaginable for a cozy series. But most, generally take place in the United States or England. Hannah Reed, as well as, a few other cozy writers are branching out and starting to write cozies with a setting that is further afield and cozy readers are responding in a big way. Being of Scottish ancestry the setting for Off Kilter is right up my alley. I loved the village of Glenkillen and all of inhabitants that Reed has created for this series. She has so many options and places for this one to go. I can't wait to see what she does next.
Reed's heroine, Eden, is a girl after my own heart. She is a budding romance novelist and she needs a little inspiration after a tough year in which she losses her mother and goes through a divorce. Eden is a little older than most cozy heroine's and I think that was a real advantage here. She has more experience and more know-how than some of the younger heroines and she is looking for a new start. I thought her struggles as a writer were so on point. They are just the issues I have struggled with myself and she was so easy to relate to. Reed did a great job with her.
The mystery begins even before the plane lands in Scotland when Eden meets Vicki MacBride on the way over. Little does Eden know that by befriending Vicki she is putting herself right in the middle of a family squabble that might get her killed. When the local sheep shearer ends up dead and she and Vicki seem to be suspects number one and two, it's time for
Eden to try to figure who would want this guy dead. I enjoyed not only the tidbits about Scotland but also the info about the sheep farming business and I thought it all gelled so well with the plot of the story. The mystery was easy to understand but hard to predict. I think Reed left herself a lot of room to expand on this town and it's people and this mystery was a very good start.
What I didn't like:
I can't really put my finger on anything in particular that I didn't like about this book. I loved the setting and the main character, but it felt a little stop and start here and there. It was a bit jerky and I found myself flipping back to see if I had missed something here and there. It wasn't a deal breaker and I enjoyed the book very much, but the pace was herky-jerky now and than.
Bottom Line:
This is a very good start to a new series. The characters were fun and well developed. The heroine was a little older and a little wiser. The pace was a bit off, but there is so much potential with this one. Reed my be on to something with this series, we'll have to wait and see!
What I liked:
Most cozy mystery readers are familiar with just about every setting imaginable for a cozy series. But most, generally take place in the United States or England. Hannah Reed, as well as, a few other cozy writers are branching out and starting to write cozies with a setting that is further afield and cozy readers are responding in a big way. Being of Scottish ancestry the setting for Off Kilter is right up my alley. I loved the village of Glenkillen and all of inhabitants that Reed has created for this series. She has so many options and places for this one to go. I can't wait to see what she does next.
Reed's heroine, Eden, is a girl after my own heart. She is a budding romance novelist and she needs a little inspiration after a tough year in which she losses her mother and goes through a divorce. Eden is a little older than most cozy heroine's and I think that was a real advantage here. She has more experience and more know-how than some of the younger heroines and she is looking for a new start. I thought her struggles as a writer were so on point. They are just the issues I have struggled with myself and she was so easy to relate to. Reed did a great job with her.
The mystery begins even before the plane lands in Scotland when Eden meets Vicki MacBride on the way over. Little does Eden know that by befriending Vicki she is putting herself right in the middle of a family squabble that might get her killed. When the local sheep shearer ends up dead and she and Vicki seem to be suspects number one and two, it's time for
Eden to try to figure who would want this guy dead. I enjoyed not only the tidbits about Scotland but also the info about the sheep farming business and I thought it all gelled so well with the plot of the story. The mystery was easy to understand but hard to predict. I think Reed left herself a lot of room to expand on this town and it's people and this mystery was a very good start.
What I didn't like:
I can't really put my finger on anything in particular that I didn't like about this book. I loved the setting and the main character, but it felt a little stop and start here and there. It was a bit jerky and I found myself flipping back to see if I had missed something here and there. It wasn't a deal breaker and I enjoyed the book very much, but the pace was herky-jerky now and than.
Bottom Line:
This is a very good start to a new series. The characters were fun and well developed. The heroine was a little older and a little wiser. The pace was a bit off, but there is so much potential with this one. Reed my be on to something with this series, we'll have to wait and see!
January 2, 2017
This was my introduction to Hannah Reed and I'm hooked. I absolutely love Scotland though I've never been but would dearly love to. Ms. Reed brought Scotland into my living room. After reading this book I feel as if I made the journey with Eden Elliott. She made the surroundings and the people come alive with color and feeling.
I loved the mystery and though I had a good idea who the culprit was, the reasoning was a surprise. The suspense and danger built up to a crescendo and was truly page-turning. I loved the touches of humor and the puns put a smile on my face. Wonderful fun.
I will definitely continue this series.
I loved the mystery and though I had a good idea who the culprit was, the reasoning was a surprise. The suspense and danger built up to a crescendo and was truly page-turning. I loved the touches of humor and the puns put a smile on my face. Wonderful fun.
I will definitely continue this series.
January 23, 2021
A bland, predictable cozy riddled with awkward Scottish accents and a murderer who could be guessed the first time he appeared. The characters were charming, however, and I did appreciate the writing style. Maybe cozies aren't really my thing. *shrug*
March 31, 2019
Sometimes my best friend, Ami, can go way overboard.
Eden Elliott is recently divorced and just lost her mother to MS. Her best friend , Ami, buys her a round trip ticket to Scotland with an extended stay of six months. Ami wants Eden to experience life beyond wife and caregiver and to work on the romance novel she knows Eden can write.. Eden is seated next to chatty Vicki MacBride on the short flight from London to Inverness. Vicki is on her way to attend her estranged father's funeral and settle in the farm he left to her.
What a wonderful start to the series. Eden starts out towards small town Glenkillen in a manual rental car which breaks down halfway there. Hunky Leith Cameron and his Border Collie, Kelly, rescue Eden and deposit her at the Whistling Inn. I cannot imagine trying to figure out driving a stick in a car that has the steering wheel on the right AND drive on the left. Thank goodness for Good Samaritans!
It seems that most of the townspeople are up in arms over the division of the MacBride property. The children from later marriages certainly are. When the local shearer is found murdered, Vicki becomes the number one suspect.
Glenkillen was such a lovely town. The descriptions of the town and the surrounding countryside brought vivid images to my mind. Scotland is on my bucket list. This book makes me want to move it up a bit.
Strange accidents cause you to be suspicious of certain characters. It was a bit of twists and turns to get to the actual culprit.
I loved the dogs in the book. Kelly is a wonderful working dog. Vicki's Highland Terriers are just a bit of floof. I always enjoy books that have animals. It says a lot to me as an animal lover.
Great mystery, wonderful characters and men in kilts. What more can you ask for. I look forward to continuing the series.
Eden Elliott is recently divorced and just lost her mother to MS. Her best friend , Ami, buys her a round trip ticket to Scotland with an extended stay of six months. Ami wants Eden to experience life beyond wife and caregiver and to work on the romance novel she knows Eden can write.. Eden is seated next to chatty Vicki MacBride on the short flight from London to Inverness. Vicki is on her way to attend her estranged father's funeral and settle in the farm he left to her.
What a wonderful start to the series. Eden starts out towards small town Glenkillen in a manual rental car which breaks down halfway there. Hunky Leith Cameron and his Border Collie, Kelly, rescue Eden and deposit her at the Whistling Inn. I cannot imagine trying to figure out driving a stick in a car that has the steering wheel on the right AND drive on the left. Thank goodness for Good Samaritans!
It seems that most of the townspeople are up in arms over the division of the MacBride property. The children from later marriages certainly are. When the local shearer is found murdered, Vicki becomes the number one suspect.
Glenkillen was such a lovely town. The descriptions of the town and the surrounding countryside brought vivid images to my mind. Scotland is on my bucket list. This book makes me want to move it up a bit.
Strange accidents cause you to be suspicious of certain characters. It was a bit of twists and turns to get to the actual culprit.
I loved the dogs in the book. Kelly is a wonderful working dog. Vicki's Highland Terriers are just a bit of floof. I always enjoy books that have animals. It says a lot to me as an animal lover.
Great mystery, wonderful characters and men in kilts. What more can you ask for. I look forward to continuing the series.
March 27, 2020
Off Kilter, the first book in Hannah Reed’s Scottish Highlands mystery series, is a delightful visit to the Scottish countryside, with a wee dose of murder thrown in. It is well-written and (the audiobook) is pleasantly narrated. With its charming cast of characters and an absorbing mystery, this book really hits a sweet spot.
Following her divorce and the death of her mother, budding author Eden Elliott travels to Scotland for what she hopes to be a refreshing change of scenery. On the plane, she befriends Vicki MacBride, who is returning to her family home to claim her inheritance following the death of her father. Shortly after arriving in Scotland, however, Eden and Vicki discover the local sheep shearer murdered, and Vicki is quickly named the prime suspect. In order to clear her friend’s name – and possibly her own – Eden must track down a killer.
As first books go, this one is really good. The setting is picturesque, and the characters behave like real people. Eden is smart, resourceful, and funny. Her apprehension about trying new Scottish foods is relatable and humorous. Vicki’s half-siblings prove a suspicious bunch, and local Leith Cameron provides a touch of (maybe) romance. That said, the focus, here, is really on the mystery. The large cast of characters allows for a variety of suspects, each of whom may (or may not) have a motive for the killing. There are sufficient clues – many of them discovered in unique ways – and a couple of semi-obvious red herrings to keep the reader guessing. That the book was written in the first person only adds to the fun.
All told, Off Kilter, is exactly what is sets out to be – a cozy mystery that is both comfy and intriguing. With such an enjoyable start to the series, I look forward to visiting with Eden and her new friends shortly.
#readforkimberly
Following her divorce and the death of her mother, budding author Eden Elliott travels to Scotland for what she hopes to be a refreshing change of scenery. On the plane, she befriends Vicki MacBride, who is returning to her family home to claim her inheritance following the death of her father. Shortly after arriving in Scotland, however, Eden and Vicki discover the local sheep shearer murdered, and Vicki is quickly named the prime suspect. In order to clear her friend’s name – and possibly her own – Eden must track down a killer.
As first books go, this one is really good. The setting is picturesque, and the characters behave like real people. Eden is smart, resourceful, and funny. Her apprehension about trying new Scottish foods is relatable and humorous. Vicki’s half-siblings prove a suspicious bunch, and local Leith Cameron provides a touch of (maybe) romance. That said, the focus, here, is really on the mystery. The large cast of characters allows for a variety of suspects, each of whom may (or may not) have a motive for the killing. There are sufficient clues – many of them discovered in unique ways – and a couple of semi-obvious red herrings to keep the reader guessing. That the book was written in the first person only adds to the fun.
All told, Off Kilter, is exactly what is sets out to be – a cozy mystery that is both comfy and intriguing. With such an enjoyable start to the series, I look forward to visiting with Eden and her new friends shortly.
#readforkimberly
January 22, 2020
A quick cozy mystery set in Scotland and starring a likable American named Eden, who is "just on holiday" to work on her romance novel. Of course things get off to a rocky start. Vicky, the woman she sat by on a plane was going back to the village to bury her father and happens to be embroiled in a family feud as her father left her everything and her half siblings nothing. As Vicky never really lived in this village (her parents having split when she was younger), the whole town sides with her half siblings (who actually lived in the village), leaving Vicky friendless. Thank god she met Eden on the plane! The two hit it off and are as thick as thieves. But then they discover a body and they're both suspects. Did Vicky do it? Or did her angry half siblings commit the murder and try to pin it on her? Slightly predictable, with some twists and turns, lots of Scottish food and tea, and beautiful scenery. Everything you want out of a nice cozy mystery. This is the first in a series.
May 10, 2018
Eden Elliot has had a crappy year. Her husband divorced her and her mom died. So best friend, best-selling romance author, Ami Pederson, sent Eden on a 6-month vacation to a small town in the Scottish Highlands, and won’t take no for an answer. Eden not only needs the relaxation, but she’s under contract to write her own romance novel, which happens to be set in the Highlands.
On the plane, Eden befriends Vicki MacBride who is on her way to the same small town for her father’s funeral and to take over her large inheritance, much to the dismay of her half-siblings. Treated as an outsider, Vicki finds little comfort in her new home, and once she discovers the murdered body of the local sheep shearer, she’s considered a prime suspect. Unfortunately for Eden, she’s caught in the middle of the mess, and won’t leave her new friend out to hang.
Off Kilter is an exciting cozy mystery set in the picturesque town of Glenkillen. Although the murder mystery is serious and Eden faces true danger, the story is light, as a good cozy mystery should be. I like that Eden isn’t really a sleuth, but has an inquisitive mind, and is only trying to help her friend. She isn’t out to prove she’s more knowledgable than the police, and the local law enforcement is top notch.
Even though the murder is the focal point of the plot, the story provides slower moments which are the times we learn more about Eden and her surroundings. She takes time to appreciate the local scenery and befriend the residents, most specifically the hunky stranger who rescues her on the way into town. She and Leif spend a bit of time together, and I hope to see more of the pair in the next title.
One of the reasons I picked up Off Kilter was because of Angela Dawe. While I’ve never listened to a book narrated by her before, I’ve heard a lot of positive things. Since the story is shared from Eden’s point of view, her pleasant voice is used for most of the book, only changing for dialogue. I was very impressed with Ms. Dawe’s work, most especially all of the accents - each a wee bit unique and different. I like the use of the Scot slang, too. Ms. Dawe’s female voices are spot on, with her male voices pretty solid, most are masculine and deeper.
In the end, I very much enjoyed listening to Off Kilter. The mystery was engrossing, leaving me wondering the whys up until the end. The story had a nice pace, only slowing down once and a while for listeners to learn more about Eden. Ms. Dawe’s accents brought the story together perfectly.
My Rating: A-
Narration: A
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio.
On the plane, Eden befriends Vicki MacBride who is on her way to the same small town for her father’s funeral and to take over her large inheritance, much to the dismay of her half-siblings. Treated as an outsider, Vicki finds little comfort in her new home, and once she discovers the murdered body of the local sheep shearer, she’s considered a prime suspect. Unfortunately for Eden, she’s caught in the middle of the mess, and won’t leave her new friend out to hang.
Off Kilter is an exciting cozy mystery set in the picturesque town of Glenkillen. Although the murder mystery is serious and Eden faces true danger, the story is light, as a good cozy mystery should be. I like that Eden isn’t really a sleuth, but has an inquisitive mind, and is only trying to help her friend. She isn’t out to prove she’s more knowledgable than the police, and the local law enforcement is top notch.
Even though the murder is the focal point of the plot, the story provides slower moments which are the times we learn more about Eden and her surroundings. She takes time to appreciate the local scenery and befriend the residents, most specifically the hunky stranger who rescues her on the way into town. She and Leif spend a bit of time together, and I hope to see more of the pair in the next title.
One of the reasons I picked up Off Kilter was because of Angela Dawe. While I’ve never listened to a book narrated by her before, I’ve heard a lot of positive things. Since the story is shared from Eden’s point of view, her pleasant voice is used for most of the book, only changing for dialogue. I was very impressed with Ms. Dawe’s work, most especially all of the accents - each a wee bit unique and different. I like the use of the Scot slang, too. Ms. Dawe’s female voices are spot on, with her male voices pretty solid, most are masculine and deeper.
In the end, I very much enjoyed listening to Off Kilter. The mystery was engrossing, leaving me wondering the whys up until the end. The story had a nice pace, only slowing down once and a while for listeners to learn more about Eden. Ms. Dawe’s accents brought the story together perfectly.
My Rating: A-
Narration: A
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio.
November 2, 2021
Well written, likable characters, a great location and of course murder Off Kilter made a great first impression in this Scottish Highlands series. Excited to read more!
April 30, 2018
Read for #Book1CoziesClub
What an enjoyable read! Took me a bit to get around the accent but I really enjoyed the landscape. Looking forward to the next one.
What an enjoyable read! Took me a bit to get around the accent but I really enjoyed the landscape. Looking forward to the next one.
December 7, 2020
Eden Elliott is off to the village of Glenkillen
in the Scottish Highlands. She needs a clean
break after the death of her mother to MS
and a divorce. She is going to Scotland to do
her own research for a book she is writing.
On the plane ride, Eden meets Vicki McBride.
Vicki is returning to her homeland due to the
death of her father plus she inherited the farm
which does not sit well with other family members.
This story presents interesting array of characters
set in a land which will take the reader to a
different style of life.
The description is so well defined the reader
will feel as if they are right there experiencing
the Scottish culture as Eden does plus the
harrowing situations that are aimed to send
her away from Vicki and the farm.
Secrets, lies, murder, suspense make for a
well written, well plotted mystery that moves
along at a frightening pace.
The fur babies adding to the story are Kelly,
the Border Collie who helps find clues plus
Coco and Pepper, the Highland Terriers.
Jasper, the barn cat makes several
appearances helping point to the culprit.
in the Scottish Highlands. She needs a clean
break after the death of her mother to MS
and a divorce. She is going to Scotland to do
her own research for a book she is writing.
On the plane ride, Eden meets Vicki McBride.
Vicki is returning to her homeland due to the
death of her father plus she inherited the farm
which does not sit well with other family members.
This story presents interesting array of characters
set in a land which will take the reader to a
different style of life.
The description is so well defined the reader
will feel as if they are right there experiencing
the Scottish culture as Eden does plus the
harrowing situations that are aimed to send
her away from Vicki and the farm.
Secrets, lies, murder, suspense make for a
well written, well plotted mystery that moves
along at a frightening pace.
The fur babies adding to the story are Kelly,
the Border Collie who helps find clues plus
Coco and Pepper, the Highland Terriers.
Jasper, the barn cat makes several
appearances helping point to the culprit.
June 1, 2018
I love Scotland and mysteries, but this one doesn't work for me. It feels too heavy on internal dialog and too light on action. The main character seems annoying and not very smart to me. And when she offers to "train" the volunteer police officer? An American woman brand new to a small town in the Scottish Highlands--an aspiring romance writer with absolutely no knowledge or experience in law enforcement? And the inspector agrees? (Yes, I realize he partially just wants the volunteer out of his hair.) This just strains the credibility level way beyond where I'm comfortable with. Also, the narrator of the audiobook is a bit...Shatnerish. On top of this, mysteries with protagonists who are writers but who never write always seem to fall flat. I am sad to say I'm disappointed in this one--I wanted so much to like it!
March 20, 2021
Sometimes the women in cozies are too stupid to live and you spend the entire book rolling your eyes. This was one of those books, and the stupidity spread to others. Dragged on, didn't enjoy the mystery or the setting, can't recommend.
November 25, 2014
For a quick trip to the Scottish Highlands, this is an enchanting, cozy ride. And inexpensive too!
October 21, 2023
This cosy lets you pretend that you are in Scotland. It is a quick and enjoyable read. Eden Elliot has been nursing her mother who passed away and her husband got jealous of all the attention, so he divorced her.
Eden's best friend buys her a round-trip ticket to Scotland to try to cheer her up. The only thing is that she put the return for six weeks later. She thought about backing out but her friend gave her enough push to get there.
On the flight, she met Vickie Mc Bride who was returning to her childhood home, bringing her two Westie terriers with her. She was quite chatty and Eden really wanted to be alone but Vickie asked her to be her friend and she agreed.
Eden rented a car and found that it is very difficult to rent an automatic so she had to take a stick shift which scared her to death. I learned how to drive on a stick shift and it was not a pleasant experience, the teacher scolded me for being timid all the time. Eden sets out to go to the village that her friend loves, Glenkillen, and has a disaster driving. A handsome Scot stopped to help her. She decided to trust him because he had a very cute Border Collie with him.
Her new friend, Vickie happens to be going to the same town, and a local sheep shearer is found dead. The town suspects Vickie and Eden is determined to prove them wrong.
We learn about local food, some that I would never want to eat and others that sound delicious, and hear a little of the Scottish dialect and sayings.
I liked this cozy very much, it was direct and entertaining.
Eden's best friend buys her a round-trip ticket to Scotland to try to cheer her up. The only thing is that she put the return for six weeks later. She thought about backing out but her friend gave her enough push to get there.
On the flight, she met Vickie Mc Bride who was returning to her childhood home, bringing her two Westie terriers with her. She was quite chatty and Eden really wanted to be alone but Vickie asked her to be her friend and she agreed.
Eden rented a car and found that it is very difficult to rent an automatic so she had to take a stick shift which scared her to death. I learned how to drive on a stick shift and it was not a pleasant experience, the teacher scolded me for being timid all the time. Eden sets out to go to the village that her friend loves, Glenkillen, and has a disaster driving. A handsome Scot stopped to help her. She decided to trust him because he had a very cute Border Collie with him.
Her new friend, Vickie happens to be going to the same town, and a local sheep shearer is found dead. The town suspects Vickie and Eden is determined to prove them wrong.
We learn about local food, some that I would never want to eat and others that sound delicious, and hear a little of the Scottish dialect and sayings.
I liked this cozy very much, it was direct and entertaining.
May 31, 2019
2019 bk 182. I had to purchase this book when I saw the main character has the same first name as my own. Eden Elliott has had a hard few years between a demanding husband and a mother in need of caregiving skills. With the divorce of one and the death of the other, Eden's friend signs her up for 6 months in Scotland, half a world away, with a challenge to finish for Eden to finish her first novel and find to find romance. On her journey to Inverness, she is seated next to a woman going to Glenkillen (the same town as Eden is heading towards) and learns that Vicki is the heiress to her father's estate - with his Scottish children left out. As the two outsiders in the town, they are suspected of the murder of an old sheepherder, a mysterious fire at the inn, and numerous of other small events. A neighbor seems always to be at hand when Eden needs help, there is a volunteer police officer who needs Eden's help, and a Police Inspector who believes in looking for the truth, not the easy way out. Can the Police Inspector, with Eden's help, solve the mysteries? And what is worn under Leith's kilt?
July 18, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
This was better than many cozy series starters that I've read, although we have yet another MC who isn't investigating, she's just "asking questions." One of the dictionary definitions of investigate is to make inquiry so... *shrug*
There weren't many serious suspects to consider in this story, which could be why I found it relatively easy to identify the murderer, although the motive took me by surprise. The descriptions of the setting make me want to visit the Highlands, but many of the residents of the town seemed awfully unfriendly, although that could be due to her friendship with Vicki. Maybe their attitudes will change now that the inheritance and murder have been resolved? Guess I'll have to read the next book to find out :)
This was better than many cozy series starters that I've read, although we have yet another MC who isn't investigating, she's just "asking questions." One of the dictionary definitions of investigate is to make inquiry so... *shrug*
There weren't many serious suspects to consider in this story, which could be why I found it relatively easy to identify the murderer, although the motive took me by surprise. The descriptions of the setting make me want to visit the Highlands, but many of the residents of the town seemed awfully unfriendly, although that could be due to her friendship with Vicki. Maybe their attitudes will change now that the inheritance and murder have been resolved? Guess I'll have to read the next book to find out :)
June 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this cozy! The story is filled with delightful characters, interesting situations, a touch of romance, and lots of family drama. The animals that dot the story are wonderful ... finicky cats and adorable dogs. The outcome was somewhat of a surprise, though I had listed the guilty party in my list of suspicious. Still, I was surprised by parts of the ending and that always makes for a fun mystery. But best of all, the setting is Scotland ... near Loch Ness, where I had one of my favorite life's experiences. So altogether, a delightful cozy, and I look forward to reading more in this series.
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